Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN) 10-Q 25 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 23, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS INC
Entity Central Index Key	899866
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		196,074,387

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$910,411	$989,501
Marketable securities	392,344	0
Trade accounts receivable, net	404,956	295,598
Inventories	105,196	94,521
Deferred tax assets	23,820	26,086
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	78,775	89,894
Total current assets	1,915,502	1,495,600
Property, plant and equipment, net	178,842	165,629
Intangible assets, net	646,138	646,678
Goodwill	254,073	253,645
Deferred tax assets	9,743	13,954
Other assets	45,497	38,054
Total assets	3,049,795	2,613,560
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable	24,416	21,488
Accrued expenses	255,784	249,787
Deferred revenue	54,371	31,266
Current portion of long-term debt	48,000	48,000
Other current liabilities	12,885	9,548
Total current liabilities	395,456	360,089
Long-term debt, less current portioon	77,000	101,000
Contingent consideration	144,621	139,002
Deferred tax liabilities	13,607	19,827
Other liabilities	52,094	22,792
Total liabilities	695,029	642,710
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 290,000 shares authorized; 197,018 and 194,918 shares issued at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	20	20
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,244	1,852,221
Treasury stock, at cost, 985 and 227 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	-80,365	-14,229
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-12,223	6,635
Retained earnings	398,090	126,203
Total stockholders' equity	2,354,766	1,970,850
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,049,795	2,613,560
Construction in Progress [Member]
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Facility lease obligation	$12,251	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	290,000	290,000
Common stock, shares issued	197,018	194,918
Treasury Stock, Shares	985	227

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net product sales	$400,405	$294,136	$1,109,437	$813,588
Cost of sales	42,177	33,186	116,823	93,067
Change in contingent liability from intellectual property settlement	9,181	-53,377	9,181	-53,377
Cost of Revenue	51,358	-20,191	126,004	39,690
Operating expenses:
Research and development	88,209	54,280	231,308	159,323
Selling, general and administrative	122,886	89,957	354,901	272,054
Acquisition-related costs	2,573	967	6,974	19,447
Impairment of Intangible Asset	0	26,300	0	26,300
Amortization of purchased technology	104	104	312	312
Total operating expenses	213,772	171,608	593,495	477,436
Operating income	135,275	142,719	389,938	296,462
Other income and expense:
Investment income	638	317	1,793	872
Interest expense	-1,078	-1,855	-3,305	-6,220
Foreign currency loss	-547	-416	-134	-817
Income before income taxes	134,288	140,765	388,292	290,297
Income tax provision	40,503	48,586	116,405	116,446
Net income	$93,785	$92,179	$271,887	$173,851
Earnings per common share
Basic	$0.48	$0.48	$1.40	$0.92
Diluted	$0.47	$0.46	$1.37	$0.88
Shares used in computing earnings per common share
Basic	195,662	193,353	194,520	189,219
Diluted	199,711	201,142	198,655	197,635

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net income	$93,785	$92,179	$271,887	$173,851
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	986	984	-543	241
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of tax of $136, $0, $(9) and $0, respectively	210	0	-17	0
Unrealized losses on pension obligation, net of tax of $0, $0, $(165) and $(49), respectively	0	0	-2,682	-801
Unrealized losses on hedging activities, net of tax of $(2,982), $(950), $(1,059) and $(46), respectively	-32,945	-15,181	-15,616	-1,274
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-31,749	-14,197	-18,858	-1,834
Comprehensive income	$62,036	$77,982	$253,029	$172,017

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities - tax effect	$136	$0	($9)	$0
Unrealized losses on pension obligation - tax effect	0	0	-165	-49
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging activities - tax effect	($2,982)	($950)	($1,059)	($46)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$271,887	$173,851
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	20,239	17,613
Impairment of Intangible Asset	0	26,300
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	5,951	4,333
Share-based compensation expense	56,409	40,322
Premium amortization of available-for-sale securities	579	0
Deferred taxes	17,036	57,674
Unrealized foreign currency gain	-3,426	-5,405
Gains on forward contracts	-1,571	-202
Other	-177	-18
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effect of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	-98,432	-65,299
Inventories	-4,992	-3,467
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-3,629	-17,065
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	3,952	59,945
Deferred revenue	24,288	17,038
Net cash provided by operating activities	288,468	305,656
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-420,515	0
Proceeds from maturity or sale of available-for-sale securities	27,951	0
Purchases of trading securities	-473	0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-20,628	-14,257
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	-605,735
Increase in restricted cash	-205	-3
Net cash used in investing activities	-413,870	-619,995
Cash flows from financing activities:
Debt issuance costs	0	-6,184
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	0	115,000
Payments on revolving credit facility	0	-115,000
Proceeds from term loan	0	240,000
Payments on term loan	-24,000	-79,000
Excess tax benefit from stock options	95,832	7,582
Repurchase of common stock	-66,136	0
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	462,212
Net proceeds from the exercise of stock options	44,560	54,910
Payment of contingent consideration	-3,000	0
Other	-133	-638
Net cash provided by financing activities	47,123	678,882
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-811	118
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-79,090	364,661
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	989,501	540,865
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	910,411	905,526
Supplemental cash flow disclosures from investing and financing activities:
Contingent consideration issued in acquisitions	0	117,000
Construction in process related to facility lease obligation	$12,251	$0

Business

Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business [Abstract]
Business	Business
	Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Alexion, the Company, we, our or us) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients with severe and ultra-rare disorders through the innovation, development and commercialization of life-transforming therapeutic products. Our marketed product Soliris is the first and only therapeutic approved for patients with either of two severe and ultra-rare disorders resulting from chronic uncontrolled activation of the complement component of the immune system: paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a life-threatening and ultra-rare genetic blood disorder, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a life-threatening and ultra-rare genetic disease. We are also evaluating additional potential indications for Soliris in other severe and ultra-rare diseases in which uncontrolled complement activation is the underlying mechanism, and we are progressing in various stages of development with additional product candidates as potential treatments for patients with severe and life-threatening ultra-rare disorders. We were incorporated in 1992 and began commercial sale of Soliris in 2007.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Prin

Basis of Presentation and Principles Of Consolidation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. These accounting principles were applied on a basis consistent with those of the consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial statements for interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	The financial statements of our subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities, historical exchange rates for stockholders' equity and weighted average exchange rates for operating results. Translation gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, in stockholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the results of operations in other income and expense.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued an update to clarify the scope of disclosures for offsetting assets and liabilities. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and requires disclosure for all comparative periods. We adopted the provisions of this guidance in 2013.
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a new standard to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). The new standard requires the disclosure of significant amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. The standard is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted the provisions of this guidance, and included the additional disclosure requirements, in the first quarter of 2013.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value. We determine the cost of inventory using the weighted-average cost method.
	The components of inventory are as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	12,970	$	6,485
	Work-in-process	61,415		43,899
	Finished goods	30,811		44,137
		$	105,196	$	94,521

