Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Mar. 31, 2017	May 10, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	APVO
Entity Registrant Name	APTEVO THERAPEUTICS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001671584
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,199,794

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 14,014	$ 9,676
Restricted cash	400	400
Short-term investments	46,877	44,849
Accounts receivable, net	1,926	4,284
Inventories	8,063	6,639
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,116	5,566
Total current assets	77,396	71,414
Property and equipment, net	6,384	5,910
Intangible assets, net	14,013	14,534
Total assets	97,793	91,858
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	8,766	11,489
Accrued compensation	2,505	4,009
Sales rebates and discounts	2,310	3,235
Deferred revenue, current portion	878	811
Total current liabilities	14,459	19,544
Deferred revenue, net of current portion	2,802	2,896
Long-term debt, net	18,435	18,383
Other liabilities	611	469
Total liabilities	36,307	41,292
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock: $0.001 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, zero shares issued or outstanding
Common stock: $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 21,219,950 and 20,271,737 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	21	20
Additional paid-in capital	152,143	151,271
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(41)	(33)
Contribution receivable from former parent		(20,000)
Accumulated deficit	(90,637)	(80,692)
Total stockholders' equity	61,486	50,566
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 97,793	$ 91,858

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	15,000,000	15,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	21,219,950	20,271,737
Common stock, shares outstanding	21,219,950	20,271,737

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Product sales	$ 7,381	$ 7,948
Collaborations	28	119
Total revenues	7,409	8,067
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product sales	488	3,528
Research and development	5,913	8,101
Selling, general and administrative	10,547	9,419
Loss from operations	(9,539)	(12,981)
Other income (expense):
Other income (expense), net	(406)	80
Total other income (expense), net	(406)	80
Loss before income taxes	(9,945)	(12,901)
Benefit from income taxes		12
Net loss	$ (9,945)	$ (12,889)
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	$ (0.48)	$ (0.64)
Shares used to compute net loss per share - basic and diluted	20,757,111	20,229,849

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (9,945)	$ (12,889)
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments, net	(8)
Total comprehensive loss	$ (9,953)	$ (12,889)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Operating Activities
Net loss	$ (9,945)	$ (12,889)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Stock-based compensation	1,678	334
Depreciation and amortization	990	836
Income taxes		(12)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration		(31)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	2,358	2,998
Inventories	(1,424)	(1,749)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(550)	(3,093)
Accounts payable, accrued compensation and other liabilities	(4,182)	1,347
Sales rebates and discounts	(925)	(278)
Deferred revenue	(27)	(1,575)
Net cash used in operating activities	(12,027)	(14,112)
Investing Activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(794)	(1,071)
Purchases of investments	(10,138)
Proceeds from the sale and maturities of investments	8,102
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,830)	(1,071)
Financing Activities
Payments for taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards	(805)
Proceeds from former parent	20,000
Transfer from former parent, prior to spin-off		13,800
Contingent consideration payments		(181)
Net cash provided by financing activities	19,195	13,619
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	4,338	(1,564)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,676	4,636
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 14,014	$ 3,072

