Shire Completes Acquisition of Advanced BioHealing, Inc.

DUBLIN, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that following the satisfaction of the closing conditions, including the expiry of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, the acquisition of Advanced BioHealing, Inc. ("ABH"), as first announced on May 17, 2011, has been completed.

The Advanced BioHealing business becomes part of Shire's Specialty Pharmaceuticals business, led by Mike Cola, and will leverage biologic manufacturing expertise from Shire's Human Genetic Therapies business. Kevin Rakin, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced BioHealing, will continue to lead this business within the Shire organization.

Notes to editors

SHIRE PLC

Shire's strategic goal is to become the leading specialty biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician.  Shire focuses its business on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), human genetic therapies (HGT) and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas to the extent they arise through acquisitions.  Shire's in-licensing, merger and acquisition efforts are focused on products in specialist markets with strong intellectual property protection and global rights.  Shire believes that a carefully selected and balanced portfolio of products with strategically aligned and relatively small-scale sales forces will deliver strong results.

For further information on Shire, please visit the Company's website: http://www.shire.com.

"SAFEHARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements included herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time. In the event such risks or uncertainties materialize, the Company's results could be materially adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with: the inherent uncertainty of research, development, approval, reimbursement, manufacturing and commercialization of the Company's Specialty Pharmaceuticals and Human Genetic Therapies products, as well as the ability to secure and integrate new products for commercialization and/or development; government regulation of the Company's products; the Company's ability to manufacture its products in sufficient quantities to meet demand; the impact of competitive therapies on the Company's products; the Company's ability to register, maintain and enforce patents and other intellectual property rights relating to its products; the Company's ability to obtain and maintain government and other third-party reimbursement for its products; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For further information please contact:

    Investor
    Relations        Eric Rojas (erojas@shire.com)         +1-781-482-0999
                     Sarah Elton-Farr
                     (seltonfarr@shire.com)                +44(0)1256-894157

    Media            Jessica Mann (jmann@shire.com)        +44(0)1256-894-280
                     Matthew Cabrey (mcabrey@shire.com)    +1-484-595-8248