Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) 10-Q5 May 142014 Q1 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 25, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'VERTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC / MA	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000875320	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (shares)	'	236,194,337

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'
Product revenues, net	$103,461	$267,381
Royalty revenues	10,733	43,573
Collaborative revenues	4,257	17,414
Total revenues	118,451	328,368
Costs and expenses:	'	'
Cost of product revenues	8,572	30,955
Royalty expenses	6,904	11,788
Research and development expenses	238,963	218,095
Sales, general and administrative expenses	74,212	92,879
Restructuring expense	6,188	39
Intangible asset impairment charge	0	412,900
Total costs and expenses	334,839	766,656
Loss from operations	-216,388	-438,288
Interest expense, net	-15,717	-3,465
Other income (expense), net	451	-1,187
Loss before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	-231,654	-442,940
Benefit from income taxes	803	-130,313
Net loss	-232,457	-312,627
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	0	4,611
Net loss attributable to Vertex	($232,457)	($308,016)
Net loss per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders:	'	'
Basic (usd per share)	($1)	($1.43)
Diluted (usd per share)	($1)	($1.43)
Shares used in per share calculations:	'	'
Basic (shares)	232,887	215,421
Diluted (shares)	232,887	215,421

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'	'
Net loss	($232,457)	($312,627)
Changes in other comprehensive loss:	'	'
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on marketable securities	-27	11
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	-36	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	72	-610
Total changes in other comprehensive loss	9	-599
Comprehensive income (loss)	-232,448	-313,226
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	0	4,611
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vertex	($232,448)	($308,615)

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$424,045	$569,299
Marketable securities, available for sale	900,155	895,777
Accounts receivable, net	59,858	85,517
Inventories	11,261	14,147
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	35,011	23,836
Total current assets	1,430,330	1,588,576
Restricted cash	130	130
Property and equipment, net	726,204	696,911
Goodwill	30,992	30,992
Other assets	9,452	2,432
Total assets	2,197,108	2,319,041
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	49,571	49,327
Accrued expenses	234,386	271,077
Deferred revenues, current portion	28,836	21,510
Accrued restructuring expense, current portion	9,911	14,286
Capital lease obligations, current portion	18,323	16,893
Other liabilities, current portion	32,473	24,736
Total current liabilities	373,500	397,829
Deferred revenues, excluding current portion	43,889	49,459
Accrued restructuring expense, excluding current portion	13,956	14,067
Capital lease obligations, excluding current portion	49,495	48,754
Construction financing lease obligation	473,360	440,937
Other liabilities, excluding current portion	12,030	11,590
Total liabilities	966,230	962,636
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Shareholdersâ€™ equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 236,201,333 and 233,788,852 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	2,334	2,320
Additional paid-in capital	5,428,193	5,321,286
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-297	-306
Accumulated deficit	-4,199,352	-3,966,895
Total Vertex shareholdersâ€™ equity	1,230,878	1,356,405
Total liabilities and shareholdersâ€™ equity	$2,197,108	$2,319,041

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	236,201,333	233,592,201
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	236,201,333	233,592,201

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (USD $)	Total	Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$1,195,852	$999,180	$2,149	$4,519,448	($550)	($3,521,867)	$196,672	$38,530
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	217,287	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	11	11	'	'	11	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-610	-610	'	'	-610	'	'	'
Net loss	-312,627	-308,016	'	'	'	-308,016	-4,611	'
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)	'	'	1,365	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	24,102	24,099	11	24,088	'	'	3	'
Stock-based compensation expense	31,574	31,451	'	31,451	'	'	123	'
Change in liquidation value of noncontrolling interest	-342	'	'	'	'	'	-342	342
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	937,960	746,115	2,160	4,574,987	-1,149	-3,829,883	191,845	38,872
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	'	'	218,652	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,356,405	1,356,405	2,320	5,321,286	-306	-3,966,895	0	0
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	233,789	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities	-27	-27	'	'	-27	'	'	'
Unrealized losses on foreign currency forward contracts	-36	-36	'	'	-36	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	72	72	'	'	72	'	'	'
Net loss	-232,457	-232,457	'	'	'	-232,457	'	'
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)	'	'	2,412	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	60,134	60,134	14	60,120	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	46,787	46,787	'	46,787	'	'	'	'
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$1,230,878	$1,230,878	$2,334	$5,428,193	($297)	($4,199,352)	$0	$0
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	'	'	236,201	'	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net loss	($232,457)	($312,627)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	15,788	10,691
Stock-based compensation expense	46,580	31,275
Other non-cash based compensation expense	0	2,432
Intangible asset impairment charge	0	412,900
Deferred income taxes	0	-128,703
Other non-cash items, net	-173	-975
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	25,237	-48,834
Inventories	2,488	9,231
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-17,937	-24,986
Accounts payable	978	-40,571
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	-13,536	23,236
Accrued restructuring expense	-4,486	-869
Deferred revenues	1,756	2,022
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-175,762	-65,778
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of marketable securities	-380,949	-458,971
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	376,544	430,535
Expenditures for property and equipment	-15,526	-16,607
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash and cash equivalents (Alios)	0	6,975
Decrease (increase) in deposits	-476	472
Net cash used in investing activities	-20,407	-37,596
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Issuances of common stock from employee benefit plans	60,134	21,670
Payments on capital lease obligations	-2,622	-10,096
Payments on construction financing lease obligation	-15,146	-17,709
Payments of Financing Costs	8,050	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	50,416	-6,135
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash	499	-799
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-145,254	-110,308
Cash and cash equivalentsâ€”beginning of period	569,299	489,407
Cash and cash equivalentsâ€”end of period	424,045	379,099
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	15,970	243
Cash paid for income taxes	140	1,541
Capitalization of construction in-process related to construction financing lease obligation	25,564	66,052
Assets acquired under capital lease	$3,619	$0

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Acco

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies	'
	Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated ("Vertex" or the "Company") in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
	The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of (i) the Company and (ii) its wholly-owned subsidiaries. In addition, the condensed consolidated financial statements for the period from June 13, 2011 through December 31, 2013, reflect the operations of Alios BioPharma, Inc. (“Alios”), a collaborator that was a variable interest entity (a “VIE”) for which the Company was deemed under applicable accounting guidance to have a variable interest and be the primary beneficiary. As of December 31, 2013, the Company deconsolidated Alios, and the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 exclude Alios. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company operates in one segment, pharmaceuticals.

	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company's annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 11, 2014 (the "2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K").
	Use of Estimates and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates in these condensed consolidated financial statements have been made in connection with the calculation of revenues, inventories, research and development expenses, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring expense, the fair value of intangible assets, noncontrolling interest (Alios), the consolidation and deconsolidation of a VIE, leases and the income tax provision. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions, including in certain circumstances future projections, that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known.
	The Company's significant accounting policies are described in Note A, "Nature of Business and Accounting Policies," in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements please refer to Note A, "Nature of Business and Accounting Policies—Recent Accounting Pronouncements," in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company did not adopt any new accounting pronouncements during the three months ended March 31, 2014 that had a material effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Product_Revenues_Net

Product Revenues, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Product Revenues [Abstract]	'
Product Revenues, Net	'
	Product Revenues, Net
	The Company sells its products principally to a limited number of major and selected regional wholesalers and specialty pharmacy providers in North America as well as government-owned and supported customers in Europe (collectively, its “Customers”). The Company's Customers in North America subsequently resell the products to patients and health care providers. The Company recognizes net revenues from product sales upon delivery as long as (i) there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists between the Company and the Customer, (ii) collectibility is reasonably assured and (iii) the price is fixed or determinable.
	In order to conclude that the price is fixed or determinable, the Company must be able to (i) calculate its gross product revenues from sales to Customers and (ii) reasonably estimate its net product revenues upon delivery to its Customer's locations. The Company calculates gross product revenues based on the price that the Company charges its Customers. The Company estimates its net product revenues by deducting from its gross product revenues (a) trade allowances, such as invoice discounts for prompt payment and Customer fees, (b) estimated government and private payor rebates, chargebacks and discounts, (c) estimated reserves for expected product returns and (d) estimated costs of incentives offered to certain indirect customers, including patients. The Company makes significant estimates and judgments that materially affect the Company's recognition of net product revenues. In certain instances, the Company may be unable to reasonably conclude that the price is fixed or determinable at the time of delivery, in which case it defers the recognition of revenues. Once the Company is able to determine that the price is fixed or determinable, it recognizes the revenues associated with the units in which revenue recognition was deferred.
	The following table summarizes activity in each of the product revenue allowance and reserve categories for the three months ended March 31, 2014:


		Trade			Rebates,			Product			Other			Total
		Allowances			Chargebacks			Returns			Incentives
					and Discounts
		(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,535		$	68,244		$	15,799		$	1,555		$	87,133

	Provision related to current period sales	2,489			16,160			349			600			19,598

	Adjustments related to prior period sales	(10		)	4,170			2,205			1			6,366

	Credits/payments made	(3,128		)	(34,006		)	(3,311		)	(995		)	(41,440		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	886		$	54,568		$	15,042		$	1,161		$	71,657

Collaborative_Arrangements

Collaborative Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Collaborative Arrangements	'
Collaborative Arrangements	'
	Collaborative Arrangements
	Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
	In 2006, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV ("Janssen") for the development, manufacture and commercialization of telaprevir, which Janssen began marketing under the brand name INCIVO in certain of its territories in September 2011. Under the collaboration agreement, Janssen agreed to be responsible for 50% of the drug development costs incurred under the development program for the parties’ territories (North America for the Company, and the rest of the world, other than specified countries in Asia, for Janssen) and has exclusive rights to commercialize telaprevir in its territories including Europe, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Australia. In November 2013, the Company and Janssen amended the collaboration agreement (the "2013 Janssen Amendment," as amended the "Janssen Agreement").
	Janssen made a $165.0 million up-front license payment to the Company in 2006. The Company amortized the up-front license payment over the Company’s estimated period of performance under the Janssen Agreement through November 2013. As of November 2013, the effective date of the 2013 Janssen Amendment, there was $32.1 million remaining in deferred revenues related to this up-front license payment.
	Janssen paid the Company a tiered royalty averaging in the mid-20% range as a percentage of net sales of INCIVO in Janssen’s territories through 2013. In addition, Janssen is responsible for certain third-party royalties on net sales of INCIVO in its territories.
	Pursuant to the 2013 Janssen Amendment, (i) Janssen made a payment of $152.0 million to the Company in the fourth quarter of 2013; (ii) Janssen's obligations to pay the Company royalties on net sales of INCIVO (telaprevir) terminated after the fourth quarter of 2013; and (iii) Janssen received a fully-paid license to commercialize INCIVO in its territories, subject to the continued payment of certain third-party royalties on its net sales of INCIVO. The Company and Janssen continue to perform activities related to the telaprevir development program.
	The Company determined that the 2013 Janssen Amendment was a material modification to the Janssen Agreement because there was a material change to the consideration and deliverables under the agreement and determined that there is one undelivered element under the Janssen Agreement, as amended, which is the continuation of certain telaprevir development activities. The Company recognized $182.4 million of collaborative revenues pursuant to the Janssen Agreement in the fourth quarter of 2013. This amount was primarily attributable to (i) the residual consideration received from Janssen, including the $152.0 million fourth quarter 2013 payment and the remaining deferred revenues related to the 2006 up-front payment, less (ii) the best estimate of selling price for the remaining telaprevir development activities. As of March 31, 2014, the remaining deferred revenue balance related to the Janssen collaboration was $4.3 million and will be recognized as collaborative revenues as telaprevir development program activities are completed. In addition to the collaborative revenues, the Company will continue to record royalty revenues and corresponding royalty expenses related to third-party royalties that Janssen remains responsible for based on INCIVO net sales.
	The agreement will continue in effect until the expiration of Janssen’s third-party royalty obligations, which expire on a country-by-country basis on the later of (a) the last-to-expire patent covering INCIVO or (b) the last required payment by Janssen to the Company pursuant to the agreement. In the European Union, the Company has a patent covering the composition-of-matter of INCIVO that expires in 2026.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized the following revenues attributable to the Janssen collaboration:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Royalty revenues (INCIVO)	$	4,935		$	39,044

	Collaborative revenues:
	Up-front and amendment payments revenues	$	—		$	3,107

	Net reimbursement (payment) for telaprevir development costs	1,389			(27		)

	Reimbursement for manufacturing services	—			10,299

	Total collaborative revenues attributable to the Janssen collaboration	$	1,389		$	13,379

	Total revenues attributable to the Janssen collaboration	$	6,324		$	52,423

	Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation
	The Company has a collaboration agreement (the “MTPC Agreement”) with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation ("Mitsubishi Tanabe") pursuant to which Mitsubishi Tanabe has a fully-paid license to manufacture and commercialize TELAVIC (the brand name under which Mitsubishi Tanabe is marketing telaprevir) in Japan and other specified countries in Asia. The Company recognized no collaborative revenues attributable to the Mitsubishi Tanabe collaboration in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Incorporated
	In April 2011, the Company entered into an amendment (the “April 2011 Amendment”) to its existing collaboration agreement with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Incorporated (“CFFT”) pursuant to which CFFT agreed to provide financial support for (i) development activities for VX-661, a corrector compound discovered under the collaboration, and (ii) additional research and development activities directed at discovering new corrector compounds. Under the April 2011 Amendment, CFFT agreed to provide the Company with up to $75.0 million in funding over approximately five years for corrector-compound research and development activities. The Company retains the right to develop and commercialize KALYDECO (ivacaftor), lumacaftor (VX-809), VX-661 and any other compounds discovered during the course of the research collaboration with CFFT.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized the following revenues attributable to the CFFT collaboration:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Collaborative revenues attributable to the CFFT collaboration	$	2,868		$	3,559

	In the original agreement, as amended prior to the April 2011 Amendment, the Company agreed to pay CFFT tiered royalties calculated as a percentage, ranging from single digits to sub-teens, of annual net sales of any approved drugs discovered during the research term that ended in 2008, including KALYDECO, lumacaftor and VX-661. The April 2011 Amendment provides for a tiered royalty in the same range on net sales of corrector compounds discovered during the research term that began in 2011 and ended in February 2014. In each of the third quarter of 2012 and first quarter of 2013, CFFT earned a commercial milestone payment of $9.3 million from the Company upon achievement of certain sales levels for KALYDECO. These milestones were reflected in the Company's cost of product revenues. There are no additional commercial milestone payments payable by the Company to CFFT related to sales levels for KALYDECO. The Company also is obligated to make up to two one-time commercial milestone payments to CFFT upon achievement of certain sales levels for corrector compounds such as lumacaftor or VX-661.
	The Company began marketing KALYDECO in the United States in the first quarter of 2012 and began marketing KALYDECO in certain countries in the European Union in the third quarter of 2012. The Company has royalty obligations to CFFT for each compound commercialized pursuant to this collaboration until the expiration of patents covering that compound. The Company has patents in the United States and European Union covering the composition-of-matter of ivacaftor that expire in 2027 and 2025, respectively, subject to potential patent life extensions. CFFT may terminate its funding obligations under the collaboration, as amended, in certain circumstances, in which case there will be a proportional adjustment to the royalty rates and commercial milestone payments for certain corrector compounds. The collaboration also may be terminated by either party for a material breach by the other, subject to notice and cure provisions.
	Alios BioPharma, Inc.
	License and Collaboration Agreement
	In June 2011, the Company entered into a license and collaboration agreement (the “Alios Agreement”) with Alios, a privately-held biotechnology company. Pursuant to the Alios Agreement, the Company and Alios collaborated on the research, development and commercialization of HCV nucleotide analogues discovered by Alios through April 2014. In April 2014, Vertex and Alios amended the Alios Agreement to eliminate the Company's obligations to conduct further development activities with respect to VX-135. The Company does not expect to conduct any further development activities with respect to VX-135 and plans to seek to outlicense its rights to VX-135.
	Under the terms of the Alios Agreement, the Company received exclusive worldwide rights to ALS-2200 (now formulated as VX-135) and ALS-2158, a second HCV nucleotide analogue discovered by Alios that was developed pursuant to the Alios agreement through the third quarter of 2012. Alios and the Company began clinical development of ALS-2200 (VX-135) and ALS-2158 in December 2011. The Company is responsible for all costs related to development, commercialization and manufacturing of each compound licensed to the Company pursuant to the Alios Agreement and provided funding to Alios to conduct the Phase 1 clinical trials for ALS-2200 and ALS-2158. In addition, the Company provided funding for a research program, which ended in 2013, directed to the discovery of additional HCV nucleotide analogues that act on the HCV polymerase.
	Upon entering into the Alios Agreement, the Company paid Alios a $60.0 million up-front payment. As of March 31, 2014, Alios had earned an aggregate of $60.0 million in development milestone payments pursuant to the Alios Agreement. The Alios Agreement provides for development milestone payments if VX-135 is approved and commercialized. In addition, Alios is eligible to receive commercial milestone payments, as well as tiered royalties on net sales of VX-135.
	The Company may terminate the Alios Agreement upon 60 days’ notice to Alios. The Alios Agreement also may be terminated by either party for a material breach by the other, or if the Company challenges certain Alios patents, in each case subject to notice and cure provisions. Unless earlier terminated, the Alios Agreement will continue in effect until the expiration of the Company’s royalty obligations, which expire on a country-by-country basis on the later of (a) the date the last-to-expire patent covering a licensed product expires or (b) 10 years after the first commercial sale in the country.
	Under applicable accounting guidance, the Company determined that Alios was a VIE, its license to VX-135 and ALS-2158 was a variable interest in Alios, that Alios was a business and that the Company was Alios’ primary beneficiary for the period from June 13, 2011 through December 31, 2013. The Company based these determinations on, among other factors, the significance to Alios of the licensed compounds and on the Company’s power, through the joint steering committee for the licensed compounds established under the Alios Agreement, to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Alios.
	Accordingly, the Company consolidated Alios’ financial statements with the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements from June 13, 2011 through December 31, 2013. However, the Company’s interests in Alios were limited to those accorded to the Company in the Alios Agreement. In particular, the Company did not acquire any equity interest in Alios, any interest in Alios’ cash and cash equivalents or any control over Alios’ activities that do not relate to the Alios Agreement. Alios does not have any right to the Company’s assets except as provided in the Alios Agreement.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company determined that it no longer had a variable interest in Alios as a whole and did not possess the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of Alios based on, among other factors, the decline in significance to Alios of the licensed HCV nucleotide analogue program. The Company deconsolidated Alios based on this conclusion as of December 31, 2013.
	The Company continues to have significant continuing involvement with Alios due to the Alios Agreement, as amended; therefore, the deconsolidation of Alios is not presented as discontinued operations in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2014. The Company will evaluate whether it continues to have significant continuing involvement with Alios for a period of one year from the December 31, 2013 deconsolidation date.
	Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)
	Prior to the deconsolidation, the Company recorded net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios) on its condensed consolidated statements of operations, reflecting Alios' net loss (income) for the reporting period, adjusted for changes in the fair value of contingent milestone payments and royalties payable by the Company to Alios, which was evaluated each reporting period. A summary of net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios) for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is as follows:


