| 
           Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) 
        In Millions, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 
           Mar. 31, 2015 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2014 
         | 
      |
| 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 | $ 77.3xoma_ContractualObligationEstimatedMilestonePayments | |
| Leases [Abstract] | ||
| Total rental expense | $ 0.9us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense | $ 0.9us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense | 
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- Details 
          
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- Definition 
          Amount of rent expense incurred for leased assets, including but not limited to, furniture and equipment, that is not directly or indirectly associated with the manufacture, sale or creation of a product or product line. No definition available. 
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- Details 
          
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- Definition 
          Reflects estimated obligations that are due and payable upon achievement of certain criteria categorized as developmental, regulatory, or commercial milestones. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The maximum percentage of royalties paid to selling price of licensed components. No definition available. 
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- Definition 
          The minimum percentage of royalties paid to selling price of licensed components. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The maximum percentage of royalties paid to sublicense fees. No definition available. 
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