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill	Intangible Assets and Goodwill
	The following table summarizes the carrying amount of our intangible assets and goodwill, net of accumulated amortization:
			September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Licenses, patents and purchased technology, net		$	17,888	$	18,428
	Acquired in-process research and development		628,250		628,250
	Intangible assets		$	646,138	$	646,678
	Goodwill		$	254,073	$	253,645
	The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill:
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	253,645
	Change in goodwill associated with prior acquisition	428
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	254,073

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	On February 7, 2012, we and our wholly-owned Swiss subsidiary, Alexion Pharma International Sàrl, entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks that provides for a $240,000 senior secured term loan facility payable in equal quarterly installments of $12,000 starting June 30, 2012 and a $200,000 senior secured revolving credit facility through February 7, 2017. In addition to borrowings upon prior notice, the revolving credit facility includes borrowing capacity in the form of letters of credit up to $60,000 and borrowings on same-day notice, referred to as swingline loans, of up to $10,000. Borrowings can be used for working capital requirements, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes. With the consent of the lenders and the administrative agent and subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, we may increase the term loan facility and/or the revolving credit facility by an aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000.
	As of September 30, 2013, we had $125,000 outstanding on the term loan. As of September 30, 2013, we had open letters of credit of $15,085, and our borrowing availability under the revolving facility was $184,915.
	The fair value of our long term debt, which is measured using Level 2 inputs, approximates book value.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Common Share	Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic earnings per common share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. For purposes of calculating diluted EPS, the denominator reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options, unvested restricted stock, unvested restricted stock units or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, using the treasury stock method.
	The following table summarizes the calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Net income used for basic and diluted calculation	$	93,785		$	92,179		$	271,887	$	173,851
	Shares used in computing earnings per common share—basic	195,662			193,353			194,520		189,219
	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:
	Shares issuable upon the assumed conversion of our 1.375% convertible senior notes	—			—			—		11
	Stock awards	4,049			7,789			4,135		8,405
	Dilutive potential common shares	4,049			7,789			4,135		8,416
	Shares used in computing earnings per common share—diluted	199,711			201,142			198,655		197,635
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	0.48		$	0.48		$	1.4	$	0.92
	Diluted	$	0.47		$	0.46		$	1.37	$	0.88
	The following table represents the potentially dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, and 2012 because their effect is anti-dilutive:
		Three months ended					Nine months ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Potentially dilutive securities:
	Options to purchase common stock	2,002		226			2,281		1,561
	Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	13		—			19		44
		2,015		226			2,300		1,605

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Marketable securities	Marketable Securities
	We invest our excess cash balances in marketable securities of highly rated financial institutions and investment-grade debt instruments. We seek to diversify our investments and limit the amount of investment concentrations for individual institutions, maturities and investment types. We classify these marketable securities as available-for-sale and, accordingly, record such securities at fair value. We classify these marketable securities as current assets as these investments are intended to be available to the Company for use in funding current operations.
	We offer a nonqualified deferred compensation plan which allows participants to elect to defer income to future periods. Participants in the plan earn a return on their deferrals based on several investments options, which mirror returns on underlying mutual fund investments. We choose to invest in the underlying mutual fund investments to offset the liability associated with our nonqualified deferred compensation plan. These securities are classified as trading securities and are carried at fair value with gains and losses included in investment income. The changes in the underlying liability to the employee are recorded in operating expenses.
	We held no marketable securities as of December 31, 2012. The amortized cost, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses and estimated fair value of available-for-sale investments by type of security at September 30, 2013 were as follows:
			Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	Commercial paper		$	51,914	$	—	$	—		$	51,914
	Corporate bonds		180,322		175		(162		)	180,335
	Municipal bonds		17,211		2		(1		)	17,212
	U.S. Treasury securities		4,999		1		—			5,000
	Other government-related obligations:
	U.S.		48,168		33		(39		)	48,162
	Foreign		106,875		42		(77		)	106,840
	Bank certificates of deposit		3,000		—		—			3,000
			$	412,489	$	253	$	(279	)	$	412,463
	Unrealized gains and losses that are deemed temporary are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders' equity. If any adjustment to fair value reflects a significant decline in the value of the security, we evaluate the extent to which the decline is determined to be other-than-temporary and would mark the security to market through a charge to our condensed consolidated statement of operations. Credit losses are identified when we do not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the amortized cost basis of a security. In the event of a credit loss, only the amount associated with the credit loss is recognized in operating results, with the amount of loss relating to other factors recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	The aggregate fair value of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2013 was $171,357. These investments have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. As of September 30, 2013, we believe that the cost basis of our available-for-sale investments is recoverable.
	The fair values of available-for-sale securities by classification in the condensed consolidated balance sheet were as follows:
		September 30, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,599
	Marketable securities	391,864
		$	412,463
	The fair values of available-for-sale debt securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are summarized as follows:
		September 30, 2013
	Due in one year or less	$	133,611
	Due after one year through three years	278,852
	Due after three years through five years	—
		$	412,463
	As of September 30, 2013, the fair value of our trading securities was $480.
	We utilize the specific identification method in computing realized gains and losses. Realized gains and losses on our trading securities and available-for-sale investments were not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	We operate internationally and, in the normal course of business, are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The exposures result from portions of our revenues, as well as the related receivables, and expenses that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound and Swiss Franc. We manage our foreign currency transaction risk within specified guidelines through the use of derivatives. All of our derivative instruments are utilized for risk management purposes, and we do not use derivatives for speculative trading purposes.
	We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts, with durations of up to 36 months, to hedge exposures resulting from portions of our forecasted intercompany revenues that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The purpose of the hedges of intercompany revenue is to reduce the volatility of exchange rate fluctuations on our operating results and to increase the visibility of the foreign exchange impact on forecasted revenues. These hedges are designated as cash flow hedges upon contract inception. At September 30, 2013, we had open contracts with notional amounts totaling $999,559 that qualified for hedge accounting.
	The impact on AOCI and earnings from foreign exchange contracts that qualified as cash flow hedges, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Three months ended							Nine months ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013				2012			2013				2012
	Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI, net of tax	$	(28,523	)		$	(11,238	)	$	1,011			$	6,321
	Gain reclassified from AOCI to net product sales (effective portion), net of tax	$	5,225			$	4,401		$	16,803			$	8,130
	Loss reclassified from AOCI to other income and expense (ineffective portion), net of tax	$	(803	)		$	(458	)	$	(176	)		$	(535	)
	Assuming no change in foreign exchange rates from market rates at September 30, 2013, $3,901 of gains recognized in AOCI will be reclassified to revenue over the next 12 months.
	We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts, with durations of approximately 30 days, designed to limit the balance sheet exposure of monetary assets and liabilities. We enter into these hedges to reduce the impact of fluctuating exchange rates on our operating results. Hedge accounting is not applied to these derivative instruments as gains and losses on these hedge transactions are designed to offset gains and losses on underlying balance sheet exposures. As of September 30, 2013, the notional amount of foreign exchange contracts where hedge accounting is not applied was $151,458.
	We recognized a gain (loss) of $(2,640) and $(3,470), in other income and expense, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $6,146 and $787, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, associated with the foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments. These amounts were largely offset by gains or losses in monetary assets and liabilities.
	The following tables summarize the fair value of outstanding derivatives at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30, 2013
		Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Fair				Balance Sheet	Fair
		Location		Value				Location	Value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		$	19,164			Other current liabilities	$	12,538
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other non-current assets		7,559				Other non-current liabilities	12,110
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		—				Other current liabilities	—
	Total fair value of derivative instruments			$	26,723				$	24,648
		December 31, 2012
		Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Fair				Balance Sheet	Fair
		Location		Value				Location	Value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		$	15,617			Other current liabilities	$	3,529
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other non-current assets		9,378				Other non-current liabilities	4,521
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		2,245				Other current liabilities	2,010
	Total fair value of derivative instruments			$	27,240				$	10,060
	Although we do not offset derivative assets and liabilities within our condensed consolidated balance sheets, our International Swap and Derivatives Association (ISDA) agreements provide for net settlement of transactions that are due to or from the same counterparty upon early termination of the agreement due to an event of default or other termination event. The following table summarizes the potential effect on our condensed consolidated balance sheets of offsetting our foreign exchange forward contracts subject to such provisions:
	30-Sep-13
														Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Description		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities				Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet			Amounts of Assets/Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet				Derivative Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received (Pledged)		Net Amount
	Derivative assets		$	26,723			$	—		$	26,723			$	(19,710	)	$	—	$	7,013
	Derivative liabilities		(24,648		)		—			(24,648		)		19,710			—		(4,938		)
	December 31, 2012
														Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Description		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities				Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet			Amounts of Assets/Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet				Derivative Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received (Pledged)		Net Amount
	Derivative assets		$	27,240			$	—		$	27,240			$	(10,060	)	$	—	$	17,180
	Derivative liabilities		(10,060		)		—			(10,060		)		10,060			—		—

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity
	In November 2012, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $400,000 of our common stock. This repurchase program does not have an expiration date, and we are not obligated to acquire a particular number of shares. The program may be discontinued at any time at our discretion. Under the program, we repurchased 758 shares of our common stock at a cost of $66,136 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, there is a total of $322,311 remaining for repurchases under the program.

Other_Comprehensive_Income_and

Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Other comprehensive income includes changes in equity that are excluded from net income, such as changes in pension liabilities, unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities, unrealized gains and losses on hedge contracts and foreign currency translation adjustments. Certain of these changes in equity are reflected net of tax.
	The following tables summarize the changes in AOCI, by component, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Defined Benefit Pension Plans				Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Marketable Securities			Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Hedging Activities				Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment				Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balances, December 31, 2012	$	(5,712	)		$	—		$	15,156			$	(2,809	)		$	6,635
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(2,967		)		(76		)	1,011				(543		)		(2,575		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	285				59			(16,627		)		—				(16,283		)
	Net other comprehensive loss	(2,682		)		(17		)	(15,616		)		(543		)		(18,858		)
	Balances, September 30, 2013	$	(8,394	)		$	(17	)	$	(460	)		$	(3,352	)		$	(12,223	)
		Defined Benefit Pension Plans				Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Hedging Activities			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment				Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balances, December 31, 2011	$	(4,183	)		$	11,321		$	(2,959	)		$	4,179
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(1,006		)		6,321			241				5,556
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	205				(7,595		)	—				(7,390		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(801		)		(1,274		)	241				(1,834		)
	Balances, September 30, 2012	$	(4,984	)		$	10,047		$	(2,718	)		$	2,345
	The table below provides details regarding significant reclassifications from AOCI during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components		Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income during the three months ended September 30,						Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income during the nine months ended September 30,							Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activity
	Effective portion of foreign exchange contracts		$	5,710		$	4,810		$	18,364		$	8,885			Net product sales
	Ineffective portion of foreign exchange contracts		(878		)	(501		)	(192		)	(585		)		Foreign currency loss
			4,832			4,309			18,172			8,300
			(410		)	(366		)	(1,545		)	(705		)		Income tax provision
			$	4,422		$	3,943		$	16,627		$	7,595
	Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Marketable Securities
	Realized gains (losses) on sale of securities		$	(96	)	$	—		$	(94	)	$	—			Investment income
			(96		)	—			(94		)	—
			36			—			35			—				Income tax provision
			$	(60	)	$	—		$	(59	)	$	—
	Defined Benefit Pension Items
	Amortization of prior service costs and actuarial losses		$	(104	)	$	(73	)	$	(311	)	$	(224	)		(a)
			(104		)	(73		)	(311		)	(224		)
			9			6			26			19				Income tax provision
			$	(95	)	$	(67	)	$	(285	)	$	(205	)
	(a) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension benefit cost (see Note 13 for additional details).

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurement
	Authoritative guidance establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to the valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.
	The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair value.
			Fair Value Measurement at
			30-Sep-13
	Balance Sheet	Type of Instrument	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Classification
	Cash equivalents	Institutional money market funds	$	717,980	$	—	$	717,980	$	—
	Cash equivalents	Commercial paper	$	19,999	$	—	$	19,999	$	—
	Cash equivalents	Other government-related obligations	$	600	$	—	$	600	$	—
	Marketable securities	Mutual funds	$	480	$	480	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities	Commercial paper	$	31,915	$	—	$	31,915	$	—
	Marketable securities	Corporate bonds	$	180,335	$	—	$	180,335	$	—
	Marketable securities	Municipal bonds	$	17,212	$	—	$	17,212	$	—
	Marketable securities	U.S. Treasury securities	$	5,000	$	5,000	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities	Other government-related obligations	$	154,402	$	—	$	154,402	$	—
	Marketable securities	Bank certificates of deposit	$	3,000	$	—	$	3,000	$	—
	Other current assets	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	19,164	$	—	$	19,164	$	—
	Other assets	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	7,559	$	—	$	7,559	$	—
	Other current liabilities	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	12,538	$	—	$	12,538	$	—
	Other liabilities	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	12,110	$	—	$	12,110	$	—
	Contingent consideration	Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$	144,621	$	—	$	—	$	144,621
			Fair Value Measurement at
			31-Dec-12
	Balance Sheet	Type of Instrument	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Classification
	Cash equivalents	Institutional money market funds	$	803,550	$	—	$	803,550	$	—
	Other current assets	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	17,862	$	—	$	17,862	$	—
	Other assets	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	9,378	$	—	$	9,378	$	—
	Other current liabilities	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	5,539	$	—	$	5,539	$	—
	Other liabilities	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	4,521	$	—	$	4,521	$	—
	Other current liabilities	Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$	2,668	$	—	$	—	$	2,668
	Contingent consideration	Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$	139,002	$	—	$	—	$	139,002
	There were no securities transferred between Level 1, 2 and 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Valuation Techniques
	We classify U.S. Treasury securities and mutual fund investments, which are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets with no valuation adjustment, as Level 1 assets within the fair value hierarchy.
	Items classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy consist of institutional money market funds, commercial paper, municipal bonds, U.S. and foreign government-related debt, corporate debt securities and certificates of deposit. We estimate the fair values of these marketable securities by taking into consideration valuations obtained from third-party pricing sources. These pricing sources utilize industry standard valuation models, including both income and market-based approaches, for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly, to estimate fair value. These inputs include market pricing based on real-time trade data for the same or similar securities, issuer credit spreads, benchmark yields, and other observable inputs.
	Our derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange derivatives that are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such as forward rates, interest rates, our own credit risk and our counterparties’ credit risks. Based on these inputs, the derivative assets and liabilities are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
	Items classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy, consisting of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquisitions, were valued based on various estimates, including probability of success, discount rates and amount of time until the conditions of the milestone payments are met.
	As of September 30, 2013, there has not been any impact to the fair value of our derivative liabilities due to our own credit risk. Similarly, there has not been any significant adverse impact to our derivative assets based on our evaluation of our counterparties’ credit risks.
	Contingent Consideration
	In connection with prior acquisitions, we may be required to pay future consideration that is contingent upon the achievement of specified development, regulatory approval or sales-based milestone events. We determine the fair value of these obligations on the acquisition date using various estimates that are not observable in the market and represent a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The resulting probability-weighted cash flows were discounted using a cost of debt ranging from 4.9% to 5.4% for developmental milestones and a weighted average cost of capital ranging from 13% to 21% for sales-based milestones.
	Each reporting period, we adjust the contingent consideration to fair value with changes in fair value recognized in operating earnings. Changes in fair values reflect new information about the probability and timing of meeting the conditions of the milestone payments. In the absence of new information, changes in fair value will only reflect the interest component of contingent consideration related to the passage of time as development work progresses towards the achievement of the milestones.
	Estimated future contingent milestone payments related to prior business combinations range from zero if no milestone events are achieved, to a maximum of $876,000 if all development, regulatory and sales-based milestones are reached. As of September 30, 2013, the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration was $144,621. The following table represents a roll-forward of our acquisition-related contingent consideration, which are all Level 3 liabilities:
		Nine months ended
		30-Sep-13
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(141,670	)
	Milestone payment	3,000
	Changes in fair value	(5,951		)
	Balance at end of period	$	(144,621	)

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	We utilize the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. We provide a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized. We recognize the benefit of an uncertain tax position that has been taken or we expect to take on income tax returns if such tax position is more likely than not to be sustained.
	We continue to maintain a valuation allowance against certain other deferred tax assets where realization is not certain. We periodically evaluate the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets and reduce the carrying amount of these deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance to the extent we believe a portion will not be realized.
	The following table provides a comparative summary of our income tax provision and effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Provision for income taxes	$	40,503		$	48,586		$	116,405		$	116,446
	Effective tax rate	30.2		%	34.5		%	30		%	40.1		%
	The tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 is attributable to the U.S. federal, state and foreign income taxes on our profitable operations. Additionally, included in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is the tax benefit of $2,854 attributable to the 2012 U.S. Federal tax credit for research and experimentation.
	The U.S. Federal tax credit for research and experimentation expenses expired December 31, 2011.  In connection with this expiration, our 2012 tax expense did not include any benefit from the U.S. Federal tax credit for research and experimentation.  In January 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which retroactively extended the tax credit for research and experimentation back to January 1, 2012 through the end of 2013 was signed into law.  The effects of a change in tax law is recognized in the period that includes the date of enactment and, therefore, our tax benefit attributable to the 2012 U.S. Federal tax credit for research and experimentation was recorded in the first quarter of 2013.
	The tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 is principally attributable to the U.S. federal, state and foreign income taxes on our profitable operations and the tax expense of $22,673 associated with the settlement and non-exclusive license agreement with a third party, which was executed in the third quarter of 2012. Additionally, included in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is the impact of the tax expense of $21,812 associated with the structuring of the Enobia business.
	The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of our U.S. income tax returns for 2008 and 2009 during the second quarter 2011. This examination is anticipated to be completed within the next twelve months. We are not able to determine any impact to our unrecognized tax benefits based on the preliminary stage of discussions with the IRS.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans
	Defined Contribution Plan
	We have one qualified 401(k) plan covering all eligible employees. Under the plan, employees may contribute up to the statutory allowable amount for any calendar year. We make matching contributions equal to $1.00 for each dollar contributed up to the first 6% of an individual's base salary and incentive cash bonus. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded matching contributions of approximately $1,362, and $798, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded matching contributions of approximately $4,626 and $2,853, respectively.
	Deferred Compensation Plan
	Effective June 15, 2013, we began sponsoring a nonqualified deferred compensation plan which allows certain highly-compensated employees to make voluntary deferrals of up to 80% of their base salary and incentive bonuses. The plan is designed to work in conjunction with the 401(k) plan and provides for a total combined employer match of up to 6% of an employee's eligible earnings, up to the IRS annual 401(k) contribution limitations. Employee deferrals and employer matching contributions under the plan began in the third quarter of 2013 and were not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Defined Benefit Plans
	We maintain defined benefit plans for employees in certain countries outside the United States, including retirement benefit plans required by applicable local law. The plans are valued by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The liabilities correspond to the projected benefit obligations of which the discounted net present value is calculated based on years of employment, expected salary increases, and pension adjustments.
	The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	1,376		$	1,061		$	4,087		$	3,422
	Interest cost	127			110			376			338
	Expected return on plan assets	(157		)	(125		)	(471		)	(385		)
	Employee contributions	(358		)	(283		)	(1,071		)	(868		)
	Amortization	104			73			311			224
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	1,092		$	836		$	3,232		$	2,731

