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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Product and Service [Axis]</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfOwnershipReceivedInAssetAcquisition_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Percentage of ownership received in asset acquisition.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfOwnershipReceivedInAssetAcquisition_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Percentage Of Ownership Received in Asset Acquisition</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfOwnershipReceivedInAssetAcquisition_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Ownership interest received</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MilestoneDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Milestone</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MilestoneDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Milestone [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MilestoneDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Milestone [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseImpairmentLoss_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Total impairment of lease assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseImpairmentLoss_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Non-cash impairment charges</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseImpairmentLoss_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Impairment expense for facilities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseImpairmentLoss_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Impairment charges</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AssetAcquisitionByAmpersandCapitalPartnersMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Asset acquisition by ampersand capital partners.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AssetAcquisitionByAmpersandCapitalPartnersMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Asset Acquisition By Ampersand Capital Partners [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AssetAcquisitionByAmpersandCapitalPartnersMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Asset Acquisition By Ampersand Capital Partners</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Sale of Facility</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Huntsville Manufacturing Facility</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Common Stock, Shares, Issued</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Common stock shares, issued (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Common shares issued</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Asset Class [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Asset Class [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statement [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Statement [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statement [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Statement [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Repurchase of common stock from Bristol-Myers Squibb</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreFundedWarrantMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Pre Funded Warrant.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreFundedWarrantMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Pre Funded Warrant [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreFundedWarrantMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Pre-Funded Warrant</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_FacilitiesCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Facilities Costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_FacilitiesCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Facilities costs.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_FacilitiesCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Facilities costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityFilerCategory_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity Filer Category</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityFilerCategory_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Entity Filer Category</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Liabilities and Equity</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total liabilities and stockholders' equity</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring Type [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring Type [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other prepaid expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule of Restructuring and Impairment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharesIssuedPricePerShare_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Shares Issued, Price Per Share</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharesIssuedPricePerShare_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Shares issued, price per share</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Subsequent Event [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedUnderLicenseAgreement_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Upfront and milestone payments received under license agreement.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedUnderLicenseAgreement_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Upfront And Milestone Payments Received Under License Agreement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedUnderLicenseAgreement_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Received upfront and milestone payment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Interest income</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Investment Income, Interest</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Noncurrent</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Long-term investments</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Long-term investments</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfGrossSaleOfCommonStockSoldThroughSalesAgentsCommissionRate_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Percentage of Gross Sale of Common Stock Sold through Sales Agents Commission Rate</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfGrossSaleOfCommonStockSoldThroughSalesAgentsCommissionRate_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Percentage of gross sale of common stock sold through sales agents commission rate.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfGrossSaleOfCommonStockSoldThroughSalesAgentsCommissionRate_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Percentage of gross sale of common stock sold through sales agents commission rate</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionNumber_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">RSUs outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionNumber_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Option Number</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionNumber_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award equity instruments other than option number.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfStockUponExerciseOfOptionToPurchaseAdditionalSharesOfCommonStock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Sale of stock upon exercise of option to purchase additional shares of common stock</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfStockUponExerciseOfOptionToPurchaseAdditionalSharesOfCommonStock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sale Of Stock Upon Exercise Of Option To Purchase Additional Shares Of Common Stock</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfStockUponExerciseOfOptionToPurchaseAdditionalSharesOfCommonStock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Sale of stock upon exercise of option to purchase additional shares of common stock.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonStock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Capital in excess of par value</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RezpegaldesleukinMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Rezpegaldesleukin [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RezpegaldesleukinMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Rezpegaldesleukin (cytokine Treg stimulant)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RezpegaldesleukinMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Rezpegaldesleukin.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Related Party [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Related Party</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsPerUnit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Method Investment Dividends or Distributions per Unit</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsPerUnit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Equity method investment dividends or distributions per unit.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsPerUnit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Equity method investment dividends or distributions per unit</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Bristol Myers Squibb Company [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Bristol Myers Squibb Company</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring and impairment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Restructuring and impairment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ContractTerminationAndOtherCostsIncludedInAccruedExpenses_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Contract termination and other costs included in accrued expenses.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ContractTerminationAndOtherCostsIncludedInAccruedExpenses_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Contract Termination and Other Costs Included in Accrued Expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ContractTerminationAndOtherCostsIncludedInAccruedExpenses_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Contract termination and other costs included in accrued expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Investment, Name [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Earnings Per Share, Basic</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Basic net loss per share (in dollars per share)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Net foreign currency translation gain (loss)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel">Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Ending Balance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel">Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number, Beginning Balance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total common stock reserved for issuance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Stock options outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Liabilities, Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total current liabilities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Accounts receivable</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ParentCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Parent Company [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ParentCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Nektar's</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreferredUnitPricePerUnitOwnedByRelatedParty_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Preferred unit, price per unit owned by related party</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreferredUnitPricePerUnitOwnedByRelatedParty_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Preferred Unit, Price Per Unit Owned by Related Party</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreferredUnitPricePerUnitOwnedByRelatedParty_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Preferred unit, price per unit owned by related party.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Stockholders' equity:</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntitySmallBusiness_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity Small Business</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntitySmallBusiness_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Entity Small Business</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PayableForNewdrugInvestigleMilestone_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Payable for newdrug investigle milestone.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PayableForNewdrugInvestigleMilestone_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Payable For Newdrug Investigle Milestone</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accumulated deficit</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyFiveSecondaryPublicOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">2025 Secondary Public Offering</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyFiveSecondaryPublicOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Two Thousand Twenty Five Secondary Public Offering [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyFiveSecondaryPublicOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Two thousand twenty five secondary public offering.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sale of Stock, Price Per Share</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Offering per share price</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OtherPartnerMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Other.