Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (220,992)	$ (159,382)	$ (419,696)	$ (391,839)
Changes in other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on marketable securities	(46)	82	130	55
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	(4,280)	(89)	(3,974)	(125)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,828	281	1,220	353
Total changes in other comprehensive loss	(2,498)	274	(2,624)	283
Comprehensive loss	(223,490)	(159,108)	(422,320)	(391,556)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	32,144	0	32,242	0
Comprehensive loss attributable to Vertex	$ (191,346)	$ (159,108)	$ (390,078)	$ (391,556)