Molecular Templates, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements and Marketable Securities (Details)

Fair Value Measurements and Marketable Securities (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	$ 66,482	$ 20,258
Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 1 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	3,954	4,050
Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	62,528	16,208
Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
Money market funds [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	3,954	4,050
Money market funds [Member] \| Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 1 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	3,954	4,050
Money market funds [Member] \| Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
Certificate of Deposit [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	484
Certificate of Deposit [Member] \| Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	484
Corporate bonds [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	19,488	4,690
Corporate bonds [Member] \| Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	19,488	4,690
Corporate bonds [Member] \| Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
U.S. Government Securities [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	31,463	5,970
U.S. Government Securities [Member] \| Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	31,463	5,970
U.S. Government Securities [Member] \| Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities
Commercial paper [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	11,093	5,548
Commercial paper [Member] \| Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities	11,093	5,548
Commercial paper [Member] \| Basis of Fair Value Measurements Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis
Total cash equivalents and marketable securities