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 Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 1,195,852	$ 999,180	$ 2,149	$ 4,519,448	$ (550)	$ (3,521,867)	$ 196,672	$ 38,530
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012			217,287
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	11	11			11
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(610)	(610)			(610)
Net loss	(312,627)	(308,016)				(308,016)	(4,611)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			1,365
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	24,102	24,099	11	24,088			3
Stock-based compensation expense	31,574	31,451		31,451			123
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(342)						(342)	342
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	937,960	746,115	2,160	4,574,987	(1,149)	(3,829,883)	191,845	38,872
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2013			218,652
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,356,405	1,356,405	2,320	5,321,286	(306)	(3,966,895)	0	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			233,789
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	(27)	(27)			(27)
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	(36)	(36)			(36)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	72	72			72
Net loss	(232,457)	(232,457)				(232,457)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			2,412
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	60,134	60,134	14	60,120
Stock-based compensation expense	46,787	46,787		46,787
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$ 1,230,878	$ 1,230,878	$ 2,334	$ 5,428,193	$ (297)	$ (4,199,352)	$ 0	$ 0
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2014			236,201