Registration of securities issued in business combination transactions

Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)

v3.7.0.1
Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 05, 2017
USD ($)
Right
shares
Jan. 04, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Accumulated deficit     $ (200,230) $ (196,942) $ (176,811)
Cash equivalents and short-term investments       $ 25,500  
Achieve Life Science, Inc. [Member]          
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Conversion of each outstanding share of Achieve common stock , shares converted | shares 4,242.8904        
Termination fee $ 500        
Termination fee upon breach of certain covenants regarding alternative transactions 1,000        
Third party expenses in connection with certain terminations $ 500        
Lock-up period with the execution of the merger agreement   180 days      
Number of contingent value rights to be issued for each share of common stock outstanding | Right 1        
Transaction costs associated with merger     $ 200    
Achieve Life Science, Inc. [Member] | Contingent Value Rights [Member]          
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Combined company acquisition period results 5 years        
Aggregate consideration distributed to the holders, consideration received percent 80.00%        
OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals Equityholders [Member] | Achieve Life Science, Inc. [Member]          
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Percentage of ownership in combined company 25.00%        
Percentage of outstanding shares of capital stock held by certain officers and directors   1.20%      
Achieve Stockholders [Member] | Achieve Life Science, Inc. [Member]          
Nature Of Business And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]          
Percentage of ownership in combined company 75.00%        
Percentage of outstanding shares of capital stock held by certain officers and directors   78.00%