Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Compensation and Other Benefit Plans (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Compensation and Other Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
May 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred savings plan [Abstract]        
Maximum annual contribution per employee (in hundredths)   50.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent    
Maximum annual contribution per employee   17,500us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeeAmount    
Maximum annual contribution per employee over 50 years old   23,000xoma_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionPerEmployeeOver50YearsOldAmount    
Age requirement for participant to be eligible for a catch-up contribution, minimum   50 years    
Deferred savings plan expense   1,000,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized 900,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized 800,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized
Deferred savings plan expense paid in common shares (in hundredths)   100.00%xoma_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognizedAndPaidThroughIssuanceOfCommonSharesPercentage 100.00%xoma_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognizedAndPaidThroughIssuanceOfCommonSharesPercentage 100.00%xoma_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognizedAndPaidThroughIssuanceOfCommonSharesPercentage
Number of shares of common stock to be issued upon exercise of options outstanding (in shares)   10,005,649xoma_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesToBeIssuedUponExerciseOfOptionsOutstanding    
Stock options activity, weighted average exercise price [Roll Forward]        
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)   4.49us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue 2.27us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue 1.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Stock-based awards weighted average assumptions [Abstract]        
Dividend yield (in hundredths)   0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
Expected volatility (in hundredths)   92.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate 92.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate 92.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate
Risk free interest rate (in hundredths)   1.72%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate 0.89%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate 0.82%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
Expected term   5 years 7 months 6 days 5 years 7 months 6 days 5 years 7 months 6 days
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]        
Total stock-based compensation expense   10,772,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense 5,099,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense 4,284,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Capitalized stock-based compensation cost   0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount 0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount 0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount
Tax benefits recognized related to stock-based compensation expense   0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense
Research and Development [Member]        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]        
Total stock-based compensation expense   5,557,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember
2,358,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember
2,391,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember
Selling, General and Administrative [Member]        
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]        
Total stock-based compensation expense   5,215,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
2,741,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
1,893,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
Maximum [Member]        
Deferred savings plan [Abstract]        
Employer matching contribution percentage, maximum (in hundredths)   50.00%xoma_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentOfEmployerSalaryDeferredMaximum
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Stock Options [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Vesting period   4 years    
Expiration period   ten years from the date of the grant or three months from the date of termination of employment (longer in case of death or certain retirements).    
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]        
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)   7,216,041us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
6,788,383us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
5,053,435us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Granted (in shares)   1,891,989us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
1,168,203us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
2,351,445us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Exercised (in shares)   (915,911)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
(589,355)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
(90,252)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Forfeited, expired or cancelled (in shares)   (489,810)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
(151,190)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
(526,245)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)   7,702,309us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
7,216,041us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
6,788,383us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Exercisable at end of year (in shares)   4,908,925us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
4,814,926us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
4,276,834us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Stock options activity, weighted average exercise price [Roll Forward]        
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share)   8.42us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
8.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
12.55us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Granted (in dollars per share)   6.69us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
3.13us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
2.59us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Exercised (in dollars per share)   3.91us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
2.26us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
1.68us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Forfeited, expired or cancelled (in dollars per share)   14.36us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
17.46us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
15.84us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)   8.15us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
8.42us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
8.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Exercisable at end of year (in dollars per share)   9.98us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
11.14us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
12.42us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Stock options vested and expected to vest [Abstract]        
Options vested and expected to vest, number of shares (in shares)   7,418,259us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Options vested and expected to vest, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)   8.27us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Options exercised, aggregate intrinsic value   2,900,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
1,700,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
100,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term   6 years 8 months 12 days    
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value   3,100,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term   5 years 8 months 12 days    
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value   2,300,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options   6,000,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
   
Weighted average period of unrecognized compensation expense expected to vest   2 years 4 months 24 days    
Minimum age required for employees to qualify for immediate vesting of RSUs   55 years    
Threshold years required for retirement age   70 years    
Stock Options [Member] | Directors [Member] | Minimum [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Vesting period   1 year    
Stock Options [Member] | Directors [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Vesting period   3 years    
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Vesting period   3 years 3 years 3 years
Additional disclosures [Abstract]        
Weighted average period of unrecognized compensation expense expected to vest   1 year 8 months 12 days    
Unrecognized compensation expense related to employee RSUs   5,900,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Minimum age required for employees to qualify for immediate vesting of RSUs   55 years    
Threshold years required for retirement age   70 years    
Unvested RSU activity [Roll Forward]        
Unvested balance, beginning of period (in shares)   1,738,037us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Granted (in shares)   1,506,194us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
958,385us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
1,292,923us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Vested (in shares)   (1,099,701)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Forfeited (in shares)   (190,651)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Unvested balance, end of period (in shares)   1,953,879us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
1,738,037us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
Unvested RSU activity, weighted average grant date fair value [Roll Forward]        
Unvested balance, beginning of period (in dollars per share)   2.73us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Granted (in dollars per share)   7.03us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Vested (in dollars per share)   3.51us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Forfeited (in dollars per share)   4.22us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Unvested balance, end of period (in dollars per share)   5.46us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
2.73us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
 
Total grant-date fair value of RSUs, vested   3,900,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
   
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Purchase price to acquire shares (in hundredths)   95.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
   
Shares authorized for issuance (in shares)   233,333us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
   
Shares purchased (in shares)   17,702us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesPurchasedForAward
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
15,262us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesPurchasedForAward
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
17,054us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesPurchasedForAward
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
Net payroll deductions to acquire shares   74,000xoma_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNetPayrollDeductionsToAcquiredSharesOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
60,000xoma_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNetPayrollDeductionsToAcquiredSharesOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
46,000xoma_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNetPayrollDeductionsToAcquiredSharesOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Employee compensation available for share purchases, maximum (in hundredths)   15.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumEmployeeSubscriptionRate
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Expiration period   ten years from the date of the grant or three to six months from the date of termination of employment (longer in case of death or certain retirements).    
Shares authorized for issuance (in shares)   6,221,101us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= xoma_LongTermIncentivePlanMember
   
Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Shares authorized for issuance (in shares) 18,771,206us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= xoma_LongTermIncentivePlanMember
     
Additional shares authorized for issuance (in shares) 5,350,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= xoma_LongTermIncentivePlanMember
     
Reducing shares from number of available shares (in shares) 1.18xoma_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAvailableSharesToReducingIntoShares
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= xoma_LongTermIncentivePlanMember
     
Stock option activity [Roll Forward]        
Granted (in shares)   1,891,989us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= xoma_LongTermIncentivePlanMember
1,168,203us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= xoma_LongTermIncentivePlanMember
2,351,445us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= xoma_LongTermIncentivePlanMember
Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member] | Directors [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Vesting period   1 year 1 year 1 year
Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member] | Non-Executive Employees [Member]        
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]        
Vesting period   4 years 4 years 4 years