Rockville, MD – (Oct 13, 2004) – Shire Laboratories, Inc. announced today that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent # 6,793,934 on the company's Solid Oral Dosage Form.

   Solid Oral Dosage Form : a pharmaceutical composition comprising a solid carrier containing a liquid selected from the group consisting of a liquid active agent, a liquid enhancer, or a combination thereof.

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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