Shire Enters into Novel Research Collaboration with Italian-based Telethon's Institute of Genetics and Medicine for Rare Diseases

Nyon, Switzerland (ots/PRNewswire) -

Shire plc , today announced a long-term, broad based,
multi-indication research collaboration in rare diseases with
Fondazione Telethon, a major Italian biomedical charitable
foundation, for research carried out at the Telethon Institute of
Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM). This alliance will facilitate research
on 13 undisclosed rare disease indications and has the potential to
add multiple, novel therapeutic candidates into Shire's early stage
pipeline. The partnership underscores Shire's long-term commitment to
bring innovative therapies to patients with rare diseases worldwide.

The collaboration brings together Shire's established
capabilities in developing and distributing effective, life-altering
therapies for patients with rare diseases and TIGEM's world renowned
research expertise in gene therapy and other novel therapeutics.
Under the terms of the agreement, Shire will provide $22 million
(EUR17 million) funding over five years for several research projects
that collectively address a number of different lysosomal storage
disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The majority of the
research will be conducted in TIGEM's facility in Naples, Italy under
the direction of Andrea Ballabio. Successful projects that arise from
this research will be incorporated into Shire's development pipeline
and benefit from additional Shire investment and resources.

"As a leader in rare diseases, Shire's partnership with
Fondazione Telethon is another way for us to ensure that we expand
into new disease areas and enhance our collaborative relationships
with academic institutions," said Philip J. Vickers, Senior Vice
President, Research and Development, Shire HGT. "Shire's
developmental expertise combined with TIGEM's early stage research
capabilities will enable us to accelerate our discovery and
development efforts. This research collaboration is evidence of
Shire's commitment to patients with rare diseases and our intent to
work with the best institutions to achieve this."

"The collaboration with Shire proves yet again the value of
Telethon-funded research which is able to attract interest in the
pharmaceutical market, even in a critical phase like the current one.
We are particularly pleased because alliances like this one
represent, for a not for profit organization like ours, an actual
opportunity to fulfill the promise made to patients and donors who
have been supporting us; translating the excellent results of
scientific research into therapies that are accessible to people
suffering from genetic diseases still lacking a cure. Those are the
people for whom Telethon was born and still exists and keeps
working," said Francesca Pasinelli, General Manager of Fondazione
Telethon.

Notes to editors

Shire enables people with life-altering conditions to lead better
lives.

Through our deep understanding of patients' needs, we develop and
provide healthcare in the areas of:

- Behavioral Health and Gastro Intestinal conditions
- Rare Diseases
- Regenerative Medicine

as well as other symptomatic conditions treated by specialist
physicians.

We aspire to imagine and lead the future of healthcare, creating
value for patients, physicians, policymakers, payors and our
shareholders.

About Fondazione Telethon

Fondazione Telethon is a major Italian charity. Born in 1990 from
a promise to a community of patients, its ultimate goal is to cure
rare genetic diseases through investments in excellent biomedical
research.

Through a EUR350 million investment, 2400 projects have been
funded to date producing more than 9000 papers in internationally
recognized journals and significant advances towards the cure of
several genetic diseases with 26 therapeutic strategies currently
under development.

The Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM) was the
first intra-mural research institution to be founded by Telethon; it
is a world renowned centre for functional studies on genetic
diseases. TIGEM is located in Naples and directed by Andrea Ballabio.

"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 Pharmaceuticals, Human Genetic Therapies and Regenerative
Medicine products, as well as the ability to secure 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
Eric Rojas
erojas@shire.com
+1-781-482-0999
Sarah Elton-Farr
seltonfarr@shire.com
+44-1256-894157
Media
Jessica Mann (Corporate)
jmann@shire.com
+44-1256-894-280
Jessica Cotrone (Human Genetic Therapies)
jcotrone@shire.com
+1-781-482-9538
Fondazione Telethon
Anna Maria Zaccheddu
azaccheddu@telethon.it [jcotrone@shire.com ]
+39-(0)6-44015402

ots Originaltext: Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc
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