Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (232,457)	$ (312,627)
Changes in other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities	(27)	11
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	(36)	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	72	(610)
Total changes in other comprehensive loss	9	(599)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(232,448)	(313,226)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	0	4,611
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vertex	$ (232,448)	$ (308,615)