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Basis of Presentation We are a biotechnology company focused on novel oncology (cancer) and hematology (blood disease) therapeutics to meaningfully improve patients’ lives. Our core technology is the ADAPTIR™ (modular protein technology) platform. We have four revenue-generating products in the areas of hematology and infectious diseases, as well as various investigational stage product candidates in immuno-oncology. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In management’s opinion, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and include all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position. On August 6, 2015, Emergent BioSolutions Inc., (Emergent or former parent), announced a plan to separate into two independent publicly traded companies. To accomplish this separation, Emergent created Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. or Aptevo, to be the parent company for the development-based biotechnology business focused on novel oncology and hematology therapeutics. Aptevo was incorporated in Delaware in February 2016 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Emergent. To effect the separation, Emergent made a pro rata distribution of Aptevo’s common stock to Emergent’s stockholders on August 1, 2016. We are currently trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “APVO.” Prior to August 1, 2016, the consolidated financial statements were prepared on a “carve-out” basis for the purpose of presenting Aptevo’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, and were derived from Emergent’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records. Aptevo did not operate as a standalone entity in the past and accordingly the selected financial data presented herein is not necessarily indicative of Aptevo’s future performance and does not reflect what Aptevo’s performance would have been had Aptevo operated as an independent publicly-traded company prior to August 1, 2016. The consolidated financial statements reflect Aptevo’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows as a separately operated business in conformity with GAAP post the August 1, 2016 spin-off. Prior to August 1, 2016, the consolidated financial statements included an allocation of certain assets and liabilities that have historically been held at the Emergent corporate level but which were specifically identifiable or allocable to Aptevo. All Aptevo intracompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. All intercompany transactions between Aptevo and Emergent are considered to be effectively settled in the consolidated financial statements at the time the transaction was recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows as a financing activity and in the consolidated balance sheet as a net investment from Emergent. As of August 1, 2016, in connection with the separation and distribution, Emergent’s investment in the Company’s business was redesignated as stockholder’s equity and allocated between common stock and additional paid-in capital based on the number of shares issued at the distribution date. Prior to August 1, 2016, Aptevo’s consolidated financial statements included an allocation of expenses related to certain Emergent corporate functions, including senior management, legal, human resources, finance, information technology, and quality assurance. These expenses were allocated to Aptevo based on direct usage or benefit where identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of expenses, headcount, square footage, or other measures. Aptevo considers the expense allocation methodology and results to be reasonable for all periods presented. However, the allocations may not be indicative of the actual expense that would have been incurred had Aptevo operated as an independent, publicly-traded company for the periods presented. Prior to August 1, 2016, the income tax amounts in these consolidated financial statements were calculated based on a separate return methodology and presented as if Aptevo’s operations were a standalone taxpayer in each of its tax jurisdictions. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue if four basic criteria have been met: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Where the revenue recognition criteria are not met, we defer the recognition of revenue by recording deferred revenue until such time as all criteria are met. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), an updated standard on revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 provides enhancements to the quality and consistency of how revenue is reported by companies while also improving comparability in the financial statements of companies reporting using International Financial Reporting Standards or GAAP. The main purpose of the new standard is for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also will result in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provide guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively and improve guidance for multiple-element arrangements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date, which deferred the effective date of the new revenue standard for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 to December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted but not earlier than the original effective date. Accordingly, the updated standard is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Aptevo is continuing to evaluate the effect that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures including the areas of variable consideration and new disclosure requirements. Aptevo is currently expecting to use the modified retrospective method to adopt this standard. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No.2014-15 Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. Under the new guidance, management is required to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The provisions of this standard are effective for annual periods ending after December 31, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Aptevo adopted this guidance for the year ended December 31, 2016 and management believes that Aptevo’s existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its operations through at least the second quarter of 2018. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases (with the exception of short term leases) at the commencement date. Lessor accounting under ASU 2016-02 is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. Under ASU 2016-02, lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The ASU will be effective for the company starting on January 1, 2019. Aptevo is currently evaluating the impact of the application of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU 2016-09 simplifies the accounting for share-based payment award transactions including the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, accounting for forfeitures and classification on the statement of cash flows. Aptevo adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. Upon adoption of the standard, excess tax benefits and deficiencies resulting from stock-based compensation awards vesting and exercises are now recognized as discrete items in the statement of operations. Aptevo has elected to maintain its current forfeitures policy and will continue to include an estimate of forfeitures when recognizing stock-based compensation expense. Additionally, cash paid by Aptevo when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will continue to be classified as a financing activity in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows as required by the standard. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on Aptevo’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which clarifies the classification and presentation of eight specific cash flow issues in the statement of cash flows. This standard is effective beginning January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The new standard requires a retrospective transition. Aptevo is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

