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): October 15, 2002


                         Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                England and Wales
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                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


              0-29630                                   98-0359573
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     (Commission File Number)               (IRS Employer Identification No.)

Hampshire International Business Park, Chineham, Basingstoke,
Hampshire RG24 8EP England
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(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code       44 1256 894 000
                                                    ----------------------------



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






Item 5. Other Events

     Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc has issued the press release attached as
Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (c) Exhibits. The following exhibit is filed herewith:

           99.1    Press Release dated October 15 2002








                                    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.

Dated:    October 18, 2002        SHIRE PHARMACEUTICALS GROUP PLC



                                  By:  /s/ Angus Charles Russell
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Angus Charles Russell
                                       Title:  Group Finance Director







                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Number   Description

99.1     Press Release dated October 18, 2002

EX-99.1

                                                        [COMPANY'S LOGO]

Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc

Hampshire International Business Park,
Chineham, Basingstoke RG24 8EP UK
Tel +44 1256 894000 Fax +44 1256 894708
http://www.shire.com


18/10/2002
7:00 am EST 12:00noon BST


               SHIRE ACQUIRES A NEW PROJECT FOR ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Basingstoke, UK - 15 October 2002 - Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (LSE: SHPL,
NASDAQ: SHPGY, TSX: SHQ) announces that it has in-licensed rights to another
mesalazine project; a single dose 2g and 4g 5-ASA rectal foam for the treatment
of ulcerative colitis. The agreement with Giuliani S.p.A. gives Shire the rights
to develop, manufacture and market this foam treatment worldwide (excluding
Italy, Vatican State and San Marino) with a patent for the United States.

The rectally administered foam is considered more acceptable and easier to use
than conventional liquid enema treatments for many patients. The acceptability
of this type of therapy for patients is a major factor in compliance with
treatment regimens and ultimate clinical success. The foam is already marketed
in Italy* however, Shire will focus its development of the project for the US
market. Shire's acquisition gives it a strong portfolio of GI products in the US
with Pentasa and SPD476, positioning the company well in the $500m ulcerative
colitis market sector.

Shire will conduct phase III clinical studies using the rectal foam with the
objective of submitting for a US NDA (new drug application) upon completion of
the clinical program. The project will be known as SPD480.

Dr Wilson Totten, Group R&D Director, of Shire, said: "This new project has the
potential to provide patients with an effective and convenient treatment for
this painful and serious condition.




With this acquisition, Shire strengthens further its position in the
gastroenterology specialist field, where the company currently markets two
products, PENTASA(TM) in the US and COLAZIDE** in Europe*** and now has two GI
projects in development."

                                     -ends-





For further information please contact:

Global (outside US and Canada)
Clea Rosenfeld - Investor Relations                      +44 1256 894 160
Jessica Mann - Media                                     +44 1256 894 280
US & Canada
Gordon Ngan - Investor Relations                         +1 450 978 7938
Michele Roy - Media                                      +1 450 978 7938


Notes to editors

*branded ASACOL in Italy

**COLAZIDE is a trademark of Salix Pharmaceuticals

***COLAZIDE is currently marketed in the UK by Shire and in Sweden and Denmark
   by distributors


Notes on ulcerative colitis and 5-ASA

Ulcerative colitis is a serious chronic inflammatory disease of the colon and
rectum, with an average worldwide incidence of 6-15 new cases/100,000/year and a
prevalence of 15 times that number. The major clinical features are diarrhoea,
muco-hematic secretions, abdominal pain, urgency and sense of incomplete
evacuation. The characteristic course is one of remissions and exacerbations
over a number of years. Morbidity can be long lasting and can be associated with
various extra-intestinal and late complications.

5-ASA (mesalazine or mesalamine) has been known to be effective in the treatment
of ulcerative colitis for several decades due to its anti-inflammatory
properties. However, the mechanism of action of 5-ASA is poorly understood. To
exert its therapeutic effect, 5-ASA must be delivered to the colon, either
directly via the rectal route or indirectly via the oral route, where it appears
to act locally on the inflamed colonic mucosa.


Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc

Shire is a rapidly growing international specialty pharmaceutical company with a
strategic focus on three therapeutic areas - central nervous system disorders,
oncology and anti-infectives. Shire's core strategy is based on research and
development combined with in-licensing and a focus on eight key pharmaceutical
markets.

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







THE "SAFE HARBOUR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT
OF 1995. The statements in this press release 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 that
such risks or uncertainties materialise, Shire's results could be materially
affected. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks
associated with the inherent uncertainty of pharmaceutical research, product
development and commercialisation, including but not limited to the impact of
same on Shire's ADHD franchise of which estimated forecast are speculative and
should be read accordingly, patents, government regulation and approval,
including but not limited to the expected product approval date of lanthanum
carbonate (FOSRENOL/FOZNOL), the impact of competitive products, patents,
government regulation and approval, and other risks and uncertainties detailed
from time to time in periodic reports produced by Shire, including the Annual
Report filed on Form 10K by Shire with the Securities and Exchange Commission.