Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.6
Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)
 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Vancouver Canada and Bothell Washington offices [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
Vancouver Canada and Bothell Washington offices [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2010
Vancouver Canada and Bothell Washington offices [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2009
TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. [Member]
USD ($)
Compound
Dec. 31, 2012
Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and University of British Columbia [Member]
USD ($)
Rate
Dec. 31, 2012
Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and University of British Columbia [Member]
CAD
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]                  
Collaboration agreement aggregate amount           $ 50,000,000      
Maximum amount receivable 370,000,000         370,000,000      
Equity investment 15,000 10,000         10,000,000    
Direct and indirect development costs             30,000,000    
Number of compounds for which exclusive rights are granted for development             2    
Milestone payment due               20,000,000  
Period of milestone payment               21 days 21 days
Amount receivable by Isis from TEVA as a milestone payment               30.00% 30.00%
Reserve for contingency of non payment of non-royalty milestone amount               20,000,000  
Milestone payment made               10,000,000  
Balance amount of milestone payment               10,000,000  
Balance in advanced reimbursement of development activities               30,000,000  
Percentage of un-spent portion to be paid               30.00% 30.00%
Amount not to be paid as penalty               3,500,000  
Percentage of unspent portion to be paid               30.00% 30.00%
Proceeds from introduction of new agreement               800,000 100,000
Obligation to pay patent costs and license maintenance fees                 8,000
Expiry period of agreement of patented license               20 years 20 years
Milestone payment               7,750,000 1,600,000
Other Long Term Assets     500,000            
Consolidated rent expense     2,700,000 2,600,000 2,300,000        
Letter of credit     300,000            
Lease liability     4,600,000            
Commitment and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]                  
Direct and indirect cost incurred by OncoGenex $ 30,000,000                
Range of each product line 10 years                
Expiration of operating lease agreement 2014-09                
Expiration of non cancellable operating lease agreement 2017