Andover, UK – (18 December, 2000) – Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (LSE: SHP.L, NASDAQ: SHPGY) announces promising results from the reformulation of sampatrilat by Shire Laboratories Inc (SLI). Sampatrilat, a dual inhibitor of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and angiotension converting enzyme (ACE), was originally licensed by Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation from Pfizer in 1997 after completion of Phase II trials for hypertension and congestive heart failure (CHF). Using Shire's advanced drug delivery technologies, including a rapid throughput formulation screening technology, OptiScreen™, SLI has achieved a four-fold increase in the oral bioavailability of the product, compared with the original formulation, in animal models. These studies have demonstrated an increase in oral bioavailability to 20 % from around 5%, consistent with the improvement seen in vitro. In order to confirm these results, a clinical trial will be initiated next year with results expected during the second quarter of 2001.

   Sampatrilat has the potential to be a significant product in the hypertension/heart failure market. For the 12 months ended June 2000, the global market for these conditions totalled $291 million ¹, excluding Hospital data. To date, Shire has achieved substantial growth by focusing on specialty products, where a limited but highly motivated and effective sales force can promote products to key prescribers and capture significant market share. Consistent with this strategy, Shire is holding discussions with third parties interested in in-licensing the product in all markets outside Japan.

   Dr Wilson Totten, Group R&D Director of Shire, said: "We are pleased with the progress made on this exciting molecule since the merger of Shire and Roberts. We will be conducting human studies next year with the improved oral formulations, and we hope to duplicate the success we have seen in animals."

   Jack A. Khattar, President and CEO, SLI, commented: "These data demonstrate the potential of our OptiScreen™ technologies in the area of bioavailability enhancement. We are able to use this and our other proprietary delivery technologies for the benefit of Shire and other companies wishing to maximise the potential of their molecules."

   Notes to editors
   Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc
   Shire is an international specialty pharmaceutical company with a strategic focus on four therapeutic areas: central nervous system disorders, metabolic diseases, oncology and gastroenterology. The group has a sales and marketing infrastructure with a broad portfolio of products targeting with its own sales force the US, Canada, UK, Republic of Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, including plans to expand in Spain and to add Japan by 2004. Shire intends to cover other significant pharmaceutical markets indirectly through distributors. We have already appointed distributors in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Israel, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, and Thailand.

   Shire's global search and development expertise has to date successfully provided eight marketed products, of which Reminyl for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is the latest to be launched in its first market, the UK. The current pipeline of 15 projects includes Reminyl in registration in the US and various other markets, SLI 381 submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 3 October 2000 and 8 others that are post Phase II. Shire is actively seeking to acquire further marketed products and development projects to enhance the potential for future growth. Shire's M&A activity has resulted in five completed mergers and acquisitions during the last six years.

   Shire's focus and outsourcing policies have resulted in sales per employee of $400,0001, one of the highest ratios in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

   1 based on 1999 figures

   For further information on Shire please visit; www.shire.com

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   THE "SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks associated with the inherent uncertainty of pharmaceutical research, product development and commercialization, the impact of competitive products, patents, and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in periodic reports, including the F-4 Prospectus and the Annual Report filed on Form 20-F with the Securities and Exchange Commission.