Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Product revenues, net	$ 373,273	$ 74,535	$ 748,648	$ 74,535
Royalty revenues	33,480	10,010	72,461	16,071
Collaborative revenues	11,552	29,879	35,933	97,480
Total revenues	418,305	114,424	857,042	188,086
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenues (Note 4)	104,549	5,404	130,467	5,404
Royalty expenses	9,874	3,902	23,167	6,568
Research and development expenses	196,544	173,604	392,915	332,216
Sales, general and administrative expenses	117,514	96,663	228,660	168,186
Restructuring expense	594	741	954	1,501
Total costs and expenses	429,075	280,314	776,163	513,875
Income (loss) from operations	(10,770)	(165,890)	80,879	(325,789)
Interest income	560	202	924	1,604
Interest expense	(4,195)	(6,962)	(8,300)	(18,963)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments		(2,220)		(7,818)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	(14,405)	(174,870)	73,503	(350,966)
Provision for income taxes	20,063	24,448	20,095	24,448
Net income (loss)	(34,468)	(199,318)	53,408	(375,414)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	30,463	(25,249)	26,749	(25,249)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex	$ (64,931)	$ (174,069)	$ 26,659	$ (350,165)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.85)	$ 0.13	$ (1.72)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.85)	$ 0.12	$ (1.72)
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (in shares)	211,344	204,413	209,681	203,377
Diluted (in shares)	211,344	204,413	212,957	203,377