Segment Information - Revenues by Product (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments | segment									1
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total product revenues, net	$ 453,882	$ 409,689	$ 425,651	$ 394,410	$ 406,550	$ 302,511	$ 160,388	$ 130,875	$ 1,683,632	$ 1,000,324	$ 487,821
KALYDECO
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total product revenues, net									703,432	631,674	463,750
ORKAMBI
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total product revenues, net									979,590	350,663	0
INCIVEK
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total product revenues, net									$ 610	$ 17,987	$ 24,071