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OtherPartnerMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Other Partner [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OtherPartnerMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other Partner</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsShareBasedPaymentsTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Stock-Based Compensation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_AmendmentFlag_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Amendment Flag</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_AmendmentFlag_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Amendment Flag</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Product and Service [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Product and Service [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Number of warrants issued to be purchase common shares</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerSharePolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerSharePolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Net Loss per Share</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TreasuryStockPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Treasury stock policy.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TreasuryStockPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Treasury Stock [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TreasuryStockPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Treasury Stock</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity Address, Postal Zip Code</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Entity Address, Postal Zip Code</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Net cash used in operating activities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OperatingLeaseMeasurementInput_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Operating Lease, Measurement Input</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OperatingLeaseMeasurementInput_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Operating Lease, Measurement Input</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OperatingLeaseMeasurementInput_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Operating lease, measurement input</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingCodmProfitLossMeasureHowUsedDescription_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Segment Reporting, CODM, Profit (Loss) Measure, How Used, Description</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2020Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Purchase and Sale Agreement 2020</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2020Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Purchase and Sale Agreement 2020 [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2020Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">2020 Purchase and Sale Agreement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Common Stock [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Common Shares</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Common Stock</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Amortization of premiums (discounts), net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Amortization of premiums (discounts), net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPrefundedWarrantExercise_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Prefunded Warrant Exercise</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPrefundedWarrantExercise_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Stock issued during period, shares, prefunded warrant exercise.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPrefundedWarrantExercise_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Shares issued under prefunded warrant exercise (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/label/axisDefault">Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] [Default]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity Address, Address Line One</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Entity Address, Address Line One</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MeasurementInputMarketParticipantSubtenantBorrowingRateMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Measurement Input, Market Participant Subtenant Borrowing Rate</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MeasurementInputMarketParticipantSubtenantBorrowingRateMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Measurement Input, Market Participant Subtenant Borrowing Rate [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MeasurementInputMarketParticipantSubtenantBorrowingRateMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Measurement Input, Market Participant Subtenant Borrowing Rate</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Income Taxes</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Name of Property [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Name of Property [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_BiolojicDesignCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Biolojic design company.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_BiolojicDesignCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Biolojic Design Company [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_BiolojicDesignCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Biolojic Design Member</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statement of Financial Position Location, Balance [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Balance Sheet Location [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Operating lease right-of-use assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Payments to Acquire Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Purchases of investments</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_InventoryDisclosureAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Gain (Loss), after Adjustment and Tax, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Gain (Loss), after Adjustment and Tax</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Class of Warrant or Right [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentType_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Document Type</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentType_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Document Type</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AmendedAndRestatedTwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Amended and restated two thousand seventeen performance incentive plan.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AmendedAndRestatedTwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Amended And Restated Two Thousand Seventeen Performance Incentive Plan [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AmendedAndRestatedTwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Amended and Restated 2017 Performance Incentive Plan</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity Central Index Key</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Entity Central Index Key</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Subsequent Event Type [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossOnContractTermination_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Loss on Contract Termination</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LossOnContractTermination_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Contract termination and other restructuring costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Potentially dilutive securities (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Disposal Group Classification [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationPurchases_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Purchases</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationPurchases_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Purchases made</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Proceeds from Issuance of Warrants</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Proceeds from issuance of pre-funded warrant</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Goodwill [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Goodwill [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Amortized Cost</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Fair Value</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetImpairmentChargesTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetImpairmentChargesTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Impairment of Goodwill</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Organization and summary of significant accounting policies.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Estimate of Fair Value Measurement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Estimated Fair Value at</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Accrued Liabilities, Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total accrued expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Net payable</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Accrued expenses (including $316 and $3,403 as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, to a related party)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cost of Sales [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Cost of goods sold</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Current Fiscal Year End Date</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Current Fiscal Year End Date</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TcgCrossoverFundIILPMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">TCG Crossover Fund II, L.P.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TcgCrossoverFundIILPMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">TCG Crossover Fund I I, L P [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TcgCrossoverFundIILPMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">TCG Crossover Fund II, L.P.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Document Quarterly Report</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Document Quarterly Report</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Other Cost and Expense, Operating</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other operating costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProvisionForInventoryObsolescence_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Provision for inventory obsolescence</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProvisionForInventoryObsolescence_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Provision For Inventory Obsolescence</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProvisionForInventoryObsolescence_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Provision for inventory obsolescence.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProvisionForInventoryObsolescence_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Provision for net realizable value of inventory</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity Address, State or Province</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Entity Address, State or Province</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccruedLiabilities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Increase (Decrease) in Other Accrued Liabilities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccruedLiabilities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accrued expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Investment, Name [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Asset Acquisition [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel">Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel">Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Comprehensive income (loss)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Comprehensive loss</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Gross Unrealized Gains</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total common stock reserved for issuance</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Common stock reserved for issuance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Total shares reserved for issuance under our employee stock plans</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Class of Warrant or Right [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CommissionsDueToOffering_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Commissions Due To Offering</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CommissionsDueToOffering_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Commissions due to offering.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CommissionsDueToOffering_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Commissions</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ContractTerminationAndOtherCostsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Contract Termination and Other Costs [Member[</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ContractTerminationAndOtherCostsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Contract Termination and Other Costs [Member[</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ContractTerminationAndOtherCostsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Contract Termination and Other Costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Accounts Receivable [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Interest and other non-trade receivables</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSharesIssued_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other Than Options Shares Issued</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSharesIssued_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Share based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, equity instruments other than options shares issued.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSharesIssued_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Shares issued</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementDisclosureTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Collaborative Arrangement Disclosure [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementDisclosureTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">License and Collaboration Agreements</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other comprehensive income (loss):</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SubleasePropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Sublease Property, Plant And Equipment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SubleasePropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sublease Property, Plant And Equipment [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SubleasePropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Property, Plant and Equipment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Subsequent Event [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Subsequent Event</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ContractTerminationCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Contract Termination Costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ContractTerminationCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Contract termination costs.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ContractTerminationCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Contract termination costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsNetOfOperatingLeaseLiabilities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Increase (Decrease) In Operating Lease Right-Of-Use Assets, Net Of Operating Lease Liabilities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsNetOfOperatingLeaseLiabilities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Increase (Decrease) In Operating Lease Right-Of-Use Assets, Net Of Operating Lease Liabilities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsNetOfOperatingLeaseLiabilities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Operating leases, net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Other Assets, Noncurrent</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Short-term investments</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Antidilutive Securities [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Antidilutive Securities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Treasury Stock, Common, Shares</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Treasury Stock, Common, Shares</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel">Ending balance (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel">Beginning balance (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Treasury shares outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashInterestExpenseRelatedToSaleOfRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Non-cash interest expense on liabilities related to the sales of future royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashInterestExpenseRelatedToSaleOfRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Non-cash interest expense related to sale of royalties.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashInterestExpenseRelatedToSaleOfRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Non Cash Interest Expense Related To Sale Of Royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashInterestExpenseRelatedToSaleOfRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Non-cash interest expense</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashInterestExpenseRelatedToSaleOfRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/netLabel">Non-cash interest expense on liabilities related to the sales of future royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Preferred Stock, Value, Issued</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares designated or outstanding at September 30, 2025 or December 31, 2024, respectively</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Minimum [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Minimum</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCollaborationAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Bristol Myers Squibb collaboration agreement.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCollaborationAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Bristol Myers Squibb Collaboration Agreement [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCollaborationAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Bristol Myers Squibb Collaboration Agreement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Financial Instrument [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Financial Instrument [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Assets, Current [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Current assets:</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyFivePublicOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Two Thousand Twenty Five Public Offering [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyFivePublicOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Two thousand twenty five public offering.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyFivePublicOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">2025 Offering</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Fair Value, Level 3</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Segment Reporting [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonRule10B51ArrModifiedFlag_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">NonRule10b51ArrModifiedFlag</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonRule10B51ArrModifiedFlag_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">NonRule10b51ArrModifiedFlag</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonRule10B51ArrModifiedFlag_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Modified</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule of Portfolio of Cash and Investments in Marketable Securities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Liabilities, Current [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Current liabilities:</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsReservedForIssuance_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options Reserved For Issuance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsReservedForIssuance_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, equity instruments other than options reserved for issuance.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsReservedForIssuance_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Shares reserved for issuance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProductMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Product [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProductMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Product sales</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_DiscoveryResearchAndOtherProgramsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Discovery Research and Other Programs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_DiscoveryResearchAndOtherProgramsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Discovery Research And Other Programs [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_DiscoveryResearchAndOtherProgramsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Discovery research and other programs.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ThirdStFacilityMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Third St. Facility</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ThirdStFacilityMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Third St. Facility [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ThirdStFacilityMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Third St. Facility</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ServicesAgreementsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Services Agreements</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ServicesAgreementsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Services Agreements [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ServicesAgreementsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Services agreements.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProceedsFromSaleOfFutureRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Proceeds from sale of future royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProceedsFromSaleOfFutureRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Proceeds From Sale of Future Royalties.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProceedsFromSaleOfFutureRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Proceeds From Sale of Future Royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedFromLicenseAgreements_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Upfront and milestone payments received from license agreements.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedFromLicenseAgreements_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Upfront And Milestone Payments Received From License Agreements</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedFromLicenseAgreements_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Upfront and milestone payments received from license agreements</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Securities Purchase Agreement.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Securities Purchase Agreement [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Securities Purchase Agreement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Commitments and Contingencies</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Commitments and contingencies</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfPreferredUnitsOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Percentage of preferred units outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfPreferredUnitsOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Percentage Of Preferred Units Outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfPreferredUnitsOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Percentage of preferred units outstanding.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MilestoneAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Milestone [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MilestoneAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Milestone [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MilestoneAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Milestone [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Shares Issued, Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Shares Issued, Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Shares issued under equity compensation plans (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Accounts Receivable, Credit Loss Expense (Reversal)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accounts receivable, credit loss expense (reversal)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">General and Administrative Expense [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">General and administrative</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfPreferredUnitsOwnedByRelatedPartyOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Percentage of the preferred units owned by related party outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfPreferredUnitsOwnedByRelatedPartyOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Percentage of Preferred Units Owned by Related Party Outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfPreferredUnitsOwnedByRelatedPartyOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Percentage of preferred units owned by related party outstanding.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostsAssociatedWithExitOrDisposalActivitiesOrRestructuringsPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities or Restructurings, Policy [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostsAssociatedWithExitOrDisposalActivitiesOrRestructuringsPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SharesRemainedAvailableForIssuanceUnderWarrant_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Shares Remained Available For Issuance Under Warrant</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SharesRemainedAvailableForIssuanceUnderWarrant_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Shares remained available for issuance under warrant.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SharesRemainedAvailableForIssuanceUnderWarrant_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Shares remained available for issuance under warrant</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityReverseStockSplit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Reverse stock split</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityReverseStockSplit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Stockholders' Equity, Reverse Stock Split</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NKTRTwoFiveFiveMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">NKTR Two Five Five [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NKTRTwoFiveFiveMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">NKTR two five five.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NKTRTwoFiveFiveMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">NKTR-255 (IL-15 receptor agonist)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfEquityAggregateMaximumPublicOfferingAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sale of Equity Aggregate Maximum Public Offering Amount</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfEquityAggregateMaximumPublicOfferingAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Sale of equity aggregate maximum public offering amount.</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfTheCommonUnitsOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Percentage of the common units outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfTheCommonUnitsOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Percentage of the common units outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfTheCommonUnitsOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Percentage of the common units outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CommonUnitsOwned_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Common units owned</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CommonUnitsOwned_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Common units owned</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CommonUnitsOwned_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Common units owned</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProfitLoss_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProfitLoss_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProfitLoss_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Net loss</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing basic net loss per share (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreferredStockShareDesignated_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Preferred stock, shares designated.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreferredStockShareDesignated_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Preferred Stock Share Designated</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreferredStockShareDesignated_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Preferred stock, shares designated (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Segments [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CashRestrictedCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Cash, restricted cash, cash equivalents, and available for sale investments.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CashRestrictedCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash Restricted Cash Cash Equivalents And Available For Sale Investments</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CashRestrictedCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Cash and investments in marketable securities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CashRestrictedCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total cash and investments in marketable securities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventsTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Subsequent Events [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventsTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Subsequent Events</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_Cash_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_Cash_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Cash</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">APIC, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Stock-based compensation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity, Attributable to Parent</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel">Ending balance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel">Beginning balance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total stockholders' equity</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsLessThanOneYear_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Number Of Positions Less Than One Year</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsLessThanOneYear_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Available for sale securities in unrealized loss positions number of positions less than one year.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsLessThanOneYear_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Number of investments in unrealized loss positions</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_StockOptionsRSUsAndPSUsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Stock Options, RSUs And PSUs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_StockOptionsRSUsAndPSUsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Stock Options, RSUs And PSUs [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_StockOptionsRSUsAndPSUsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Stock Options, RSUs And PSUs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Method Investments</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Equity method investment in Gannet BioChem</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Type of Restructuring [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Type of Restructuring [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_UseOfEstimates_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_UseOfEstimates_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Use of Estimates</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Method Investment [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetFairValueDisclosure_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Property, Plant And Equipment, And Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset, Fair Value Disclosure</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetFairValueDisclosure_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Property, Plant And Equipment, And Operating Lease Right Of Use Asset, Fair Value Disclosure</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetFairValueDisclosure_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Property, plant and equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Treasury Stock, Common [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Treasury Stock</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel">Claim on net assets of Gannet BioChem - end of period</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Method Investment, Underlying Equity in Net Assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel">Claim on net assets of Gannet BioChem - beginning of period</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Claim on net assets of Gannet BioChem</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyTwoAndTwoThousandTwentyThreeRestructuringPlansMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">2022 and 2023 Restructuring Plans</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyTwoAndTwoThousandTwentyThreeRestructuringPlansMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Two Thousand Twenty Two and Two Thousand Twenty Three Restructuring Plans [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyTwoAndTwoThousandTwentyThreeRestructuringPlansMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Two thousand twenty two and two thousand twenty three restructuring plans.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Employee Stock Purchase Plan</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Employee Stock Purchase Plan</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AccruedClinicalTrialExpensesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Accrued clinical trial expenses current.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AccruedClinicalTrialExpensesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Accrued Clinical Trial Expenses Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AccruedClinicalTrialExpensesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accrued clinical trial expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccruedLiabilitiesTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccruedLiabilitiesTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule of Accrued Expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2012Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Purchase and Sale Agreement 2012</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2012Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Purchase and Sale Agreement 2012 [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2012Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">2012 Purchase and Sale Agreement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Other Assets, Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other current assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Other current assets (including $177 and $0 as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively, from a related party)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Loss from equity method investment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Change in claim on net assets of Gannet BioChem</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Loss from equity method investment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ResaleOfCommonStockIssuableUponExerciseOfWarrant_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Resale of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrant</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ResaleOfCommonStockIssuableUponExerciseOfWarrant_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Resale of Common Stock Issuable Upon Exercise of Warrant</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ResaleOfCommonStockIssuableUponExerciseOfWarrant_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Resale of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrant.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MissionBayFacilityMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Mission Bay Facility</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MissionBayFacilityMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Mission Bay Facility [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MissionBayFacilityMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Mission Bay Facility</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingCodmIndividualTitleAndPositionOrGroupOrCommitteeNameExtensibleEnumeration_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Segment Reporting, CODM, Individual Title and Position or Group Name [Extensible Enumeration]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other segment expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total other segment expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Segment Reporting, Other Segment Item, Amount</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Plan Name [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Plan Name [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Other assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Entity [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LiabilitiesOnSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesAmortizedTransactionCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Liabilities On Sale Of Future Royalties Amortized Transaction Costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LiabilitiesOnSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesAmortizedTransactionCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Liabilities On Sale Of Future Royalties Amortized Transaction Costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LiabilitiesOnSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesAmortizedTransactionCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Amortization of transaction costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AgreementTerm_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Agreement term</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AgreementTerm_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Agreement term</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AgreementTerm_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Agreement term</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Cost of Goods and Services Sold, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cost of Product and Service Sold</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Cost of goods sold</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NKTRZeroOneSixFiveMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">NKTR Zero One Six Five [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NKTRZeroOneSixFiveMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">NKTR zero one six five.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NKTRZeroOneSixFiveMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">NKTR-0165 (tumor necrosis factor receptor type II agonist)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Total impairment of right-of-use assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Impairment, Long-Lived Asset, Held-for-Use</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Impairment of other property, plant and equipment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total impairment of right-of-use assets and property, plant and equipment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Impairment of right-of-use assets and property and equipment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Certificates of Deposit [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Certificates of deposit</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_JonathanZalevskyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Jonathan Zalevsky [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_JonathanZalevskyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Jonathan zalevsky.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherSignificantReconcilingItemLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Segment, Reconciliation of Other Items from Segments to Consolidated [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Treasury Stock, Value, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Treasury Stock, Value</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Treasury stock, at cost; 552,307 shares as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Treasury stock, at cost; 0 shares and 552,307 shares as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring Plan [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring Plan [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Related and Nonrelated Parties [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity Address, City or Town</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Entity Address, City or Town</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Potential development and regulatory milestones.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Potential Development And Regulatory Milestones</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Potential future additional development and regulatory milestones (up to)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Sale of stock shares repurchased</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Repurchase of common stock from Bristol-Myers Squibb (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_SecurityExchangeName_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Security Exchange Name</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_SecurityExchangeName_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Security Exchange Name</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Counterparty Name [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Counterparty Name</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_Nektar358Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Nektar-358</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_Nektar358Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Nektar-358 [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_Nektar358Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Nektar-358</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Measurement Input Type [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Antidilutive Securities, Name</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_Nektar214Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Nektar 214.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_Nektar214Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Nektar 214 [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_Nektar214Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Nektar 214</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SharePurchaseAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Share purchase agreement.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SharePurchaseAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share Purchase Agreement [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SharePurchaseAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Purchase Agreement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UnderwritingDiscountsDueToOffering_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Underwriting Discounts Due To Offering</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UnderwritingDiscountsDueToOffering_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Underwriting discounts due to offering.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UnderwritingDiscountsDueToOffering_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Underwriting discounts</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel">Cash and cash equivalents at end of period</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel">Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Measurement Basis [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statistical Measurement [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Statistical Measurement [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Exercise price of warrants</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Assets, Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total current assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Expense</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Stock-based compensation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Total stock-based compensation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Document Period End Date</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Document Period End Date</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsAndJointVenturesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Fair Value, Level 3</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RestructuringPlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring Plan</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RestructuringPlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring Plan [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RestructuringPlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Restructuring plan.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">RSUs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringImpairmentAndOtherActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Activities Disclosure [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringImpairmentAndOtherActivitiesDisclosureTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring and Impairment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_Liabilities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Liabilities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_Liabilities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total liabilities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Financial Instruments [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Financial Instruments [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsPolicy_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Equity Method Investment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsPolicy_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">License and collaboration agreements.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">License And Collaboration Agreements [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MilestoneOneMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Milestone One [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MilestoneOneMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Milestone One [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_MilestoneOneMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Milestone One</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AssetPurchaseAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Asset Purchase Agreement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AssetPurchaseAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Asset purchase agreement.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AssetPurchaseAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Asset Purchase Agreement [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NumberOfMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Number Of Milestones</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NumberOfMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Number Of Milestones</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NumberOfMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Number of Milestone</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SubleaseOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Sublease Operating Lease Right of Use Assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SubleaseOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sublease Operating Lease Right of Use Assets [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SubleaseOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_CoverAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cover [Abstract]</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Measurement Input Type [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RoyaltiesLiabilityMeasurementInput_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Royalties Liability, Measurement Input</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RoyaltiesLiabilityMeasurementInput_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Royalties Liability, Measurement Input</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Loss before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity method investment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sale of Stock [Domain]</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LicenseCollaborationAndOtherRevenueMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">License collaboration and other revenue.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LicenseCollaborationAndOtherRevenueMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">License Collaboration And Other Revenue [Member]</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_WarrantExercisedPriorNoticePeriod_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Warrant exercised prior notice period.</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingDisclosureTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">General and Administrative Expense, Total</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring, impairment, and costs of terminated program</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_IncomeLossBeforeEquityMethodInvestment_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Income (loss) before equity method investment.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_IncomeLossBeforeEquityMethodInvestment_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Loss before equity method investment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_IncomeLossBeforeEquityMethodInvestment_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Loss before equity method investment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_InterestAndOtherNonTradeReceivablesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Interest and Other Non-trade Receivables [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_InterestAndOtherNonTradeReceivablesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Interest and other non-trade receivables.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_InterestAndOtherNonTradeReceivablesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Interest and other non-trade receivables</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Reported Value Measurement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Reported Value Measurement [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_EliLillyAndCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Eli Lilly and Company.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_EliLillyAndCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Eli Lilly And Company [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_EliLillyAndCompanyMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Eli Lilly And Company</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PrepaidResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Prepaid Research And Development Expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PrepaidResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Prepaid Research And Development Expenses [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PrepaidResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Prepaid research and development expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel">Ending balance (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel">Beginning balance (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Common shares outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Operating Lease, Liability, Current</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionCostsAndWorkingCapitalAdjustmentFromTheSaleOfManufacturingFacility_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Payment of transaction costs and working capital adjustment from the sale of the Huntsville manufacturing facility</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionCostsAndWorkingCapitalAdjustmentFromTheSaleOfManufacturingFacility_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Payment of transaction costs and working capital adjustment from the sale of manufacturing facility.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accrued research and development expenses</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AccruedResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Accrued research and development expenses current.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentTransitionReport_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Document Transition Report</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentTransitionReport_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Document Transition Report</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_GannetBioChemMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Gannet bio chem.</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_JefferiesLLCMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Jefferies LLC.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Name of Property [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Name of Property [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreferredUnitsOwnedByARelatedParty_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Preferred Units Owned by a Related Party</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreferredUnitsOwnedByARelatedParty_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Preferred units owned by a related party.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PreferredUnitsOwnedByARelatedParty_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Preferred units owned by a related party</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SalesAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sales Agreement [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SalesAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Sales agreement.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SalesAgreementMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Sales Agreement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedActivitiesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Document Fiscal Year Focus</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Document Fiscal Year Focus</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Cash flows from investing activities:</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Accounts Payable, Current, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Accounts Payable, Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accounts payable</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Research and Development Expense [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Research and Development Expense</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Research and development</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Other Operating Segment [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other Segment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ScheduleOfLiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Schedule Of Liability Related To Sale Of Potential Future Royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ScheduleOfLiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Schedule Of Liability Related To Sale Of Potential Future Royalties [Table Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ScheduleOfLiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule of Liability Related to Sale of Potential Future Royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_GoodsAndServiceTaxRefundsRepaymentDue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Repayment due of GST refunds</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_GoodsAndServiceTaxRefundsRepaymentDue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Goods And Service Tax Refunds Repayment Due</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_GoodsAndServiceTaxRefundsRepaymentDue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Goods and service tax refunds repayment due.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Proceeds from sale of assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Shares Issued, Value, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Shares Issued, Value, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Shares issued under equity compensation plans</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentForDevelopmentMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Payment for development milestones.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentForDevelopmentMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Payment For Development Milestones</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CommonUnitPricePerUnit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Common unit, price per unit</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CommonUnitPricePerUnit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Common unit, price per unit</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_CommonUnitPricePerUnit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Common unit, price per unit</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueDisclosuresAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueDisclosuresAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Non-cash royalty revenue related to sale of future royalties.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Non Cash Royalty Revenue Related To Sale Of Future Royalties [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Non-cash royalty revenue related to the sales of future royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Non-cash royalty revenue related to the sales of future royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AccruedContractTerminationCostsCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Accrued Contract Termination Costs, Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AccruedContractTerminationCostsCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Accrued Contract Termination Costs, Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AccruedContractTerminationCostsCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accrued contract termination costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsSharebasedPaymentsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisclosureOfCompensationRelatedCostsSharebasedPaymentsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sale of Stock [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Sale of Stock [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlans_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Proceeds, Issuance of Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Excluding Option Exercised</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlans_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Proceeds from shares issued under equity compensation plans and other</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsDisclosureTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsDisclosureTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Equity Method Investment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_Nektar0165Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Nektar 0165</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_Nektar0165Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Nektar 0165.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_Nektar0165Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Nektar 0165 [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_Security12bTitle_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Title of 12(b) Security</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_Security12bTitle_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Title of 12(b) Security</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Money Market Funds [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Money market funds</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Related and Nonrelated Parties [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Collaborative Arrangement and Arrangement Other than Collaborative [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfCollaborativeArrangementsAndNoncollaborativeArrangementTransactionsTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule of Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AtTheMarketOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">At the Market Offering [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AtTheMarketOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">At the Market Offering [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AtTheMarketOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">At-the-Market Offering</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Other Liabilities, Noncurrent</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other long-term liabilities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Consolidated Entities [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Consolidated Entities [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring Plan [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring Plan [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_LegalEntityAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Legal Entity [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_LegalEntityAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Legal Entity [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesNonCurrentNetOfIssuanceCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Liability related to sale of potential future royalties non current net of issuance costs.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesNonCurrentNetOfIssuanceCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Liability Related To Sale Of Potential Future Royalties Non Current Net Of Issuance Costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesNonCurrentNetOfIssuanceCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Liabilities related to the sales of future royalties, net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Changes in operating assets and liabilities:</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodEndLabel">Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel">Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Weighted average exercise price</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Capital in Excess of Par Value</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statement of Income Location, Balance [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Income Statement Location [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleAccountingStandardsUpdateAdoptionDate_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Change in Accounting Principle, Accounting Standards Update, Adoption Date</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_TradingSymbol_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Trading Symbol</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_TradingSymbol_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Trading Symbol</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Fair value of investment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceived_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Sale of stock consideration received.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceived_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sale Of Stock Consideration Received</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceived_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Sale of stock consideration received</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Subsequent Event Type [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Employee-related Liabilities, Current</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accrued compensation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Cash flows from financing activities:</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Components [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Equity Components</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Nonoperating Income (Expense)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total non-operating income (expense), net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Equity Component [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Equity Component</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Asset Class [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Asset Class [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfManufacturingFacilityPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Sale of Manufacturing Facility</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfManufacturingFacilityPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Sale of manufacturing facility.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SaleOfManufacturingFacilityPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Sale Of Manufacturing Facility [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NumberOfOperatingBusinessSegment_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Number of operating business segment.