Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Trading Symbol Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] Assets: Assets Current assets: Cash and Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents - end of period Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Available-For-Sale Securities, Current Investment securities, available-for-sale Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Assets, Current Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Fixed assets, net It represents amount held as security deposits. Security Deposits Security deposits Assets Total assets Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Current liabilities: Accounts Payable and Other Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities Deferred Revenue, Current Short-term portion of deferred revenue Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Long Term Liabilities [Abstract] Long-term liabilities: Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Long-term portion of deferred revenue The change in fair value of warrants that have more than one year to maturity. Warrant Liability Noncurrent Balance at June 30, 2014 Balance at December 30, 2013 Long-term portion of warrant liability Liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders' Equity Attributable To Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' equity (deficit): Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock. 25,000,000 shares authorized; 19,389,610, and 21,178,742 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2014, respectively; par value $0.001 per share Additional Paid In Capital Additional paid-in capital Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated deficit Stockholders' Equity Attributable To Parent Total stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, authorized Common stock, shares, issued Common stock, shares, outstanding Common Stock, Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Statement of Operations [Abstract] Licensing Revenue Licensing revenue Costs and Expenses Costs and expenses: Research and Development Research and development General and Administrative Expense General and administrative Total Costs and Expenses Total costs and expenses Other Income (Expense) Other income (expense): Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants Revaluation of warrants Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Other income (loss), net Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Total other income (expense) Net Income (Loss) Attributable To Parent Net income (loss) Net loss Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Weighted average shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic Weighted average shares used in calculating net income (loss) per share - basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted Weighted average shares used in calculating net income (loss) per share - dilutive Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Other Comprehensive Loss Other comprehensive income (loss): Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax Unrealized holding gain/(loss) arising during the period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax Reclassification for recognized gains on marketable investment Other comprehensive income before foreign currency translation net gain loss. Other Comprehensive Income Before Foreign Currency Translation Net Gain Loss Net unrealized gains (loss) on marketable investment securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Of Tax Total comprehensive loss Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income (Loss) To Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Revaluation of warrants. Revaluation Of Warrants Revaluation of warrants Share-Based Compensation Share-based compensation Depreciation Depreciation Investment Income, Amortization Of Premium Amortization of investment premium Increase (Decrease) In Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in: Increase (Decrease) In Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses, other current assets and security deposits Increase (Decrease) In Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities Increase (Decrease) In Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Payments To Acquire Available-For-Sale Securities Purchases of investment securities Proceeds From Sale Of Available-For-Sale Securities Sales of investment securities Payments To Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of equipment, improvements, and furniture and fixtures Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock Proceeds from issuance of stock offerings, net of issuance costs Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised Proceeds from exercise of options Proceeds From Warrant Exercises Proceeds from exercise of warrants Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest Paid Cash paid during the year for interest Overview of Business [Abstract] Business Description and Basis Of Presentation [Text Block] Overview of Business Significant Agreements [Abstract]. Significant Agreements [Abstract] The entire disclosure of significant agreements. Significant Agreements Disclosure [Text Block] Significant Agreements Investments [Abstract] Investments In Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (And Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Investments Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Warrants to Purchase Common Stock [Abstract] The entire disclosure of warrants. Warrants Disclosure [Text Block] Warrants to Purchase Common Stock Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Stockholders' Equity and Preferred Stock [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Equity and Preferred Stock Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Net Income (Loss) Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net Income (Loss) Per Share Litigation [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Litigation Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Basis Of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Presentation Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements Schedule Of Available-For-Sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block] Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value Fair Value, Liabilities Measured On Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Asset or Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block] Schedule of Available for Sale Securities Debt Maturities Tabular disclosure of stock based compensation expense. Schedule Of Stock Based Compensation Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Expense Schedule Of Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity Schedule Of Share-Based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Awards Activity Schedule Of Calculation Of Numerator and Denominator In Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share Schedule Of Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share Restatement amount related non-employee options valuation. Restatement Amount Related Non Employee Options Valuation Misstatement error, overstated non cash share based compensation expense Restatement increase decrease in additional paid in capital. Restatement Increase Decrease in Additional Paid in Capital Restatement decrease to additional paid in capital Restatement increase decrease in retained earnings accumulated deficit. Restatement Increase Decrease in Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Restatement decrease of accumulated deficit Restatement increase decrease in research and development expenses. Restatement Increase Decrease In Research and Development Expenses Restatement decrease in research and development expenses Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co Ltd [Member] Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co Ltd [Member] Criteria [Axis] Criteria [Domain] Criteria [Domain] Criteria One [Member] Criteria One [Member] Criteria Two [Member] Criteria Two [Member] Criteria Three [Member] Criteria Three [Member] Criteria Four [Member] Criteria Four [Member] Criteria Five [Member] Criteria Five [Member] Geographical [Axis] Segment Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] J [P] Japan [Member] C [N] China [Member] U [S] United States [Member] Deferred Revenue Arrangement Type [Axis] Deferred Revenue Arrangement Type [Domain] Deferred Revenue [Domain] Nonsoftware License Arrangement [Member] Nonsoftware License Arrangement [Member] Scenario [Axis] Scenario Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario Up-front Payment [Member]. Scenario Up Front Payment [Member] Up-front Payment [Member] Scenario Milestone Payment [Member]. Scenario Milestone Payment [Member] Milestone Payment [Member] Scenario Milestone for Development Payment [Member]. Scenario Milestone For Development Payment [Member] Additional Development Receivable [Member] Scenario Milestone for Regulatory Approval Payment [Member]. Scenario Milestone For Regulatory Approval Payment [Member] Additional Regulatory Approval Receivable [Member] Scenario Milestone for Sales Payment [Member]. Scenario Milestone For Sales Payment [Member] Additional Sales Receivable [Member] Significant Agreements [Line Items] Significant Agreements [Line Items] Deferred Revenue, Additions License agreement payment Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High Contingent arrangement receivable amount temp. License Agreement Sales Milestones Benchmark License arrangement, milestone benchmark Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized License arrangement, deferred revenue, recognized Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] Cash And Money Market Funds [Member] Cash and Money Market Funds [Member] Major Types Of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types Of Debt And Equity Securities [Domain] Major Types Of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Commercial Paper [Member] Commercial Paper [Member] Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Corporate Debt Securities [Member] U S Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] U.S. Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Municipal Bonds [Member] Municipal Securities [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents: Represents the amortized cost of cash and cash equivalents. Cash and Cash Equivalents, Amortized Cost Cash and Cash Equivalents, Amortized Cost Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Cash and cash equivalents, Fair Value Investment Securities [Abstract] Investments: Available-For-Sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Total investments, Amortized Cost Represents the total amount of cash and cash equivalents and investment in securities amortized cost. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments, Amortized Cost Total cash and cash equivalents and investments, Amortized Cost Available-For-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains Total investments, Gross Unrealized Gains Represents the total amount of gross unrealized gains of cash and cash equivalents and investment in securities. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments, Gross Unrealized Gains Total cash and cash equivalents and investments, Gross Unrealized Gains Available-For-Sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses Total investments, Gross Unrealized Losses Represents the total amount of unrealized losses of cash and cash equivalents and investment in securities. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments, Unrealized Losses Total cash and cash equivalents and investments, Gross Unrealized Losses Available-For-Sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure Total investments in debt securities Total investments, Fair Value Represents the fair value disclosure of cash and cash equivalents and investment in securities. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Total cash and cash equivalents and investments, Fair Value Available-For-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Fair Value Total available for sale securities, Less than 12 months, Fair Value Available-For-Sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses Total available for sale securities Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Holding Losses Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value Total available for sale securities, More than 12 months, Fair Value Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss Total available for sale securities more than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Holding Losses Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value Available-for-sale securities, Total Fair Value Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Loss Available-for-sale securities, Total Gross Unrealized Losses Range [Axis] Range [Member] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Operating Loss Carryforwards Operating loss carryforwards Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates Deferred tax assets, net Class Of Warrant Or Right, Outstanding Warrants to purchase common stock Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted Conversion of warrants into common stock Non cash warrant revaluation charge. Non Cash Warrant Revaluation Charge Non cash warrant revaluation charge Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level3 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Money