Non-deductible expenses Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Amount IPR&D Deferred Tax Liabilities, Intangible Assets Document Type Document Type ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag Aggregate intrinsic value outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Other income (expense), net (note 14) Total Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Liabilities from in-licensing agreements Liabilities From-In-Licensing Agreements Liabilities From-In-Licensing Agreements Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Granted (in shares) Options granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Payables and Accruals [Abstract] Deferred Financing Costs Deferred Financing Costs [Policy Text Block] Deferred Financing Costs Policy Text Block. IPR&D Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets In Process Research and Development [Member] Information by major type or class of indefinite-lived intangible assets. In process investigation of new knowledge useful in developing new product or service or new process or technique or improvement to existing product or process, and translation of knowledge into plan or design for new product or process or for improvement to existing product or process. Latest Tax Year Latest Tax Year [Member] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Short-term investments maturity term Short Term Investments Maturity Term Short term investments maturity term. Vested and settled (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Leases Lessee, Leases [Policy Text Block] Future lease payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not Yet Commenced, Undiscounted Amount Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not Yet Commenced, Undiscounted Amount Effect of change in tax rates Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount Finance Expense (Income) Finance Expense (Income) [Member] Finance expense (income). Pre funded warrants issued in lieu of common shares to underwriters Pre Funded Warrants Issued In Lieu Of Common Shares Pre funded warrants issued in lieu of common shares to underwriters. Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Operating lease right-of-use assets Deferred Tax Liabilities Operating lease right-of-use assets Deferred tax liabilities, operating lease right-of-use assets . Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Change during the period Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Period Increase (Decrease) Deferred tax liability (note 15)  Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Financial Instruments [Line Items] Financial Instruments [Line Items] Financial Instruments [Line Items] Financial Instruments [Table] Financial Instruments [Table] Financial Instruments [Table] Thereafter Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Rolling Year Five Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Options forfeited and cancelled (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested Options Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Loss from operations Operating Income (Loss) Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Outstanding, December 31, 2019 (in dollars per shares) Outstanding, December 31, 2020 (in dollars per shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Tax Year 2034 Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Four [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Four [Member] Commitments and contingencies (note 18) Commitments and Contingencies Total finance lease payments Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due Debt securities, available-for-sale, noncurrent Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Noncurrent Assets Assets [Abstract] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Shares available for issuance, vesting period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Furniture and fixtures Furniture and Fixtures [Member] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Clinical Trial Expense Accruals Clinical Trial Expense Accruals [Policy Text Block] Clinical Trial Expense Accruals. Operating lease payments Operating Lease, Payments Computed taxes at Canadian tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount Collaborative agreement expansion fee Collaborative Agreement Expansion Fee Collaborative agreement expansion fee. Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Other Commitments [Table] Other Commitments [Table] Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Operating lease right-of-use assets (note 16) Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Acquired In-Process Research and Development and Definite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired In Process Research And Development And Definite Lived Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block] Acquired In Process Research And Development And Definite Lived Intangible Assets. Property and equipment Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy [Member] Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy Earliest Tax Year Earliest Tax Year [Member] Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) Number of liability classified stock options outstanding (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Nonvested award, cost not yet recognized, amount Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount CANADA CANADA Customer [Axis] Customer [Axis] Tax credit carryforward, amount Investment tax credits Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount Income Taxes Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Operating expenses Operating Expenses Building Building [Member] Purchase of shares under ESPP, maximum limit for each employee Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Amount Exercisable (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number 2 to 3 years Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Three Maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance increase in percentage Maximum Number Of Common Shares Reserved For Issuance Increase In Percentage Maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance increase in percentage. Schedule of Other Long-term Liabilities Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Table Text Block] Derivative liability, classified stock options and ESPP Derivative Liability, Classified Stock Options and ESPP Derivative Liability, Classified Stock Options and ESPP Other long-term liabilities (note 9) Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Deferred tax asset (note 15) Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Finance lease payments Finance Lease, Principal Payments Royalty payments on future global net sales Percentage of Royalty Rate Payments Percentage of royalty rate payments. Tax Year 2031 Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty One [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty One [Member] Platform Technology Transfer and License Agreement Platform Technology Transfer and License Agreement [Member] Platform technology transfer and license agreement. Stock-based compensation APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition ZW25 Agreement ZW25 Agreement [Member] ZW25 Agreement. Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Option Exercise Fee Option Exercise Fee [Member] Option Exercise Fee [Member] Weighted-average common shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract] Investments Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Celgene Celgene [Member] Celgene. Maximum exercise fees and milestone payments Collaborative Arrangement, Maximum Exercise Fees and Milestone Payments Collaborative Arrangement, Maximum Exercise Fees and Milestone Payments Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, expiration period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Issuance of common shares on exercise of warrants (note 10) Stock Issued During Period Value Exercise Of Warrants Stock Issued During Period Value Exercise Of Warrants Other Other Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Royalty agreement term Royalty Agreement Term Royalty agreement term. Forecast Forecast [Member] Deferred income tax expense (recovery) Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes Tax Period [Axis] Tax Period [Axis] Tax Year 2030 Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty [Member] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Table] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Table] Number of operating programs Number Of Operating Programs Number Of Operating Programs Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Financial obligation due period Financial Obligation Due Period Financial Obligation Due Period Liability for contingent consideration (note18) Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Noncurrent Options vested (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested, Number of Shares Non-capital losses carried forward Deferred Tax Assets Non-Capital Loss Carry Forwards Deferred Tax Assets Non-Capital Loss Carry Forwards Tax Credit Carryforward [Axis] Tax Credit Carryforward [Axis] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Up-front Technology Access Fee Up-front Payment Arrangement [Member] Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others, Type [Axis] Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others, Type [Axis] Project Two Project Two [Member] Project Two [Member] Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options (in shares) Common Stock Shares Issuable Upon Exercise Of Stock Option Common stock shares issuable upon exercise of stock option. Net redemptions (purchases) of short-term investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Short-term Investments Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others, Type [Domain] Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others, Type [Domain] Warrants exercise price Warrant exercise price Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights 4 to 5 years Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Five Tax Year 2029 Tax Year Two Thousand Twenty Nine [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Twenty Nine [Member] Second Therapeutic Second Therapeutic [Member] Second Therapeutic [Member] Basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Net loss per common share – basic and diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Portion of fee received Option Fee, Portion Of Fee Received Option Fee, Portion Of Fee Received Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Table Text Block]. Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Deferred Tax Liability Measurement Basis [Axis] Deferred Tax Liability Measurement Basis [Axis] Deferred Tax Liability Measurement Basis. Number of agreements Number Of Agreements Number Of Agreements Weighted-average contractual term, exercisable Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Collaborative Arrangement Collaborative Arrangement [Member] Proceeds from public offerings, net of issuance costs (note 11a) Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Warrants issued price per pre funded warrant (in dollars per share) Warrants Issued Price Per Pre Funded Warrant Warrants issued price per pre funded warrant. Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Summary of Calculation of Diluted Loss Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Weighted-average common shares outstanding (note 4): Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Deferred income tax assets and liabilities [Line Items] Deferred income tax assets and liabilities [Line Items] Deferred income assets and liabilities. Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Deferred Tax Net Deferred Tax Net [Member] Deferred Tax,Net. Research and Development Costs Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block] Deferred tax assets: Deferred Tax Assets, Gross [Abstract] Credit facility Long-term Line of Credit Capital and operating lease due, period Capital And Operating Lease Obligation Period Capital And Operating Lease Obligation Period Total Liabilities, Other than Long-term Debt, Noncurrent Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Net monetary assets Net Monetary Assets Denominated In Foreign Currency Net Monetary Assets Denominated In Foreign Currency Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Research Milestone Research Milestone [Member] Research Milestone [Member] Unrealized foreign currency loss (gain) Unrealized Foreign Currency Loss (Gain) Liability Classified Stock Options Unrealized foreign currency loss (gain) liability classified stock options. Change in recognition and measurement of tax positions Income Tax Reconciliation Change In Recognition And Measurement Of Tax Positions Income tax reconciliation change in recognition and measurement of tax positions. Accrued refundable investment tax credits Accrued Investment Tax Credit Accrued investment tax credit. Number of reporting units Number of Reporting Units Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Schedule of Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Financing Receivable, Past Due [Table] Financing Receivable, Past Due [Table] Acquisition of property and equipment in accounts payable and accrued liabilities Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Change in valuation allowance Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount Tax credit carryforward, expiration year Tax Credit Carry Forward Expiration Year Tax Credit Carry Forward Expiration Year Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Change in fair value of warrant liabilities (note 10) Increase (decrease) in fair value of warrants Change in fair value of warrant liabilities (note 10) Fair Value Adjustment of Warrants Renewal term Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term Temporary Equity, by Class of Stock [Table] Temporary Equity, by Class of Stock [Table] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Government Grants and Credits [Abstract] Government Grants and Credits [Abstract] Weighted-average grant date fair value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Axis] Share issuance costs in equity Income Tax Reconciliation Nondeductible Expense Share Issuance Costs In Equity Income tax reconciliation nondeductible expense share issuance costs in equity. Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Changes due to SR&ED and research credits Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Research, Amount Other Commitments [Line Items] Other Commitments [Line Items] Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Leases Leases Disclosure [Text Block] Leases Disclosure [Text Block] Iconic Therapeutics Inc Iconic Therapeutics Inc [Member] Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract] Amortization of intangible assets Amortization expense on intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Deferred revenue Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Income Line of Credit Facility [Table] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Bispecific Therapeutic Bispecific Therapeutic [Member] Bispecific Therapeutic [Member] Interest income Interest and Other Income Number of shares issued to underwriters (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Issued for Services Deferred Revenue Arrangement Type [Axis] Deferred Revenue Arrangement Type [Axis] Deferred financing fees Payments Of Deferred Financing Fees The amount of costs incurred as part of equity financing transactions that have been paid. CEWS and other subsidies Grant CEWS and Rent Subsidy [Member] Grant CEWS and Rent Subsidy Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Impairment [Roll Forward] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Impairment [Roll Forward] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Impairment Issuance of common shares and pre-funded warrants in connection with public offering, net of offering costs Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Financial liabilities measured at fair value Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Total assets Assets Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Change during the period Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill) Research and development collaborations (note 13) Government Grants And Credits government grants and credits Summary of Changes in Fair Value of the Company's Liability for Contingent Consideration Changes In Fair Value Of Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block] Changes In Fair Value Of Contingent Consideration [Table Text Block] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Intangible assets, net (note 8) Intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Options granted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Schedule of Maturities of Finance Lease Liabilities Finance Lease, Liability, Fiscal Year Maturity [Table Text Block] Vesting [Domain] Vesting [Domain] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward] Research Research Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] Net proceeds from issuance | $ Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Recovery) Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Tax Year 2036 Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Six [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Six [Member] Tax Year 2038 Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Eight [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Eight [Member] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Total liabilities Liabilities Canada, Dollars Canada, Dollars Stock options Deferred Tax Assets Stock Options Deferred Tax Assets Stock Options Nonvested award, cost not yet recognized, period for recognition Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Imputed interest Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Remaining unamortized compensation expense, weighted-average period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Federal Tax Incentive Federal Tax Incentive [Member] federal tax incentive [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Net loss attributable to common shareholders basic Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Operating lease expense Operating Lease, Expense Weighted-average contractual term, vested and expected to vest Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Deferred revenue (note 13) Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Options vested (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block] Component of Government Grants and Credits Disclosure Of Components Liability In Respect Of Government Grants [Table Text Block] Disclosure Of Components Liability In Respect Of Government Grants Table [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Information Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block] Intangible assets Deferred Tax Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets Granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Granted Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] Investments interest rate Investment Interest Percentage Investment interest percentage. Common shares, outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] License Agreement License Agreement Terms [Member] Maximum exposure to credit risk for accounts receivable Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Financial Instrument, Maximum Exposure Variable lease payment Variable Lease, Payment Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Items not involving cash: Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Research and development Research and development expenses Research and Development Expense Income tax examination, year under examination Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination Beginning balance (in dollars per share) Ending balance (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract] Royalty Royalty [Member] Liability Classified Stock Options Liability Classified Stock Options [Member] Liability classified stock options. Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock Unit, Activity Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block] Proceeds from stock options exercised Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Fixed lease payment Fixed Lease Payment Fixed lease payment. Schedule of Expiry Details of Investment Tax Credits, Non-Capital Losses and Net Operating Losses for Income Tax Purposes Summary Of Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards [Table Text Block] Summary Of Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards [Table Text Block] LEO Pharma Leo Pharma [Member] Leo Pharma. Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Line Items] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Line Items] Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Ltd. Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Ltd. [Member] Merck sharp and dohme research ltd. Upfront payment received Payment Received On Collaboration Agreement Payment Received On Collaboration Agreement Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Accumulated other comprehensive loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Acquired IPR&D, beginning balance Acquired IPR&D, ending balance Acquired In Process Research And Development Acquired in Process Research and Development. Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Table] Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Table] Schedule of accounting policies. Long-term portion of operating lease liability (note 16) Long-term portion Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent 2024 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Four Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Over-Allotment Option Over-Allotment Option [Member] Liability for Contingent Consideration Liability for Contingent Consideration [Member] Liability for contingent consideration. Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Accounts Receivable and Expected Credit Losses Accounts Receivable And Expected Credit Losses [Policy Text Block] Accounts Receivable And Expected Credit Losses Dividend yield Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Documents Incorporated by Reference Documents Incorporated by Reference [Text Block] Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] License Option License [Member] Numerator: Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract] Scenario [Domain] Scenario [Domain] Acquisition of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment City Area Code City Area Code Development Milestone Development Milestone [Member] Development milestone. Adjustments to prior year Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Prior Year Income Taxes, Amount Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table] Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table] Fair value adjustments upon reclassification of stock options to liabilities Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital Fair Value Adjustment Upon Reclassification of Stock Options Adjustments to additional paid in capital fair value adjustment upon reclassification of stock options. Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Bei Gene Bei Gene [Member] Bei Gene [Member] Exercise of liability classified warrants Long-term Debt [Text Block] First Therapeutic First Therapeutic [Member] First Therapeutic [Member] IPR&D and Goodwill Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Intangible assets, net Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Director Director [Member] Non-vested, beginning balance (in dollars per share) Non-vested, ending balance (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Option, Nonvested, Weighted Average Exercise Price Net loss Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Exercise of options Exercise of Liability Classified Options Exercise of liability classified options. Operating lease, term of contract Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract Issuance of common shares on exercise of warrants (in shares) Stock Issued During Period Shares Exercise Of Warrants Stock Issued During Period Shares Exercise Of Warrants Summary Of Tax Credit Carry Forward And Operating Loss Carry Forwards [Line Items] Summary Of Tax Credit Carry Forward And Operating Loss Carry Forwards [Line Items] Summary Of Tax Credit Carry Forward And Operating Loss Carry Forwards [Line Items] SR&ED credits (expense), net SR&ED Credits [Member] SR&ED Credits Computer hardware Computer Hardware [Member] Computer Hardware [Member] 4 to 5 years Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Five Impairment loss Operating Lease, Impairment Loss Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Stock-based compensation (note 11e) Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Contract Assets and Liabilities Contract Assets And Contract Liabilities [Policy Text Block] Contract assets and contract liabilities. Research, Development, Commercial License Option Milestone Research And Development Regulatory And Sales Related Milestone [Member] Research and development regulatory and sales related milestone. ZW25 and ZW49 Agreements Zw 25 And Zw 49 [Member] Zw 25 and Zw 49 [Member] Property and equipment Deferred Tax Assets, Property, Plant and Equipment License and Milestone Payments License and Milestone Payments [Member] License and milestone payments [member] Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Supplemental Financial Information (unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Liabilities Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Employees Stock Purchase Plan Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member] Employees Stock Purchase Plan [Member] Tax Year 2037 Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Seven [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Seven [Member] Intangible Assets Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Property and equipment useful lives Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life Maximum milestone payments and tiered royalties Collaborative Arrangement, Maximum Milestone Payments and Tiered Royalties Collaborative Arrangement, Maximum Milestone Payments and Tiered Royalties Government Grants and Credits Government Grants And Tax Credits [Policy Text Block] Government grants and tax credits. Deferred revenue Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Outside basis difference in foreign subsidiary Deferred Tax Liabilities, Outside Basis Difference Deferred Tax Liabilities, Outside Basis Difference Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Royalty percentage earned from sales of product Royalty Percentage Earned From Product Sales Royalty percentage earned from product sales. Investments [Line Items] Investments [Line Items] Investments. Other expense, net Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block] Tranche A Term Loans TrancheATermLoans [Member] Tranche A term loans. Net deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Net Total operating expenses Costs and Expenses Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Impairment Of Long Lived Assets [Policy Text Block] Impairment Of Long Lived Assets Policy Text Block. Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance (in shares) Maximum Number Of Common Shares Reserved For Issuance Maximum number of common shares reserved for issuance under new plan. Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Gross deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets, Gross Minimum Minimum [Member] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired [Roll Forward] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] 1 to 2 years Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Two Option Fee, Total Option Fee, Total Option Fee, Total Current portion of operating lease liability (note 16) Current portion Operating Lease, Liability, Current Options forfeited and cancelled (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested Options Forfeited, Number of Shares Contingent consideration Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Contingencies Outstanding, December 31, 2019 (in shares) Outstanding, December 31, 2020 (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding, Number Issuance of common shares through employee stock purchase plan (note 11f) Proceeds from Issuance of Shares Under Employee Share Purchase Plan Amount of cash inflow from issuance of shares under share-based compensation arrangement. Issuance includes, but is not limited to, employee share purchase plan. Partner Revenue Partner Revenue [Member] Partner Revenue Schedule of Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] 1 to 2 years Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Two Beginning balance Ending balance Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Impairment Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Impairment Forfeited (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Schedule of Estimated Fair Value of Stock Options Assumptions Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current UNITED STATES UNITED STATES Milestone Payment Milestone Payment [Member] Milestone payment [member] Exercised (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Revenue: Revenues [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Summary of Stock Options Granted Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items] Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items] Schedule of accounting policies. Customer [Domain] Customer [Domain] Cross License Agreement Cross License Agreement [Member] Cross license agreement. Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Non-vested, beginning balance (in shares) Non-vested, ending balance (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Discount rate Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Gross deferred tax liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross Grant Grant [Member] Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability (note 18) Increase  (decrease) in fair value of liability for contingent consideration Contingent Consideration Fair Value Adjustments Contingent consideration fair value adjustments. Number of RSUs Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Short Term Investments [Table] Schedule of Investments [Table] Weighted- Average Exercise Price ($) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Imputed interest Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Research and Development Expense Research and Development Expense [Member] Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Accounts receivable Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Total operating lease payments Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid Other Deferred Tax Assets, Other Tax Year 2035 Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Five [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Five [Member] Share issued price per share (in dollars per share) Shares Issued, Price Per Share Tax Year 2033 Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Three [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Three [Member] Foreign Currency Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] Sale of Stock [Axis] Sale of Stock [Axis] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Basic and diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance Commercial and Development Milestones Commercial and Development Milestones [Member] Commercial and Development Milestones [Member] Goodwill (note 6) Goodwill Number of renewal options Lessee, Operating Lease, Number Of Renewal Options Lessee, Operating Lease, Number Of Renewal Options Deferred tax assets liabilities before valuation allowance Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Before Valuation Allowance Deferred tax assets (liabilities) before valuation allowance. Milestone Performance Milestone [Member] Performance Milestone [Member] Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Janssen Biotech, Inc. Janssen [Member] Janssen [Member] Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual [Axis] Purchases of long-term investments Payments to Acquire Long-term Investments Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Domain] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Domain] Net operating loss carry forwards Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Perceptive Debt PerceptiveDebt [Member] Perceptive debt. Vesting [Axis] Vesting [Axis] Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period General and Administrative Expenses General and Administrative Expense [Member] Shares granted with respect to maximum fixed amount equal, percentage Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Percentage of Outstanding Stock Maximum Acquired IPR&D, Change during the period Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired Trade payables Accounts Payable, Trade, Current Commercial License Option Exercise Commercial License Option Exercise [Member] Commercial License Option Exercise [Member] Granted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Vested and expected to vest (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Deferred Tax Liability Measurement Basis [Domain] Deferred Tax Liability Measurement Basis [Domain] Deferred Tax Liability Measurement Basis. Other Income and Expenses [Abstract] Other Income and Expenses [Abstract] Expected average life of options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Number of operating segments Number of Operating Segments Entity File Number Entity File Number Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Operating lease liabilities Increase Decrease in Operating Lease Liabilities Increase decrease in operating lease liabilities. Government Grants And Credits [Line Items] Government Grants And Credits [Line Items] Government Grants And Credits Expired (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Weighted average remaining lease term Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term New Stock Option Plan New Stock Option Plan [Member] New Stock Option Plan Member. Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Within 1 year Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Rolling Twelve Months Deferred Revenue [Domain] Deferred Revenue [Domain] Aggregate intrinsic value vested and expected to vest Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Milestone payment Milestone Payment Milestone Payment Compensation charge Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expense Long-term Guaranteed investment Certificates Long-term Guaranteed investment Certificates [Member] Long-term Guaranteed investment Certificates Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance, beginning of year Balance, end of year Unrecognized Tax Benefits Tax Credit Carryforward, Name [Domain] Tax Credit Carryforward, Name [Domain] Issuance of common shares through employee stock purchase plan (note 11f) Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan Research and development collaborations (note 13) Revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax Commercial Sales Milestones Commercial Sales Milestones [Member] Commercial Sales Milestones [Member] Common shares, no par value; unlimited authorized shares at December 31, 2020 and 2019; 46,035,389 and 39,564,529 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively (note 11b) Common Stock, Value, Issued Long-term investments (note 5) Long-term Investments Deferred financing fees Deferred Financing Fee Deferred financing fee. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Annual Report Document Annual Report 2022 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Two Aggregate intrinsic value exercisable Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified stock options Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified stock options Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified stock options. Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status 3 to 4 years Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Four All Currencies [Domain] All Currencies [Domain] BMS BMS [Member] BMS Tax Year 2032 Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Two [Member] Tax Year Two Thousand Thirty Two [Member] Net Loss Per Share Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Short-term Guaranteed investment Certificates Short-term Guaranteed investment Certificates [Member] Short-term Guaranteed investment Certificates Stock-based compensation for equity classified instruments Allocated Share Based Compensation Expense Income Allocated share based compensation expense (income). Expiry Date Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards Expiration Year Operating Loss And Tax Credit Carryforwards Expiration Year Glaxo Smith Kline Intellectual Property Development Ltd Glaxo SmithKline Intellectual Property Development Ltd [Member] Glaxo smith kline intellectual property development. Granted (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Property and equipment estimated useful lives Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives Award vesting rights, percentage Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights, Percentage Research, Collaboration and Licensing Agreements Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block] Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Common shares, issued (in shares) Beginning balance (in shares) Ending balance (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Valuation Allowance by Deferred Tax Asset [Axis] Valuation Allowance by Deferred Tax Asset [Axis] Other Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Accrued legal and professional fees Accrued Legal And Professional Fees, Current Accrued legal and professional fees, current. Laboratory equipment Laboratory Equipment [Member] PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=zyme Total operating lease liabilities Total operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability Deferred tax liability Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Reclassification to liabilities from equity Reclassification To Liability From Equity Reclassification to Liability from Equity Project [Domain] Project [Domain] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Liability at the beginning of the period Liability at end of the period Contingent Consideration Liability Fair Value Disclosure Contingent Consideration Liability Fair Value Disclosure Total shareholders’ equity Beginning balance Ending balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Payments of stock issuance costs Payments of Stock Issuance Costs Nature of Operations Nature of Operations [Text Block] Difference between domestic and foreign tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Amount Schedule of Balance Sheet Classification of Lease Liabilities Schedule of Lease Liabilities Classification [Table Text Block] Schedule of lease liabilities classification. Business Combination and Goodwill Business Combinations And Goodwill [Policy Text Block] Business Combinations And Goodwill. Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Research Development and Commercial Milestones Research Development and Commercial Milestones [Member] Research, development and commercial milestones member Investments Investment [Text Block] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Employee compensation and vacation accruals Employee-related Liabilities, Current Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Commercial Milestones Commercial Milestones [Member] Commercial milestones. Acquisition of intangible assets Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 9) Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Current Maximum eligible employees contribution under ESPP Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Subscription Rate General and administrative General and administrative expenses General and Administrative Expense Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract] Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instrument [Axis] Within 1 year Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Next Rolling Twelve Months Current income tax expense Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Total lease liabilities Lease Liability Lease Liability Increases related to current year tax positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Increases related to prior year tax positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Less: valuation allowance Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Date of incorporation Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation Property and equipment, net (note 7) Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 2023 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Three Construction in progress Construction in Progress [Member] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Revenue Recognition Revenue from Contract with Customer [Policy Text Block] Summary of Significant Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table] Summary of Significant Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table] Summary of Significant Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities. Net loss Net loss Net loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Finance lease liability (note 16) Long-term portion included in other long-term liabilities Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Changes in non-cash operating working capital: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Number of potential products to developed and commercialized Number of potential products developed and commercialized Number of potential products developed and commercialized. Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] Leases [Abstract] Leases [Abstract] Offering Offering [Member] Offering. Operating lease liability Deferred Tax Assets Operating Lease Liability Deferred tax assets, operating lease liability. Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Total current assets Assets, Current Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Tax Year 2040 Tax Year 2040 [Member] Tax Year 2040 Non-capital losses Operating Loss Carryforwards Perceptive Warrants PerceptiveWarrants [Member] FinancialInstrumentAxis=zyme_PerceptiveWarrantsMember Net loss per common share (note 4): Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Schedule of Significant Components of the Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block] Finance lease liabilities Finance lease liabilities Finance Lease, Liability Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized Amortization and impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset Amortization Operating lease right of use asset amortization. Number of options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Accrued research and development expenses Accrued Research Expenses Current Accrued research expenses, current. Shareholders’ equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation Stock Based Compensation [Policy Text Block] Stock Based Compensation. Research and Development Milestone Research and Development Milestone [Member] Research and development Milestone member Warrants issued to purchase shares Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights Number of Options Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Canadian Dollar Under the New Option Stock Plan CAD Dollars Under The New Stock Option Plan [Member] CAD dollars under the new stock option plan. 2025 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Five Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus 2 to 3 years Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Three Cashless exercise of warrants (note10) Cashless Exercise Of Warrants Cashless exercise of warrants.. Net loss attributable to common shareholders diluted Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted Operating loss carry forwards, expiration year Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Year Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Year Payment for royalty Proceeds From Royalties Buy Out in Future Period Cash receivable from royalties buy out during future periods. Deferred Tax Asset [Domain] Deferred Tax Asset [Domain] Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and finance items: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Technology Access Fee Technology Service [Member] Issuance of common shares through employee stock purchase plan (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense for Equity Classified Instruments Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table Text Block] Common shares Common Stock [Member] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Long-Lived Tangible Asset [Domain] Schedule of Revenue Recognized from Strategic Partnerships Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Table Text Block] Total amount contributed by ESPP participants Contributions To Employee Share Purchase Plan contributions to employee share purchase plan. Research support payments and other payments Research Support Payments And Other Service [Member] Research support payments and other [member] Unamortized compensation expense related to unvested options Share Based Compensation By Share Based Payment Award Unamortized Compensation Expense Share based compensation by share based payment award unamortized compensation expense. Expected volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate Change in fair value of liability classified instruments Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified equity instruments Increase (decrease) in fair value of liability classified equity instruments. Tax Year 2039 Tax Year 2039 [Member] Tax Year 2039. Components of Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block] Issuance of common shares and pre-funded warrants in connection with public offering, net of offering costs (in shares) Number of common shares issued (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Arrangement Other than Collaborative Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Member] Leasehold improvements Leasehold Improvements [Member] Research licenses and computer software Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 3 to 4 years Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling Year Four Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Forfeitures Less accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Vested and expected to vest Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Currency [Axis] Currency [Axis] Issuance of common shares on exercise of stock options (in shares) Exercised (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Share issue costs Deferred Tax Assets Share Issue Costs Deferred tax assets share issue costs. Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Thereafter Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due in Rolling after Year Five Total other income (expense), net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Original Stock Option Plan Original Stock Option Plan [Member] Original stock option plan [member] Schedule of Non-Vested Stock Option Activity Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block] Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Other Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount Research and License Agreement Research and License Agreement [Member] Research and license agreement. BRITISH COLUMBIA BRITISH COLUMBIA United States of America, Dollars United States of America, Dollars Risk-free interest rate Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate Forfeited (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items] Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items] Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items] Sale of Stock [Domain] Sale of Stock [Domain] Eligible to Receive Scenario, Plan [Member] U.S Dollar Under the New Option Stock Plan U S dollars under the New Stock Option Plan U S dollars under the New Stock Option Plan [Member] Us dollars under the new stock option plan. Summary Of Tax Credit Carry Forward And Operating Loss Carry Forwards [Table] Summary Of Tax Credit Carry Forward And Operating Loss Carry Forwards Table [Table] Summary Of Tax Credit Carry Forward And Operating Loss Carry Forwards [Table] Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Tax Period [Domain] Tax Period [Domain] Leased assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Non-cash consideration from licensing agreement Licensing Agreement, Noncash Consideration Licensing Agreement, Noncash Consideration 2021 Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year One Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Foreign exchange (loss) gain Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Income tax (expense) recovery, net (note 15) Income tax (expense) recovery Income tax (expense) recovery Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Impairment of acquired IPR&D (note 6) Impairment of acquired IPR&D Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Temporary Equity [Line Items] Temporary Equity [Line Items] Title of Individual [Domain] Title of Individual [Domain] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Current portion included in other current liabilities Finance Lease, Liability, Current Research Support Payments License and Service [Member] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Schedule of Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amounts of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block] Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly And Company [Member] Eli lilly and company. Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Axis] Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Axis] Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One Share-based Payment Arrangement, Tranche One [Member] Option exercised intrinsic value Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Summary of Carrying Value of IPR&D, Net of Impairment Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Depreciation expense Depreciation Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Contract liabilities Contract with Customer, Liability Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract] Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract] Project [Axis] Project [Axis] Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Common stock issued upon exercise of warrants Common Stock Issued Upon Exercise Of Warrant Common stock issued upon exercise of warrants Issuance of common shares on exercise of stock options (note 11e) Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Acquired in-process research and development (note 6) Beginning balance Ending balance Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) Deferred income tax (expense) recovery Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Fair value of liability-classified stock options (note 17) Liability at beginning of the period Liability at end of the period Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability Aggregate intrinsic value ($) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Weighted- average grant date fair value ($) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract] Vested and settled (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Exercised Less accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Commercial paper Commercial Paper Daiichi Sankyo, Co., Ltd Daiichi Sankyo, Co., Ltd [Member] Daiichi sankyo, co., ltd. Maximum Maximum [Member] Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Patents and Intellectual Property Costs Patents And Intellectual Property Costs [Policy Text Block] Patents and intellectual property costs policy. Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Weighted- Average Contractual Term (years) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract] Weighted-average contractual term, outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Liability Classified Stock Options Schedule Of Change In Fair Value Of Liability Classified Stock Options[Table Text Block] Schedule of change in fair value of liability classified stock options. Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Fair value of consideration allocated to a group of contracts that were considered as a single contract Fair value of consideration allocated, group of contracts Fair value of consideration allocated to a group of contracts that were considered as a single contract. Other Other Nonoperating Expense Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Research and development deductions and credits Deferred Tax Assets, in Process Research and Development Long-term prepaid assets Prepaid Expense, Noncurrent Exercisable (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Long term investments maturity term Long Term Investments Maturity Term Long Term Investments Maturity Term Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Investigational New Drug Investigational New Drug [Member] Investigational new drug. Finance expenses Finance Expense Income Finance expense (income). Issuance of common shares on exercise of stock options (note 11e) Proceeds, Issuance of Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Including Option Exercised Derivative Liability Roll Forward [Roll Forward] Derivative Liability Roll Forward [Roll Forward] Derivative Liability Roll Forward Income Tax Disclosure [Table] Income Tax Disclosure [Table] Income Tax Disclosure [Table] Contract assets Contract with Customer, Asset, after Allowance for Credit Loss Net Loss per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Office equipment Office Equipment [Member] Expected income tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Settlement, State and Local, Percent Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Financial Instruments Financial Instruments Disclosure [Text Block] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Government Grants and Credits Government Grants And Credits Disclosure [Text Block] Government Grants And Credits Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Information Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Expired (in dollars per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Initial adoption of new accounting pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Milestone and Other Payments Milestone and Other Payments [Member] Milestone and other payments [member] Short-term investments (note 5) Short-term Investments