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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	SANGAMO BIOSCIENCES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001001233
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		61,797,202

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 80,309	$ 21,679
Marketable securities	39,913	41,868
Interest receivable	208	190
Accounts receivable	4,880	4,129
Other current assets	149	203
Prepaid expenses	684	296
Total current assets	126,143	68,365
Marketable securities, non-current	12,690	12,584
Property and equipment, net	1,494	1,543
Other assets	39	41
Total assets	140,366	82,533
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,665	4,013
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	2,039	2,473
Deferred revenues	2,300	2,304
Total current liabilities	7,004	8,790
Deferred revenues, non-current	7,221	8,847
Total liabilities	14,225	17,637
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 80,000,000 shares authorized, 61,420,655 and 53,058,525 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	614	531
Additional paid-in capital	419,490	339,848
Accumulated deficit	(293,989)	(275,509)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	26	26
Total stockholders' equity	126,141	64,896
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 140,366	$ 82,533

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	61,420,655	53,058,525
Common stock, shares outstanding	61,420,655	53,058,525

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:
Collaboration agreements	$ 4,825	$ 4,190	$ 15,065	$ 9,665
Research grants	882	717	2,199	3,058
Total revenues	5,707	4,907	17,264	12,723
Operating expenses:
Research and development	8,703	7,570	26,201	22,427
General and administrative	3,163	3,139	9,595	9,125
Total operating expenses	11,866	10,709	35,796	31,552
Loss from operations	(6,159)	(5,802)	(18,532)	(18,829)
Interest and other income, net	14	12	52	43
Net loss	$ (6,145)	$ (5,790)	$ (18,480)	$ (18,786)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$ (0.11)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.34)	$ (0.36)
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share	54,786	52,768	54,013	52,664

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (6,145)	$ (5,790)	$ (18,480)	$ (18,786)
Changes in unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	27	22		3
Comprehensive loss	$ (6,118)	$ (5,768)	$ (18,480)	$ (18,783)

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Net Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
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-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19
-Article 5

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9

+ Details

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (18,480)	$ (18,786)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	445	500
Amortization of premium / discount on marketable securities	625	692
Stock-based compensation	4,098	4,011
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest receivable	(18)	20
Accounts receivable	(696)	(2,585)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(387)	(364)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(1,348)	(3,770)
Accrued compensation and employee benefits	(434)	159
Deferred revenues	(1,630)	11,818
Net cash used in operating activities	(17,825)	(8,305)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments	(37,161)	(70,570)
Maturities of investments	38,384	75,155
Purchases of property and equipment	(395)	(363)
Net cash provided by investing activities	828	4,222
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from public offering, net of issuance costs	69,492
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	6,135	1,041
Net cash provided by financing activities	75,627	1,041
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	58,630	(3,042)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	21,679	16,766
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 80,309	$ 13,724

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (“Sangamo” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2012 were derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in Sangamo’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in Sangamo’s Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC.

Use of Estimates and Classifications

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, including critical accounting policies or estimates related to revenue recognition, clinical trial accruals, and stock-based compensation. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other market specific and other relevant assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues from research activities made under strategic partnering agreements and collaborations are recognized as the services are provided when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue generated from research and licensing agreements typically includes upfront signing or license fees, cost reimbursements, research services, minimum sublicense fees, milestone payments and royalties on future licensee’s product sales.

Multiple Element Arrangements prior to the adoption of ASU No. 2009-13, Revenue Recognition—Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (ASU 2009-13). For revenue arrangements entered into before January 1, 2011, that include multiple deliverables, the elements of such agreement were divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables met certain criteria, including whether the fair value of the delivered items could be determined and whether there was evidence of fair value of the undelivered items. In addition, the consideration was allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their fair values, and the applicable revenue recognition criteria are considered separately for each of the separate units of accounting. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2009-13, the Company recognized nonrefundable signing, license or non-exclusive option fees as revenue when rights to use the intellectual property related to the license were delivered and over the period of performance obligations if the Company had continuing performance obligations. The Company estimated the performance period at the inception of the arrangement and reevaluated it each reporting period. Changes to these estimates were recorded on a prospective basis.

Multiple Element Arrangements after the adoption of ASU 2009-13. ASU 2009-13 amended the accounting standards for certain multiple element revenue arrangements to:

•

provide updated guidance on whether multiple elements exist, how the elements in an arrangement should be separated, and how the arrangement consideration should be allocated to the separate elements;

•

require an entity to allocate arrangement consideration to each element based on a selling price hierarchy where the selling price for an element is based on vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), if available; third-party evidence (“TPE”), if available and VSOE is not available; or the best estimate of selling price (“ESP”), if neither VSOE nor TPE is available; and

•

eliminate the use of the residual method and require an entity to allocate arrangement consideration using the relative selling price method.

For revenue agreements with multiple element arrangements, such as license and development agreements, entered into on or after January 1, 2011, the Company allocates revenue to each non-contingent element based on the relative selling price of each element. When applying the relative selling price method, the Company determines the selling price for each deliverable using VSOE of selling price or TPE of selling price. If neither exists the Company uses ESP for that deliverable. Revenue allocated is then recognized when the basic four revenue recognition criteria are met for each element. The collaboration and license agreement entered into with Shire AG (Shire) in January 2012 was evaluated under these amended accounting standards.

Additionally, the Company may be entitled to receive certain milestone payments which are contingent upon reaching specified objectives. These milestone payments are recognized as revenue in full upon achievement of the milestone if there is substantive uncertainty at the date the arrangement is entered into that objectives will be achieved and if the achievement is based on the Company’s performance.

Minimum annual sublicense fees are also recognized as revenue in the period in which such fees are due. Royalty revenues are generally recognized when earned and collectability of the related royalty payment is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes cost reimbursement revenue under collaborative agreements as the related research and development costs for services are rendered. Deferred revenue represents the portion of research or license payments received which have not been earned.

Sangamo’s research grants are typically multi-year agreements and provide for the reimbursement of qualified expenses for research and development as defined under the terms of the grant agreement. Revenue under grant agreements is recognized when the related qualified research expenses are incurred.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02). This newly issued accounting standard requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. This ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2013 and the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Investments and Fair Value Measurement

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]

Investments and Fair Value Measurement

NOTE 2—INVESTMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Investments

Sangamo classifies its marketable securities as available-for-sale and records its investments at fair value. Available-for-sale securities are carried at estimated fair value based on quoted market prices, with the unrealized holding gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Marketable securities which have maturities beyond one year as of the end of the reporting period are classified as non-current. The Company’s investments are subject to a periodic impairment review and the Company recognizes an impairment charge when a decline in the fair value of its investments below the cost basis is judged to be other-than-temporary. The Company considers various factors in determining whether to recognize an impairment charge, including the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the Company’s cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in the market value.

The table below summarizes the Company’s available-for-sale securities (in thousands):


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)		Estimated Fair Value
September 30, 2013
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	9,758	$	—	$	—	$	9,758

Total		9,758		—		—		9,758

Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities		52,577		26		—		52,603

Total		52,577		26		—		52,603

Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	$	62,335	$	26	$	—	$	62,361

December 31, 2012
Cash equivalents:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities	$	2,997	$	—	$	—	$	2,997
Money market funds		15,839		—		—		15,839

Total		18,836		—		—		18,836

Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities		54,426		26		—		54,452

Total		54,426		26		—		54,452

Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	$	73,262	$	26	$	—	$	73,288

As of September 30, 2013, none of the available-for-sale securities held by the Company had material unrealized losses and there were no realized losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The Company had no other-than-temporary impairments of available-for-sale securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or the twelve months ended December 31, 2012.

Fair Value Measurement

The Company measures certain financial assets at fair value on a recurring basis, including cash equivalents and available-for sale-securities. The fair value of these assets was determined based on a three-tier hierarchy under the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures that prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

The Company generally classifies its available-for-sale debt instruments as Level 2. Instruments can be classified as Level 2 when observable market prices for identical securities that are traded in less active markets are used. When observable market prices for identical securities are not available, such instruments are priced using benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing as well as model processes. These models are proprietary to the pricing providers or brokers. These valuation models incorporate a number of inputs, including, listed in approximate order of priority: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including market research publications. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used, or some of the standard inputs may not be applicable. Evaluators may prioritize inputs differently on any given day for any security based on market conditions, and not all inputs listed are available for use in the evaluation process for each security evaluation on any given day.

