New data show the efficacy of Equetro in patients with Bipolar I Disorder

Shire Pharmaceuticals Group announced today that EQUETROTM (carbamazepine extended-release capsules) are effective in
significantly reducing the manic symptoms in patients with Bipolar I Disorder previously taking valproate or lithium,
according to a pooled analysis of two phase 3 trials, one of two posters about carbamazepine extended-release capsules
presented today at a major medical meeting in Atlanta, Ga.


The FDA approved EQUETRO for the treatment of patients with acute manic and mixed episodes associated with Bipolar I
Disorder. Individual studies estimate lifetime prevalence for Bipolar I Disorder at more than 2 million American adults, or
between 0.6 to 3.3 percent for lifetime incidence.


"Carbamazepine extended-release capsules are an effective treatment option for patients with bipolar disorder," said Richard
H. Weisler, M.D., adjunct professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine,
adjunct assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center, and primary investigator
of two carbamazepine extended-release capsule trials. "The advent of carbamazepine extended-release capsules as a treatment
option is a significant milestone."


In a pooled analysis of placebo-controlled studies, patients taking EQUETRO who had been previously taking valproate or
lithium (both with or without improvement of their symptoms) showed significant reduction in manic symptoms based on a
standard measure of Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Specifically, patients previously taking valproate had a reduction in
their average YMRS scores by 10.8 on EQUETRO vs. 5.7 on placebo (p=0.04), and those previously treated with lithium had a
reduction in their average YMRS scores by 11.6 on EQUETRO vs. 4.0 on placebo (p=0.03). The analysis involved 115 patients
from the two randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trials. There is a need for further clinical trials that are
prospectively designed.


About Bipolar Disorder


Bipolar disorder is one of the six leading mental disorders worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Bipolar
disorder is characterized by episodes of feeling overly "high" and/or irritable, called mania, and of depression, with
periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The disorder
can have devastating effects on an individual's life, although proper diagnosis and early treatment can usually alter the
course of the illness.


Because of the severity of the illness, bipolar disorder is disruptive to patients, their families, friends and colleagues
and can damage relationships, cause poor job or school performance and may result in suicide. Although bipolar disorder is
not curable, patients are treatable and recovery is possible. Early diagnosis combined with drug therapy is key to optimal
treatment.















About EQUETRO


EQUETRO received approval from the Food and Drug Administration on Dec. 10, 2004 for the treatment of acute manic and mixed
episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder. The medication is available in 100 milligram (mg), 200 mg and 300 mg dosage
strengths.


Important Safety Information


Physicians should ensure a patient is not taking any other form of carbamazepine before prescribing carbamazepine
extended-release capsules. The most frequently reported adverse events for carbamazepine extended-release capsules were
dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, nausea and vomiting. Initiating therapy at the lowest possible effective dose can
minimize adverse events. Aplastic anemia and agranulocytosis have been reported in association with the use of carbamazepine.
Reports of transient or persistent decreased platelet or white blood cell count are not uncommon in association with the use
of carbamazepine. Although the vast majority of cases of leukopenia have not progressed to the more serious conditions of
aplastic anemia or agranulocytosis, complete pretreatment hematological testing should be obtained as a baseline. If a
patient, in the course of treatment, exhibits low or decreased white blood cell or platelet count, the patient should be
monitored closely. Patients should be monitored and discontinuation of the drug should be considered if any evidence of bone
marrow depression occurs. Carbamazepine should not be used in patients with a history of previous bone marrow depression,
hypersensitivity to the drug, or known sensitivity to any of the tricyclic compounds. Because the possibility of a suicide
attempt is inherent in bipolar disorder, close supervision of high-risk patients should accompany drug therapy.


Notes to editors


APA Poster # 309: Tuesday, May 24, 2005, 12:00 PM ET Georgia World Congress Center, Level 3, Rooms B302-B305 Efficacy of
Switching to Carbamazepine Extended-Release Capsules in Bipolar Disorder Richard H. Weisler, MD; Robert Hirschfeld, MD;
Thomas Gazda, MD; Terrence A. Ketter, MD; Paul E. Keck, Jr, MD; Alan Swann, MD; and Amir Kalali, MD.


Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc


Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (Shire) is a global specialty pharmaceutical company with a strategic focus on meeting the
needs of the specialist physician and currently focuses on developing projects and marketing products in the areas of central
nervous system (CNS), gastrointestinal (GI), and renal diseases. Shire has operations in the world's key pharmaceutical
markets (US, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Spain and Germany) as well as a specialist drug delivery unit in the US.


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


"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, Shire'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's ADHD franchise, patents, including but not limited
to, legal challenges relating to Shire's ADHD franchise, government regulation and approval, including but not limited to
Health Canada's suspension of ADDERALL XR® sales in Canada and the expected product approval dates of MTS (METHYPATCH)
(ADHD), SPD503 (ADHD), SPD465 (ADHD), SPD476 (ulcerative colitis), SPD480 (ulcerative colitis) and NRP104 (ADHD), including
its scheduling classification by the Drug Enforcement Agency in the United States, Shire's ability to consummate and benefit
from its proposed acquisition of TKT, Shire's ability to secure new products for commercialization and/or development and
other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Shire's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year to December 31, 2004.


Contact: Janice Miller

janice.millerporternovelli

212-601-8176 / 917-494-6315 on-site


Marion E. Glick

212-601-8273 / 917-301-4206 on-site

Porter Novelli

porternovelli


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