2.2.0.25falsefalse2020 - Disclosure - Accounting Policies (Policies)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2011Q1http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000875320duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0vrtx_AccountingPoliciesDisclosureAbstractvrtxfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseAccounting Policies3false0us-gaap_EarningsPerSharePolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share         Basic net loss per common share is based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding restricted stock and restricted stock units that have been issued but are not yet vested. Diluted net loss per common share is based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus additional weighted-average common equivalent shares outstanding during the period when the effect is dilutive. Common equivalent shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options (the proceeds of which are then assumed to have been used to repurchase outstanding stock using the treasury stock method), the assumed conversion of convertible notes and vesting of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units. Common equivalent shares have not been included in the net loss per common share calculations because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. Total potential gross common equivalent shares consisted of the following: <div style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0pt; PADDING-LEFT: 0pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 20%; WIDTH: 60%; PADDING-TOP: 0pt; POSITION: relative">   <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px"> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" align="left" width="10"></td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" align="left"></td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" width="12"></td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" align="right" width="7"></td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" width="39"></td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" width="24"></td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" align="right" width="7"></td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" width="39"></td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" width="12"></td></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px" valign="bottom"> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times" align="left" colspan="2">  </th> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times"> </th> <th style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid; FONT-FAMILY: times" align="center" colspan="5">At March 31, </th> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times"> </th></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px" valign="bottom"> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times" align="left" colspan="2">  </th> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times"> </th> <th style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid; FONT-FAMILY: times" align="center" colspan="2">2011 </th> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times"> </th> <th style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #000000 1pt solid; FONT-FAMILY: times" align="center" colspan="2">2010 </th> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times"> </th></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px" valign="bottom"> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times" align="left" colspan="2">  </th> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times"> </th> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times" align="center" colspan="5">(in thousands, except per share amounts) </th> <th style="FONT-FAMILY: times"> </th></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" colspan="2"> Stock options</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">22,453</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">21,088</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px" valign="top" bgcolor="white"> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> Weighted-average exercise price (per share)</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">$</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">31.73</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">$</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">32.11</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" colspan="2"> Convertible senior subordinated notes</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">8,192</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right"></td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px" valign="top" bgcolor="white"> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> Conversion price (per share)</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">$</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">48.83</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">n/a</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td></tr> <tr style="HEIGHT: 0px" valign="top" bgcolor="#CCEEFF"> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" colspan="2"> Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">2,206</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom" align="right">1,904</td> <td style="FONT-FAMILY: times" valign="bottom"> </td></tr></table></div> </div></td></tr></table> Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share         Basic net loss per common share is based upon the weighted-averagefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDiscloses the methodology and assumptions used to compute basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for each class of common stock and participating security. Addresses all significant policy factors, including any antidilutive items that have been excluded from the computation and takes into account stock dividends, splits and reverse splits that occur after the balance sheet date of the latest reporting period but before the issuance of the financial statements.