MorphoSys Collaboration Agreement	3 Months Ended
MorphoSys Collaboration Agreement	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
MorphoSys Collaboration Agreement	Note 2. MorphoSys Collaboration Agreement In August 2014, Aptevo entered into a collaboration agreement with MorphoSys AG (MorphoSys Agreement) for the joint worldwide development and commercialization of MOR209/ES414, a targeted immunotherapeutic protein, which activates host T-cell immunity specifically against cancer cells expressing prostate specific membrane antigen, an antigen commonly overexpressed on prostate cancer cells. MOR209/ES414 was constructed using Aptevo’s proprietary ADAPTIR™ platform technology. In accordance with the initial terms of the MorphoSys Agreement, Aptevo received a nonrefundable $20.0 million upfront payment and could receive up to $163.0 million in additional contingent payments, comprised of up to $80.0 million and up to $83.0 million, respectively, due upon the achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones. MorphoSys and Aptevo jointly agreed to fund further development of MOR209/ES414, with Aptevo responsible for 36% of the total development costs and MorphoSys responsible for the remainder, with Aptevo’s funding requirement capped at $186.0 million. Aptevo’s development effort includes the performance of non-clinical, clinical, manufacturing and regulatory activities. Aptevo retains commercialization rights in the U.S. and Canada, with a tiered royalty obligation to MorphoSys, ranging from mid-single digit up to 20% of sales. MorphoSys has worldwide commercialization rights excluding the U.S. and Canada, with a low single digit royalty obligation to Aptevo. In December 2015, after a joint review of data from the ongoing Phase I dose escalation study of MOR209/ES414 in prostate cancer patients, Aptevo and MorphoSys decided to adjust the dosing regimen and administration of MOR209/ES414. Patients receiving weekly doses of MOR209/ES414 developed antibodies against the drug; this is called anti-drug antibodies, or ADA. ADA developed in most patients including those receiving the maximum tolerated dose of drug which could be given safely on a weekly basis. These antibodies bind to the drug and reduce the concentration of active MOR209/ES414 in the blood and thus could potentially reduce its efficacy. However, no safety issues related to the development of ADA were observed. The cause of these antibodies is unclear but could be due to the weekly administration of the drug. Hence, the protocol was amended to a continuous intravenous infusion as a way to administer higher levels of drug and prevent the development of ADA. The MOR209/ES414 Phase I clinical trial under the amended protocol, providing continuous intravenous infusion as a way to administer higher levels of drug and prevent the development of ADA, commenced December 2016. As a result of the required dosing regimen change and the impact to the overall development timeline and technical risk, our co-development agreement with MorphoSys was restructured. In December 2015, Aptevo and MorphoSys amended the collaboration agreement to decrease the additional contingent payments due to Aptevo upon the achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones of up to $32.5 million and up to $41.5 million, respectively and change the total funding requirement cap for Aptevo to up to approximately $250.0 million. In December 2016, the collaboration agreement was further amended to adjust the allocation of certain manufacturing and development costs and extend MorphoSys’s convenience termination rights. Under the amendment, we will bear 75% of all development costs with respect to MOR209/ES414, and MorphoSys will bear 25% of such costs, during the period from January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017. During the period from July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018, we will bear 49% of such development costs and MorphoSys will bear 51%. Beyond January 1, 2019, we will bear 36% and MorphoSys will bear 64% of such development costs. In addition, the timeframe for a one-time right to terminate the collaboration agreement by MorphoSys has been extended from December 31, 2016 to June 30, 2017, or within one week following the receipt and discussion of clinical data from the first six patients enrolled and dosed in the MOR209/ES414 Phase I clinical trial. Aptevo evaluated the MorphoSys Agreement and determined that it was a revenue arrangement with multiple deliverables or performance obligations. Aptevo determined there were two units of accounting under the MorphoSys Agreement: (1) the delivered license to further develop and commercialize MOR209/ES414, and (2) undelivered items related to development services. Aptevo determined that the license had standalone value as the drug candidate has been: (1) developed and is currently Phase I clinical trial ready, (2) MorphoSys possesses the knowledge, technology, skills, experience and infrastructure necessary to complete all further development of the drug through commercialization, and (3) MorphoSys has the right to further sublicense the product. In 2014, Aptevo allocated the $20.0 million upfront payment to the two units of accounting using the relative selling price method. Aptevo determined the estimated selling price for the license using the income approach and an appropriate discount rate. The estimated selling price includes unobservable inputs (Level 3), such as estimates of revenues and operating margins; the time and resources needed to complete the development and approval of the product candidate; and the risk related to the viability of and potential for alternative treatments. Aptevo determined the estimated selling price of the development services unit of accounting based on the estimated number of full-time equivalent personnel at the contractual rate as defined in the MorphoSys Agreement, whose rates and terms approximate those of other Emergent or Aptevo service related contracts and those observed generally through other collaboration negotiations. The allocation resulted in $15.3 million of the $20.0 million upfront payment being allocated to the license and $4.7 million being allocated to the development services. Aptevo determined the license fee unit of accounting was delivered and completed on the date the MorphoSys Agreement was executed and thus recognized $15.3 million of license revenue in August 2014. Revenue related to the development services is recognized as the services are performed with $0.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The current estimated service period for the undelivered development services under the MorphoSys Agreement is through 2023. Further, Aptevo determined that contingent payments for the achievement of the development and regulatory milestones are substantive milestones and will be accounted for as revenue in the period in which the milestones are achieved. Aptevo received a $5.0 million milestone payment from MorphoSys reflecting the initiation of a Phase I clinical study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and clinical activity of MOR209/ES414 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Aptevo recognized this substantive milestone achievement payment as research and development revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2015. The MorphoSys Agreement provides for the sharing of development and clinical costs related to MOR209/ES414. In the event Aptevo’s share of the total cost incurred for a given quarter exceeds its pro rata limit, Aptevo records a receivable from MorphoSys for the excess and reduces research and development expense by this amount. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 Aptevo recorded a reduction to research and development expense of $0.1 million and for the three months ended March 31, 2016 Aptevo recorded a reduction to research and development expense of $0.1 million. As of March 31, 2017, the MorphoSys Agreement related accounts receivable balance was $0.1 million and the related total deferred revenue balance was $3.7 million.

Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Note 3. Fair Value Measurements

The Company’s estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the fair value accounting guidance. The framework is based on the inputs used in valuation, gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and requires that observable inputs be used in the valuations when available. The disclosure of fair value estimates in the fair value accounting guidance hierarchy is based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable. In determining the level of the hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s significant market assumptions. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is reported is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1— Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2— Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3— Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value consisted of the following as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	March 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Financial Assets:
Money market funds	$	7,154	$	—	$	—	$	7,154
Corporate bonds		—		11,943		—		11,943
US government and agency debt securities		—		34,934		—		34,934
Total assets	$	7,154	$	46,877	$	—	$	54,031

	December 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Financial Assets:
Money market funds	$	5,215	$	—	$	—	$	5,215
Corporate bonds		—		9,951		—		9,951
US government and agency debt securities		—		34,898		—		34,898
Total assets	$	5,215	$	44,849	$	—	$	50,064

If quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets are not available to determine fair value, then the Company uses quoted prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from observable market data obtained from third-party data providers. These investments are included in Level 2 and consist of debt securities of U.S government agencies and corporate bonds. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three-months ended March 31, 2017.

Cash held in demand deposit accounts of $6.9 and $4.4 million is excluded from our fair-value hierarchy disclosure as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for receivables, accounts payable and other current monetary assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Investments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments

Note 4. Investments

Investments are classified as available-for-sale securities and are carried at fair value with unrealized temporary holding gains and losses excluded from net income or loss and reported in other comprehensive income or loss and also as a net amount in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss until realized. Available-for-sale securities are written down to fair value through income whenever it is necessary to reflect other than temporary impairments. The Company determined that the unrealized losses on its marketable securities as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were temporary in nature, and the Company currently has the ability and intent to not sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis. All short-term investments are limited to a final maturity of less than one year from the reporting date.

