Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Comprehensive Loss
Net loss	$ (199,318)	$ (200,006)	$ (375,414)	$ (365,277)
Changes in other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities	(68)	40	1	168
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(6)	482	359	(86)
Total change in other comprehensive income (loss)	(74)	522	360	82
Comprehensive loss	(199,392)	(199,484)	(375,054)	(365,195)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	(25,249)		(25,249)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Vertex	$ (174,143)	$ (199,484)	$ (349,805)	$ (365,195)

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A5
-Appendix A

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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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-Publisher AICPA
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References

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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph 30

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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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-Publisher AICPA
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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
-Number 51
-Paragraph A5
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-Publisher AICPA
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 52
-Paragraph 13, 20, 31

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-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)
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This element represents Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, for the period. Includes deferred gains (losses) on qualifying hedges, unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, minimum pension liability, and cumulative translation adjustment.

+ References

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Appreciation or loss in value (before reclassification adjustment) of the total of unsold securities during the period being reported on, net of tax. Reclassification adjustments include: (1) the unrealized holding gain or loss, net of tax, at the date of the transfer for a debt security from the held-to-maturity category transferred into the available-for-sale category. Also includes the unrealized gain or loss at the date of transfer for a debt security from the available-for-sale category transferred into the held-to-maturity category; (2) the unrealized gains or losses realized upon the sale of securities, after tax; and (3) the unrealized gains or losses realized upon the write-down of securities, after tax.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 130
-Paragraph 17, 22

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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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