		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Loss before benefit from income taxes	$	5,297

	Decrease in fair value of contingent milestone and royalty payments	2,740

	Benefit from income taxes	(3,426		)
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	$	4,611

The Company did not have a corresponding net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 due to the deconsolidation of Alios.
The Company used present-value models to determine the estimated fair value of the contingent milestone and royalty payments until it deconsolidated Alios, based on assumptions regarding the probability of achieving the relevant milestones, estimates regarding the time to develop drug candidates, estimates of future product sales and the appropriate discount and tax rates. The Company based its estimate of the probability of achieving the relevant milestones on industry data for similar assets and its own experience. The discount rates used in the valuation model represented a measure of credit risk associated with settling the liability. Significant judgment was used in determining the appropriateness of these assumptions at each reporting period.

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Attributabl

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Vertex Common Shareholders	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Vertex Common Stockholders	'
	Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Vertex Common Shareholders
	Basic net loss attributable to Vertex per common share is based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding restricted stock and restricted stock units that have been issued but are not yet vested. Diluted net loss per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders is based upon the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus additional weighted-average common equivalent shares outstanding during the period when the effect is dilutive.
	The Company did not include the securities described in the following table in the computation of the net loss attributable to Vertex per common share calculations because the effect would have been anti-dilutive during each period:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014	2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	16,078	21,848

	Convertible senior subordinated notes	—	8,192

	Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	2,842	2,682

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities reflects the Company’s estimate of amounts that it would have received in connection with the sale of the assets or paid in connection with the transfer of the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In connection with measuring the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs (market data obtained from sources independent from the Company) and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs (the Company’s assumptions about how market participants would price assets and liabilities). The following fair value hierarchy is used to classify assets and liabilities based on the observable inputs and unobservable inputs used in order to value the assets and liabilities:


	Level 1:	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for an asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
	Level 2:	Observable inputs other than Level 1 inputs. Examples of Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
	Level 3:	Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	The Company’s investment strategy is focused on capital preservation. The Company invests in instruments that meet the credit quality standards outlined in the Company’s investment policy. This policy also limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issue or type of instrument. As of March 31, 2014, the Company’s investments were in money market funds, government-sponsored enterprise securities, corporate debt securities and commercial paper.
	As of March 31, 2014, all of the Company’s financial assets that were subject to fair value measurements were valued using observable inputs. The Company’s financial assets valued based on Level 1 inputs consisted of money market funds and government-sponsored enterprise securities. The Company’s financial assets valued based on Level 2 inputs consisted of corporate debt securities and commercial paper, which consist of investments in highly-rated investment-grade corporations. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not record an other-than-temporary impairment charge related to its financial assets.
	The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets subject to fair value measurements:


		Fair Value Measurements
		as of March 31, 2014
				Fair Value Hierarchy
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Financial assets carried at fair value:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	141,583	$	141,583	$	—	$	—

	Marketable securities:
	Government-sponsored enterprise securities	607,923		607,923		—		—

	Commercial paper	81,010		—		81,010		—

	Corporate debt securities	211,222		—		211,222		—

	Total	$	1,041,738	$	749,506	$	292,232	$	—

	In December 2013, the Company initiated a hedging program intended to mitigate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates for a portion of the Company’s product revenues denominated in Euros, which included foreign currency forward contracts that were designated as cash flow hedges. The notional amount of Euro denominated foreign currency forward contracts as of March 31, 2014 was $24.6 million. The changes in fair value of these foreign currency forward contracts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss and the gross fair value of foreign currency forward assets and liabilities included on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014 were not material.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities	'
	Marketable Securities
	A summary of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities is shown below:


		Amortized Cost		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
				Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash and money market funds	$	424,045	$	—	$	—		$	424,045

	Total cash and cash equivalents	$	424,045	$	—	$	—		$	424,045

	Marketable securities:
	Government-sponsored enterprise securities (due within 1 year)	$	607,934	$	16	$	(28	)	$	607,922

	Commercial paper (due within 1 year)	80,950		60		—			81,010

	Corporate debt securities (due within 1 year)	196,420		18		(45		)	196,393

	Corporate debt securities (due after 1 year through 5 years)	14,836		1		(7		)	14,830

	Total marketable securities	$	900,140	$	95	$	(80	)	$	900,155

	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	1,324,185	$	95	$	(80	)	$	1,324,200


	As of December 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash and money market funds	$	569,299	$	—	$	—		$	569,299

	Total cash and cash equivalents	$	569,299	$	—	$	—		$	569,299

	Marketable securities:
	Government-sponsored enterprise securities (due within 1 year)	$	600,496	$	7	$	(53	)	$	600,450

	Commercial paper (due within 1 year)	83,384		109		—			83,493

	Corporate debt securities (due within 1 year)	189,674		14		(34		)	189,654

	Corporate debt securities (due after 1 year through 5 years)	22,181		6		(7		)	22,180

	Total marketable securities	$	895,735	$	136	$	(94	)	$	895,777

	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	1,465,034	$	136	$	(94	)	$	1,465,076

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	A summary of the Company's changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component is shown below:


		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Foreign Currency Forward Contracts			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(325	)	$	42		$	(23	)	$	(306	)

	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	72			(27		)	(39		)	6

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			3			3

	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	$	72		$	(27	)	$	(36	)	$	9

	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(253	)	$	15		$	(59	)	$	(297	)



		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Foreign Currency Forward Contracts			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	(745	)	$	195		$	—		$	(550	)

	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(610		)	11			—			(599		)

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			—			—

	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(610	)	$	11		$	—		$	(599	)

	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	(1,355	)	$	206		$	—		$	(1,149	)

	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, there were no material amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	The following table sets forth the Company’s inventories by type:


		As of		As of
		31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	—	$	489

	Work-in-process	9,439		9,981

	Finished goods	1,822		3,677

	Total	$	11,261	$	14,147

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill	3 Months Ended
Intangible Assets and Goodwill	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets and Goodwill	'
	Intangible Assets and Goodwill
	Intangible Assets
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had no intangible assets recorded on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. The intangible assets that were previously reflected on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets related to drug candidates for the treatment of HCV infection. The field of HCV infection treatment is highly competitive and characterized by rapid technological advances and the development of drug candidates for the treatment of HCV infection is subject to numerous risks. Two of the Company's competitors received approval in the fourth quarter of 2013 for new treatment regimens for HCV infection that include pegylated-interferon and ribavirin, and several of the Company's competitors are conducting Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating all-oral combinations of their drug candidates for the treatment of HCV infection.
	ViroChem Acquisition
	The Company determined that the fair value of the VX-222 intangible asset of $412.9 million acquired from ViroChem was zero as of March 31, 2013. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $412.9 million impairment charge in the three months ended March 31, 2013. In connection with this impairment charge, the Company recorded a credit of $127.6 million in its provision for income taxes. In the three months ended March 31, 2013, the increase to the Company's net loss attributable to Vertex related to this impairment charge, net of the tax credit, was $285.3 million, and the net increase to the Company's net loss per share attributable to Vertex common shareholders was $1.32 per share.
	Alios Collaboration
	In June 2011, the Company recorded $250.6 million of intangible assets on its condensed consolidated balance sheet based on the Company's estimate of the fair value of Alios' HCV nucleotide analogue program, including the intellectual property related to ALS-2200 and ALS-2158. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company determined that the fair value of the HCV nucleotide analogue program was zero as of December 31, 2013. Accordingly, a $250.6 million impairment charge and a benefit from income taxes of $102.1 million were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013.
	Goodwill
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, goodwill of $31.0 million was recorded on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. There was no change to goodwill recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

Convertible_Senior_Subordinate

Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	3 Months Ended
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	'
	Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
	In 2010, the Company completed an offering of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.35% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2015 (the "2015 Notes"). This offering resulted in $391.6 million of net proceeds to the Company. The underwriting discount and other expenses of $8.4 million were recorded as debt issuance costs and were included in other assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The 2015 Notes were convertible at any time, at the option of the holder, into common stock at a price equal to approximately $48.83 per share, or 20.4794 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2015 Notes. If the closing price of the Company’s common stock exceeded 130% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days, the Company had the right to redeem the 2015 Notes at its option at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2015 Notes to be redeemed.
	In the second quarter of 2013, the Company's common stock exceeded 130% of the conversion price of the 2015 Notes for at least 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days, and the Company notified the holders of the 2015 Notes that it would redeem the 2015 Notes on June 17, 2013. In response to the Company's call of the 2015 Notes for redemption, in accordance with the provisions of the 2015 Notes, the holders of $399.8 million in aggregate principal amount of 2015 Notes elected to convert their 2015 Notes into the Company's common stock at the conversion price of approximately $48.83 per share. As a result of these conversions, the Company issued 8,188,448 shares of common stock. The remaining $0.2 million in aggregate principal amount of 2015 Notes was redeemed on June 17, 2013.
	Pursuant to the terms of the 2015 Notes, the Company made an additional payment of $16.75 per $1,000 principal amount, payable in shares of the Company’s common stock, to the holders of the 2015 Notes that converted or redeemed their 2015 Notes after the Company called the 2015 Notes for redemption. These payments resulted in the issuance of an additional 87,109 shares of the Company's common stock. In the second quarter of 2013, the Company recognized an aggregate of $6.7 million in interest expense related to the 2015 Notes. Unamortized debt issuance costs for the 2015 Notes of $4.2 million were recorded as an offset to additional paid-in capital.

Longterm_Obligations

Long-term Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
Long-term Obligations	'
	Long-term Obligations
	Fan Pier Leases
	In 2011, the Company entered into two leases, pursuant to which the Company agreed to lease approximately 1.1 million square feet of office and laboratory space in two buildings (the "Buildings") at Fan Pier in Boston, Massachusetts (the “Fan Pier Leases”). The Company commenced lease payments in December 2013, and will make lease payments pursuant to the Fan Pier Leases through December 2028. The Company has an option to extend the term of the Fan Pier Leases for an additional ten years.
	Because the Company was involved in the construction project, including having responsibility to pay for a portion of the costs of finish work and structural elements of the Buildings, the Company was deemed for accounting purposes to be the owner of the Buildings during the construction period. Therefore, the Company recorded project construction costs incurred by the landlord as an asset and a related financing obligation during the construction period. The Company evaluated the Fan Pier Leases in the fourth quarter of 2013 and determined that the Fan Pier Leases did not meet the criteria for “sale-leaseback” treatment. This determination was based on, among other things, the Company's continuing involvement with the property in the form of non-recourse financing to the lessor. Accordingly, the Company began depreciating the asset and incurring interest expense related to the financing obligation during the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company bifurcates its lease payments pursuant to the Fan Pier Leases into (i) a portion that is allocated to the Buildings and (ii) a portion that is allocated to the land on which the Buildings were constructed. The portion of the lease obligations allocated to the land is treated as an operating lease that commenced in 2011.
	Property and equipment, net, included $525.5 million and $503.4 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, related to construction costs for the Buildings at Fan Pier in Boston, Massachusetts. The construction financing lease obligation related to the Buildings at Fan Pier was $473.7 million and $440.9 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Capital Leases
	The Company has outstanding capital leases for equipment, leasehold improvements and software licenses with terms through 2020. The capital leases bear interest at rates ranging from 2% to 9% per year. The following table sets forth the Company’s future minimum payments due under capital leases as of March 31, 2014:


	Year	(in thousands)
	2014	$	18,576

	2015	19,979

	2016	13,441

	2017	12,346

	2018	12,244

	2019	2,664

	2020	27

	Total payments	$	79,277

	Less: amount representing interest	(11,459		)
	Present value of payments	$	67,818

	Financing Arrangements
	The Company has outstanding $31.9 million in irrevocable stand-by letters of credit issued in support of property leases and other similar agreements with an unsecured credit facility with a one-year term that expires in the second quarter of 2014.

Stockbased_Compensation_Expens

Stock-based Compensation Expense	3 Months Ended
Stock-based Compensation Expense	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation Expense	'
	Stock-based Compensation Expense
	The Company issues stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units with service conditions, which are generally the vesting periods of the awards. The Company also has issued, to certain members of senior management, restricted stock and restricted stock units that vest upon the earlier of the satisfaction of (i) a performance condition or (ii) a service condition, and stock options that vest upon the earlier of the satisfaction of (a) performance conditions or (b) a service condition. In addition, the Company issues shares pursuant to an employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP").
	Effective for equity awards granted on or after February 5, 2014 to employees, the Company provides to employees who have rendered significant service to the Company and meet certain age requirements, partial or full acceleration of vesting of certain equity awards upon a termination of employment other than for cause. Less than 5% of the Company’s employees were eligible for partial or full acceleration of their equity awards as of March 31, 2014. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense related to these awards over the service period from the date of grant until the qualified employees become eligible for partial or full acceleration of vesting.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized the following stock-based compensation expense:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:
	Stock options	$	25,127			$	19,674
	Stock options	$	25,127			$	19,674
	Restricted stock and restricted stock units	18,993				9,378
	Restricted stock and restricted stock units	18,993				9,378
	ESPP share issuances	2,667				2,522
	ESPP share issuances	2,667				2,522
	Less stock-based compensation expense capitalized to inventories	(207		)		(299		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense included in costs and expenses	$	46,580			$	31,275
		$	46,580			$	31,275

	Stock-based compensation expense by line item:
	Research and development expenses	$	32,900			$	19,349
	Research and development expenses	$	32,900			$	19,349
	Sales, general and administrative expenses	13,680				11,926
	Sales, general and administrative expenses	13,680				11,926
	Total stock-based compensation expense included in costs and expenses	$	46,580			$	31,275
		$	46,580			$	31,275
	The following table sets forth the Company's unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, by type of award and the weighted-average period over which that expense is expected to be recognized:


		As of March 31, 2014
		Unrecognized Expense,				Weighted-average
		Net of				Recognition
		Estimated Forfeitures				Period
		(in thousands)				(in years)
	Type of award:
	Stock options	$	183,052			2.5
	Stock options	$	183,052			2.5
	Restricted stock and restricted stock units	$	120,440			2.21
	Restricted stock and restricted stock units	$	120,440			2.21
	ESPP share issuances	$	3,416			0.51
	ESPP share issuances	$	3,416			0.51
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2014:


			Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices		Number		Weighted-average		Weighted-average		Number	Weighted-average
			Outstanding		Remaining		Exercise Price		Exercisable	Exercise Price
					Contractual Life
			(in thousands)		(in years)		(per share)		(in thousands)	(per share)
	$9.09–$20.00		407		2.2		$15.42		407	$15.42
	$20.01–$30.00		908		5.62		$29.44		696	$29.30
	$30.01–$40.00		5,846		5.1		$36.35		4,199	$35.84
	$40.01–$50.00		3,840		8.6		$46.32		816	$46.59
	$50.01–$60.00		1,569		7		$53.86		851	$54.41
	$60.01–$70.00		79		8.84		$65.57		18	$63.81
	$70.01–$80.00		2,029		9.81		$77.19		15	$77.66
	$80.01–$88.18		1,400		9.3		$83.12		316	$82.38
	Total		16,078		7.06		$48.89		7,318	$39.60

Sale_of_HIV_Protease_Inhibitor

Sale of HIV Protease Inhibitor Royalty Stream	3 Months Ended
Sale of HIV Protease Inhibitor Royalty Stream	Mar. 31, 2014
Sale of HIV Protease Inhibitor Royalty Stream	'
Sale of HIV Protease Inhibitor Royalty Stream	'
	Sale of HIV Protease Inhibitor Royalty Stream
	In 2008, the Company sold to a third party its rights to receive royalty payments from GlaxoSmithKline plc, net of royalty amounts to be earned by and due to a third party, for a one-time cash payment of $160.0 million. These royalty payments relate to net sales of HIV protease inhibitors, which had been developed pursuant to a collaboration agreement between the Company and GlaxoSmithKline plc. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $59.2 million in deferred revenues related to the one-time cash payment, which it is recognizing over the life of the collaboration agreement with GlaxoSmithKline plc based on the units-of-revenue method. In addition, the Company continues to recognize royalty revenues equal to the amount of the third-party subroyalty and an offsetting royalty expense for the third-party subroyalty payment.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'

