8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 3, 2010

Shire plc

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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Jersey, Channel Islands

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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

0-29630                                                  98-0601486

(Commission File Number)                (IRS Employer Identification No.)

5 Riverwalk, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin

24, Republic of Ireland

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(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code               +353 1 429 7700

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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.):

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.f13e-4(c))

Item 8.01.  Other Events

     Shire plc has issued the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.01 which is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.	Financial Statements and Exhibits
	(d)  Exhibits.  The following exhibit is filed herewith:
99.01	Press Release dated December 3, 2010

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant  has duly caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

SHIRE PLC
By:	/s/ A C Russell
	Name:	Angus Russell
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

Dated: December 3, 2010

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.01

Press Release
www.shire.com

INTUNIV™ - Shire Files Suit against Impax and Watson

Dublin, Ireland and Philadelphia, US – December 3, 2010 - Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that its subsidiary Shire LLC has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Impax Laboratories, Inc. (“Impax”) and Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Watson Laboratories, Inc.-Florida, Watson Pharma, Inc and ANDA, Inc. (collectively “Watson”) for the infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,854,290 (the ’290 patent), 6,287,599 (the ’599 patent), and 6,811,794 (the ’794 patent).

The lawsuit results from Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDAs) filed by Impax and Watson for generic versions of 4 mg guanfacine hydrochloride extended release tablets, INTUNIV™, which seek to market such generic products before the expiration of the ’290, ’599, and ’794 patents.  The regulatory exclusivity period for INTUNIV™ runs through September 2, 2012.

For further information please contact:

Investor Relations	Eric Rojas (erojas@shire.com)	+1 781 482 0999
Media	Jessica Mann (jmann@shire.com)	+44 1256 894 280
	Matthew Cabrey (mcabrey@shire.com)	+1 484 595 8248

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 st rong results.

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

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

"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.

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