BASINGSTOKE, England and PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, November 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Shire plc announces that the High Court approved the Shire plc reduction of capital at a hearing earlier today. The reduction of capital will become effective on 29th November 2005 when the nominal value of a Shire plc ordinary share will be reduced from 350 pence to 5 pence.
Notes to editors
SHIRE PLC
Shire’s strategic goal is to become the leading specialty pharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician. Shire focuses its business on central nervous system (CNS), gastrointestinal (GI), general products (GP) and human genetic therapies (HGT) - all being areas in which Shire has a commercial presence. The structure is sufficiently flexible to allow Shire to target new therapeutic areas to the extent opportunities arise through acquisitions. Shire believes that a carefully selected portfolio of products with a strategically aligned and relatively small-scale sales force will deliver strong results. Shire’s focused strategy is to develop and market products for specialty physicians. This approach aims to deliver increased returns and lower risks. Shire’s in-licensing and merger and acquisition efforts are focused on products in niche markets with strong intellectual property protection either in the US or Europe.
For further information on Shire, please visit the Company’s website: www.shire.com.
“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
Statements included herein that are not historical facts are forwarding-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, Shire plc’s results could be materially affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to; risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of pharmaceutical research, product development, manufacturing and commercialization; the impact of competitive products, including, but not limited to, the impact of those on Shire plc’s Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (“ADHD”) franchise; patents, including but not limited to, legal challenges relating to Shire plc’s ADHD franchise; government regulation and approval, including but not limited to the expected product approval dates of DAYTRANA (MTS/METHYPATCH) (ADHD), SPD503 (ADHD), SPD465 (ADHD), MESAVANCE (SPD476) (ulcerative colitis), ELAPRASE (I2S) (iduronate-2-sulfase) (Hunter syndrome) and NRP104 (ADHD), including its scheduling classification by the Drug Enforcement Administration in the United States; Shire plc’s ability to benefit from the acquisition of Transkaryotic Therapies Inc.; Shire plc’s ability to secure new products for commercialization and/or development; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Shire plc’s and its predecessor registrant Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc’s filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc
CONTACT: For further information please contact: Investor Relations, CleaRosenfeld (Rest of the World), +44-1256-894-160, Brian Piper (NorthAmerica), +1-484-595-8252, Media, Jessica Mann (Rest of the World),+44-1256-894-280, Matthew Cabrey (North America), +1-484-595-8248