The fair value measurements of our cash equivalents and available-for-sale marketable securities are identified at the following levels within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):


	September 30, 2013 Fair Value Measurements
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	9,758	$	9,758	$	—	$	—

Total		9,758		9,758		—		—
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities		52,603		—		52,603		—

Total		52,603		—		52,603		—

Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	$	62,361	$	9,758	$	52,603	$	—


	December 31, 2012 Fair Value Measurements
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities	$	2,997	$	—	$	2,997	$	—
Money market funds		15,839		15,839		—		—

Total		18,836		15,839		2,997		—
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities		54,452		—		54,452		—

Total		54,452		—		54,452		—

Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	$	73,288	$	15,839	$	57,449	$	—

Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share	9 Months Ended
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share	NOTE 3—BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER SHARE Basic net loss per share has been computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potential dilutive securities outstanding during the period. Because Sangamo is in a net loss position, diluted net loss per share excludes the effects of common stock equivalents consisting of options, which are anti-dilutive. The total stock options outstanding excluded from consideration in the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were 7,853,936 and 8,075,898, respectively.

Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances

NOTE 4—MAJOR CUSTOMERS, PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Collaboration Agreements

Collaboration and License Agreement with Shire AG in Human Therapeutics and Diagnostics

In January 2012, the Company entered into a collaboration and license agreement (the Agreement) with Shire AG (Shire), pursuant to which the Company and Shire collaborate to research, develop and commercialize human therapeutics and diagnostics for monogenic diseases based on Sangamo’s novel zinc finger DNA-binding proteins (ZFP) technology. Under the Agreement, the Company and Shire may develop potential human therapeutic or diagnostic products for seven gene targets. The initial four gene targets selected were blood clotting Factors VII, VIII, IX and X, and products developed for such initial gene targets will be used for treating or diagnosing hemophilia. In June 2012, Shire selected a fifth gene target for the development of a ZFP therapeutic for Huntington’s disease, an inherited neurodegenerative disease for which there are currently no therapies available to slow the disease progression. Shire has the right, subject to certain limitations, to designate two additional gene targets. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company granted Shire an exclusive, world-wide, royalty-bearing license, with the right to grant sublicenses, to use Sangamo’s ZFP technology for the purpose of developing and commercializing human therapeutic and diagnostic products for the gene targets. The initial research term of the Agreement is six years and is subject to extensions upon mutual agreement and under other specified circumstances.

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company is responsible for all research activities through the submission of an Investigative New Drug Application (IND) or European Clinical Trial Application (CTA), while Shire is responsible for clinical development and commercialization of products generated from the research program from and after the acceptance of an IND or CTA for the product. Shire reimburses Sangamo for its internal and external research program-related costs.

The Company received an upfront license fee of $13.0 million. The Company will also be eligible to receive up to $213.5 million of contingent payments for each gene target if specified research, regulatory, clinical development, commercialization and sales milestone events occur, including payments for each gene target through the acceptance of an IND or CTA submission totaling $8.5 million. The Company will also be eligible to receive royalty payments that are a tiered double-digit percentage of net sales of licensed product sold by Shire or its sublicensees developed under the collaboration, if any. To date, no products have been approved and therefore no royalty fees have been earned under the Agreement with Shire.

All contingent payments under the Agreement, when earned, will be non-refundable and non-creditable. The Company has evaluated the contingent payments under the Agreement with Shire based on the authoritative guidance for research and development milestones and determined that certain of these payments meet the definition of a milestone and that all such milestones are evaluated to determine if they are considered substantive milestones. Milestones are considered substantive if they are related to events (i) that can be achieved based in whole or in part on either the Company’s performance or on the occurrence of a specific outcome resulting from the Company’s performance, (ii) for which there was substantive uncertainty at the date the agreement was entered into that the event would be achieved and (iii) that would result in additional payments being due to the Company. Accordingly, revenue for the achievement of milestones that are determined to be substantive will be recognized in its entirety in the period when the milestone is achieved and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue for the achievement of milestones that are not substantive will be recognized over the remaining period of the Agreement.

The Company has identified the deliverables within the arrangement as a license to the technology and on-going research services activities. The Company has concluded that the license is not a separate unit of accounting as it does not have stand-alone value to Shire apart from the research services to be performed pursuant to the Agreement. As a result, the Company will recognize revenue from the upfront payment on a straight-line basis over a six-year initial research term during which the Company will perform research services. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has deferred revenue of $9.5 million related to this Agreement.

