Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (93,816)	$ (170,060)	$ (513,512)	$ (561,899)
Changes in other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities	56	(30)	186	25
Unrealized gains on foreign currency forward contracts	4,546	1,838	572	1,713
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,384)	(624)	(164)	(271)
Total changes in other comprehensive loss	3,218	1,184	594	1,467
Comprehensive loss	(90,598)	(168,876)	(512,918)	(560,432)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,333)	0	30,909	0
Comprehensive loss attributable to Vertex	$ (91,931)	$ (168,876)	$ (482,009)	$ (560,432)