Transaction in Own Shares

December 14, 2012 - 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, 2012 it purchased 106,275 of its
ordinary shares of 5 pence each ("Ordinary Shares") on December 13, 2012
through 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 1952.00 pence per share and 1929.70 pence
per share respectively and for those Ordinary Shares acquired though the
purchase of ADRs was 3150.83 cents per share and 3116.67 cents per share
respectively.

The purchased shares will be held as treasury shares. Following the above
purchase, the Company holds 3,169,914 Ordinary Shares as treasury shares and
has 559,375,598 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


Press Release                                     
                                                  
www.shire.com