Rockville, MD – (Nov 2, 2004) – Shire Laboratories, Inc. announced today that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent # 6,811,794 on the company's Sustained Release Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms with Minimized pH Dependent Dissolution Profiles.

   Sustained Release Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms with Minimized pH Dependent Dissolution Profiles : A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one pharmaceutically active agent that is pH dependent, at least one non-pH dependent sustained release agent, and at least one pH dependent agent that increases the dissolution rate of the at least one pharmaceutically active agent at a pH in excess of 5.5. Such compositions have minimized pH-dependent dissolution profiles or pH-independent dissolution profiles.

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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