Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 503,973	$ 503,973	$ 2,016	$ 3,947,433	$ (1,067)	$ (3,444,409)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010			203,523
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	69	69			69
Foreign currency translation adjustment	365	365			365
Net income (loss)	(176,096)	(176,096)				(176,096)
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans	35,328	35,328	17	35,311
Benefit plans (in shares)			1,935
Stock-based compensation expense	28,033	28,033		28,033
Balance at Mar. 31, 2011	391,672	391,672	2,033	4,010,777	(633)	(3,620,505)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2011			205,458
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	928,476	786,843	2,072	4,200,659	(1,053)	(3,414,835)	141,633	37,036
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			209,304
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	150	150			150
Foreign currency translation adjustment	275	275			275
Net income (loss)	87,876	91,590				91,590	(3,714)
Issuances of common stock:
Benefit plans	23,599	23,536	15	23,521			63
Benefit plans (in shares)			1,559
Stock-based compensation expense	27,938	27,877		27,877			61
Tax benefit from equity compensation	227	227		227
Change in liquidation value of redeemable noncontrolling interest	(460)						(460)	460
Balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 1,068,081	$ 930,498	$ 2,087	$ 4,252,284	$ (628)	$ (3,323,245)	$ 137,583	$ 37,496
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2012			210,863