Rockville, MD – (Jan 4, 2005) – Shire Laboratories, Inc. announced today that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent # 6,838,093 on the company's System for osmotic delivery of pharmaceutically active agents.

   System for Osmotic Delivery of Pharmaceutically Active Agents : An osmotic system for delivering a pharmaceutically active agent which comprises a core portion, a layer portion enclosing the core portion, and a semipermeable wall portion enclosing the core portion and the layer portion. The core portion includes the pharmaceutically active agent at a first concentration. The pharmaceutically active agent is present in the layer portion at a second concentration. The second concentration is greater than the first concentration. Such a system provides for the osmotic release of the pharmaceutically active agent in release profile other than a zero order release profile, and wherein the release profile is similar to or approaches or reaches a first order release profile.

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, 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 on Shire's Attention Deficit & Hyperactivity Disorder (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 the expected product approval dates of lanthanum carbonate (FOSRENOL®), methylphenidate (METHYPATCH®), anagrelide hydrochloride (XAGRID®), carbamazepine(BIPOTROL®) and mesalamine (PENTASA® 500mg), the implementation of the planned reorganization and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Shire's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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