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases
	In November 2012, we entered into a lease agreement for office and laboratory space to be constructed in New Haven, Connecticut. We amended the lease in July 2013 to expand the building by two floors. Although we will not legally own the premises, we are deemed to be the owner of the building during the construction period based on applicable accounting guidance for build-to-suit leases due to our involvement during the construction period. Accordingly, the landlord's costs of constructing the facility are required to be capitalized, as a non-cash transaction, offset by a corresponding facility lease obligation in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	Construction of the new facility began in June 2013 and is expected to be completed in 2015. As of September 30, 2013, our construction-in-process asset associated with the new facility and the offsetting facility lease obligation totaled $12,251.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	License Agreements
	In January 2013, we entered into a license agreement for a technology, which provides an exclusive research license and an option for an exclusive commercial license for specific targets and products to be developed. Due to the early stage of this asset, we recorded expense for an upfront payment of $3,000 during the first quarter of 2013. We will also be required to pay annual maintenance fees during the term of the arrangement. In addition, for each target, up to a maximum of six targets we develop, we could be required to pay up to an additional $70,500 in license fees, development and sales milestones as the specific milestones are met over time.
	In July 2013, we entered into a license and collaboration agreement for the identification, development and commercialization of therapeutic candidates based on specific drug targets.  Due to the early stage of these assets, we recorded expense for an upfront payment of $11,500 during the third quarter of 2013. We will also be responsible for funding research activities under the program.  In addition, for each drug target, up to a maximum of four targets, we could be required to pay up to an additional $90,750 in development milestones as the specific milestones are met over time.  The agreement also provides for royalty payments on commercial sales of each product developed under the agreement.
	Lonza Agreement
	We rely on Lonza Group AG and its affiliates (Lonza), a third party manufacturer, to produce a portion of commercial and clinical quantities of Soliris and for clinical quantities of asfotase alfa, and we have contracted and expect to continue contracting for product finishing, vial filling and packaging through third parties. We have various agreements with Lonza, with remaining total commitments of approximately $163,000 through 2019. Such commitments may be canceled only in limited circumstances. If we terminate certain supply agreements with Lonza without cause, we will be required to pay for product scheduled for manufacture under our arrangement. Under an existing arrangement with Lonza, we also pay Lonza a royalty on sales of Soliris manufactured at Alexion Rhode Island Manufacturing Facility (ARIMF).
	Contingent Liabilities
	We are currently involved in various claims and legal proceedings. On a quarterly basis, we review the status of each significant matter and assess its potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim, asserted or unasserted, or legal proceeding is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for the estimated loss. Because of uncertainties related to claims and litigation, accruals are based on our best estimates based on available information. On a periodic basis, as additional information becomes available, or based on specific events such as the outcome of litigation or settlement of claims, we may reassess the potential liability related to these matters and may revise these estimates, which could result in a material adverse adjustment to our operating results.
	As previously stated, we have received, and may in the future receive, notices from third parties claiming that their patents may be infringed by the development, manufacture or sale of Soliris. Under the guidance of ASC 450, Contingencies, we record a royalty accrual based on our best estimate of the fair value percent of net sales of Soliris that we could be required to pay the owners of patents for technology used in the manufacture and sale of Soliris. A costly license, or inability to obtain a necessary license, could have a material adverse effect on our business. However, the amount of such loss or a range of loss, if any, beyond amounts currently accrued, cannot be reasonably estimated.
	In January 2011, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc. (Novartis) filed an action against us and other biopharmaceutical companies in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware claiming willful infringement by us of U.S. Patent No. 5,688,688 (688 Patent). During the third quarter of 2013, the parties engaged in discussions to resolve the matter. In October 2013, we and Novartis agreed to resolve all claims asserted by Novartis in the action. In October 2013, the parties entered into a settlement agreement and dismissal pursuant to which Novartis granted Alexion a non-exclusive, fully paid license to the 688 Patent for our products and dismissed its case with prejudice. As a result, we recorded expense of $9,181 in cost of sales in the third quarter 2013 related to this litigation settlement agreement.
	As previously reported, in the third quarter of 2012 we reduced our estimate for probable contingent liabilities as of September 30, 2012. The reduction was due to the execution of a settlement and non-exclusive license agreement in October 2012 with a third party related to the third party's intellectual property and reflected the actual, negotiated royalty rate set forth in the agreement. This change in estimate resulted in a positive impact in cost of sales of $53,377 during the third quarter 2012.
	On March 27, 2013, we received a Warning Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) at ARIMF. The Warning Letter followed an FDA inspection which concluded on August 6, 2012. At the conclusion of that inspection, the FDA issued a Form 483 Inspectional Observations, to which we responded in August 2012 and provided additional information to the FDA in September and December 2012. The observations relate to commercial and clinical manufacture of Soliris at ARIMF. We responded to the Warning Letter in a letter to the FDA dated April 15, 2013. We continue to manufacture products, including Soliris, in this facility. While the resolution of this Warning Letter is difficult to predict, we do not currently believe a loss related to this matter is probable or that the potential magnitude of such loss or range of loss, if any, can be reasonably estimated.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current	The components of inventory are as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	12,970	$	6,485
	Work-in-process	61,415		43,899
	Finished goods	30,811		44,137
		$	105,196	$	94,521

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill1

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill	The following table summarizes the carrying amount of our intangible assets and goodwill, net of accumulated amortization:
			September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
	Licenses, patents and purchased technology, net		$	17,888	$	18,428
	Acquired in-process research and development		628,250		628,250
	Intangible assets		$	646,138	$	646,678
	Goodwill		$	254,073	$	253,645
Schedule of Goodwill	The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill:
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	253,645
	Change in goodwill associated with prior acquisition	428
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	254,073