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph a Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 6, 8-16, 60 falsefalseBasic and Diluted Net Loss per Common Share4false0us-gaap_CompensationRelatedCostsPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> Stock-based Compensation Expense         The Company expenses the fair value of employee stock options and other forms of stock-based employee compensation over the associated employee service period or, for awards with market conditions, the derived service period. For awards with performance conditions, the Company makes estimates regarding the likelihood of satisfaction of the performance conditions that affect the period over which the expense is recognized. Compensation expense is determined based on the fair value of the award at the grant date, including estimated forfeitures, and is adjusted each period to reflect actual forfeitures and the outcomes of certain market and performance conditions. Please refer to Note C, "Stock-based Compensation Expense," for further information. </td></tr></table> Stock-based Compensation Expense         The Company expenses the fair value of employee stock options and other formsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes the entity's accounting policies for salaries, bonuses, incentive awards, postretirement and postemployment benefits granted to its employees, including share-based arrangements; describes its methodologies for measurement, and the bases for recognizing related assets and liabilities and recognizing and reporting compensation expense.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 4, 9-15, A240 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13 falsefalseStock-based Compensation Expense5false0us-gaap_ResearchDevelopmentAndComputerSoftwarePolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> <table style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman',times,serif"> <tr> <td> Research and Development Expenses         The Company expenses as incurred all research and development expenses, including amounts funded by research and development collaborations. The Company defers and capitalizes nonrefundable advance payments made by the Company for research and development activities until the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed.         Research and development expenses are comprised of costs incurred by the Company in performing research and development activities and include: salary and benefits; stock-based compensation expense; laboratory supplies and other direct expenses; contractual services costs, including clinical trial and pharmaceutical development costs; expenses associated with commercial supplies that are not being capitalized; and infrastructure costs, including facilities costs and depreciation expense. The Company evaluates periodically what portion of its commercial supply costs may be capitalized as described below in the Company's accounting policy regarding inventories.         The Company's collaborators funded portions of the Company's research and development programs related to specific drug candidates and research targets, including telaprevir, in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. The Company's collaborative revenues, including amortization of up-front license fees received in prior periods and milestone revenues, were $67.6 million and $16.0 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. The Company's research and development expenses allocated to programs in which a collaborator funded at least a portion of the research and development expenses were approximately $25 million and approximately $37 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. </td></tr></table></td></tr></table> Research and Development Expenses         The Company expenses as incurred all research and development expenses,falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policy for its research and development and computer software activities including the accounting treatment for costs incurred for (1) research and development activities, (2) development of computer software for internal use, (3) computer software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed as a separate product or as part of a product or process and (4) in-process research and development acquired in a purchase business combination.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 2 -Paragraph 8, 12, 13 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 86 -Paragraph 3-12 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 4 -Paragraph 4, 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 98-1 -Paragraph 12, 17-38, 41 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 00-2 falsefalseResearch and Development Expenses6false0us-gaap_InventoryPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> Inventories         The Company values its inventories at the lower of cost or market. The Company determines the cost of its inventories, which includes amounts related to materials and manufacturing overhead, on a first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis. If the Company identifies excess, obsolete or unsalable items, its inventories are written down to their realizable value in the period that the impairment is first identified.         The Company capitalizes inventories produced in preparation for initiating sales of a drug candidate when the related drug candidate is considered to have a high likelihood of regulatory approval and the related costs are expected to be recoverable through sales of the drug. In determining whether or not to capitalize such inventory, the Company evaluates, among other factors, information regarding the drug candidate's safety and efficacy, the status of regulatory submissions and communications with regulatory authorities and the outlook for commercial sales, including the existence of current or anticipated competitive drugs and the availability of reimbursement. In addition, the Company evaluates risks associated with manufacturing the drug candidate and the remaining shelf life of the inventory. Please refer to Note H, "Inventories," for further information. </td></tr></table> Inventories         The Company values its inventories at the lower of cost or market. The Company determines the costfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policies covering its major classes of inventories, bases of stating inventories (for example lower of cost or market), methods by which amounts are added and removed from inventory classes (for example FIFO, LIFO, or average cost), loss recognition on impairment of inventories, and situations in which inventories are stated above cost. If inventory is carried at cost, this description includes the nature of the cost elements included in inventory.