Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (742,745)us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (687,550)us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (51,135)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Changes in other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on marketable securities	(165)	(154)	305
Unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts	2,034	(23)	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(646)	421	198
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	1,223	244	503
Comprehensive loss	(741,522)	(687,306)	(50,632)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	4,190	0	0
Comprehensive loss attributable to Vertex	$ (737,332)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ (687,306)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ (50,632)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments, of unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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