Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Product revenues, net	$ 487,821	$ 837,645	$ 1,333,458
Royalty revenues	40,919	156,592	141,498
Collaborative revenues	51,675	217,738	52,086
Total revenues	580,415	1,211,975	1,527,042
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenues	39,725	88,979	236,742
Royalty expenses	21,262	41,298	43,143
Research and development expenses	855,506	882,097	765,905
Sales, general and administrative expenses	305,409	356,188	432,681
Restructuring expenses	50,925	40,521	1,844
Intangible asset impairment charges	0	412,900	0
Total costs and expenses	1,272,827	1,821,983	1,480,315
(Loss) income from operations	(692,412)	(610,008)	46,727
Interest expense, net	(72,863)	(22,926)	(15,040)
Other income, net	30,400	6,890	309
(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(734,875)	(626,044)	31,996
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	6,958	(122,422)	(275)
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(741,833)	(503,622)	32,271
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (benefit) provision of $0, $(166,145) and $39,029, respectively	(912)	(183,928)	(83,406)
Net loss	(742,745)	(687,550)	(51,135)
Loss (income) from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	242,522	(55,897)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	4,190	0	0
Net loss attributable to Vertex	(738,555)	(445,028)	(107,032)
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(737,643)	(503,622)	32,271
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	$ (912)	$ 58,594	$ (139,303)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations, basic (usd per share)	$ (3.14)	$ (2.24)	$ 0.15
Net (loss) income from continuing operations, diluted (usd per share)	$ (3.14)	$ (2.24)	$ 0.15
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations:
Net (loss) income from discontinuing operations, basic (usd per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.26	$ (0.65)
Net (loss) income from discontinuing operations, diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.26	$ (0.65)
Net loss:
Basic (usd per share)	$ (3.14)	$ (1.98)	$ (0.50)
Diluted (usd per share)	$ (3.14)	$ (1.98)	$ (0.50)
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (in shares)	235,307	224,906	211,946
Diluted (in shares)	235,307	224,906	215,262