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 206 -Chapter 2 -Paragraph b -Subparagraph i, ii Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 4 -Paragraph 3, 5-10, 15, 16, 17 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 43 -Chapter 3 -Section A -Paragraph 9 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 81-1 -Paragraph 69-75 falsefalseInventories7false0us-gaap_CostsAssociatedWithExitOrDisposalActivitiesOrRestructuringsPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> Restructuring Expense         The Company records costs and liabilities associated with exit and disposal activities based on estimates of fair value in the period the liabilities are incurred. In periods subsequent to the Company's initial measurement, the Company measures changes to the liability using the credit-adjusted risk-free discount rate it applied in the initial period. The Company evaluates and adjusts these liabilities as appropriate for changes in circumstances at least on a quarterly basis. Please refer to Note I, "Restructuring Expense," for further information.</td></tr></table> Restructuring Expense         The Company records costs and liabilities associated with exit and disposal activitiesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes the entity's accounting policy for recognizing and reporting costs associated with exiting, disposing of, and restructuring certain of its operations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 146 -Paragraph 20 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 falsefalseRestructuring Expense8false0us-gaap_RevenueRecognitionPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> Revenue Recognition <ul> <li style="list-style: none"> Collaborative Revenues</li></ul>         The Company's revenues are generated primarily through collaborative research, development and/or commercialization agreements. The terms of these agreements typically include payment to the Company of one or more of the following: nonrefundable, up-front license fees; milestone payments; funding of research and/or development activities; payments for services the Company provides through its third-party manufacturing network; and royalties on product sales. Each of these types of payments results in collaborative revenues, except for revenues from royalties on product sales, which are classified as royalty revenues. <ul> <li style="list-style: none"> Agreements Entered Into Prior to January 1, 2011 </li></ul>         Collaborative research, development and/or commercialization agreements entered into prior to January 1, 2011 that contain multiple elements are divided into separate units of accounting if certain criteria are met, including whether the delivered element has stand-alone value to the collaborator and whether there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered obligation(s). The consideration received is allocated among the separate units either on the basis of each unit's fair value or using the residual method, and the applicable revenue recognition criteria are applied to each of the separate units. <ul> <li style="list-style: none"> Up-front License Fees</li></ul>         The Company recognizes revenues from nonrefundable, up-front license fees on a straight-line basis over the contracted or estimated period of performance, which is typically the period over which the research and development is expected to occur or manufacturing services are expected to be provided. In order to estimate the period of performance, the Company is required to make estimates regarding the drug development and commercialization timelines for drug candidates being developed pursuant to the applicable agreement. The Company's estimates regarding the period of performance under certain of its collaboration agreements have changed in the past and may change in the future. <ul> <li style="list-style: none"> Milestone Payments</li></ul>         At the inception of each agreement that includes milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether each milestone is substantive on the basis of the contingent nature of the milestone, specifically reviewing factors such as the scientific and other risks that must be overcome to achieve the milestone, as well as the level of effort and investment required. The Company recognizes revenues related to substantive milestones in full in the period in which the substantive milestone is achieved, if payment is reasonably assured and the Company's performance obligations are fully satisfied or if the Company has fair value for its remaining obligations. If the Company has remaining obligations after the achievement of a substantive milestone and does not have sufficient evidence of the fair value of those obligations, the milestone payment is recognized over the period of performance. If a milestone is not considered substantive, the Company recognizes the applicable milestone payment over the remaining period of performance. <ul> <li style="list-style: none"> Research and Development Activities/Manufacturing Services </li></ul>         Under certain of its collaboration agreements, the Company is entitled to reimbursement from its collaborators for specified research and development expenses and/or payments for specified manufacturing services that the Company provides through its third-party manufacturing network. The Company considers the nature and contractual terms of the arrangement and the nature of the Company's business operations in order to determine whether research and development funding will result in collaborative revenues or an offset to research and development expenses. The Company typically recognizes the revenues related to these reimbursable expenses and manufacturing services in the period in which the reimbursable expenses are incurred or the manufacturing services are provided. <ul> <li style="list-style: none"> Agreements Entered Into On or After January 1, 2011 </li></ul>         On January 1, 2011, updated guidance on the recognition of revenues for agreements with multiple deliverables became effective and will apply to any agreements entered into by the Company on after January 1, 2011. This updated guidance (1) relates to whether multiple deliverables exist, how the deliverables in a revenue arrangement should be separated and how the consideration should be allocated; (2) requires companies to allocate