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]
Schedule Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table summarizes the calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Net income used for basic and diluted calculation	$	93,785		$	92,179		$	271,887	$	173,851
	Shares used in computing earnings per common share—basic	195,662			193,353			194,520		189,219
	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:
	Shares issuable upon the assumed conversion of our 1.375% convertible senior notes	—			—			—		11
	Stock awards	4,049			7,789			4,135		8,405
	Dilutive potential common shares	4,049			7,789			4,135		8,416
	Shares used in computing earnings per common share—diluted	199,711			201,142			198,655		197,635
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	0.48		$	0.48		$	1.4	$	0.92
	Diluted	$	0.47		$	0.46		$	1.37	$	0.88
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The following table represents the potentially dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, and 2012 because their effect is anti-dilutive:
		Three months ended					Nine months ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
	Potentially dilutive securities:
	Options to purchase common stock	2,002		226			2,281		1,561
	Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	13		—			19		44
		2,015		226			2,300		1,605

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	The amortized cost, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses and estimated fair value of available-for-sale investments by type of security at September 30, 2013 were as follows:
			Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Estimated Fair Value
	Commercial paper		$	51,914	$	—	$	—		$	51,914
	Corporate bonds		180,322		175		(162		)	180,335
	Municipal bonds		17,211		2		(1		)	17,212
	U.S. Treasury securities		4,999		1		—			5,000
	Other government-related obligations:
	U.S.		48,168		33		(39		)	48,162
	Foreign		106,875		42		(77		)	106,840
	Bank certificates of deposit		3,000		—		—			3,000
			$	412,489	$	253	$	(279	)	$	412,463
Available-for-sale Securities by Balance Sheet Location Classification [Table Text Block]	The fair values of available-for-sale securities by classification in the condensed consolidated balance sheet were as follows:
		September 30, 2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,599
	Marketable securities	391,864
		$	412,463
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	The fair values of available-for-sale debt securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are summarized as follows:
		September 30, 2013
	Due in one year or less	$	133,611
	Due after one year through three years	278,852
	Due after three years through five years	—
		$	412,463

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Comprehensive Income and Earnings from Foreign Exchange Contracts	The impact on AOCI and earnings from foreign exchange contracts that qualified as cash flow hedges, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
		Three months ended							Nine months ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013				2012			2013				2012
	Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI, net of tax	$	(28,523	)		$	(11,238	)	$	1,011			$	6,321
	Gain reclassified from AOCI to net product sales (effective portion), net of tax	$	5,225			$	4,401		$	16,803			$	8,130
	Loss reclassified from AOCI to other income and expense (ineffective portion), net of tax	$	(803	)		$	(458	)	$	(176	)		$	(535	)
Schedule of Fair Value of Outstanding Derivatives	The following tables summarize the fair value of outstanding derivatives at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		September 30, 2013
		Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Fair				Balance Sheet	Fair
		Location		Value				Location	Value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		$	19,164			Other current liabilities	$	12,538
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other non-current assets		7,559				Other non-current liabilities	12,110
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		—				Other current liabilities	—
	Total fair value of derivative instruments			$	26,723				$	24,648
		December 31, 2012
		Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
		Balance Sheet		Fair				Balance Sheet	Fair
		Location		Value				Location	Value
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		$	15,617			Other current liabilities	$	3,529
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other non-current assets		9,378				Other non-current liabilities	4,521
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Other current assets		2,245				Other current liabilities	2,010
	Total fair value of derivative instruments			$	27,240				$	10,060
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities	The following table summarizes the potential effect on our condensed consolidated balance sheets of offsetting our foreign exchange forward contracts subject to such provisions:
	30-Sep-13
														Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Description		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities				Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet			Amounts of Assets/Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet				Derivative Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received (Pledged)		Net Amount
	Derivative assets		$	26,723			$	—		$	26,723			$	(19,710	)	$	—	$	7,013
	Derivative liabilities		(24,648		)		—			(24,648		)		19,710			—		(4,938		)
	December 31, 2012
														Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
	Description		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets/Liabilities				Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet			Amounts of Assets/Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet				Derivative Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received (Pledged)		Net Amount
	Derivative assets		$	27,240			$	—		$	27,240			$	(10,060	)	$	—	$	17,180
	Derivative liabilities		(10,060		)		—			(10,060		)		10,060			—		—

Other_Comprehensive_Income_and1

Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following tables summarize the changes in AOCI, by component, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Defined Benefit Pension Plans				Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Marketable Securities			Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Hedging Activities				Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment				Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balances, December 31, 2012	$	(5,712	)		$	—		$	15,156			$	(2,809	)		$	6,635
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(2,967		)		(76		)	1,011				(543		)		(2,575		)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	285				59			(16,627		)		—				(16,283		)
	Net other comprehensive loss	(2,682		)		(17		)	(15,616		)		(543		)		(18,858		)
	Balances, September 30, 2013	$	(8,394	)		$	(17	)	$	(460	)		$	(3,352	)		$	(12,223	)
		Defined Benefit Pension Plans				Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Hedging Activities			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment				Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Balances, December 31, 2011	$	(4,183	)		$	11,321		$	(2,959	)		$	4,179
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(1,006		)		6,321			241				5,556
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	205				(7,595		)	—				(7,390		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(801		)		(1,274		)	241				(1,834		)
	Balances, September 30, 2012	$	(4,984	)		$	10,047		$	(2,718	)		$	2,345
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The table below provides details regarding significant reclassifications from AOCI during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
	Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components		Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income during the three months ended September 30,						Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income during the nine months ended September 30,							Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activity
	Effective portion of foreign exchange contracts		$	5,710		$	4,810		$	18,364		$	8,885			Net product sales
	Ineffective portion of foreign exchange contracts		(878		)	(501		)	(192		)	(585		)		Foreign currency loss
			4,832			4,309			18,172			8,300
			(410		)	(366		)	(1,545		)	(705		)		Income tax provision
			$	4,422		$	3,943		$	16,627		$	7,595
	Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Marketable Securities
	Realized gains (losses) on sale of securities		$	(96	)	$	—		$	(94	)	$	—			Investment income
			(96		)	—			(94		)	—
			36			—			35			—				Income tax provision
			$	(60	)	$	—		$	(59	)	$	—
	Defined Benefit Pension Items
	Amortization of prior service costs and actuarial losses		$	(104	)	$	(73	)	$	(311	)	$	(224	)		(a)
			(104		)	(73		)	(311		)	(224		)
			9			6			26			19				Income tax provision
			$	(95	)	$	(67	)	$	(285	)	$	(205	)
	(a) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension benefit cost (see Note 13 for additional details).