	March 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding (Losses)			Estimated Fair Value
Cash equivalents:
Money market fund	$	7,154	$	—	$	—		$	7,154
Total cash equivalents	$	7,154	$	—	$	—		$	7,154

Short-term investments:
Corporate bonds	$	11,957	$	—	$	(14	)	$	11,943
US government and agency debt securities		34,961		—		(27	)		34,934
Total short-term investments	$	46,918	$	—	$	(41	)	$	46,877

	December 31, 2016

(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding (Losses)			Estimated Fair Value
Cash equivalents:
Money market fund	$	5,215	$	—	$	—		$	5,215
Total cash equivalents	$	5,215	$	—	$	—		$	5,215

Short-term investments:
Corporate bonds	$	9,959	$	1	$	(9	)	$	9,951
US government and agency debt securities		34,923		—		(25	)		34,898
Total short-term investments	$	44,882	$	1	$	(34	)	$	44,849

Inventories

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

Note 5. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

	March 31,		December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Raw materials and supplies	$	224	$	260
Work-in-process		1,571		1,165
Finished goods		6,268		5,214
Total inventories	$	8,063	$	6,639

CMC ICOS Biologics, Inc. (CMC) is the exclusive manufacturer of bulk drug substance for the IXINITY product. During 2015, we ordered nine manufacturing lots of bulk drug substance from CMC and only one of those lots was successfully manufactured and released in 2015. On October 4, 2016, we provided a Notice of Interruption in Manufacturing, or Notice, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), notifying the FDA of a potential interruption in the supply of IXINITY® coagulation factor IX (recombinant) due to the ongoing manufacturing challenges with the manufacturer of the bulk drug. On March 15, 2017, we announced the successful manufacture of a recent bulk drug substance batch of IXINITY and we anticipate that the new supply will be available beginning in May 2017, after the completion of routine final drug product (FDP) manufacturing activities. While we do not currently anticipate or foresee a supply shortage or supply interruption occurring, any supply shortage or supply interruption of IXINITY would adversely affect its sales and could adversely affect its market position, commercial viability and the trading price of our common stock.

Debt	3 Months Ended
Debt	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Note 6. Debt Credit Facility On August 4, 2016, we entered into a $35.0 million Credit and Security Agreement (the Credit Agreement) with MidCap Financial Trust. The Credit Agreement provides us with up to $35.0 million of available borrowing capacity, available (subject to certain conditions) in two tranches of $20.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively, through August 31, 2017. The loan repayment will include interest (no principal) through August 2018. Commencing in August 2018, the payments will include principal and interest and will be repaid in full on February 1, 2021 (54 months). Amounts drawn under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 7.60% per annum. The first tranche of $20.0 million was funded on the closing date of the Credit Agreement with the second tranche of $15.0 million becoming available (subject to certain conditions) following the date Aptevo and its subsidiaries: (1) achieve net commercial product revenue of $40.0 million on a trailing twelve-month basis, and (2) receive an additional $20.0 million in cash from Emergent. Emergent made this payment on January 13, 2017.We paid debt issuance costs of $1.9 million of which $1.6 million remains unamortized at March 31, 2017. The Credit Agreement contains financial covenants that require us and our subsidiaries to maintain increasing minimum net commercial product revenue for each twelve-month period ending on the last day of each calendar quarter, commencing with the twelve-month period ending September 30, 2016. As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s net minimum revenue did not meet the required minimum for the twelve months ended March 31, 2017. As a result, on May 11, 2017, we and MidCap Financial Trust entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement to, among other things, waive the existing event of default and revise the financial covenants pertaining to the minimum required commercial product revenue for the twelve months ended March 31, 2017 and future rolling twelve month periods. As a result of the amendment, the Company was in compliance with the modified minimum net revenue covenant for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and expects to be in compliance with all future net revenue covenants. As such, amounts owed under the Credit Facility are classified based on their contractual maturities. In addition, the amendment revises the following covenants of the Credit Agreement to: (1) extend the time period through which the Company can draw the second tranche from August 2017 to March 2018, (2) increase the exit fee of 5.75% of the aggregate principal amount under the Credit Agreement for repayment or prepayment other than scheduled amortization payments and the final payment of principal to 6.75% and (3) permit MidCap Financial Trust to obtain an affirmative lien on our intellectual property of the Company, upon the earlier of (i) the Company’s draw down of the second tranche or (ii) the Company’s cash balance descending below a minimum cash threshold of $25 million.

Net Loss Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Loss Per Share

Note 7. Net Loss per Share

Net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss of the Company by the number of weighted shares outstanding on March 31, 2017, and the number of shares issued during the spin-off for prior periods. Prior to the spin-off, Aptevo did not operate as a separate entity and as a result did not have any common stock outstanding other than 1,000 shares held by Emergent. The calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share assumes that the 20,229,849 ordinary shares issued to Aptevo stockholders in connection with the spin-off were outstanding from the beginning of the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents are excluded for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, since the effect is anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net losses. Common stock equivalents include stock options and unvested RSUs.

The following table represents all potentially dilutive shares, which were all anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)	2017		2016
Outstanding options to purchase common stock		2,510		—
Unvested RSUs		1,588		—

Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

Note 8. Equity

Capitalization Upon Spin-off

On August 1, 2016, in connection with the spin-off of the Company from Emergent, we issued 20.2 million shares to Emergent stockholders and recorded a contribution from Emergent of $71.2 million. The transactions recorded in 2016 included a one-time payment of $45.0 million, and a working capital reimbursement for outstanding payments of $1.4 million, a noncash transfer of an intangible asset of $0.7 million, and a net transfer of cash from Emergent of $24.2 million. In addition, in the first quarter of 2017 we received $20.0 million as payment for a promissory note issued at the time of the spin-off.

