Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 8,696	$ 8,506
Work-in-process	40,695	20,508
Finished goods	7,816	1,834
Total	57,207	30,848
Write-offs for excess and obsolete inventories	$ 0	$ 0	$ 10,358
Impact of write-offs for excess and obsolete inventories on net loss attributable to Vertex per share (in $ per share)			$ (0.05)