31st Jan 2006 13:00
31 January 2006Shire plc (the "Company")The Company announces that it was notified on 31 January 2006 under Sections198 to 202 of the Companies Act that, on 30 January 2006, Franklin Resources,Inc. and its affiliates had holdings managed on behalf of investment clients of49,382,033 ordinary shares of ‚£0.05p each in the capital of the Company. Theseholdings represent 9.941 per cent of the issued ordinary share capital of theCompany.T MayCompany SecretaryFor further information please contact:Investor Relations Clƒ©a Rosenfeld (Rest of the World) +44 1256 894 160 Brian Piper (North America) +1 484 595 8252 Notes to editorsSHIRE PLCShire's strategic goal is to become the leading specialty pharmaceuticalcompany that focuses on meeting the needs of the specialist physician. Shirefocuses its business on central nervous system (CNS), gastrointestinal (GI),general products (GP) and human genetic therapies (HGT) - all being areas inwhich Shire has a commercial presence. The structure is sufficiently flexibleto allow Shire to target new therapeutic areas to the extent opportunitiesarise through acquisitions. Shire believes that a carefully selected portfolioof products with a strategically aligned and relatively small-scale sales forcewill deliver strong results. Shire's focused strategy is to develop and marketproducts for specialty physicians. This approach aims to deliver increasedreturns and lower risks. Shire's in-licensing and merger and acquisitionefforts are focused on products in niche markets with strong intellectualproperty protection either in the US or Europe.For further information on Shire, please visit the Company's website: www.shire.com.Hampshire International Business Park Chineham Basingstoke Hampshire RG24 8EP United Kingdom Tel +44 (0)1256 894000 Fax +44 (0)1256 894708 www.shire.com Press Release Registered in England 2883758 Registered Office as aboveENDSHIRE PLCRelated Shares:
Shire