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule Of Assets And Liabilites Measured At Fair Value	The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques we utilized to determine such fair value.
			Fair Value Measurement at
			30-Sep-13
	Balance Sheet	Type of Instrument	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Classification
	Cash equivalents	Institutional money market funds	$	717,980	$	—	$	717,980	$	—
	Cash equivalents	Commercial paper	$	19,999	$	—	$	19,999	$	—
	Cash equivalents	Other government-related obligations	$	600	$	—	$	600	$	—
	Marketable securities	Mutual funds	$	480	$	480	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities	Commercial paper	$	31,915	$	—	$	31,915	$	—
	Marketable securities	Corporate bonds	$	180,335	$	—	$	180,335	$	—
	Marketable securities	Municipal bonds	$	17,212	$	—	$	17,212	$	—
	Marketable securities	U.S. Treasury securities	$	5,000	$	5,000	$	—	$	—
	Marketable securities	Other government-related obligations	$	154,402	$	—	$	154,402	$	—
	Marketable securities	Bank certificates of deposit	$	3,000	$	—	$	3,000	$	—
	Other current assets	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	19,164	$	—	$	19,164	$	—
	Other assets	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	7,559	$	—	$	7,559	$	—
	Other current liabilities	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	12,538	$	—	$	12,538	$	—
	Other liabilities	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	12,110	$	—	$	12,110	$	—
	Contingent consideration	Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$	144,621	$	—	$	—	$	144,621
			Fair Value Measurement at
			31-Dec-12
	Balance Sheet	Type of Instrument	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Classification
	Cash equivalents	Institutional money market funds	$	803,550	$	—	$	803,550	$	—
	Other current assets	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	17,862	$	—	$	17,862	$	—
	Other assets	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	9,378	$	—	$	9,378	$	—
	Other current liabilities	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	5,539	$	—	$	5,539	$	—
	Other liabilities	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	4,521	$	—	$	4,521	$	—
	Other current liabilities	Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$	2,668	$	—	$	—	$	2,668
	Contingent consideration	Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$	139,002	$	—	$	—	$	139,002
Schedule Of Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration	The following table represents a roll-forward of our acquisition-related contingent consideration, which are all Level 3 liabilities:
		Nine months ended
		30-Sep-13
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(141,670	)
	Milestone payment	3,000
	Changes in fair value	(5,951		)
	Balance at end of period	$	(144,621	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income Tax Provision and Effective Tax Rate	The following table provides a comparative summary of our income tax provision and effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Provision for income taxes	$	40,503		$	48,586		$	116,405		$	116,446
	Effective tax rate	30.2		%	34.5		%	30		%	40.1		%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs	The components of net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	1,376		$	1,061		$	4,087		$	3,422
	Interest cost	127			110			376			338
	Expected return on plan assets	(157		)	(125		)	(471		)	(385		)
	Employee contributions	(358		)	(283		)	(1,071		)	(868		)
	Amortization	104			73			311			224
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	1,092		$	836		$	3,232		$	2,731

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Inventory, Raw Materials	$12,970	$6,485
Inventory, Work in Process	61,415	43,899
Inventory, Finished Goods	30,811	44,137
Inventory, Net	$105,196	$94,521

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill2

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Licenses, patents and purchased technology	$17,888	$18,428
Acquired in-process research and development	628,250	628,250
Intangible assets	646,138	646,678
Goodwill	$254,073	$253,645

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill3

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Schedule of Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$253,645
Change in goodwill associated with prior acquisition	428
Goodwill, ending balance	$254,073

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (Credit Agreement [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 07, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, principal amount	$240,000
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	12,000
Outstanding debt		125,000
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	200,000
Possible future increase in credit facility	150,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding		15,085
Line of credit facility, borrowing availability		184,915
Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sublimit for letter of credit for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes	60,000
Bridge Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sublimit for letter of credit for working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes	$10,000

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Summ

Earnings Per Common Share (Summary Of Calculation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]
Net income used for basic and diluted calculation	$93,785	$92,179	$271,887	$173,851
Shares used in computing earnings per common sharebbasic	195,662	193,353	194,520	189,219
Shares issuable upon the assumed conversion of our 1.375% convertible senior notes	0	0	0	11
Stock awards	4,049	7,789	4,135	8,405
Dilutive potential common shares	4,049	7,789	4,135	8,416
Shares used in computing earnings per common share-diluted	199,711	201,142	198,655	197,635
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$0.48	$0.48	$1.40	$0.92
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$0.47	$0.46	$1.37	$0.88

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Dilu

Earnings Per Common Share (Dilutive Shares Excluded From Calculatin Of Earnings Per Share) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,015	226	2,300	1,605
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,002	226	2,281	1,561
Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	13	0	19	44

Marketable_Securities_Summary_

Marketable Securities (Summary of Securities Held) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$412,489
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	253
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	-279
Estimated Fair Value	412,463
Commercial Paper [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	51,914
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	0
Estimated Fair Value	51,914
Corporate Bond Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	180,322
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	175
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	-162
Estimated Fair Value	180,335
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	17,211
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	2
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	-1
Estimated Fair Value	17,212
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	4,999
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	1
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	0
Estimated Fair Value	5,000
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	48,168
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	33
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	-39
Estimated Fair Value	48,162
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	106,875
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	42
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	-77
Estimated Fair Value	106,840
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	3,000
Gross Unrealized Holding Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Holding Losses	0
Estimated Fair Value	$3,000

Marketable_Securities_Availabl

Marketable Securities (Available-for-sale Investments by Classification in Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	$412,463
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	20,599
Marketable Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	$391,864

Marketable_Securities_Availabl1

Marketable Securities (Available-for-sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	$133,611
Due after one year through three years	278,852
Due after three years through five years	0
Estimated Fair Value	$412,463

Marketable_Securities_Narrativ

Marketable Securities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Aggregate fair value of investments in continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months	$171,357
Trading securities. fair value	$480

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative [Line Items]
Estimated gains (losses) to be reclassified from other comprehenisve income in next 12 months			$3,901
Gain (loss) in other income and expense	-2,640	-3,470	6,146	787
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Term			36 months
Notional Amount of Cash Flow Hedge Instruments	999,559		999,559
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Term			30 days
Notional Amount of Foreign Currency Derivatives	$151,458		$151,458

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Schedule Of Other Comprehensive Income And Earnings From Foreign Exchange Contracts) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Gain (loss) recognized in AOCI, net of tax	($28,523)	($11,238)	$1,011	$6,321
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to net product sales (Effective portion), net of tax	5,225	4,401	16,803	8,130
Gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to other income and expense (Ineffective portion), net of tax	($803)	($458)	($176)	($535)

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Outstanding Derivatives) (Details) (Foreign Exchange Forward [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	$26,723	$27,240
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	24,648	10,060
Other Current Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	19,164	15,617
Other Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	0	2,245
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	12,538	3,529
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	0	2,010
Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives, Fair Value	7,559	9,378
Other Non Current Liabilities [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives, Fair Value	$12,110	$4,521