Revenues recognized under the agreement with Shire for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, were as follows (in thousands):


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Revenue related to Shire Collaboration:
Amortization of upfront fee	$	542	$	542	$	1,625	$	1,444
Research services		3,968		2,675		11,340		4,747

Total	$	4,510	$	3,217	$	12,965	$	6,191

Related costs and expenses incurred under the Shire agreement were $3.5 million and $2.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively and $10.3 million and $3.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.

Agreement with Sigma-Aldrich Corporation in Laboratory Research Reagents, Transgenic Animal and Commercial Protein Production Cell-line Engineering

In July 2007, Sangamo entered into a license agreement (the Agreement) with Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (Sigma). Under the Agreement, Sangamo agreed to provide Sigma with access to our proprietary ZFP technology and the exclusive right to use the technology to develop and commercialize research reagent products and services in the research field, excluding certain agricultural research uses that Sangamo previously licensed to Dow AgroSciences LLC (DAS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical Corporation. Under the Agreement, Sangamo and Sigma agreed to conduct a three-year research program to develop laboratory research reagents using Sangamo’s ZFP technology during which time Sangamo agreed to assist Sigma in connection with its efforts to market and sell services employing the Company’s ZFP technology in the research field. Sangamo has transferred the ZFP manufacturing technology to Sigma.

In October 2009, Sangamo expanded its Agreement with Sigma. In addition to the original terms of the Agreement, Sigma received exclusive rights to develop and distribute ZFP-modified cell lines for commercial production of protein pharmaceuticals and certain ZFP-engineered transgenic animals for commercial applications. Under the terms of the Agreement, Sigma made upfront cash payment of $20.0 million consisting of a $4.9 million purchase of 636,133 shares of Sangamo common stock, valued at $4.9 million, and a $15.1 million upfront license fee. The upfront license fee was recognized on a straight-line basis from the effective date of the expanded license through July 2010, which represents the period over which Sangamo was obligated to perform research services for Sigma. Sangamo is also eligible to receive commercial license fees of $5.0 million based upon a percentage of net sales and sublicensing revenue and thereafter a reduced royalty rate of 10.5% of net sales and sublicensing revenue. In addition, upon the achievement of certain cumulative commercial milestones Sigma will make milestone payments to Sangamo up to an aggregate of $25.0 million. In April 2013, the Company recognized $1.3 million in sublicense revenues under the agreement with Sigma.

Revenues recognized under the agreement with Sigma for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, were as follows (in thousands):


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Revenue related to Sigma Collaboration:
Royalty revenues	$	201	$	428	$	711	$	1,035
License fee and milestone revenues		101		—		1,351		1,000

Total	$	302	$	428	$	2,062	$	2,035

Related costs and expenses incurred under the Sigma agreement were $0.1 million during both the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Related costs and expenses incurred under the Sigma agreement were $0.1 million and $0.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Agreement with Dow AgroSciences in Plant Agriculture

In October 2005, Sangamo entered into an exclusive commercial license agreement (the Agreement) with DAS. Under the Agreement, Sangamo provides DAS with access to its proprietary ZFP technology and the exclusive right to use the technology to modify the genomes or alter the nucleic acid or protein expression of plant cells, plants, or plant cell cultures. Sangamo has retained rights to use plants or plant-derived products to deliver ZFP transcription factors (ZFP TFs) or ZFP nucleases (ZFNs) into humans or animals for diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic purposes. The Agreement with DAS provided for an initial three-year research term. In June 2008, DAS exercised its option under the agreement to obtain a commercial license to sell products incorporating or derived from plant cells generated using the Company’s ZFP technology, including agricultural crops, industrial products and plant-derived biopharmaceuticals. The exercise of the option triggered a one-time commercial license fee of $6.0 million, payment of the remaining $2.3 million of the previously agreed $4.0 million in research milestones, development and commercialization milestone payments for each product, and royalties on sales of products. Furthermore, DAS has the right to sublicense Sangamo’s ZFP technology to third parties for use in plant cells, plants, or plant cell cultures. Sangamo will be entitled to 25% of any cash consideration received by DAS under such sublicenses. In December 2010, the Company amended the Agreement with DAS to extend the period of reagent manufacturing services and research services through December 31, 2012.

