Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current, Total Assets, Current Total current assets Goodwill (Note 2) Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill Goodwill, Total Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the fair value of the acquired in-process technology, adjusted for any amortization recognized after market feasibility has been achieved and for any impairment charges. In-process research and development In-process research and development Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures Investment in China joint venture Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total China joint venture investment Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Total Assets Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Accrued expenses Accrued Income Taxes, Current Income taxes payable Employee Related Liabilities Current Accrued compensation and related expenses Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Deferred Revenue, Current Current deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Deferred tax liability (Note 2) Deferred tax liability Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Long-term deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent, Total Total Liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009; no shares outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011; 220,000 shares issued at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, $0.001 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009; 12,469,214 and 12,172,510 shares issued at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, and 12,425,479 and 12,122,217 shares outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common stock, $0.001 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011; 16,127,615 shares issued at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and 16,103,565 and 16,088,015 shares outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Treasury stock, at cost; 43,735 shares at September 30, 2010 and 50,293 shares at December 31, 2009 Treasury stock, at cost; 24,050 shares at March 31, 2012 and 39,600 shares at December 31, 2011 Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury stock, at cost; 41,909 shares at June 30, 2011 and 43,735 shares at December 31, 2010 Deficit accumulated during the development stage Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Balance Balance Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Issuance of convertible preferred stock Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Preferred stock, shares issued Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Revenues, Total Revenues Revenues, Total Operating expenses: Cost of revenues Cost of Revenue, Total Research and development Research and Development Expense, Total General and administrative General and Administrative Expense, Total Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Operating Income (Loss) Operating loss Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments Impairment charge on investment securities Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Total Other expense Other expense Other Nonoperating Expense, Total Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Other income Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Loss before income taxes Loss before income taxes Income Tax Expense Benefit Income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Net loss Net loss Accretion to redemption value of redeemable convertible preferred stock Accretion to redemption value of redeemable convertible preferred stock Accretion to redemption value of redeemable convertible preferred stock Accretion to redemption value of redeemable convertible preferred stock The deemed dividend on the Series C Preferred Stock is the aggregate difference between the estimated fair value of the underlying common stock and the Series C Preferred Stock conversion price per share. The deemed dividend increased the net loss applicable to common shareholders in the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per common share. Deemed dividend resulting from convertible preferred stock Deemed dividend resulting from beneficial conversion feature on Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock Deemed dividend resulting from beneficial conversion feature on Series C redeemable convertible preferred stock Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net loss applicable to common stockholders Basic and diluted net loss per common share Basic and diluted net loss per common share Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Total The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating basic and diluted EPS. Weighted Average Number of Share Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Non-cash stock-based compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Amortization of premium or discount on investment securities, accretion of convertible notes to fair market value and amortization of debt discount and issuance costs. Amortization of premium/discount on investment securities, convertible notes and debt discount and issuance costs Amortization of premium/discount on investment securities, convertible debt, debt discount and issuance costs Impairment charge on investment securities. Impairment Charge on Investment Securities Impairment charge/(gain), net on investment securities and ARS Put Impairment charge/(gain), net on investment securities and ARS Put Loss on disposal of assets (Gain)/loss on disposal of assets (Gain)/loss on disposal of assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets, Total Impairment (write-down) of tenant improvements of sublet office space due to non-utility. Impairment of sublease Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Prepaid expenses and other assets Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of accounts payable, accrued expenses, income taxes payable , deferred rent, and other similar obligations and liabilities. Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable Accrued Expenses Income Taxes Payable And Deferred Rent Accounts payable, income tax payable, accrued expenses and deferred rent Accrued compensation and related expenses Accrued compensation and related expenses Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities, Total Restricted assets Restricted assets Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Investing activities: Cash paid for acquired business, net of acquired cash Cash paid for acquired business, net of acquired cash Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Purchases of investment securities Purchases of investment securities Payments to Acquire Investments, Total Maturities or sales of investment securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities, Total Acquisition of property and equipment Acquisition of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture Investment in China joint venture Investment in China joint venture Proceeds from sales of property and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Financing activities: Net proceeds from the sale of common stock Proceeds from issuance of common stock and units, net of issuance costs Sale of preferred stock, net of issuance costs Proceeds from issuance of convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs Auction rate securities proceeds. Auction Rate Securities Proceeds Proceeds from ARS loan Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt, Total Net proceeds from debt Proceeds from the conversion of convertible notes into common stock. Proceeds from conversion of convertible notes Purchase of treasury stock, net of employee stock purchases Purchase of treasury stock, net of employee stock purchases Purchase of treasury stock, net of employee stock purchases Repayments of Debt Repayments of debt Repayments of debt Repayment auction rate securities. Repayment Auction Rate Securities Repayments of ARS loan Repayment of ARS loan Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating and financing activities: Supplemental disclosure of investing and financing activities: Issuance of warrants. Issuance of Warrants Issuance of warrants Conversion of convertible preferred stock into common stock upon IPO Conversion of convertible preferred stock into common stock upon initial public offering Unrestricted cash upon conversion. Unrestricted Cash upon Conversion Restricted assets, cash unrestricted upon conversion of convertible notes Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information [abstract] Supplemental Disclosures Of Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Income taxes paid Interest paid Interest Paid, Total Interim Financial Information [Abstract] Quarterly Financia lInformation Text Block Interim Financial Information Avigen Transaction [Abstract] Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Avigen Transaction China Joint Venture [Abstract] Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block] China Joint Venture Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements Long-Term Debt [Abstract] Long Term Debt [Text Block] Long-Term Debt Net Loss Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net Loss Per Share Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Balance Sheet Details [Abstract] Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block] Balance Sheet Details Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure Text Block Income Taxes Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments And Contingencies Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Stockholders Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity