CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
REVENUES:
Net product revenues	$ 884,522,000	$ 738,416,000	$ 538,360,000
Collaborative agreement revenues	1,018,000	1,592,000	3,918,000
Royalty, license and other revenues	4,355,000	9,276,000	6,207,000
Total revenues	889,895,000	749,284,000	548,485,000
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of sales (excludes amortization of intangible assets)	152,008,000	122,267,000	88,391,000
Research and development	634,806,000	461,543,000	354,780,000
Selling, general and administrative	402,271,000	302,156,000	235,356,000
Intangible asset amortization and contingent consideration	(17,690,000)	23,709,000	25,026,000
Impairment of intangible asset	198,700,000		939,000
Gain on sale of intangible asset	(369,498,000)	(67,500,000)
Total operating expenses	1,000,597,000	842,175,000	704,492,000
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	(110,702,000)	(92,891,000)	(156,007,000)
Equity in the loss of BioMarin/Genzyme LLC	(817,000)	(877,000)	(1,149,000)
Interest income	4,501,000	5,937,000	3,083,000
Interest expense	(38,244,000)	(36,642,000)	(10,447,000)
Debt conversion expense	(163,000)	(674,000)	(12,965,000)
Other income (expense)	(9,299,000)	279,000	982,000
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(154,724,000)	(124,868,000)	(176,503,000)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	17,075,000	9,101,000	(150,000)
NET LOSS	$ (171,799,000)	$ (133,969,000)	$ (176,353,000)
NET LOSS PER SHARE, BASIC AND DILUTED	$ (1.07)	$ (0.92)	$ (1.28)
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted	160,025	146,349	137,755