The Agreement also provides for minimum sublicense fees each year due to Sangamo every October, provided the Agreement is not terminated by DAS. Annual fees range from $250,000 to $3.0 million and total $25.3 million over 11 years. The Company does not have any performance obligations with respect to the sublicensing activities to be conducted by DAS. DAS has the right to terminate the Agreement at any time; accordingly, the Company’s actual sublicense fees over the term of the Agreement could be lower than $25.3 million. In addition, each party may terminate the Agreement upon an uncured material breach by the other party. In the event of any termination of the Agreement, all rights to use the Company’s ZFP technology will revert to Sangamo, and DAS will no longer be permitted access to Sangamo’s ZFP technology or to develop or, except in limited circumstances, commercialize any products derived from the Company’s ZFP technology.

Revenues under the agreement were $0.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, and $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Related costs and expenses incurred under the agreement were $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, and $0.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. There were no such revenues or related expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Funding from Research Foundations

California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

In October 2009, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), a State of California entity, granted a $14.5 million Disease Team Research Award to develop an AIDS-related lymphoma therapy based on the application of ZFN gene editing technology in stem cells. The four year grant supports an innovative research project conducted by a multidisciplinary team of investigators, including investigators from the University of Southern California, City of Hope National Medical Center and Sangamo BioSciences. Sangamo expects to receive funding up to $5.2 million from the total amount awarded based on expenses incurred for research and development efforts by Sangamo as prescribed in the agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions. The award is intended to substantially fund Sangamo’s research and development efforts related to the agreement. The State of California has the right to receive, subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement between Sangamo and CIRM, payments from Sangamo resulting from sales of a commercial product resulting from research and development efforts supported by the grant, not to exceed two times the amount Sangamo receives in funding under the agreement with CIRM.

Revenues attributable to research and development performed under the CIRM grant agreement were $0.5 million and $0.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively and $ 1.2 million and $0.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Related costs and expenses incurred under the CIRM agreement were $0.5 million and $0.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $1.4 million and $0.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

CHDI Foundation, Inc.

In April 2011, Sangamo entered into an agreement with the CHDI Foundation, Inc. (CHDI) to develop a novel therapeutic for Huntington’s disease based on Sangamo’s proprietary ZFP technology. Under the agreement with CHDI, and subject to its terms and conditions, CHDI paid the Company $1.3 million, the total funds due under the agreement, over a period of one year which is intended to substantially fund the Company’s research efforts related to the agreement. During 2012, the agreement was amended to extend the project through August 2012 and to increase total potential funding from $1.3 million to $2.1 million, plus reimbursement for certain direct expenses related to the project. The research grant from CHDI was completed in August 2012.

Revenues attributable to research and development performed under the CHDI collaboration agreement were $0.3 million and $1.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Related costs and expenses incurred under the CHDI agreement were $0.3 million and $1.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. There were no revenues or related expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International

In October 2006, Sangamo entered into an agreement with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) to provide financial support for one of Sangamo’s Phase 2 human clinical studies of the Company’s product candidate SB-509, a ZFP Therapeutic that was in development for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. In January 2010, JDRF and Sangamo amended the agreement and, subject to its terms and conditions, JDRF agreed to provide additional funding of up to $3.0 million for a Phase 2b trial in diabetic neuropathy.

In October 2011, the Company announced of the termination of its SB-509 program. In March 2012, the Company received a final payment of $0.8 million for work performed under the JDRF agreements. The Company does not expect to receive additional funding under these agreements.

Revenues attributable to research and development activities performed under the JDRF agreements were $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and $0.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. There were no such revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	NOTE 5—INCOME TAXES The Company maintains deferred tax assets that reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. These deferred tax assets include net operating loss carryforwards, research credits and capitalized research and development. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, if any, the timing and amount of which are uncertain based on the Company’s history of losses. Accordingly, the net deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance. Utilization of operating losses and credits may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to ownership change provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and similar state provisions. The annual limitation may result in the expiration of net operating losses and credits before utilization.

Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

NOTE 6—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The following table shows total stock-based compensation expense included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three month and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Costs and expenses:
Research and development	$	732	$	774	$	2,140	$	2,195
General and administrative		659		630		1,958		1,816

Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,391	$	1,404	$	4,098	$	4,011

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	NOTE 7—STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY On September 23, 2013, Sangamo completed an underwritten public offering of its common stock, in which the Company sold an aggregate of 7,015,000 shares of its common stock, including 915,000 issued to the Underwriters pursuant to a 30-day overallotment option, at a public offering price of $10.58 per share. The net proceeds to Sangamo from the sale of shares in this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses, were approximately $69.5 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74512-122707

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21488-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187143-122770

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405834&loc=d3e23285-112656

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Preferred Stock
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21564-112644

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph d
-Article 4

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Article 4

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section C

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

+ Details

Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

NOTE 8—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Acquisition of Ceregene

On August 23, 2013, Sangamo and its wholly-owned subsidiary CG Acquisition Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Ceregene, Inc., (“Ceregene”) and a stockholders’ representative. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company acquired all outstanding shares of Ceregene, a privately held biotechnology company focused on the development of adeno-associated virus (“AAV”) gene therapies. The acquired assets include all of Ceregene’s therapeutic programs, including CERE-110, an AAV vector delivery system for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease that is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial, certain intellectual property rights relating to the manufacturing of AAV, and certain toxicology and safety data from Ceregene’s human clinical trials (the Acquisition). The Acquisition was closed on October 1, 2013 (the Closing Date).

On the Closing Date, Merger Sub merged with and into Ceregene, with Ceregene continuing as the surviving company and a wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. On the Closing Date, each share of Ceregene’s issued and outstanding capital stock held by its stockholders converted to the right to receive a portion of the merger consideration for the Acquisition, which consists initially of (i) 100,000 shares of Sangamo common stock with a market value of approximately $1.2 million on the Closing Date, and (ii) amount of cash and cash equivalent of Ceregene on the Closing Date less certain liabilities and expenses. In addition to such initial merger consideration, during the term of the Merger Agreement, the Company is required to make contingent earn-out payments (the “Earn-Out Payments”) to the stockholders of Ceregene as follows:

•

If the Company grants a third-party license to develop and commercialize Ceregene’s CERE-110 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease or CERE-120 for the treatment of Parkinson’s diseases or Huntington’s disease (the “Earn-Out Products”), the Company is required to pay a double digit percentage of any upfront and milestone payments the Company receives for such license, subject to certain reductions based on expenses incurred by the Company in the development of the Earn-Out Products; and

•

If the Company commercializes any Earn-Out Product itself, the Company is required to pay, for each Earn-Out Product, royalty-like earnout payments as a percentage of net sales that range in the low double digits depending upon the amount of net sales, subject to certain reductions by the Company.

Also on the Closing Date, the Company, Ceregene and certain of its stockholders entered into an indemnity escrow agreement, pursuant to which a portion of the purchase price was deposited in an escrow account for the benefit of the Company to satisfy indemnity obligations of the stockholders under the Merger Agreement. Due to the relatively short time from the Closing Date of the Acquisition to the completion of the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, the accounting for the initial purchase price allocation as well as certain required supplemental disclosures with respect to the Acquisition have not been completed.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Use of Estimates and Classifications

Use of Estimates and Classifications

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Multiple Element Arrangements after the adoption of ASU 2009-13. ASU 2009-13 amended the accounting standards for certain multiple element revenue arrangements to:

•

eliminate the use of the residual method and require an entity to allocate arrangement consideration using the relative selling price method.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Investments

Investments

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

Net Loss per Share, policy

Basic net loss per share has been computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potential dilutive securities outstanding during the period.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for investments in financial assets, including marketable securities (debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values), investments accounted for under the equity method and cost method, securities borrowed and loaned, and repurchase and resale agreements. For marketable securities, the disclosure may include the entity's accounting treatment for transfers between investment categories and how the fair values for such securities are determined. Also, for all investments, an entity may describe its policy for assessing, recognizing and measuring impairment of the investment.

+ References + Details

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction is generally disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction.

+ References + Details

Investments and Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]

Schedule of Investments

The table below summarizes the Company’s available-for-sale securities (in thousands):


	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)		Estimated Fair Value
September 30, 2013
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	9,758	$	—	$	—	$	9,758

Total		9,758		—		—		9,758

Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities		52,577		26		—		52,603

Total		52,577		26		—		52,603

Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	$	62,335	$	26	$	—	$	62,361

December 31, 2012
Cash equivalents:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities	$	2,997	$	—	$	—	$	2,997
Money market funds		15,839		—		—		15,839

Total		18,836		—		—		18,836

Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities		54,426		26		—		54,452

Total		54,426		26		—		54,452

Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	$	73,262	$	26	$	—	$	73,288

Summary of Fair Value Measurements of Cash Equivalents and Available-for-Sale Securities

