Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Revenues:
Product revenues, net	$ 419,595		$ 494,130
Royalty revenues	8,539	8,173	24,610	21,842
Collaborative revenues	231,066	15,622	328,546	56,004
Total revenues	659,200	23,795	847,286	77,846
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenues	35,285		40,689
Royalty expenses	3,121	3,228	9,689	9,681
Research and development expenses	189,052	170,434	521,268	468,528
Sales, general and administrative expenses	110,654	48,855	278,840	125,322
Restructuring expense (credit)	(419)	866	1,082	3,758
Intangible asset impairment charge	105,800		105,800
Total costs and expenses	443,493	223,383	957,368	607,289
Income (loss) from operations	215,707	(199,588)	(110,082)	(529,443)
Interest income	77	493	1,681	1,432
Interest expense	(7,059)	(3,951)	(26,022)	(11,589)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(8,115)	(5,911)	(15,933)	(34,634)
Income (loss) before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	200,610	(208,957)	(150,356)	(574,234)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(27,842)		(3,394)
Net income (loss)	228,452	(208,957)	(146,962)	(574,234)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	7,342		(17,907)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vertex common shareholders	$ 221,110	$ (208,957)	$ (129,055)	$ (574,234)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.06	$ (1.04)	$ (0.63)	$ (2.87)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ (1.04)	$ (0.63)	$ (2.87)
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (in shares)	206,002	200,887	204,262	200,080
Diluted (in shares)	219,349	200,887	204,262	200,080