Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)

v2.4.1.9
Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]      
Royalties paid, minimum (in hundredths) 0.50%xoma_RoyaltiesPaidPercentageMinimum    
Royalties paid, maximum (in hundredths) 5.00%xoma_RoyaltiesPaidPercentageMaximum    
Sublicense fees paid, maximum (in hundredths) 40.00%xoma_RoyaltiesPaidSublicenseFeePercentageMaximum    
Estimate of milestone payments $ 77,300,000xoma_ContractualObligationEstimatedMilestonePayments    
Estimated future minimum lease commitments [Abstract]      
2015 3,428,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent    
2016 3,531,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears    
2017 3,637,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears    
2018 3,742,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears    
2019 3,852,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears    
Thereafter 10,733,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter    
Minimum lease payments 28,923,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue    
Total rental expense 3,500,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense 3,500,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense 4,500,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense
Restructuring charges 84,000us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 328,000us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 5,074,000us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Sublease income $ 49,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementSubleaseRevenue