Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (159,382)	$ (61,712)	$ (391,839)	$ (374,339)
Changes in other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities	82	(170)	55	(159)
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	(89)	0	(125)	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	281	89	353	(521)
Total changes in other comprehensive loss	274	(81)	283	(680)
Comprehensive loss	(159,108)	(61,793)	(391,556)	(375,019)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	0	4,547	0	9,158
Comprehensive loss attributable to Vertex	$ (159,108)	$ (57,246)	$ (391,556)	$ (365,861)