Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,195,852	$ 999,180	$ 2,149	$ 4,519,448	$ (550)	$ (3,521,867)	$ 196,672	$ 38,530
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012			217,287,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities	(159)	(159)			(159)
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(521)	(521)			(521)
Net loss	(374,339)	(365,181)				(365,181)	(9,158)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			6,614,000
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	213,729	213,801	68	213,733			(72)
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015) conversion (shares)			8,276,000
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015) conversion	402,265	402,265	83	402,182
Stock-based compensation expense	73,306	73,068		73,068			238
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(684)						(684)	684
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	1,509,449	1,322,453	2,300	5,208,431	(1,230)	(3,887,048)	186,996	39,214
Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2013			232,177,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,356,405	1,356,405	2,320	5,321,286	(306)	(3,966,895)	0	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			233,789,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities	55	55			55
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	(125)	(125)			(125)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	353	353			353
Net loss	(391,839)	(391,839)				(391,839)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			3,542,000
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	117,947	117,947	27	117,920
Stock-based compensation expense	89,473	89,473		89,473
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$ 1,172,269	$ 1,172,269	$ 2,347	$ 5,528,679	$ (23)	$ (4,358,734)	$ 0	$ 0
Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2014			237,331,000