Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Description of Business (Details)

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Description of Business (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Antibody
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Description of Business [Abstract]        
Number of classes of preclinical antibodies 3xoma_NumberOfClassesOfPreclinicalAntibodies      
Accumulated deficit incurred $ (1,141,195)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit $ (1,119,477)us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit [1]    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 67,491us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue $ 78,445us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue [1] $ 73,706us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue $ 101,659us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
[1] The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date included in the Company 's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.