Shire Purchases Strategic Site in Massachusetts

Transaction Allows Company to Continue its Growth

LEXINGTON, Massachusetts, June 30, 2010 - Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty
biopharmaceutical company, today announced its purchase of the Lexington
Technology Park campus in Lexington, Massachusetts. The purchase signifies an
investment in the growth of its Human Genetic Therapies (HGT) business, which
focuses on the discovery, development, and manufacturing of treatments for
rare genetic diseases.

Shire had previously leased three buildings on the 96 acre campus, and
owns the parcel of land on the site where its new 200,000 square foot
manufacturing plant is located. The purchase agreement is for the remaining
land, including the three existing buildings comprising 280,000 square feet.
Through the acquisition, Shire gains ownership of an additional 570,000
square feet of expansion potential available under the current permit,
including 170,000 square feet already under construction. The purchase is
value enhancing compared to the current lease agreement and has no material
earnings impact. The $165 million cash purchase price will be settled during
Q2 2010.

"We are delighted to increase our presence in Massachusetts, which is one
of the world's foremost centers for the biomedical and biopharmaceutical
industry," said Sylvie Grégoire, President of Shire Human Genetic Therapies.
"Shire currently employs 1,000 people in the Commonwealth. This strategic
purchase will allow our company greater flexibility as we grow, and enable us
to remain focused on the research, development and manufacture of therapies
for those suffering from rare diseases."

Notes to editors

SHIRE PLC

Shire's strategic goal is to become the leading specialty
biopharmaceutical company that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist
physician. Shire focuses its business on attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), human genetic therapies (HGT) and gastrointestinal (GI)
diseases as well as opportunities in other therapeutic areas to the extent
they arise through acquisitions. Shire's in-licensing, merger and acquisition
efforts are focused on products in specialist markets with strong
intellectual property protection and global rights. Shire believes that a
carefully selected and balanced portfolio of products with strategically
aligned and relatively small-scale sales forces will deliver strong results.

For further information on Shire, please visit the Company's website:
www.shire.com.

"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, the Company's results could be
materially adversely affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, risks associated with: the inherent uncertainty of research,
development, approval, reimbursement, manufacturing and commercialization of
the Company's Specialty Pharmaceutical and Human Genetic Therapies products,
as well as the ability to secure and integrate new products for
commercialization and/or development; government regulation of the Company's
products; the Company's ability to manufacture its products in sufficient
quantities to meet demand; the impact of competitive therapies on the
Company's products; the Company's ability to register, maintain and enforce
patents and other intellectual property rights relating to its products; the
Company's ability to obtain and maintain government and other third-party
reimbursement for its products; and other risks and uncertainties detailed
from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

For further information please contact: Investor Relations: Cléa Rosenfeld (Rest of the World), +44-1256-894-160; Eric Rojas (North America), +1-781-482-0999; Media: Jessica Mann (Rest of the World), +44-1256-894-280; Jessica Cotrone (North America, HGT), +1-781-482-9538