Maroon 5 Lead Singer Adam Levine and Shire Announce "The Own It Project," Encouraging Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder to Tell Their Stories Through a National Contest

PHILADELPHIA, April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Adam Levine, lead singer of Maroon 5, and Shire today announced the launch of "The Own It Project." "The Own It Project" is designed to encourage young adults and adults who are taking responsibility for their Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – and owning it – to motivate others to do the same by entering their story for a chance to become the next "Own It" spokesperson.

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"The Own It Project" is part of an overall initiative called the "Own It" initiative, which was introduced in 2011. This overall initiative aims to motivate those who were diagnosed with ADHD when they were younger – and thought they outgrew it – to get reassessed by their doctor if their symptoms are still affecting them as young adults and adults. The overall initiative and "The Own It Project" are endorsed by the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) and made possible by Shire.

"The Own It Project" encourages adults with ADHD to tell us the story of when they realized they needed to own their ADHD. By submitting their story to www.OwnItProject.com, adults enter a national contest for a chance to win a prize package and be the next "Own It" campaign spokesperson.

"'The Own It Project' is important because it encourages adults, like me, who are owning their ADHD, to become advocates and tell their story," said Adam Levine. "I hope that this effort will help people realize the importance of owning their ADHD."

"The Own It Project" winner can choose between two prize packages, one focused on technology and the other focused on professional appearance. Both prize package options include sessions with an ADHD coach. The winner also will receive an autographed guitar as a personal gift from Adam Levine. In addition, they will get the chance to be the next campaign spokesperson and have their story featured in the national campaign. Submissions will be accepted until June 6, 2012. For official rules, visit www.OwnItProject.com.

The leaders of CHADD and ADDA have released the following joint statement in support of "The Own It Project": "It's so important for people with ADHD to hear from their peers and share experiences. 'The Own It Project' does just that – and we support the project as one that encourages the ADHD community to support itself."

"The Own It Project" is for people who are owning their ADHD. If you think you may have ADHD, please visit www.OwnYourADHD.com to take a quiz and talk with your doctor.

For more information on "The Own It Project," visit www.OwnItProject.com.

About ADDA

The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is the world's leading adult ADHD organization. Their mission is to provide information, resources and networking opportunities to help adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) lead better lives. Since its inception over 20 years ago, ADDA has grown to become the source for information and resources exclusively for and about the adult ADHD community.

About CHADD

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) has been making a difference for people affected by ADHD for 25 years. CHADD works to improve the lives of both children and adults with ADHD through public policy advocacy, parent and teacher training programs, Attention magazine and the CHADD website, and the National Resource Center on ADHD. As the leading national nonprofit organization serving people with AD/HD and their families, CHADD has over 200 local chapters throughout the United States that offer information and support for adults, parents, teachers, professionals, and others.

ABOUT ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurobehavioral disorder that manifests as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity and is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development.(1,2)

ADHD is one of the most common childhood psychiatric disorders.(3) Although many people tend to think of ADHD as a childhood problem, 60% to 85% of children with ADHD may continue to meet the criteria for the disorder during their teenage years. Nearly 50% of children with ADHD may continue to meet the criteria for the disorder into adulthood, based on parent-report.(3) The disorder is estimated to affect 4.4 percent of US adults aged 18 to 44 based on results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.(4) When this percentage is extrapolated to the full US population aged 18 and over, approximately 10 million adults are estimated to have ADHD.(5)

The specific etiology of ADHD is unknown, and there is no single diagnostic test for this disorder.(3) Adequate diagnosis requires the use of medical and special psychological, educational, and social resources, utilizing diagnostic criteria specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR®) or International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10).(1,2,3)

Although there is no cure for ADHD, there are accepted treatments that have been demonstrated to improve symptoms. Standard treatments include educational approaches, psychological therapies which may include behavioral modification, and/or medication.(3)

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, human genetic therapies, gastrointestinal diseases and regenerative medicine 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: www.shire.com.

"SAFE HARBOR" 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, Human Genetic Therapies and Regenerative Medicine products, as well as the ability to secure 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.

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References:

1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed., Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR®). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2000:85-93.

2. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth revision, (ICD-10). World Health Organization; 2007: Chapter 5, F90. http://www.who.int/classifications/apps/icd/icd10online/. Accessed February 25, 2011.

3. Pliszka S and the AACAP Work Group on Quality Issues. Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46(7):894-921.

4. Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, et al. The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: results from the national comorbidity survey replication. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163:716-723.

5. Annual Estimates of the Population by Selected Age Groups and Sex for the United States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009 (NC-EST2005-02). Population Division, US Census Bureau 2009;1-4. http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2009-sa.html. Accessed February 25, 2011

SOURCE Shire plc