Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest in Discontinued Operations (Alios)	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests at Dec. 31, 2012								$ 38,530
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Dec. 31, 2012							196,672
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2012		999,180
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,195,852		2,149	4,519,448	(550)	(3,521,867)
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012			217,287,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	7	7			7
Unrealized gains on foreign currency forward contracts	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(7)	(7)			(7)
Net loss	(503,001)	(489,313)				(489,313)	(13,688)
Net loss attributable to Vertex	(489,313)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			8,029,000
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	248,216	248,286	79	248,207			(70)
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015) conversion (shares)			8,276,000
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015) conversion	402,265	402,265	83	402,182
Stock-based compensation expense	104,818	104,470		104,470			348
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	(1,094)						(1,094)	1,094
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests at Sep. 30, 2013								39,624
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Sep. 30, 2013							182,168
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Sep. 30, 2013		1,264,888
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	1,447,056		2,311	5,274,307	(550)	(4,011,180)
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2013			233,592,000
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests at Dec. 31, 2013								0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Dec. 31, 2013							0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2013	1,356,405	1,356,405
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,356,405		2,320	5,321,286	(306)	(3,966,895)
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			233,789,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	25	25			25
Unrealized gains on foreign currency forward contracts	1,713	1,713			1,713
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(271)	(271)			(271)
Net loss	(561,899)
Net loss attributable to Vertex	(561,899)	(561,899)				(561,899)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			6,449,000
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	223,867	223,867	55	223,812
Stock-based compensation expense	136,065	136,065		136,065
Temporary Equity, Carrying Amount, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests at Sep. 30, 2014								0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest at Sep. 30, 2014							0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Sep. 30, 2014	1,155,905	1,155,905
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 1,155,905		$ 2,375	$ 5,681,163	$ 1,161	$ (4,528,794)
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2014			240,238,000