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NumberOfOperatingBusinessSegment_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Number Of Operating Business Segment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NumberOfOperatingBusinessSegment_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Number of operating business segment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Depreciation and amortization expense</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Maximum</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Maximum [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Statistical Measurement [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Statistical Measurement [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOtherSignificantReconcilingItemsFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Segment, Reconciliation of Other Items from Segments to Consolidated [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Common Stock, Value, Issued</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockValue_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 390,000,000 shares and 300,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024; 19,652,513 shares and 12,937,308 shares issued at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively; 19,652,513 shares and 12,385,001 shares outstanding at September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ConsolidationPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ConsolidationPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ImpairmentOrDisposalOfLongLivedAssetsPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ImpairmentOrDisposalOfLongLivedAssetsPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Long-Lived Asset Impairment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Accrued Liabilities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Accrued Liabilities, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Net payable</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SecondaryOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Secondary Offering [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SecondaryOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Secondary offering.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SecondaryOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Secondary Offering</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Costs and Expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total operating costs and expenses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProceedsFromSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesGross_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Proceeds from sale of royalty rights</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProceedsFromSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesGross_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Proceeds From Sale Of Potential Future Royalties Gross</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ProceedsFromSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesGross_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Proceeds from sale of potential future royalties gross.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsAchieved_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Payment of transaction related to purchase and sale agreement</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsAchieved_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Payment of Transaction Related to Purchase and Sale Agreement if Threshold is Achieved</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsAchieved_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Payment of Transaction Related to Purchase and Sale Agreement if Threshold is Achieved</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash, Cash Equivalent, and Investment [Table Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfCashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestmentsTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule of Cash and Investments in Marketable Securities, Including Cash Equivalents</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SummaryOfReverseStockSplitSharesReservedForIssuanceUnderEmployeeStockPlansTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Summary Of Reverse Stock Split, Shares Reserved For Issuance Under Employee Stock Plans [Table Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SummaryOfReverseStockSplitSharesReservedForIssuanceUnderEmployeeStockPlansTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Tabular disclosure Of reverse stock split, shares reserved for issuance under employee stock plans.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_SummaryOfReverseStockSplitSharesReservedForIssuanceUnderEmployeeStockPlansTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Summary of Reverse Stock Split, Shares Reserved for Issuance Under Employee Stock Plans</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityRegistrantName_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity Registrant Name</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityRegistrantName_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Entity Registrant Name</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Gross unrealized losses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel">Gross Unrealized Losses</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Repurchase of common stock from Bristol-Myers Squibb (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Repurchase of common stock from Bristol-Myers Squibb (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Treasury stock reissued</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Other income (expense), net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/netLabel">Other income</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Other income</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventsAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Subsequent Events [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule Of Equity Method Investments</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTableTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Schedule of equity method investments.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Consolidated Entities [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Consolidated Entities [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Provision (benefit) for income taxes</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Income Tax Expense (Benefit)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Benefit for income taxes</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Gross proceeds</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Net proceeds from issuance of common stock</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Proceeds from offering, net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Costs and Expenses [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Operating costs and expenses:</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskCreditRisk_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskCreditRisk_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Significant Concentrations</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Disposal Group Classification [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfNumberOfSharesForWarrantExercised_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Percentage of number of shares of warrant exercised.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfNumberOfSharesForWarrantExercised_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Percentage of Number of Shares for Warrant Exercised</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PercentageOfNumberOfSharesForWarrantExercised_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Percentage of number of shares of warrant exercised</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Payments for Restructuring</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Payments during the period</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel">Payments during the period</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Purchases of property and equipment</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_Assets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_Assets_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Total assets</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Income Statement [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Income Statement [Abstract]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Restructuring Cost [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RelatedPartiesPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Related Parties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RelatedPartiesPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Related Parties [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_RelatedPartiesPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Related parties.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndMarketableSecuritiesTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash, Cash Equivalent, and Marketable Security [Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndMarketableSecuritiesTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Cash and Investments in Marketable Securities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Sale and issuance of shares</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Shares issued under offering, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs (in shares)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Earnings Per Share, Diluted</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Summary of Significant Expense Categories and Consolidated Net Loss</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsNotAchieved_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Payment of transaction related to purchase and sale agreement if threshold is not achieved</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsNotAchieved_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Payment of Transaction Related to Purchase and Sale Agreement if Threshold is not Achieved</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsNotAchieved_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Payment of Transaction Related to Purchase and Sale Agreement if Threshold is not Achieved</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Asset Acquisition [Axis]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Non cash royalty revenue related to sale future royalties.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Non Cash Royalty Revenue Related To Sale Of Future Royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Non-cash royalty revenue related to the sales of future royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel">Non-cash royalty revenue</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_CityAreaCode_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">City Area Code</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="dei_CityAreaCode_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">City Area Code</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Other comprehensive income (loss)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Potential development milestones.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Potential Development Milestones</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Potential future additional payments for development milestones</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentMilestones_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Potential Development Milestones</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_HowardWRobinMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Howard W. Robin [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_HowardWRobinMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Howard W. Robin.</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Counterparty Name [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Counterparty Name [Domain]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Stockholders' Equity Note, Stock Split, Conversion Ratio</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Reverse stock split, ratio</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Two Thousand Seventeen Performance Incentive Plan</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Two Thousand Seventeen Performance Incentive Plan [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">2017 Performance Incentive Plan</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Equity method investment dividends or distributions</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Property, Plant and Equipment, Net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Property, plant and equipment, net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Property, plant and equipment, net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Property and equipment, net</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Operating Income (Loss)</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Loss from operations</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_IssuanceOfPrefundedWarrant_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Issuance of prefunded warrant</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_IssuanceOfPrefundedWarrant_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Issuance of prefunded warrant</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_IssuanceOfPrefundedWarrant_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Issuance of prefunded warrant</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Retained Earnings [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Accumulated Deficit</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AmountExchangedToRemoveCapOnRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Amount exchanged to remove cap on royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AmountExchangedToRemoveCapOnRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Amount exchanged to remove cap on royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_AmountExchangedToRemoveCapOnRoyalties_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Amount exchanged to remove cap on royalties</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Consideration in cash, net of transaction costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Asset Acquisition, Consideration Transferred</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Asset Acquisition, Consideration Transferred, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Payments of Stock Issuance Costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Commissions</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel">Payments of offering costs associated with issuance of common stock</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Underwriting discounts, commissions and offering costs</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel">Minimum purchase commitments</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Including Lease Not yet Commenced, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Total</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Operating lease liabilities, less current portion</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel">Level 1</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Class of Stock [Line Items]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel">Net cash provided by financing activities</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UnderwrittenPublicOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label">Underwritten Public Offering [Member]</link:label>