The fair value measurements of our cash equivalents and available-for-sale marketable securities are identified at the following levels within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):


	September 30, 2013 Fair Value Measurements
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	9,758	$	9,758	$	—	$	—

Total		9,758		9,758		—		—
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities		52,603		—		52,603		—

Total		52,603		—		52,603		—

Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	$	62,361	$	9,758	$	52,603	$	—


	December 31, 2012 Fair Value Measurements
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities	$	2,997	$	—	$	2,997	$	—
Money market funds		15,839		15,839		—		—

Total		18,836		15,839		2,997		—
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities		54,452		—		54,452		—

Total		54,452		—		54,452		—

Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	$	73,288	$	15,839	$	57,449	$	—

- 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

Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation [Member]

Revenues Recognized under Agreement

Revenues recognized under the agreement with Sigma for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, were as follows (in thousands):


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Revenue related to Sigma Collaboration:
Royalty revenues	$	201	$	428	$	711	$	1,035
License fee and milestone revenues		101		—		1,351		1,000

Total	$	302	$	428	$	2,062	$	2,035

Shire AG [Member]

Revenues Recognized under Agreement

Revenues recognized under the agreement with Shire for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, were as follows (in thousands):


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Revenue related to Shire Collaboration:
Amortization of upfront fee	$	542	$	542	$	1,625	$	1,444
Research services		3,968		2,675		11,340		4,747

Total	$	4,510	$	3,217	$	12,965	$	6,191

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation Expense


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Costs and expenses:
Research and development	$	732	$	774	$	2,140	$	2,195
General and administrative		659		630		1,958		1,816

Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,391	$	1,404	$	4,098	$	4,011

Investments and Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Investments maturity period	1 year	1 year
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Realized losses	0	0
Other-than-temporary impairments of available-for-sale securities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Investments and Fair Value Measurement - Schedule of Investments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 62,335	$ 73,262
Gross Unrealized Gains	26	26
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Estimated Fair Value	62,361	73,288
Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	9,758	18,836
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Estimated Fair Value	9,758	18,836
Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	52,577	54,426
Gross Unrealized Gains	26	26
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Estimated Fair Value	52,603	54,452
Money market funds [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	9,758	15,839
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Estimated Fair Value	9,758	15,839
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		2,997
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Estimated Fair Value		2,997
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	52,577	54,426
Gross Unrealized Gains	26	26
Gross Unrealized (Losses)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 52,603	$ 54,452

Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Stock options outstanding excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share	7,853,936	8,075,898

Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Additional Information (Detail) Product in Millions	1 Months Ended									3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Targets	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2012 USD ($) Targets	Apr. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2009 USD ($) shares	Jul. 31, 2007	Oct. 31, 2005 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($) Product	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2006
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Deferred revenue										$ 2,300,000		$ 2,300,000		$ 2,304,000
Receivables from sale against the grant funded to entity from sale of product												Two times the amount Sangamo receives in funding under the agreement
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Collaboration Agreement Related Costs and Expenses										500,000	$ 300,000	$ 1,400,000	$ 900,000
Funds due under the agreement							$ 14,500,000
Agreement to receive							4 years
Expected amount to be received for research and development							$ 5,200,000
Agreement date							Oct. 31, 2009
CHDI Foundation, Inc. [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Collaboration Agreement Related Costs and Expenses										0	300,000	0	1,100,000
Agreement to receive					1 year
Agreement date					Apr. 30, 2011
Revenues under agreement										0	300,000	$ 0	1,100,000
Funds due under agreement					$ 1,300,000
Contractual agreement termination date												Aug. 30, 2012
Funds due under agreement as per amendment														$ 2,100,000
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Agreement date															Oct. 31, 2006
Revenues under agreement										0	0	$ 0	800,000
Grant funding amount maximum under amended agreement						$ 3,000,000
Received for work performed under agreement			$ 800,000
License agreement terms [Member] \| California Institute for Regenerative Medicine [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Revenues under agreement										500,000	300,000	$ 1,200,000	900,000
Shire AG [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Aggregate number of gene targets \| Targets				7
Number of initial gene targets \| Targets				4
Number of gene targets \| Targets		5
Number of additional gene targets \| Targets		2
Research program to develop laboratory research reagents												6 years
Upfront license fee				$ 13,000,000
Potential amount to be funded for certain Shire milestones												$ 213,500,000
IND or CTA submission amount												$ 8,500,000
Number of products approved \| Product												0
Royalty revenue												$ 0
Deferred revenue										9,500,000		9,500,000
Collaboration Agreement Related Costs and Expenses										3,500,000	2,200,000	10,300,000	3,800,000
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Research program to develop laboratory research reagents								3 years
Upfront license fee							$ 20,000,000
Royalty revenue										201,000	428,000	711,000	1,035,000
Common stock, valued							$ 4,900,000
Public offering, common stock shares issued \| shares							636,133
Reduced royalty rate							10.50%
Funding available under the amended agreement							$ 25,000,000
Revenue attributable to research and development	$ 1,300,000									101,000		1,351,000	1,000,000
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation [Member] \| Upfront license fee [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Upfront license fee							15,100,000
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation [Member] \| License agreement terms [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Collaboration Agreement Related Costs and Expenses										100,000	100,000	100,000	300,000
Royalty revenues expected to be received							$ 5,000,000
Dow AgroSciences [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Research program to develop laboratory research reagents									3 years
Royalty revenue									$ 2,300,000
Collaboration Agreement Related Costs and Expenses										0	100,000	0	400,000
Revenue attributable to research and development										$ 0	$ 400,000	$ 0	$ 1,300,000
One-time license fee earned on exercise of option									$ 6,000,000
Percentage of royalties to be received from sublicensing									25.00%
Minimum sublicense annual fees specific reckoning period									11 years
Fee due									$ 25,300,000
Dow AgroSciences [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Annual fees									250,000.0
Dow AgroSciences [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Annual fees									3,000,000
Dow AgroSciences [Member] \| License agreement terms [Member]
Research and Development Arrangement, Contract to Perform for Others [Line Items]
Royalty revenue									$ 4,000,000