		Income Taxes
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded a net provision for income taxes of $0.8 million. This provision for income taxes was due to state income taxes and income earned in various foreign jurisdictions.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded a benefit from income taxes of $130.3 million. This benefit from income taxes was due to a benefit for $126.9 million attributable to Vertex and a benefit from income taxes of $3.4 million attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios). In the first quarter of 2013, the Company determined that the fair value of VX-222 was zero, which resulted in an impairment charge of $412.9 million. In connection with this impairment charge, the Company wrote-off the associated deferred tax liability of $127.6 million resulting in a benefit from income in its condensed consolidated statements of operations for 2013. Please refer to "Note I, "Intangible Assets and Goodwill," for further information regarding the impairment charge.
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $2.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of income tax expense. As of March 31, 2014, no interest and penalties have been accrued. The Company does not expect that its unrecognized tax benefits will materially increase within the next twelve months. The Company did not recognize any material interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	The Company maintains a valuation allowance on its net operating losses and other deferred tax assets because of its extended history of annual losses. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2.7 billion and tax credits of $120.1 million, which may be used to offset future federal income tax liability.
	For state income tax purposes, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $966.8 million and tax credits of $66.9 million at December 31, 2013, which may be used to offset future state income tax liability. On a quarterly basis, the Company reassesses the valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets. In future periods, if management determines that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized, (i) the valuation allowance would be decreased, (ii) a portion or all of the deferred tax asset would be reflected on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and (iii) the Company would record non-cash benefits in its condensed consolidated statements of operations related to the reflection of the deferred tax asset on its condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns and income tax returns in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to any tax assessment from an income tax examination in the United States before 2008 and any other major taxing jurisdiction for years before 2006, except where the Company has net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards that originated before 2005. The Company is currently under examination by Revenue Quebec for the year ended December 31, 2011. No adjustments have been reported. The Company is not under examination by any other jurisdictions for any tax year.
	The Company currently intends to reinvest the total amount of its unremitted earnings, which have not been significant to date, in the local international jurisdiction or to repatriate the earnings only when tax-effective. As a result, the Company has not provided for U.S. federal income taxes on the unremitted earnings of its international subsidiaries. Upon repatriation of those earnings, in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to U.S. federal income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to the various foreign countries. At March 31, 2014, foreign earnings, which were not significant, have been retained indefinitely by foreign subsidiary companies for reinvestment; therefore, no provision has been made for income taxes that would be payable upon the distribution of such earnings, and it would not be practicable to determine the amount of the related unrecognized deferred income tax liability.

Restructuring_Liability

Restructuring Liability	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Liability	'

		Restructuring Liabilities
	2003 Kendall Restructuring
	In 2003, the Company adopted a plan to restructure its operations to coincide with its increasing internal emphasis on advancing drug candidates through clinical development to commercialization. The restructuring liability relates to specialized laboratory and office space that is leased to the Company pursuant to a 15-year lease that terminates in 2018. The Company has not used more than 50% of this space since it adopted the plan to restructure its operations in 2003. This unused laboratory and office space currently is subleased to third parties.
	In estimating the expense and liability under its lease obligations, the Company estimated (i) the costs to be incurred to satisfy rental and build-out commitments under the lease (including operating costs), (ii) the lead-time necessary to sublease the space, (iii) the projected sublease rental rates and (iv) the anticipated durations of subleases. The Company uses a credit-adjusted risk-free rate of approximately 10% to discount the estimated cash flows. The Company reviews its estimates and assumptions on at least a quarterly basis, intends to continue such reviews until the termination of the applicable lease, and will make whatever modifications the Company believes necessary, based on the Company’s best judgment, to reflect any changed circumstances.
	The activities related to the restructuring liability for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Liability, beginning of the period	$	19,115		$	23,328

	Cash payments	(3,862		)	(3,573		)
	Cash received from subleases	2,689			2,665

	Restructuring expense	382			39

	Liability, end of the period	$	18,324		$	22,459

	Fan Pier Move Restructuring
	In connection with the relocation of its Massachusetts operations to Fan Pier in Boston, Massachusetts, the Company is incurring restructuring charges related to its remaining lease obligations at its facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which will include lease obligations related to the 120,000 square feet of the Kendall Square facility that the Company continued to use for its operations following the 2003 restructuring event. The Company started incurring these charges in the fourth quarter of 2013 and expects them to continue through April 2018. Most of these restructuring charges relate to cease use charges that the Company expect to incur during the first half of 2014. In the first quarter of 2014, the Company incurred $5.2 million of charges related to this restructuring. Once the Company completes the relocation, the continuing charges will relate to the difference between the Company’s estimated future cash flows related to its lease obligations and the actual cash flows that it incurs.
	Strategic Restructuring
	In October 2013, the Company adopted a restructuring plan. The restructuring plan included (i) a workforce reduction primarily related to the commercial support of INCIVEK following the continued and rapid decline in the number of patients being treated with INCIVEK as new medicines for the treatment of HCV infection neared approval and (ii) the write-off of certain assets. This action resulted from the Company's decision to focus its investment on future opportunities in cystic fibrosis and other research and development programs.
	The activities related to the restructuring liability for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:


		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Liability, beginning of the period	$	8,441

	Cash payments	(7,267		)
	Restructuring expense	647

	Liability, end of the period	$	1,821

Legal_Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Legal Proceedings [Abstract]	'
Legal Proceedings	'

		Legal Proceedings
	On September 6, 2012, a purported shareholder class action, City of Bristol Pension Fund v. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, naming the Company and certain of the Company's current and former officers and directors as defendants. The lawsuit alleged that the Company made material misrepresentations and/or omissions of material fact in the Company's disclosures during the period from May 7, 2012 through June 28, 2012, all in violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder. By order dated December 12, 2012, the court appointed the City of Bristol lead plaintiff and appointed the City of Bristol's attorneys lead counsel. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on February 11, 2013. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on April 12, 2013. On May 28, 2013, the plaintiffs filed an opposition to the Company's motion to dismiss the complaint. On June 27, 2013, the Company filed a reply in further support of the Company's motion to dismiss the plaintiffs' complaint. The court conducted a hearing on the Company's motion to dismiss on November 25, 2013, and the court dismissed the plaintiffs' complaint on March 31, 2014. The plaintiffs filed a motion (i) for reconsideration and (ii) to file a second amended complaint on April 28, 2014. The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages on behalf of the putative class and an award of costs and expenses, including attorney's fees, as well as disgorgement of the proceeds from certain individual defendants' sales of the Company's common stock. As of March 31, 2014, the Company has not recorded any reserves for this purported class action.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	Contingencies
	The Company has certain contingent liabilities that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities. The Company accrues a reserve for contingent liabilities when it is probable that future expenditures will be made and such expenditures can be reasonably estimated. There were no material contingent liabilities accrued as of March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

Guarantees

Guarantees	3 Months Ended
Guarantees	Mar. 31, 2014
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Guarantees	'
	Guarantees
	As permitted under Massachusetts law, the Company’s Articles of Organization and By-laws provide that the Company will indemnify certain of its officers and directors for certain claims asserted against them in connection with their service as an officer or director. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is unlimited. However, the Company has purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies that could reduce its monetary exposure and enable it to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. No indemnification claims currently are outstanding, and the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification arrangements is minimal.
	The Company customarily agrees in the ordinary course of its business to indemnification provisions in agreements with clinical trial investigators and sites in its drug development programs, sponsored research agreements with academic and not-for-profit institutions, various comparable agreements involving parties performing services for the Company, and its real estate leases. The Company also customarily agrees to certain indemnification provisions in its drug discovery, development and commercialization collaboration agreements. With respect to the Company’s clinical trials and sponsored research agreements, these indemnification provisions typically apply to any claim asserted against the investigator or the investigator’s institution relating to personal injury or property damage, violations of law or certain breaches of the Company’s contractual obligations arising out of the research or clinical testing of the Company’s compounds or drug candidates. With respect to lease agreements, the indemnification provisions typically apply to claims asserted against the landlord relating to personal injury or property damage caused by the Company, to violations of law by the Company or to certain breaches of the Company’s contractual obligations. The indemnification provisions appearing in the Company’s collaboration agreements are similar to those for the other agreements discussed above, but in addition provide some limited indemnification for its collaborator in the event of third-party claims alleging infringement of intellectual property rights. In each of the cases above, the indemnification obligation generally survives the termination of the agreement for some extended period, although the Company believes the obligation typically has the most relevance during the contract term and for a short period of time thereafter. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these provisions is generally unlimited. The Company has purchased insurance policies covering personal injury, property damage and general liability that reduce its exposure for indemnification and would enable it in many cases to recover all or a portion of any future amounts paid. The Company has never paid any material amounts to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification provisions. Accordingly, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification arrangements is minimal.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	In April 2014, the Company received a one-time payment of $36.7 million from its landlord pursuant to the Fan Pier Leases. This payment related to bonds issued pursuant to an Infrastructure Development Assistance Agreement between The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Company’s landlord. The bonds were issued in connection with the landlord’s contribution to infrastructure improvements and were also dependent in part upon employment levels at the Company through the bond issuance date. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company will record $36.7 million as a credit to the condensed consolidated statements of operations because the Company's obligations related to these funds have been satisfied as of the date of issuance of the bonds.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Acco1

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated ("Vertex" or the "Company") in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
	The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of (i) the Company and (ii) its wholly-owned subsidiaries. In addition, the condensed consolidated financial statements for the period from June 13, 2011 through December 31, 2013, reflect the operations of Alios BioPharma, Inc. (“Alios”), a collaborator that was a variable interest entity (a “VIE”) for which the Company was deemed under applicable accounting guidance to have a variable interest and be the primary beneficiary. As of December 31, 2013, the Company deconsolidated Alios, and the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 exclude Alios. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company operates in one segment, pharmaceuticals.

	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company's annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted. These interim financial statements, in the opinion of management, reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 11, 2014 (the "2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K")
Use of Estimates and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Use of Estimates and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Significant estimates in these condensed consolidated financial statements have been made in connection with the calculation of revenues, inventories, research and development expenses, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring expense, the fair value of intangible assets, noncontrolling interest (Alios), the consolidation and deconsolidation of a VIE, leases and the income tax provision. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions, including in certain circumstances future projections, that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in estimates are reflected in reported results in the period in which they become known.
	The Company's significant accounting policies are described in Note A, "Nature of Business and Accounting Policies," in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements please refer to Note A, "Nature of Business and Accounting Policies—Recent Accounting Pronouncements," in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company did not adopt any new accounting pronouncements during the three months ended March 31, 2014 that had a material effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Product_Revenues_Net_Tables

Product Revenues, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Product Revenues [Abstract]	'
Schedule of product revenues and allowances and reserve categories	'
	The following table summarizes activity in each of the product revenue allowance and reserve categories for the three months ended March 31, 2014:


		Trade			Rebates,			Product			Other			Total
		Allowances			Chargebacks			Returns			Incentives
					and Discounts
		(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,535		$	68,244		$	15,799		$	1,555		$	87,133

	Provision related to current period sales	2,489			16,160			349			600			19,598

	Adjustments related to prior period sales	(10		)	4,170			2,205			1			6,366

	Credits/payments made	(3,128		)	(34,006		)	(3,311		)	(995		)	(41,440		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	886		$	54,568		$	15,042		$	1,161		$	71,657

Collaborative_Arrangements_Tab

Collaborative Arrangements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Collaborative Arrangements	'
Collaborator revenues	'
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized the following revenues attributable to the Janssen collaboration:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Royalty revenues (INCIVO)	$	4,935		$	39,044

	Collaborative revenues:
	Up-front and amendment payments revenues	$	—		$	3,107

	Net reimbursement (payment) for telaprevir development costs	1,389			(27		)

	Reimbursement for manufacturing services	—			10,299

	Total collaborative revenues attributable to the Janssen collaboration	$	1,389		$	13,379

	Total revenues attributable to the Janssen collaboration	$	6,324		$	52,423

	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized the following revenues attributable to the CFFT collaboration:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Collaborative revenues attributable to the CFFT collaboration	$	2,868		$	3,559

Summary of activity related to net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	'
	A summary of net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios) for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is as follows:


		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Loss before benefit from income taxes	$	5,297

	Decrease in fair value of contingent milestone and royalty payments	2,740

	Benefit from income taxes	(3,426		)
	Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)	$	4,611

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Attributabl1

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Vertex Common Shareholders (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Potential gross common equivalent shares	'
	The Company did not include the securities described in the following table in the computation of the net loss attributable to Vertex per common share calculations because the effect would have been anti-dilutive during each period:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014	2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock options	16,078	21,848

	Convertible senior subordinated notes	—	8,192

	Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	2,842	2,682

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Financial assets subject to fair value measurements (excluding restricted cash and cash equivalents (Alios))	'
	The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets subject to fair value measurements:


		Fair Value Measurements
		as of March 31, 2014
				Fair Value Hierarchy
		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		(in thousands)
	Financial assets carried at fair value:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	141,583	$	141,583	$	—	$	—

	Marketable securities:
	Government-sponsored enterprise securities	607,923		607,923		—		—

	Commercial paper	81,010		—		81,010		—

	Corporate debt securities	211,222		—		211,222		—

	Total	$	1,041,738	$	749,506	$	292,232	$	—

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'
Summary of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	'
	A summary of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities is shown below:


		Amortized Cost		Gross		Gross			Fair Value
				Unrealized		Unrealized
				Gains		Losses
		(in thousands)
	As of March 31, 2014
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash and money market funds	$	424,045	$	—	$	—		$	424,045

	Total cash and cash equivalents	$	424,045	$	—	$	—		$	424,045

	Marketable securities:
	Government-sponsored enterprise securities (due within 1 year)	$	607,934	$	16	$	(28	)	$	607,922

	Commercial paper (due within 1 year)	80,950		60		—			81,010

	Corporate debt securities (due within 1 year)	196,420		18		(45		)	196,393

	Corporate debt securities (due after 1 year through 5 years)	14,836		1		(7		)	14,830

	Total marketable securities	$	900,140	$	95	$	(80	)	$	900,155

	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	1,324,185	$	95	$	(80	)	$	1,324,200


	As of December 31, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash and money market funds	$	569,299	$	—	$	—		$	569,299

	Total cash and cash equivalents	$	569,299	$	—	$	—		$	569,299

	Marketable securities:
	Government-sponsored enterprise securities (due within 1 year)	$	600,496	$	7	$	(53	)	$	600,450

	Commercial paper (due within 1 year)	83,384		109		—			83,493

	Corporate debt securities (due within 1 year)	189,674		14		(34		)	189,654

	Corporate debt securities (due after 1 year through 5 years)	22,181		6		(7		)	22,180

	Total marketable securities	$	895,735	$	136	$	(94	)	$	895,777

	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	1,465,034	$	136	$	(94	)	$	1,465,076

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014													Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'													'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'													'
	A summary of the Company's changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component is shown below:

															Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities		Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Foreign Currency Forward Contracts		Total
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities			Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Foreign Currency Forward Contracts			Total				(in thousands)
		(in thousands)												Balance at December 31, 2012	$	(745	)	$	195	$	—	$	(550	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(325	)	$	42		$	(23	)	$	(306	)
														Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(610		)	11		—		(599		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	72			(27		)	(39		)	6
														Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—		—		—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			3			3
														Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(610	)	$	11	$	—	$	(599	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	$	72		$	(27	)	$	(36	)	$	9
														Balance at March 31, 2013	$	(1,355	)	$	206	$	—	$	(1,149	)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(253	)	$	15		$	(59	)	$	(297	)

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventories by Type	'
	The following table sets forth the Company’s inventories by type:


		As of		As of
		31-Mar-14		31-Dec-13
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	—	$	489

	Work-in-process	9,439		9,981

	Finished goods	1,822		3,677

	Total	$	11,261	$	14,147

Longterm_Obligations_Tables

Long-term Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Lease	'
	The following table sets forth the Company’s future minimum payments due under capital leases as of March 31, 2014:


	Year	(in thousands)
	2014	$	18,576

	2015	19,979

	2016	13,441

	2017	12,346

	2018	12,244

	2019	2,664

	2020	27

	Total payments	$	79,277

	Less: amount representing interest	(11,459		)
	Present value of payments	$	67,818

Stockbased_Compensation_Expens1

Stock-based Compensation Expense (Tables)	3 Months Ended
Stock-based Compensation Expense (Tables)	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based compensation expense by line item	'
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized the following stock-based compensation expense:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014				2013
		(in thousands)
	Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:
	Stock options	$	25,127			$	19,674
	Stock options	$	25,127			$	19,674
	Restricted stock and restricted stock units	18,993				9,378
	Restricted stock and restricted stock units	18,993				9,378
	ESPP share issuances	2,667				2,522
	ESPP share issuances	2,667				2,522
	Less stock-based compensation expense capitalized to inventories	(207		)		(299		)
	Total stock-based compensation expense included in costs and expenses	$	46,580			$	31,275
		$	46,580			$	31,275

	Stock-based compensation expense by line item:
	Research and development expenses	$	32,900			$	19,349
	Research and development expenses	$	32,900			$	19,349
	Sales, general and administrative expenses	13,680				11,926
	Sales, general and administrative expenses	13,680				11,926
	Total stock-based compensation expense included in costs and expenses	$	46,580			$	31,275
		$	46,580			$	31,275
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures	'
	The following table sets forth the Company's unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, by type of award and the weighted-average period over which that expense is expected to be recognized:


		As of March 31, 2014
		Unrecognized Expense,				Weighted-average
		Net of				Recognition
		Estimated Forfeitures				Period
		(in thousands)				(in years)
	Type of award:
	Stock options	$	183,052			2.5
	Stock options	$	183,052			2.5
	Restricted stock and restricted stock units	$	120,440			2.21
	Restricted stock and restricted stock units	$	120,440			2.21
	ESPP share issuances	$	3,416			0.51
	ESPP share issuances	$	3,416			0.51
Stock options outstanding and exercisable	'
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2014:


			Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices		Number		Weighted-average		Weighted-average		Number	Weighted-average
			Outstanding		Remaining		Exercise Price		Exercisable	Exercise Price
					Contractual Life
			(in thousands)		(in years)		(per share)		(in thousands)	(per share)
	$9.09–$20.00		407		2.2		$15.42		407	$15.42
	$20.01–$30.00		908		5.62		$29.44		696	$29.30
	$30.01–$40.00		5,846		5.1		$36.35		4,199	$35.84
	$40.01–$50.00		3,840		8.6		$46.32		816	$46.59
	$50.01–$60.00		1,569		7		$53.86		851	$54.41
	$60.01–$70.00		79		8.84		$65.57		18	$63.81
	$70.01–$80.00		2,029		9.81		$77.19		15	$77.66
	$80.01–$88.18		1,400		9.3		$83.12		316	$82.38
	Total		16,078		7.06		$48.89		7,318	$39.60

Restructuring_Liability_Tables

Restructuring Liability (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Activity related to the restructuring liability	'
	The activities related to the restructuring liability for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Liability, beginning of the period	$	19,115		$	23,328

	Cash payments	(3,862		)	(3,573		)
	Cash received from subleases	2,689			2,665

	Restructuring expense	382			39

	Liability, end of the period	$	18,324		$	22,459

Restructuring charges and related liability	'
	The activities related to the restructuring liability for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:


		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		(in thousands)
	Liability, beginning of the period	$	8,441

	Cash payments	(7,267		)
	Restructuring expense	647

	Liability, end of the period	$	1,821

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Acco2

Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	segment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Number of operating segments (segments)	1

Product_Revenues_Net_Details

Product Revenues, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Product Revenue Allowance and Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Product revenue allowance and reserve, beginning balance	$87,133
Provision related to current period sales	19,598
Adjustments related to prior period sales	6,366
Credits/payments made	-41,440
Product revenue allowance and reserve, ending balance	71,657
Trade Allowances	'
Product Revenue Allowance and Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Product revenue allowance and reserve, beginning balance	1,535
Provision related to current period sales	2,489
Adjustments related to prior period sales	-10
Credits/payments made	-3,128
Product revenue allowance and reserve, ending balance	886
Rebates, Chargebacks and Discounts	'
Product Revenue Allowance and Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Product revenue allowance and reserve, beginning balance	68,244
Provision related to current period sales	16,160
Adjustments related to prior period sales	4,170
Credits/payments made	-34,006
Product revenue allowance and reserve, ending balance	54,568
Product Returns	'
Product Revenue Allowance and Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Product revenue allowance and reserve, beginning balance	15,799
Provision related to current period sales	349
Adjustments related to prior period sales	2,205
Credits/payments made	-3,311
Product revenue allowance and reserve, ending balance	15,042
Other Incentives	'
Product Revenue Allowance and Reserve [Roll Forward]	'
Product revenue allowance and reserve, beginning balance	1,555
Provision related to current period sales	600
Adjustments related to prior period sales	1
Credits/payments made	-995
Product revenue allowance and reserve, ending balance	$1,161

Collaborative_Arrangements_Det

Collaborative Arrangements (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2006

Nov. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Incorporated

Alios Bio Pharma Inc

payment

Schedule of Collaborative Arrangements

Drug development costs to be paid by collaborator (as a percent)

50.00%

Up-front license payment

$165,000,000

Deferred revenue related to up-front license payment

4,300,000

32,100,000

License fee paid upon amendment of agreement

152,000,000

Collaborative revenues recognized

Royalty revenues

10,733,000

43,573,000

4,935,000

39,044,000

Amortized portion of up-front payment

3,107,000

Net reimbursement (payment) for telaprevir development costs

1,389,000

-27,000

Reimbursement for manufacturing services

10,299,000

Collaborative revenues

4,257,000

17,414,000

1,389,000

182,400,000

13,379,000

2,868,000

3,559,000

Total revenues

118,451,000

328,368,000

6,324,000

52,423,000

Collaborative funding

75,000,000

Number of years over which funding will be made (in years)

'5 years

Milestone payment received

9,300,000

Number of commercial milestone payments for achievement of certain sales levels for corrector compound such as VX-809 or VX-661 (in payments)

Up-front payment

60,000,000

Milestone payments

60,000,000

Notice period for termination of contract after completion of clinical trials (in days)

'60 days

Latest expiration period for royalty obligation after first commercial sale in country unless contract is terminated earlier (in years)

'10 years

Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)

Loss before benefit from income taxes

5,297,000

Decrease in fair value of contingent milestone and royalty payments

2,740,000

Benefit from income taxes

803,000

-130,313,000

-3,426,000

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (Alios)

($4,611,000)

$4,611,000

Net_Loss_Per_Share_Attributabl2

Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Vertex Common Shareholders (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Stock options	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	16,078	21,848
Convertible senior subordinated notes	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	0	8,192
Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	2,842	2,682

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
Recurring basis \| Total	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Total	$1,041,738,000
Recurring basis \| Total \| Money market funds	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Cash equivalents:	141,583,000
Recurring basis \| Total \| Government-sponsored enterprise securities	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	607,923,000
Recurring basis \| Total \| Commercial paper	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	81,010,000
Recurring basis \| Total \| Corporate debt securities	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	211,222,000
Recurring basis \| Level 1	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Total	749,506,000
Recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Money market funds	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Cash equivalents:	141,583,000
Recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Government-sponsored enterprise securities	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	607,923,000
Recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Commercial paper	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	0
Recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Corporate debt securities	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	0
Recurring basis \| Level 2	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Total	292,232,000
Recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Money market funds	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Cash equivalents:	0
Recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Government-sponsored enterprise securities	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	0
Recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Commercial paper	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	81,010,000
Recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Corporate debt securities	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	211,222,000
Recurring basis \| Level 3	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Total	0
Recurring basis \| Level 3 \| Money market funds	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Cash equivalents:	0
Recurring basis \| Level 3 \| Government-sponsored enterprise securities	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	0
Recurring basis \| Level 3 \| Commercial paper	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	0
Recurring basis \| Level 3 \| Corporate debt securities	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Marketable securities:	0
Foreign Currency Forward Contract	'
Financial assets carried at fair value:	'
Notional amount of foreign currency forward contract	$24,600,000

Marketable_Securities_Details

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	'	'
Amortized Cost	$1,324,185	$1,465,034
Gross Unrealized Gains	95	136
Gross Unrealized Losses	-80	-94
Fair Value	1,324,200	1,465,076
Total cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Summary of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	'	'
Amortized Cost	424,045	569,299
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	424,045	569,299
Cash and money market funds	'	'
Summary of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	'	'
Amortized Cost	424,045	569,299
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	424,045	569,299
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'	'
Summary of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	'	'
Amortized Cost	900,140	895,735
Gross Unrealized Gains	95	136
Gross Unrealized Losses	-80	-94
Fair Value	900,155	895,777
Government-sponsored enterprise securities (due within 1 year)	'	'
Summary of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	'	'
Amortized Cost	607,934	600,496
Gross Unrealized Gains	16	7
Gross Unrealized Losses	-28	-53
Fair Value	607,922	600,450
Commercial paper (due within 1 year)	'	'
Summary of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	'	'
Amortized Cost	80,950	83,384
Gross Unrealized Gains	60	109
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	81,010	83,493
Corporate debt securities (due within 1 year)	'	'
Summary of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	'	'
Amortized Cost	196,420	189,674
Gross Unrealized Gains	18	14
Gross Unrealized Losses	-45	-34
Fair Value	196,393	189,654
Corporate debt securities (due after 1 year through 5 years)	'	'
Summary of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	'	'
Amortized Cost	14,836	22,181
Gross Unrealized Gains	1	6
Gross Unrealized Losses	-7	-7
Fair Value	$14,830	$22,180

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at balance sheet date	($306)	($550)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	6	-599
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3	0
Total changes in other comprehensive loss	9	-599
Balance at balance sheet date	-297	-1,149
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at balance sheet date	-325	-745
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	72	-610
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Total changes in other comprehensive loss	72	-610
Balance at balance sheet date	-253	-1,355
Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) on Marketable Securities	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at balance sheet date	42	195
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-27	11
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Total changes in other comprehensive loss	-27	11
Balance at balance sheet date	15	206
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Foreign Currency Forward Contracts	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at balance sheet date	-23	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-39	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3	0
Total changes in other comprehensive loss	-36	0
Balance at balance sheet date	($59)	$0

Inventories_Inventories_Schedu

Inventories Inventories- Schedule of Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$0	$489
Work-in-process	9,439	9,981
Finished goods	1,822	3,677
Total	$11,261	$14,147

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill1

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011
				Research and Development Arrangement	VX-222Asset	Vertex	Alios Bio Pharma Inc	Alios Bio Pharma Inc
				VX-222Asset			Research and Development Arrangement	Research and Development Arrangement
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible asset impairment charge	$0	$412,900,000	'	'	$412,900,000	$285,300,000	$250,600,000	'
Intangible assets	'	'	'	0	0	'	0	250,600,000
Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)	'	127,600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Extraordinary Item, Earnings Per Share Impact, Net	'	$1.32	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in deferred income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	102,100,000	'
Goodwill	30,992,000	'	30,992,000	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, period increase (decrease)	$0	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'

Convertible_Senior_Subordinate1

Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes (Details) (Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes 3.35 Percent Due 2015, USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes 3.35 Percent Due 2015	'	'
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes	'	'
Convertible senior subordinated notes	'	$400,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	'	3.35%
Net proceeds from convertible debt offering	'	391,600,000
Underwriting discount	'	8,400,000
Conversion price (in dollars per share)	$48.83	$48.83
Original conversion rate, number of shares to be issued per $1000 of principal (in shares)	'	20.4794
Convertible debt principal amount, basis for exchange	1,000	1,000
Percent closing price needs to exceed the conversion price for at least 20 trading days within 30 consecutive trading days for provisional redemption (as a percent)	130.00%	'
Minimum number of days within 30 consecutive trading days the closing price needs to exceed the conversion price for provisional redemption (in days)	'20 days	'
Total consecutive trading days during which the closing price must exceed the conversion price for at least 20 trading days for provisional redemption (in days)	'30 days	'
Percentage of principal amount redeemed (percent)	'	100.00%
Amount of converted instrument	399,800,000	'
Convertible senior subordinated notes (due 2015) conversion (shares)	-8,188,448	'
Value of redeemed or called stock during period	200,000	'
Redemption premium (usd per share)	16.75	'
Converted instrument, shares issued (shares)	87,109	'
Interest expense	6,700,000	'
Convertible debt with conversion feature	$4,200,000	'

Longterm_Obligations_Details

Long-term Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
		leases
		squarefeet
		building
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of leases (leases)	'	2	'
Area of leased property (in square feet)	'	1,100,000	'
Number of buildings under lease agreement (buildings)	'	2	'
Optional term of lease agreement (in years)	'	'10 years	'
Construction in progress	$525,500,000	'	$503,400,000
Construction Financing Obligation	473,700,000	'	'
Construction financing lease obligation	473,360,000	'	440,937,000
Interest rate, low end of range (percent)	2.00%	'	'
Interest rate, high end of range (percent)	9.00%	'	'
Amount outstanding on line of credit	$31,900,000	'	'
Term of Line of Credit Facility	'1 year	'	'

Longterm_Debt_Obligations_Deta

Long-term Debt Obligations (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]	'
2014	$18,576
2015	19,979
2016	13,441
2017	12,346
2018	12,244
2019	2,664
2020	27
Total payments	79,277
Less: amount representing interest	-11,459
Present value of payments	$67,818

Stockbased_Compensation_Expens2

Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Stock-based compensation expense:	'	'
Less stock-based compensation expense capitalized to inventories	($207)	($299)
Total stock-based compensation expense included in costs and expenses	46,580	31,275
Stock options	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense:	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:	25,127	19,674
Type of award:	'	'
Unrecognized Expense, Net of Estimated Forfeitures	183,052	'
Weighted-average Recognition Period	'2 years 6 months	'
Restricted stock and restricted stock units	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense:	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:	18,993	9,378
Type of award:	'	'
Unrecognized Expense, Net of Estimated Forfeitures	120,440	'
Weighted-average Recognition Period	'2 years 2 months 16 days	'
ESPP share issuances	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense:	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense by type of award:	2,667	2,522
Type of award:	'	'
Unrecognized Expense, Net of Estimated Forfeitures	3,416	'
Weighted-average Recognition Period	'6 months 4 days	'
Research and development expenses	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense:	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense included in costs and expenses	32,900	19,349
Sales, general and administrative expenses	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense:	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense included in costs and expenses	$13,680	$11,926
Maximum	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'
Employees eligible for partial or full acceleration of equity awards (percent)	5.00%	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Expens3

Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Exercise price range, options outstanding (in shares)	16,078
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	'7 years 22 days
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$48.89
Exercise price range, options exercisable (in shares)	7,318
Exercise price range, options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$39.60
$9.09â€“$20.00	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Exercise price, low end of range (usd per share)	$9.09
Exercise price, high end of range (usd per share)	$20
Exercise price range, options outstanding (in shares)	407
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	'2 years 2 months 12 days
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$15.42
Exercise price range, options exercisable (in shares)	407
Exercise price range, options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$15.42
$20.01â€“$30.00	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Exercise price, low end of range (usd per share)	$20.01
Exercise price, high end of range (usd per share)	$30
Exercise price range, options outstanding (in shares)	908
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	'5 years 7 months 13 days
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$29.44
Exercise price range, options exercisable (in shares)	696
Exercise price range, options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$29.30
$30.01â€“$40.00	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Exercise price, low end of range (usd per share)	$30.01
Exercise price, high end of range (usd per share)	$40
Exercise price range, options outstanding (in shares)	5,846
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	'5 years 1 month 6 days
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$36.35
Exercise price range, options exercisable (in shares)	4,199
Exercise price range, options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$35.84
$40.01â€“$50.00	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Exercise price, low end of range (usd per share)	$40.01
Exercise price, high end of range (usd per share)	$50
Exercise price range, options outstanding (in shares)	3,840
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	'8 years 7 months 6 days
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$46.32
Exercise price range, options exercisable (in shares)	816
Exercise price range, options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$46.59
$50.01â€“$60.00	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Exercise price, low end of range (usd per share)	$50.01
Exercise price, high end of range (usd per share)	$60
Exercise price range, options outstanding (in shares)	1,569
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	'7 years
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$53.86
Exercise price range, options exercisable (in shares)	851
Exercise price range, options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$54.41
$60.01â€“$70.00	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Exercise price, low end of range (usd per share)	$60.01
Exercise price, high end of range (usd per share)	$70
Exercise price range, options outstanding (in shares)	79
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	'8 years 10 months 2 days
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$65.57
Exercise price range, options exercisable (in shares)	18
Exercise price range, options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$63.81
$70.01â€“$80.00	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Exercise price, low end of range (usd per share)	$70.01
Exercise price, high end of range (usd per share)	$80
Exercise price range, options outstanding (in shares)	2,029
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	'9 years 9 months 22 days
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$77.19
Exercise price range, options exercisable (in shares)	15
Exercise price range, options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$77.66
$80.01â€“$88.18	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Exercise price, low end of range (usd per share)	$80.01
Exercise price, high end of range (usd per share)	$88.18
Exercise price range, options outstanding (in shares)	1,400
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual life (in years)	'9 years 3 months 18 days
Exercise price range, options outstanding, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$83.12
Exercise price range, options exercisable (in shares)	316
Exercise price range, options exercisable, weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$82.38

Sale_of_HIV_Protease_Inhibitor1

Sale of HIV Protease Inhibitor Royalty Stream (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2008	Mar. 31, 2014
Sale of HIV Protease Inhibitor Royalty Stream	'	'
Gross proceeds from sale of royalty rights receivable from GlaxoSmithKline	$160	'
Deferred Revenue Royalty Purchase Agreement	'	$59.20

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Tax Carryforwards	'	'	'
Benefit from income taxes	$803,000	($130,313,000)	'
Current state and local tax expense	'	-130,300,000	'
Intangible asset impairment charge	0	412,900,000	'
Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)	'	127,600,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	2,600,000	'	2,000,000
Federal income tax net operating loss carryfowards	'	'	2,700,000,000
Federal income tax credit carryforwards	'	'	120,100,000
State income tax net operating loss carryforwards	'	'	966,800,000
State income tax credit credit carryforwards	'	'	66,900,000
Total Vertex Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'
Tax Carryforwards	'	'	'
Current state and local tax expense	'	-126,900,000	'
Noncontrolling Interest (Alios)	'	'	'
Tax Carryforwards	'	'	'
Current state and local tax expense	'	-3,400,000	'
VX-222Asset	'	'	'
Tax Carryforwards	'	'	'
Intangible assets	'	0	'
Intangible asset impairment charge	'	$412,900,000	'

Restructuring_Liability_Detail

Restructuring Liability (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2003
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring expense	$6,188	$39	'
Kendall Restructuring	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease term (in years)	'	'	'15 years
Discount rate, lease restructuring liability (as a percent)	'	'	10.00%
Restructuring expense	382	39	'
Fan Pier Move	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring expense	$5,200	'	'

Restructuring_Liability_Detail1

Restructuring Liability (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Restructuring activities	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring expense	$6,188	$39	'	'	'
Kendall Restructuring	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring activities	'	'	'	'	'
Liability, beginning of the period	'	'	19,115	22,459	23,328
Cash payments	-3,862	-3,573	'	'	'
Cash received from subleases	2,689	2,665	'	'	'
Restructuring expense	382	39	'	'	'
Liability, end of the period	18,324	'	19,115	22,459	23,328
Strategic Restructuring	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring activities	'	'	'	'	'
Liability, beginning of the period	8,441	'	'	'	'
Cash payments	-7,267	'	'	'	'
Restructuring expense	647	'	'	'	'
Liability, end of the period	$1,821	'	'	'	'

Contingencies_Contingencies_De

Contingencies Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Material contingent liabilities accrued	$0	$0

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event, USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014
Subsequent Event	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Payment from landlord for Infrastructure Development Assistance Agreement	$36.70