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Offsetting Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (Foreign Exchange Forward [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets	$26,723	$27,240
Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	0	0
Amounts of Assets Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	26,723	27,240
Derivative Financial Instruments	-19,710	-10,060
Cash Collateral Received	0	0
Net Amount	7,013	17,180
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral [Abstract]
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities	-24,648	-10,060
Gross Amounts Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	0	0
Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	-24,648	-10,060
Derivative Financial Instruments	19,710	10,060
Cash Collateral Pledged	0	0
Net Amount	($4,938)	$0

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired		758
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method		$66,136
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	400,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		$322,311

Other_Comprehensive_Income_and2

Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Changes in AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$6,635	$4,179
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			-2,575	5,556
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income			-16,283	-7,390
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-31,749	-14,197	-18,858	-1,834
Ending balance	-12,223	2,345	-12,223	2,345
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			-5,712	-4,183
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			-2,967	-1,006
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income			285	205
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax			-2,682	-801
Ending balance	-8,394	-4,984	-8,394	-4,984
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			0
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			-76
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income			59
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax			-17
Ending balance	-17		-17
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			15,156	11,321
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			1,011	6,321
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income			-16,627	-7,595
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax			-15,616	-1,274
Ending balance	-460	10,047	-460	10,047
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			-2,809	-2,959
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			-543	241
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income			0	0
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax			-543	241
Ending balance	($3,352)	($2,718)	($3,352)	($2,718)

Other_Comprehensive_Income_and3

Other Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Significant Reclassifications from AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net product sales	$400,405		$294,136		$1,109,437		$813,588
Foreign currency loss	-547		-416		-134		-817
Investment income	638		317		1,793		872
Income before income taxes	134,288		140,765		388,292		290,297
Income tax provision	-40,503		-48,586		-116,405		-116,446
Net income	93,785		92,179		271,887		173,851
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net product sales	5,710		4,810		18,364		8,885
Foreign currency loss	-878		-501		-192		-585
Income before income taxes	4,832		4,309		18,172		8,300
Income tax provision	-410		-366		-1,545		-705
Net income	4,422		3,943		16,627		7,595
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment income	-96		0		-94		0
Income before income taxes	-96		0		-94		0
Income tax provision	36		0		35		0
Net income	-60		0		-59		0
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service costs and actuarial losses	-104	[1]	-73	[1]	-311	[1]	-224	[1]
Income before income taxes	-104		-73		-311		-224
Income tax provision	9		6		26		19
Net income	($95)		($67)		($285)		($205)
[1]	This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension benefit cost (see Note 13 for additional details).

Fair_Value_Measurement_Schedul

Fair Value Measurement (Schedule Of Assets And Liabilites Measured At Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Money Market Funds [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$717,980	$803,550
Money Market Funds [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Money Market Funds [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	717,980	803,550
Money Market Funds [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Commercial Paper [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	19,999
Commercial Paper [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0
Commercial Paper [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	19,999
Commercial Paper [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0
Commercial Paper [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	31,915
Commercial Paper [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Commercial Paper [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	31,915
Commercial Paper [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Other Government Obligations [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	600
Other Government Obligations [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0
Other Government Obligations [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	600
Other Government Obligations [Member] | Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0
Other Government Obligations [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	154,402
Other Government Obligations [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Other Government Obligations [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	154,402
Other Government Obligations [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	480
Mutual Funds [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	480
Mutual Funds [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	180,335
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	180,335
Corporate Bond Securities [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Municipal Bonds [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	17,212
Municipal Bonds [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Municipal Bonds [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	17,212
Municipal Bonds [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	5,000
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	5,000
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	3,000
Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	3,000
Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Marketable Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, asset	19,164	17,862
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, asset	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, asset	19,164	17,862
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, asset	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, asset	7,559	9,378
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, asset	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, asset	7,559	9,378
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Non Current Assets [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, asset	0	0
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	144,621
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration		2,668
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration		0
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration		0
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration		2,668
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	144,621	139,002
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	0	0
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	0	0
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	144,621	139,002
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liability	12,538	5,539
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liability	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liability	12,538	5,539
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liability	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Non Current Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liability	12,110	4,521
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Non Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liability	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Non Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liability	12,110	4,521
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Other Non Current Liabilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, liability	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurement_Schedul1

Fair Value Measurement (Schedule Of Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Cash Payment	$0
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Potential Cash Payment	876,000
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	144,621
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	-141,670
Milestone payment	3,000
Change in fair value	-5,951
Balance at end of period	($144,621)
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Cost of Debt	4.90%
Fair Value Inputs, Weighted Average Cost of Capital	13.00%
Acquisition Related Contingent Consideration [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Cost of Debt	5.40%
Fair Value Inputs, Weighted Average Cost of Capital	21.00%

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Incom

Income Taxes (Schedule of Income Tax Provision and Effective Tax Rate) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for income taxes	$40,503	$48,586	$116,405	$116,446
Effective tax rate	30.20%	34.50%	30.00%	40.10%

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense related to litigation settlement		$22,673		$22,673
Income tax provision	40,503	48,586	116,405	116,446
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income Tax Reconciliation, Tax Credits, Research			2,854
Enobia Pharma Corp. [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax provision				$21,812

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Narrati

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Amount of each dollar matching contributed up to first six percent of individual base salary and incentive cash bonus				$1
Percentage of contribution of individual's base salary and incentive cash bonus				6.00%
Defined contribution plan, contributions by employer		$1,362,000	$798,000	$4,626,000	$2,853,000
Voluntary deferrals, percent of employees' gross pay, maximum	80.00%
Deferred compensation, matching contribution, percent of match	6.00%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Schedul

Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Service cost	$1,376	$1,061	$4,087	$3,422
Interest cost	127	110	376	338
Expected return on plan assets	-157	-125	-471	-385
Employee contributions	-358	-283	-1,071	-868
Amortization	104	73	311	224
Total net periodic benefit cost	$1,092	$836	$3,232	$2,731

Leases_Details

Leases (Details) (Construction in Progress [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Construction in Progress [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Construction-in-process asset	$12,251
Facility lease obligation	$12,251

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
					License Agreement 1 [Member]	License Agreement 1 [Member]	License Agreement 2 [Member]
						target	target
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Expense for upfront payment					$3,000		$11,500
Number of targets						6	4
Potential payment, maximum						70,500	90,750
Remaining total commitments with Lonza	163,000		163,000
Change in contingent liability from intellectual property settlement, cost of sales impact	$9,181	($53,377)	$9,181	($53,377)