Converted Equity Awards Incentive Plan

The Company had no stock-based compensation plans of its own prior to the spin-off from Emergent; however certain Aptevo employees participated in Emergent’s stock-based compensation plans (Emergent Plans), which provided for the grants of stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs). The expense associated with Aptevo employees who participated in the Emergent Plans was allocated to the Company in the accompanying Statements of Operations for the associated periods prior to the spin off.

In connection with the spin-off the Company adopted the Converted Equity Awards Incentive Plan (the Converted Plan) and outstanding equity awards of Emergent held by Aptevo employees (the Converted Awards) were converted into or replaced with equity awards of Aptevo (the Conversion Awards) under the Converted Plan and were adjusted to maintain the economic value before and after the distribution date using the relative fair market value of the Emergent and Aptevo common stock based on the closing prices as of August 1, 2016. There was no significant incremental stock-based compensation expense recorded as a result of the equity award conversion. A total of 1.3 million shares of Aptevo common stock have been authorized for issuance under the Converted Plan. Options issued as Conversion Awards were priced according to the Converted Plan. RSUs issued as part of the Converted Plan provide for the issuance of a share of the Company’s stock at no cost to the holder.

2016 Stock Incentive Plan

On August 1, 2016, the Company adopted the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (2016 SIP). A total of 3.1 million shares of Aptevo common stock have been authorized for issuance under the 2016 SIP in the form of incentive stock options.

Stock options under the 2016 SIP generally vest pro rata over a three-year period and terminate ten years from the grant date, though the specific terms of each grant are determined individually. The Company’s executive officers and certain other employees may be awarded options with different vesting criteria, and options granted to non-employee directors also vest over a three-year period. Option exercise prices for new options granted by the Company equal the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on the date of grant.

RSUs issued under the 2016 SIP provide for the issuance of a share of the Company’s common stock at no cost to the holder. RSUs granted to employees under the 2016 SIP generally provide for time-based vesting over an eighteen-month to three-year period, although certain employees may be awarded RSUs with different time-based vesting criteria. Prior to vesting, RSUs granted under the 2016 SIP do not have dividend equivalent rights, do not have voting rights and the shares underlying the RSUs are not considered issued or outstanding.

The equity compensation awards granted by the Company generally vest only if the employee is employed by the Company (or in the case of directors, the director continues to serve on the Board) on the vesting date.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense includes amortization of stock options and RSUs granted to employees and non-employees and has been reported in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Research and development	$	691	$	2,693
General and administrative		987		—
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,678	$	2,693

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation by measuring the fair value of the award as of the grant date, recognizing the compensation expense for that fair value, reduced for an estimate of forfeitures, over the vesting period.

Stock Options

Aptevo utilizes the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of all stock options granted. Set forth below are the assumptions used in valuing the stock options granted:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016
Expected dividend yield		0.00%		—
Expected volatility		75.00%		—
Risk-free interest rate		1.94%		—
Expected average life of options	6 years			—

Management applied an estimated forfeiture rate of 10%.

The following is a summary of option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance at December 31, 2016		2,085,214		$	2.57			$	164,767
Granted		470,839			1.98
Forfeited		(45,594	)		2.36				2,785
Outstanding at March 31, 2017		2,510,459		$	2.46		6.78	$	105,631
Exercisable at March 31, 2017		1,115,990		$	2.43		4.61	$	50,062

As of March 31, 2017, we had $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to options expected to vest over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the closing stock price of Aptevo’s common stock on the last trading day of March 31, 2017 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in the money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all the option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2017. The amount of aggregate intrinsic value will change based on the price of Aptevo’s common stock.

Restricted Stock Units

The following is a summary of RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

	Number of Units			Weighted Average Fair Value per Unit		Aggregate Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2016		3,034,195		$	2.88	$	—
Granted		18,512			1.99		—
Vested		(1,324,833	)		2.85		—
Forfeited		(139,788	)		2.96		—
Outstanding at March 31, 2017		1,588,086		$	2.90	$	3,271,457
Expected to Vest		1,427,553		$	2.90	$	2,940,759

As of March 31, 2017, we had $3.2 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs expected to vest over a period of 1.1 years. The weighted average remaining contractual life of unvested RSUs is 3.5 years.

The fair value of each RSU has been determined to be the closing trading price of the Company’s common shares on the date of grant as quoted in NASDAQ Global Market.

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Mar. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 9. Subsequent Events On April 13, 2017, Aptevo and CMC agreed to settle a dispute between the two parties related to certain IXINITY batches from 2015 that did not meet manufacturing specifications. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Aptevo will not pay any additional amounts to CMC for the batches in question, as this was settled for a non-cash consideration. This $3.0 million settlement is reflected as a reduction in Aptevo’s cost of product sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The related liability balance is no longer reflected in the accompanying balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 as upon the execution of this agreement all open claims have been resolved.

