| Document and Entity Information | Aug. 31, 2020 |
| Cover [Abstract] | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001403752 |
| Document Type | 8-K/A |
| Amendment Flag | true |
| Document Period End Date | Aug. 31, 2020 |
| Entity Registrant Name | Zymeworks Inc. |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | A1 |
| Entity File Number | 001-38068 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 47-2569713 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | Suite 540, 1385 West 8th Avenue |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Vancouver |
| Entity Address, State or Province | BC |
| Entity Address, Country | CA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | V6H 3V9 |
| City Area Code | 604 |
| Local Phone Number | 678-1388 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Common Shares, no par value per share |
| Trading Symbol | ZYME |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Amendment Description | Pursuant to Instruction 2 to Item 5.02 of Form 8-K, Zymeworks Inc. (“Zymeworks” or the “Company”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-K/A to amend the Company’s Form 8-K, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2020 (the “Original Report”), to disclose the subsequent appointment of Dr. Kelvin Neu as a member of the Research and Development Committee (the “R&D Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company. At the time of the Original Report, the Board had not determined to which committees, if any, Dr. Neu would be appointed. Except as stated herein, the Original Report shall remain in effect. |
