Transaction in Own Shares

January 4, 2013- Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG) (the "Company"), announces that in accordance with the authority granted by shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting on April 24, 2012it purchased 60,221 of its ordinary shares of 5 penceeach ("Ordinary Shares") on January 3, 2013through both direct purchases of Ordinary Shares and through the purchase of Ordinary Shares underlying ADRs. The highest and lowest price paid for the directly acquired Ordinary Shares was 1917.00 penceper share and 1899.00 penceper share respectively and for those Ordinary Shares acquired though the purchase of ADRs was 3104.00 centsper share and 3086.50 centsper share respectively.

The purchased shares will be held as treasury shares. Following the above purchase, the Company holds 3,770,262 Ordinary Shares as treasury shares and has 558,776,073 Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding treasury shares).

The purchases were made by an independent third party which makes its trading decisions independently of, and uninfluenced by the Company. The independence of the third party enables the Company to continue to purchase Ordinary Shares (including Ordinary Shares underlying ADRs) during close periods and other prohibited periods, should they arise. The third party has been appointed by the Company to make purchases to December 31, 2013.

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   
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. 


Registered in Jersey, No. 99854, 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey JE4 8PX
                                                                              
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