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue if four basic criteria have been met: (1) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the fee is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Where the revenue recognition criteria are not met, we defer the recognition of revenue by recording deferred revenue until such time as all criteria are met.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), an updated standard on revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 provides enhancements to the quality and consistency of how revenue is reported by companies while also improving comparability in the financial statements of companies reporting using International Financial Reporting Standards or GAAP. The main purpose of the new standard is for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also will result in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provide guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively and improve guidance for multiple-element arrangements. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date, which deferred the effective date of the new revenue standard for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 to December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted but not earlier than the original effective date. Accordingly, the updated standard is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Aptevo is continuing to evaluate the effect that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures including the areas of variable consideration and new disclosure requirements. Aptevo is currently expecting to use the modified retrospective method to adopt this standard. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No.2014-15 Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. Under the new guidance, management is required to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances. The provisions of this standard are effective for annual periods ending after December 31, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Aptevo adopted this guidance for the year ended December 31, 2016 and management believes that Aptevo’s existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund its operations through at least the second quarter of 2018. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for all leases (with the exception of short term leases) at the commencement date. Lessor accounting under ASU 2016-02 is largely unchanged. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. Under ASU 2016-02, lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The ASU will be effective for the company starting on January 1, 2019. Aptevo is currently evaluating the impact of the application of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU 2016-09 simplifies the accounting for share-based payment award transactions including the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, accounting for forfeitures and classification on the statement of cash flows. Aptevo adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. Upon adoption of the standard, excess tax benefits and deficiencies resulting from stock-based compensation awards vesting and exercises are now recognized as discrete items in the statement of operations. Aptevo has elected to maintain its current forfeitures policy and will continue to include an estimate of forfeitures when recognizing stock-based compensation expense. Additionally, cash paid by Aptevo when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes will continue to be classified as a financing activity in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows as required by the standard. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on Aptevo’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments,” which clarifies the classification and presentation of eight specific cash flow issues in the statement of cash flows. This standard is effective beginning January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The new standard requires a retrospective transition. Aptevo is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value

The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value consisted of the following as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	March 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Financial Assets:
Money market funds	$	7,154	$	—	$	—	$	7,154
Corporate bonds		—		11,943		—		11,943
US government and agency debt securities		—		34,934		—		34,934
Total assets	$	7,154	$	46,877	$	—	$	54,031

	December 31, 2016
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Financial Assets:
Money market funds	$	5,215	$	—	$	—	$	5,215
Corporate bonds		—		9,951		—		9,951
US government and agency debt securities		—		34,898		—		34,898
Total assets	$	5,215	$	44,849	$	—	$	50,064

Investments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of short-term investments

All short-term investments are limited to a final maturity of less than one year from the reporting date.

	March 31, 2017
(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding (Losses)			Estimated Fair Value
Cash equivalents:
Money market fund	$	7,154	$	—	$	—		$	7,154
Total cash equivalents	$	7,154	$	—	$	—		$	7,154

Short-term investments:
Corporate bonds	$	11,957	$	—	$	(14	)	$	11,943
US government and agency debt securities		34,961		—		(27	)		34,934
Total short-term investments	$	46,918	$	—	$	(41	)	$	46,877

	December 31, 2016

(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding (Losses)			Estimated Fair Value
Cash equivalents:
Money market fund	$	5,215	$	—	$	—		$	5,215
Total cash equivalents	$	5,215	$	—	$	—		$	5,215

Short-term investments:
Corporate bonds	$	9,959	$	1	$	(9	)	$	9,951
US government and agency debt securities		34,923		—		(25	)		34,898
Total short-term investments	$	44,882	$	1	$	(34	)	$	44,849

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities which includes, but is not limited to, changes in the cost basis and fair value, fair value and gross unrealized gain (loss), fair values by type of security, contractual maturity and classification, amortized cost basis, contracts to acquire securities to be accounted for as available-for-sale, debt maturities, transfers to trading, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) net of tax, continuous unrealized loss position fair value, aggregate losses qualitative disclosures, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses or other disclosures related to available for sale securities.

+ References + Details

Inventories (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

	March 31,		December 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Raw materials and supplies	$	224	$	260
Work-in-process		1,571		1,165
Finished goods		6,268		5,214
Total inventories	$	8,063	$	6,639

Net Loss Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Summary of Potentially Dilutive Shares Excluded from Calculation of Net Loss Per Share

The following table represents all potentially dilutive shares, which were all anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)	2017		2016
Outstanding options to purchase common stock		2,510		—
Unvested RSUs		1,588		—

Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

Summary of Stock-based Compensation Expense Includes Amortization of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units Granted

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Research and development	$	691	$	2,693
General and administrative		987		—
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,678	$	2,693

Assumptions used in Valuing the Stock Options Granted under Black-Scholes Valuation Model

Aptevo utilizes the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value of all stock options granted. Set forth below are the assumptions used in valuing the stock options granted:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016
Expected dividend yield		0.00%		—
Expected volatility		75.00%		—
Risk-free interest rate		1.94%		—
Expected average life of options	6 years			—

Summary of Stock Option Activity

The following is a summary of option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance at December 31, 2016		2,085,214		$	2.57			$	164,767
Granted		470,839			1.98
Forfeited		(45,594	)		2.36				2,785
Outstanding at March 31, 2017		2,510,459		$	2.46		6.78	$	105,631
Exercisable at March 31, 2017		1,115,990		$	2.43		4.61	$	50,062

