XOMA Corporation Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Dispositions (Details)

Dispositions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Dispositions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 05, 2015	Nov. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business					$ 3,505
Biodefense Business [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Royalties receivable percentage on net sales			15.00%
Biodefense Business [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of asset			$ 4,500
Manufacturing Facility in Berkeley, California [Member] \| Other Income (Expense), Net [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business				$ 3,500
Manufacturing Facility in Berkeley, California [Member] \| Agenus Purchase Agreement [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash received from sale of business	$ 4,700
Sale of business, value of common stock shares received	500			500	500
Liabilities assumed	$ 300
Sales of business, number of common stock shares received	109,211
Contingent consideration value of common stock to be received					500
Consideration received for employees who would not have otherwise been retained					200
Carrying value of business sold	$ 2,200			$ 2,200	2,200
Manufacturing Facility in Berkeley, California [Member] \| Agenus Purchase Agreement [Member] \| Other Income (Expense), Net [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business					$ 3,500
Manufacturing Facility in Berkeley, California [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Agenus Purchase Agreement [Member]
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash received from sale of business		$ 5,000
Sale of business, value of common stock shares received		$ 1,000