          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_UnderwrittenPublicOfferingMember_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Underwritten public offering.</link:label>
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          <link:label xml:lang="en-US" xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="nktr_OrganizationPolicyTextBlock_lbl" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation">Organization.</link:label>
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  <xsd:element id="nktr_ResaleOfCommonStockIssuableUponExerciseOfWarrant" name="ResaleOfCommonStockIssuableUponExerciseOfWarrant" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_AgreementTerm" name="AgreementTerm" type="xbrli:durationItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCollaborationAgreementMember" name="BristolMyersSquibbCollaborationAgreementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_RelatedPartiesPolicyTextBlock" name="RelatedPartiesPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ContractTerminationCosts" name="ContractTerminationCosts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsPerUnit" name="EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsPerUnit" type="dtr-types:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_RoyaltiesLiabilityMeasurementInput" name="RoyaltiesLiabilityMeasurementInput" type="xbrli:decimalItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_MilestoneOneMember" name="MilestoneOneMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PreferredUnitPricePerUnitOwnedByRelatedParty" name="PreferredUnitPricePerUnitOwnedByRelatedParty" type="dtr-types:perShareItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_IssuanceOfPrefundedWarrant" name="IssuanceOfPrefundedWarrant" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_NumberOfMilestones" name="NumberOfMilestones" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetFairValueDisclosure" name="PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetFairValueDisclosure" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2020Member" name="PurchaseAndSaleAgreement2020Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ServicesAgreementsMember" name="ServicesAgreementsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsAchieved" name="PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsAchieved" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ThirdStFacilityMember" name="ThirdStFacilityMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PercentageOfPreferredUnitsOutstanding" name="PercentageOfPreferredUnitsOutstanding" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_SaleOfManufacturingFacilityPolicyTextBlock" name="SaleOfManufacturingFacilityPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_BiolojicDesignCompanyMember" name="BiolojicDesignCompanyMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestones" name="PotentialDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestones" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PaymentForDevelopmentMilestones" name="PaymentForDevelopmentMilestones" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_NonRule10B51ArrModifiedFlag" name="NonRule10B51ArrModifiedFlag" type="xbrli:booleanItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_Nektar214Member" name="Nektar214Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_SubleaseOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsMember" name="SubleaseOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_OrganizationPolicyTextBlock" name="OrganizationPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyFiveSecondaryPublicOfferingMember" name="TwoThousandTwentyFiveSecondaryPublicOfferingMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_SalesAgreementMember" name="SalesAgreementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PotentialDevelopmentMilestones" name="PotentialDevelopmentMilestones" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_Rule10B51ArrModifiedFlag" name="Rule10B51ArrModifiedFlag" type="xbrli:booleanItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_GannetBioChemMember" name="GannetBioChemMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_AtTheMarketOfferingMember" name="AtTheMarketOfferingMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" name="NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_MeasurementInputMarketParticipantSubtenantBorrowingRateMember" name="MeasurementInputMarketParticipantSubtenantBorrowingRateMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_CommonUnitsOwned" name="CommonUnitsOwned" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionNumber" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionNumber" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_SharesRemainedAvailableForIssuanceUnderWarrant" name="SharesRemainedAvailableForIssuanceUnderWarrant" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ClinicalDevelopmentContractManufacturingAndOtherThirdPartyCosts" name="ClinicalDevelopmentContractManufacturingAndOtherThirdPartyCosts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_SharePurchaseAgreementMember" name="SharePurchaseAgreementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_FacilitiesCosts" name="FacilitiesCosts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_InterestAndOtherNonTradeReceivablesMember" name="InterestAndOtherNonTradeReceivablesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PercentageOfNumberOfSharesForWarrantExercised" name="PercentageOfNumberOfSharesForWarrantExercised" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_StockOptionsRSUsAndPSUsMember" name="StockOptionsRSUsAndPSUsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_AmountExchangedToRemoveCapOnRoyalties" name="AmountExchangedToRemoveCapOnRoyalties" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_SaleOfEquityAggregateMaximumPublicOfferingAmount" name="SaleOfEquityAggregateMaximumPublicOfferingAmount" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_TcgCrossoverFundIILPMember" name="TcgCrossoverFundIILPMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_DiscoveryResearchAndOtherProgramsMember" name="DiscoveryResearchAndOtherProgramsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsLessThanOneYear" name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsNumberOfPositionsLessThanOneYear" type="xbrli:integerItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceived" name="SaleOfStockConsiderationReceived" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsNotAchieved" name="PaymentOfTransactionRelatedToPurchaseAndSaleAgreementIfThresholdIsNotAchieved" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedUnderLicenseAgreement" name="UpfrontAndMilestonePaymentsReceivedUnderLicenseAgreement" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems" name="OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_CashRestrictedCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleInvestments" name="CashRestrictedCashCashEquivalentsAndAvailableForSaleInvestments" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_OperatingLeaseMeasurementInput" name="OperatingLeaseMeasurementInput" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PaymentOfTransactionCostsAndWorkingCapitalAdjustmentFromTheSaleOfManufacturingFacility" name="PaymentOfTransactionCostsAndWorkingCapitalAdjustmentFromTheSaleOfManufacturingFacility" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PayableForNewdrugInvestigleMilestone" name="PayableForNewdrugInvestigleMilestone" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_EmployeeRelatedCosts" name="EmployeeRelatedCosts" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_UnderwritingDiscountsDueToOffering" name="UnderwritingDiscountsDueToOffering" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember" name="TwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ContractTerminationAndOtherCostsMember" name="ContractTerminationAndOtherCostsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_OtherPartnerMember" name="OtherPartnerMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyFivePublicOfferingMember" name="TwoThousandTwentyFivePublicOfferingMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PrepaidResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesMember" name="PrepaidResearchAndDevelopmentExpensesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_JefferiesLLCMember" name="JefferiesLLCMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsNetOfOperatingLeaseLiabilities" name="IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetsNetOfOperatingLeaseLiabilities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_LicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsAbstract" name="LicenseAndCollaborationAgreementsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ReverseStockSplitPolicyTextBlock" name="ReverseStockSplitPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_MilestoneDomain" name="MilestoneDomain" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_TwoThousandTwentyTwoAndTwoThousandTwentyThreeRestructuringPlansMember" name="TwoThousandTwentyTwoAndTwoThousandTwentyThreeRestructuringPlansMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember" name="SecuritiesPurchaseAgreementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_LicenseCollaborationAndOtherRevenueMember" name="LicenseCollaborationAndOtherRevenueMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_LiabilityToCollaborationPartnersCurrent" name="LiabilityToCollaborationPartnersCurrent" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSharesIssued" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsSharesIssued" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_SaleOfStockUponExerciseOfOptionToPurchaseAdditionalSharesOfCommonStock" name="SaleOfStockUponExerciseOfOptionToPurchaseAdditionalSharesOfCommonStock" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PercentageOfOwnershipReceivedInAssetAcquisition" name="PercentageOfOwnershipReceivedInAssetAcquisition" type="dtr-types:percentItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_BristolMyersSquibbCompanyMember" name="BristolMyersSquibbCompanyMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ProceedsFromSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesGross" name="ProceedsFromSaleOfPotentialFutureRoyaltiesGross" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="debit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_RestructuringPlanMember" name="RestructuringPlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_AccruedContractTerminationCostsCurrent" name="AccruedContractTerminationCostsCurrent" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPrefundedWarrantExercise" name="StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesPrefundedWarrantExercise" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_RezpegaldesleukinMember" name="RezpegaldesleukinMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_NKTRZeroOneSixFiveMember" name="NKTRZeroOneSixFiveMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_EffectiveDateOfWarrant" name="EffectiveDateOfWarrant" type="xbrli:dateItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_TreasuryStockPolicyTextBlock" name="TreasuryStockPolicyTextBlock" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_PreFundedWarrantMember" name="PreFundedWarrantMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_EliLillyAndCompanyMember" name="EliLillyAndCompanyMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_AmendedAndRestatedTwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember" name="AmendedAndRestatedTwoThousandSeventeenPerformanceIncentivePlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_AssetPurchaseAgreementMember" name="AssetPurchaseAgreementMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsReservedForIssuance" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsReservedForIssuance" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="instant" nillable="true" abstract="false"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_IncomeLossBeforeEquityMethodInvestment" name="IncomeLossBeforeEquityMethodInvestment" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="false" xbrli:balance="credit"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember" name="EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
  <xsd:element id="nktr_OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable" name="OrganizationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" xbrli:periodType="duration" nillable="true" abstract="true"/>
</xsd:schema>