Summary of RSU Activity

The following is a summary of RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:

	Number of Units			Weighted Average Fair Value per Unit		Aggregate Fair Value
Balance at December 31, 2016		3,034,195		$	2.88	$	—
Granted		18,512			1.99		—
Vested		(1,324,833	)		2.85		—
Forfeited		(139,788	)		2.96		—
Outstanding at March 31, 2017		1,588,086		$	2.90	$	3,271,457
Expected to Vest		1,427,553		$	2.90	$	2,940,759

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 Product	Aug. 06, 2015 Company
Nature Of Business [Line Items]
Number of revenue-generating products \| Product	4
Month and year of incorporation	2016-02
Spin off transaction separation distribution agreement date	Aug. 01, 2016
Emergent
Nature Of Business [Line Items]
Number of independent publicly traded companies \| Company		2

MorphoSys Collaboration Agreement - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) Unit	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Reduction to research and development expense				$ 5,913,000	$ 8,101,000
MorphoSys Agreement
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Nonrefundable upfront payment received			$ 20,000,000
Additional contingent payment that may be receive			$ 163,000,000
First contingent payment received based upon development and regulatory milestones						$ 5,000,000
Collaborative agreement, rights and obligations				MorphoSys and Aptevo jointly agreed to fund further development of MOR209/ES414, with Aptevo responsible for 36% of the total development costs and MorphoSys responsible for the remainder.
Maximum percentage of tiered royalty obligation on sales			20.00%
Number of units of accounting \| Unit				2
Allocation of collaborative arrangements upfront payment units of accounting							$ 20,000,000
Upfront payment allocated to license fee unit							15,300,000
Upfront payment allocated to service development							$ 4,700,000
License revenue			$ 15,300,000
Revenue recognized				$ 0	100,000
Current estimated service period for undelivered development services				2023
Reduction to research and development expense				$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Accounts receivable				100,000
Deferred revenue				$ 3,700,000
Maximum \| MorphoSys Agreement
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
First contingent payment received based upon development and regulatory milestones		$ 32,500,000	80,000,000
Second contingent payment received based upon development and regulatory milestones		41,500,000	$ 83,000,000
Aptevo \| MorphoSys Agreement
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Share of joint development costs percentage			36.00%
Maximum funding requirement cap		$ 250,000,000	$ 186,000,000
Aptevo \| Morpho Sys Agreement January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Share of joint development costs percentage	75.00%
Aptevo \| Morpho Sys Agreement July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Share of joint development costs percentage	49.00%
Aptevo \| Morpho Sys Agreement Beyond January 1, 2019
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Share of joint development costs percentage	36.00%
MorphoSys \| Morpho Sys Agreement January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Share of joint development costs percentage	25.00%
MorphoSys \| Morpho Sys Agreement July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Share of joint development costs percentage	51.00%
MorphoSys \| Morpho Sys Agreement Beyond January 1, 2019
Collaborative Arrangements And Noncollaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Share of joint development costs percentage	64.00%

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financial Assets:
Assets fair value	$ 54,031	$ 50,064
Money Market Funds
Financial Assets:
Assets fair value	7,154	5,215
Corporate Bonds
Financial Assets:
Assets fair value	11,943	9,951
US Government and Agency Debt Securities
Financial Assets:
Assets fair value	34,934	34,898
Level 1
Financial Assets:
Assets fair value	7,154	5,215
Level 1 \| Money Market Funds
Financial Assets:
Assets fair value	7,154	5,215
Level 2
Financial Assets:
Assets fair value	46,877	44,849
Level 2 \| Corporate Bonds
Financial Assets:
Assets fair value	11,943	9,951
Level 2 \| US Government and Agency Debt Securities
Financial Assets:
Assets fair value	$ 34,934	$ 34,898

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Fair Value Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value assets, level 1 to level 2 transfers	$ 0
Fair value assets, level 2 to level 1 transfers	0
Demand Deposit Accounts
Schedule Of Fair Value Disclosure [Line Items]
Cash held in demand deposit accounts	$ 6,900,000	$ 4,400,000

Investments - Schedule of Short-term Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Short-term Investments
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 46,918	$ 44,882
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	0	1
Gross Unrealized Holding (Losses)	(41)	(34)
Estimated Fair Value	46,877	44,849
Short-term Investments \| Corporate Bonds
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	11,957	9,959
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	0	1
Gross Unrealized Holding (Losses)	(14)	(9)
Estimated Fair Value	11,943	9,951
Short-term Investments \| US Government and Agency Debt Securities
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	34,961	34,923
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Holding (Losses)	(27)	(25)
Estimated Fair Value	34,934	34,898
Cash Equivalents
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	7,154	5,215
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Holding (Losses)	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	7,154	5,215
Cash Equivalents \| Money Market Fund
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	7,154	5,215
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Holding (Losses)	0	0
Estimated Fair Value	$ 7,154	$ 5,215

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory Adjustments [Abstract]
Raw materials and supplies	$ 224	$ 260
Work-in-process	1,571	1,165
Finished goods	6,268	5,214
Total inventories	$ 8,063	$ 6,639

Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)			3 Months Ended
Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	May 11, 2017	Aug. 04, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 35,000,000
Credit facility repayment term, description			The loan repayment will include interest (no principal) through August 2018. Commencing in August 2018, the payments will include principal and interest and will be repaid in full on February 1, 2021 (54 months).
Credit facility repayment period		54 months
Maturity date of credit agreement		Feb. 01, 2021
Credit agreement reference rate for the variable rate			LIBOR
Credit agreement basis spread on variable rate		7.60%
Cash funding committed by Emergent in connection with spin-off			$ 20,000,000
Debt issuance costs			1,900,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs			$ 1,600,000
Credit agreement exit fee, percentage		5.75%
Subsequent Event
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit agreement final principal payment, percentage	6.75%
Credit agreement minimum cash threshold required amount	$ 25,000,000
Credit Facility First Tranche
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 20,000,000
Credit Facility Second Tranche
Line Of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		15,000,000
Net commercial product revenue required to be achieved on trailing twelve month basis		$ 40,000,000

Net Loss Per Share - Additional Information (Details) - shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Ordinary shares outstanding	21,219,950	20,271,737
Ordinary shares issued in connection with spin-off	21,219,950	20,271,737
Emergent
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Ordinary shares outstanding	1,000
Spin-off
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Ordinary shares issued in connection with spin-off	20,229,849

Net Loss Per Share - Summary of Potentially Dilutive Shares Excluded from Calculation of Net Loss Per Share (Details) shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 shares
Outstanding Options to Purchase Common Stock
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted net loss per share	2,510
Unvested RSUs
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation of diluted net loss per share	1,588

Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 02, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Aug. 01, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Transfer from former parent, prior to spin-off			$ 13,800,000
RSUs
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense		$ 3,200,000
Expected vesting period		1 year 1 month 6 days
Weighted average remaining contractual life		3 years 6 months
Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated forfeiture rate		10.00%
Unrecognized compensation expense		$ 1,500,000
Options expected to vest, weighted average period		2 years 2 months 12 days
Converted Equity Awards Incentive Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incremental stock-based compensation expense recorded as result of equity award conversion	$ 0
Converted Equity Awards Incentive Plan \| Common Stock
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock authorized for issuance under Stock Plan				1,300,000
2016 Stock Incentive Plan
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock authorized for issuance under Stock Plan				3,100,000
Stock plan vesting period		3 years
Stock plan termination period		10 years
2016 Stock Incentive Plan \| RSUs \| Minimum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock plan vesting period		18 months
2016 Stock Incentive Plan \| RSUs \| Maximum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock plan vesting period		3 years
2016 Stock Incentive Plan \| Non-employee Directors
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock plan vesting period		3 years
Spin-off \| Emergent
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued				20,200,000
Transfer from former parent, prior to spin-off	71,200,000
One-time payment amount	45,000,000
Working capital reimbursement for outstanding payments	1,400,000
Noncash transfer of intangible asset	700,000
Net transfers of cash from former parent	$ 24,200,000
Spin-off \| Promissory Note \| Emergent
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash received for a promissory note issued at the time of the spin-off.		$ 20,000,000

Equity - Summary of Stock-based Compensation Expense Includes Amortization of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units Granted (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,678	$ 2,693
Research and Development
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	691	$ 2,693
General and Administrative
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 987

Equity - Assumptions used in Valuing the Stock Options Granted under Black-Scholes Valuation Model (Details) - Stock Option	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield	0.00%
Expected volatility	75.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.94%
Expected average life of options	6 years

Equity - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - Stock Option	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning balance \| shares	2,085,214
Number of Shares, Granted \| shares	470,839
Number of Shares, Forfeited \| shares	(45,594)
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance \| shares	2,510,459
Number of Shares, Exercisable \| shares	1,115,990
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning balance \| $ / shares	$ 2.57
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted \| $ / shares	1.98
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Forfeited \| $ / shares	2.36
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending balance \| $ / shares	2.46
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable \| $ / shares	$ 2.43
Weighted-Average Remaining Term, Outstanding	6 years 9 months 11 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Term, Exercisable	4 years 7 months 10 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, Beginning balance \| $	$ 164,767
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Forfeited \| $	2,785
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, Ending balance \| $	105,631
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable \| $	$ 50,062

Equity - Summary of RSU Activity (Details) - RSUs	3 Months Ended
Equity - Summary of RSU Activity (Details) - RSUs	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Units, Outstanding, Beginning balance \| shares	3,034,195
Number of Units, Granted \| shares	18,512
Number of Units, Vested \| shares	(1,324,833)
Number of Units, Forfeited \| shares	(139,788)
Number of Units, Outstanding, Ending balance \| shares	1,588,086
Number of Units, Expected to Vest \| shares	1,427,553
Weighted Average Fair Value per Unit, Outstanding Beginning Balance \| $ / shares	$ 2.88
Weighted Average Fair Value per Unit, Granted \| $ / shares	1.99
Weighted Average Fair Value per Unit, Vested \| $ / shares	2.85
Weighted Average Fair Value per Unit, Forfeited \| $ / shares	2.96
Weighted Average Fair Value per Unit, Outstanding Ending Balance \| $ / shares	2.90
Weighted Average Fair Value per Unit, Expected to Vest \| $ / shares	$ 2.90
Aggregate Fair Value, Outstanding, Ending balance \| $	$ 3,271,457
Aggregate Fair Value, Expected to Vest \| $	$ 2,940,759

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Details) - CMC $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dispute settlement date	Apr. 13, 2017
Dispute settlement amount	$ 3.0