revenues in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of deliverables if a vendor does not have vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price; and (3) eliminates the use of the residual method and requires companies to allocate revenues using the relative selling price method. During the first quarter of 2011, the Company did not enter into any agreements that would be accounted for pursuant to this updated guidance. If the Company enters into an agreement with multiple deliverables after January 1, 2011, this updated guidance could have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. <ul> <li style="list-style: none"> Royalty Revenues</li></ul>         The Company typically recognizes royalty revenues based upon actual and estimated net sales of licensed products in licensed territories, as provided by the licensee, and generally recognizes royalty revenues in the period the sales occur. The Company reconciles and adjusts for differences between actual royalty revenues and estimated royalty revenues in the quarter they become known. These differences historically have not been significant.         The Company has sold its rights to certain royalties on sales of HIV protease inhibitors and recognizes the revenues related to this sale as royalty revenues. In the circumstance where the Company has sold its rights to future royalties under a license agreement and also maintains continuing involvement in the royalty arrangement (but not significant continuing involvement in the generation of the cash flows due to the purchaser of the future royalty rights), the Company defers recognition of the proceeds it receives for the royalty stream and recognizes these deferred revenues over the life of the license agreement pursuant to the units-of-revenue method. Under this method, the amount of deferred revenues to be recognized as royalty revenues in each period is calculated by multiplying the following: (1) the royalty payments due to the purchaser for the period by (2) the ratio of the remaining deferred revenue amount to the total estimated remaining royalty payments due to the purchaser over the term of the agreement. The Company's estimates regarding the estimated remaining royalty payments due to the purchaser have changed in the past and may change in the future. </td></tr></table> Revenue Recognition Collaborative Revenues         The Company's revenues are generated primarily throughfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction should be disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 13 -Section B -Paragraph Question 1 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8, 12, 13 falsefalseRevenue Recognition9false0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationsAndOtherPurchaseOfBusinessTransactionsPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> Business Combinations         The Company assigns the value of the consideration transferred to acquire a business to the tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the basis of their fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company assesses the fair value of these assets, including intangible assets such as in-process research and development assets, using a variety of methods. Each asset is measured at fair value from the perspective of a market participant. The present-value models used to estimate the fair values of in-process research and development assets incorporate significant assumptions regarding the estimates that market participants would make in order to evaluate an asset, including: market participants' assumptions regarding the probability of completing in-process research and development projects, which would require obtaining regulatory approval for marketing of the associated drug candidate; market participants' estimates regarding the timing of and the expected costs to complete in-process research and development projects; market participants' estimates of future cash flows from potential product sales; and the appropriate discount rates for market participants. Transaction costs and restructuring costs associated with business combination transactions are expensed as incurred. </td></tr></table> Business Combinations         The Company assigns the value of the consideration transferred to acquire a business tofalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes the entity's accounting policies for business combinations and other business acquisition transactions not accounted for using the purchase method, such as an exchange of shares between entities under common control.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141 -Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 falsefalseBusiness Combinations10false0vrtx_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsPolicyTextBlockvrtxfalsenadurationDescribes an entity's accounting policy for indefinite-lived intangible assets (that is, those intangible assets not subject...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> In-process Research and Development Assets         In-process research and development assets relate to the Company's acquisition of ViroChem in March 2009. The Company records the value of in-process research and development assets acquired in a business combination at their fair value as of the acquisition date. These assets are accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets and maintained on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets until either the project underlying them is completed or the assets become impaired. If a project is completed, the carrying value of the related intangible asset is amortized as a part of cost of revenues over the remaining estimated life of the asset beginning in the period in which the project is completed. If a project becomes impaired or is abandoned, the carrying value of the related intangible asset is written down to its fair value and an impairment charge is taken in the period in which the impairment occurs. In-process research and development assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1, and more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. </td></tr></table> In-process Research and Development Assets         In-process research and development assets relate to the Company'sfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policy for indefinite-lived intangible assets (that is, those intangible assets not subject to amortization). This accounting policy also may address how the entity assesses whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life and how the entity assesses and measures impairment of such assets.