Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Product revenues, net	$ 837,645	$ 1,333,458	$ 950,889
Royalty revenues	156,592	141,498	50,015
Collaborative revenues (1)	217,738	52,086	409,722
Total revenues	1,211,975	1,527,042	1,410,626
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenues	88,979	236,742	63,625
Royalty expenses	41,298	43,143	16,880
Research and development expenses	918,783	806,185	707,706
Sales, general and administrative expenses	362,342	436,796	400,721
Restructuring Expense	40,521	1,844	2,074
Intangible asset impairment charges	663,500	0	105,800
Total costs and expenses	2,115,423	1,524,710	1,296,806
Income (loss) from operations	(903,448)	2,332	113,820
Interest Income (Expense), Net	(22,730)	(15,022)	(37,681)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(49,939)	309	(15,694)
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(976,117)	(12,381)	60,445
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(288,567)	38,754	19,266
Net income (loss)	(687,550)	(51,135)	41,179
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	242,522	(55,897)	(11,605)
Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(242,522)	55,897	11,605
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex	$ (445,028)	$ (107,032)	$ 29,574
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders:
Basic (usd per share)	$ (1.98)	$ (0.50)	$ 0.14
Diluted (usd per share)	$ (1.98)	$ (0.50)	$ 0.14
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (shares)	224,906	211,946	204,891
Diluted (shares)	224,906	211,946	208,807