Major Customers, Partnerships and Strategic Alliances - Revenues Recognized under Agreement (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Shire AG [Member]
Revenue related to Shire Collaboration:
Amortization of upfront fee		$ 542	$ 542	$ 1,625	$ 1,444
Research services		3,968	2,675	11,340	4,747
Total		4,510	3,217	12,965	6,191
Revenue related to Sigma Collaboration:
Royalty revenues				0
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation [Member]
Revenue related to Sigma Collaboration:
Royalty revenues		201	428	711	1,035
License fee and milestone revenues	$ 1,300	101		1,351	1,000
Total		$ 302	$ 428	$ 2,062	$ 2,035

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Costs and expenses:
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,391	$ 1,404	$ 4,098	$ 4,011
Research and development [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Total stock-based compensation expense	732	774	2,140	2,195
General and administrative [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Total stock-based compensation expense	$ 659	$ 630	$ 1,958	$ 1,816

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - IPO [Member] $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 23, 2013 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Net proceeds from the sale of shares, after offering expenses \| $	$ 69.5
Common stock [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of stock, number of shares issued in transaction	7,015,000
Sale of stock, price per share \| $ / shares	$ 10.58
Underwriters [Member] \| Common stock [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of stock, number of shares issued in transaction	915,000

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - Subsequent Event [Member] $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013 USD ($) shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Shares acquired from acquisition \| shares	100,000
Market value of shares issued \| $	$ 1.2

Investments and Fair Value Measurement - Summary of Fair Value Measurements of Cash Equivalents and Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	$ 62,361	$ 73,288
Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	9,758	18,836
Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	52,603	54,452
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities		2,997
U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	52,603	54,452
Money market funds [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	9,758	15,839
Level 1 [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	9,758	15,839
Level 1 [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	9,758	15,839
Level 1 [Member] \| Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
Level 1 [Member] \| U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
Level 1 [Member] \| U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
Level 1 [Member] \| Money market funds [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	9,758	15,839
Level 2 [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	52,603	57,449
Level 2 [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities		2,997
Level 2 [Member] \| Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	52,603	54,452
Level 2 [Member] \| U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities		2,997
Level 2 [Member] \| U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities	52,603	54,452
Level 2 [Member] \| Money market funds [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
Level 3 [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
Level 3 [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
Level 3 [Member] \| Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
Level 3 [Member] \| U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
Level 3 [Member] \| U.S. government sponsored entity debt securities [Member] \| Available-for-sale securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities
Level 3 [Member] \| Money market funds [Member] \| Cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total cash equivalents and available-for-sale securities