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseIn-process Research and Development Assets11false0vrtx_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsGoodwillPolicyTextBlockvrtxfalsenadurationThis element describes an entity's accounting policy for goodwill. This accounting policy also may address how an entity...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> Goodwill         The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination is allocated to goodwill. Goodwill relates to the Company's acquisition of ViroChem in March 2009. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1, and more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that impairment may exist. </td></tr></table> Goodwill         The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of assets acquired and liabilitiesfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringThis element describes an entity's accounting policy for goodwill. This accounting policy also may address how an entity assesses and measures impairment of goodwill, how reporting units are determined, how goodwill is allocated to such units, and how the fair values of the reporting units are determined.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseGoodwill12false0us-gaap_DerivativesPolicyTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> Derivative Instruments and Embedded Derivatives         The Company has entered into financial transactions involving free-standing derivative instruments and embedded derivatives. These financial transactions include arrangements involving secured notes, the sale of potential future milestone payments and senior subordinated convertible notes. The embedded derivatives are required to be bifurcated from the host instruments because the derivatives are not clearly and closely related to the host instruments. The Company determines the fair value of each derivative instrument or embedded derivative on the date of issuance and at the end of each quarterly period. The estimates of the fair value of these derivatives, particularly with respect to derivatives related to the achievement of milestones in the development of telaprevir, include significant assumptions regarding the estimates market participants would make in order to evaluate these derivatives. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are evaluated on a quarterly basis. Please refer to Note M, "September 2009 Financial Transactions," for further information. </td></tr></table> Derivative Instruments and Embedded Derivatives         The Company has entered into financial transactions involvingfalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes an entity's accounting policies for its derivative instruments and hedging activities. Disclosure may include: (1) Each method used to account for derivative financial instruments and derivative commodity instruments ("derivatives"); (2) the types of derivatives accounted for under each method; (3) the criteria required to be met for each accounting method used, including a discussion of the criteria required to be met for hedge or deferral accounting and accrual or settlement accounting (for example: whether and how risk reduction, correlation, designation, and effectiveness tests are applied); (4) the accounting method used if the criteria specified for hedge accounting are not met; (5) the method used to account for termination of derivatives designated as hedges or derivatives used to affect directly or indirectly the terms, fair values, or cash flows of a designated item; (6) the method used to account for derivatives when the designated item matures, is sold, is extinguished, or is terminated. In addition, the method used to account for derivatives designated to an anticipated transaction, when the anticipated transaction is no longer likely to occur; and (7) where and when derivatives, and their related gains (losses) are reported in the statement of financial position, cash flows, and results of operations and (8) an accounting policy decision to offset fair value amounts with counterparties. An entity should also consider describing its embedded derivatives, and the method(s) used to determine the fair values of derivatives and any significant assumptions used in such valuations.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph n -Article 4 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 39 -Paragraph 10 falsefalseDerivative Instruments and Embedded Derivatives13false0vrtx_RecentAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlockvrtxfalsenadurationFor new accounting pronouncements or guidance that have been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure (1)...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<table style="font-size:10pt; font-family:'Times New Roman',times,serif;"> <tr> <td> Recent Accounting Pronouncements         For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements please refer to Note B "Accounting PoliciesRecent Accounting Pronouncements" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company did not adopt any new accounting pronouncements during the three months ended March 31, 2011 that had a material impact on the Company's financial statements. </td></tr></table> Recent Accounting Pronouncements         For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements please refer tofalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringFor new accounting pronouncements or guidance that have been issued but not yet adopted, an entity's disclosure (1) describing the new pronouncement, the date that adoption is required and the date that the entity plans to adopt, if earlier; (2) discussion of the methods of adoption allowed by the pronouncement and the method expected to be utilized by the entity, if determined; and/or (3) discussion the impact that adoption of the pronouncement is expected to have on the financial statements of the entity, unless such impact is not known or reasonably estimable (in which case, a statement to that effect should be made).No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRecent Accounting Pronouncements112Accounting Policies (Policies)UnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue