DUBLIN and PHILADELPHIA, December 3, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that its subsidiary Shire LLC has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Impax Laboratories, Inc. ("Impax") and Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Watson Laboratories, Inc.-Florida, Watson Pharma, Inc and ANDA, Inc. (collectively "Watson") for the infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,854,290 (the '290 patent), 6,287,599 (the '599 patent), and 6,811,794 (the '794 patent).

The lawsuit results from Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) filed by Impax and Watson for generic versions of 4 mg guanfacine hydrochloride extended release tablets, INTUNIV(TM), which seek to market such generic products before the expiration of the '290, '599, and '794 patents. The regulatory exclusivity period for INTUNIV(TM) runs through September 2, 2012.

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.

"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.

    For further information please contact:

    Investor Relations   Eric Rojas (erojas@shire.com)       +1-781-482-0999

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

SOURCE Shire plc