Rockville, MD - (January 12, 2006) - Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a newly formed specialty pharmaceuticals company, announces the acquisition of substantially all the assets comprising the product formulation and development business of Shire Laboratories Inc. ("SLI"), a subsidiary of Shire plc. Founded by former SLI President and CEO Jack A. Khattar, Supernus has been funded by New Enterprise Associates ("NEA") and OrbiMed Advisors.

   "We are looking forward to building a premier specialty pharmaceuticals company," said Jack A. Khattar, President & CEO of Supernus. "I am grateful for the support and commitment of a strong management team and great employees at SLI. They made this acquisition possible and have been key to the successes achieved at SLI. We are also pleased to be partnering with two of the most prominent venture capital firms in life sciences."

   Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceuticals company focused on developing products for its own portfolio and in partnership with other pharmaceutical companies, using its proven and patented technologies and product development capabilities. Among its key technologies are ProScreen® and OptiScreen® for lead selection and formulation optimization, Microtrol®, Solutrol® and EnSoTrol®, its oral controlled release technologies, and Avert^SM its reduced abuse potential technology.

   "Our decision to acquire SLI's product formulation and development business was based on SLI's success and proven track record in developing advanced products such as Adderall XR®, Carbatrol®, Equetro® and Oracea™ utilizing its unique technology platforms and capabilities," added Mr. Khattar. We will be applying those same technology platforms and capabilities to build our own pipeline of specialty products and to continue to support our partners."

   "This investment opportunity in what is a proven drug delivery company and management team is very exciting," said Jim Barrett, General Partner of NEA and Chairman of Supernus. "We look forward to working with Jack and his team to build a leading new pharmaceutical company."

   "We are delighted to partner with the management team and NEA and be part of developing Supernus into a successful specialty pharmaceuticals company," commented Mike Sheffery, General Partner of OrbiMed Advisors LLC and Board Member of Supernus.

   New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a leading venture capital firm focused on helping entrepreneurs create and build major new enterprises that use technology to improve the way we live, work and play. Since its founding in 1978, the firm has followed the same basic principles: support their entrepreneurs, provide an excellent return to their limited partners and practice their profession with high standards and respect. Practicing classic venture capital for over 25 years, NEA focuses on early stage investments, playing an active role in assisting management to build companies of lasting value. With $6 billion under management, NEA's experienced management team has invested in over 500 companies, of which more than 150 have gone public and more than 200 have been acquired. NEA has offices in Reston, Virginia, Menlo Park, California and Baltimore, Maryland. For additional information, visit www.nea.com.

   OrbiMed invests across the entire spectrum of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on a worldwide basis. Investments are made in private equity funds, hedge funds, and other investment vehicles. OrbiMed's investment team has been active in private equity since 1993 and public equity since 1989. OrbiMed currently manages over $5 billion in assets, ranking the firm as one of the largest investment management firms focused exclusively on life sciences investing. OrbiMed maintains offices in New York City.

   About Supernus
   Headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceuticals company that has a portfolio of proven and patented drug delivery technologies with full product development capabilities including production of GMP clinical supplies in its own facility. Supernus will focus on developing differentiated products for targeted specialty therapeutic areas on its own and in partnership with other pharmaceutical companies. For more information, visit www.supernus.com.

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Adderall XR®, Carbatrol® and Equetro® are trademarks of Shire plc.
Oracea™ is a trademark of CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.