Market Funds, At Carrying Value Money market funds Available-For-Sale Securities [Abstract] Available for sale securities: Commercial Paper, At Carrying Value Commercial paper Represents the carrying value of corporate debt securities. Corporate Debt Securities At Carrying Value Corporate debt securities Us Government Securities, At Carrying Value U.S. government and agency securities Municipal Debt Securities, at Carrying Value Municipal securities Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Total financial assets: Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities: Warrants and Rights Outstanding Warrants to purchase common stock Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Total financial liabilities Represents the realized and unrealized loss of warrants. Warrant Liability Realized And Unrealized Losses Net losses recognized in earnings Represents the value of warrants exercised during the period. Warrant Exercises Exercises Debt Securities [Member] Debt Securities [Member] Available-For-Sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value Due in one year or less Available-For-Sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value Due after one year through 2 years Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated [Member]. Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated [Member] Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated [Member] Title of Individual [Axis] Title Of Individual With Relationship To Entity [Domain] Title Of Individual With Relationship To Entity [Domain] Selling Stockholders [Member]. Selling Stockholders [Member] Selling Stockholders [Member] Development stage entities, equity issuance, date Development stage entities, stock issued, shares, issued for cash Equity Issuance, Per Share Amount Development stage entities, equity issuance, per share amount Proceeds from issuance initial public offering Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Upon Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, authorized Preferred stock, par or stated value per share Award Type [Axis] Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Award Type And Plan Name [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted Stock Award [Member]. Restricted Stock Award [Member] Restricted Stock Award [Member] Restricted Stock Unit [Member]. Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Restricted Stock Unit [Member] Allocated share-based compensation expense Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Grants In Period Granted - shares Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, award vesting period Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table] Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Ending outstanding, number of shares Beginning outstanding, number of shares Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Ending outstanding, weighted average exercise price Beginning outstanding, weighted average exercise price Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants In Period, Gross Granted - number of shares Share-Based Compensation Arrangements By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Grants In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted - weighted average exercise price Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises In Period Exercised - number of shares Share-Based Compensation Arrangements By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercises In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised - weighted average exercise price Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations In Period Forfeited - number of shares Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations In Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Forfeited - weighted average exercise price Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Exercisable - number of shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable - weighted average exercise price Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Nonvested, Number Outstanding, June 30, 2014 Outstanding, December 31, 2013 Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding - weighted average exercise price, June 30, 2014 Outstanding - weighted average exercise price, December 31, 2013 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Granted - weighted average exercise price Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Vested In Period Exercised - shares Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options, Vested In Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Exercised - weighted average exercise price Earnings Per Share Numerator [Abstract] Numerator: Net Loss Attributable To Common Stockholders Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders Earnings Per Share Denominator [Abstract] Denominator: Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Dilutive effect of equity incentive plans' shares Net income (loss) per share: Weighted average number of options excluded from calculation of diluted shares adjustment. Weighted Average Number Of Options Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Shares Adjustment Options Weighted average number of warrants excluded from calculation of diluted shares adjustment. Weighted Average Number Of Warrants Excluded from Calculation of Diluted Shares Adjustment Warrants to purchase common stock It represents the number of restricted stock units. Restricted Stock Units Restricted stock units The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation. Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Adjustment Total Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss contingency, lawsuit filing date Loss contingency, name of plaintiff Loss contingency, name of defendant Loss contingency, domicile of litigation Loss contingency, allegations Loss contingency accrual K [P] Korea [Member] Performance Shares [Member] Performance-Based Options [Member] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] General And Administrative Expense [Member] General and Administrative Expense [Member] Research And Development Expense [Member] Research and Development Expense [Member] Litigation Case [Axis] Litigation Case Type [Domain] Litigation Case [Domain] Scot H Atwood Vs Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated [Member]. Scot H Atwood Vs Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated [Member] Scot H. Atwood vs Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc [Member] George Burton VS Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated [Member] George Burton Vs Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated [Member] George Burton vs Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc [Member]