Shire Announces Continued Support for Annual Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's "Take Steps" Walk Program

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Shire plc (LSE: SHP, Nasdaq: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced its continued support for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's (CCFA) "Take Steps" Walk program.  In 2010, CCFA will host "Take Steps" Walks in more than 100 cities across the United States.  The local Walks are designed to raise much-needed awareness of and funds for the 1.4 million Americans living with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic and painful digestive diseases known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

"We are proud to provide our continued support for CCFA's 'Take Steps' Walk program," said Roger Adsett, senior vice president of Shire's GI business unit. "For the third consecutive year, these Walks will bring together people from across the country to pledge their commitment to the fight against inflammatory bowel disease. We hope to help CCFA drive increased funding for research and greater awareness of this often unpredictable digestive disease."

Inflammatory bowel disease is a medically incurable illness that attacks the digestive system. Ulcerative colitis, which is one type of inflammatory bowel disease, produces inflammation and sores along the inside of the large intestine (colon). Symptoms of ulcerative colitis may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, and weight loss. Inflammatory bowel disease can cause severe complications, and many patients require hospitalization and surgery.

After only two years, CCFA's "Take Steps" Walk program has already raised more than $13 million for research and patient service programs. In 2010, the Walks will kick off in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on April 17. For more information on the CCFA "Take Steps" Walks or to participate in a walk near your local city, visit http://www.cctakesteps.org.

"We appreciate Shire's continued and generous support of our 'Take Steps' Walk program," said Cassidy Richards, CCFA's national walk director. "Walking for inflammatory bowel disease is a great way for people to show their support for finding a cure for this debilitating digestive disease that affects so many Americans."

For further information please contact:

Media             Sarah McGee (GolinHarris)               +1 312 729 4125

                       Matthew Cabrey (Shire)                    +1 484 595 8248

Notes to editors

About the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's mission is to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, with more than 81 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. The foundation consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more information, contact the Foundation at 800-932-2423 or visit http://www.ccfa.org.

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.

THE "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 Pharmaceutical 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.

SOURCE Shire plc

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