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





Stock Exchange Announcement
4 December 2002



Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (the "Company")

Application has been made to the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock
Exchange for a listing of 300 ordinary shares of 5p each in the Company to be
admitted to the Official List.

These shares, ranking pari passu in all respects with the existing shares in
issue, have been issued pursuant to the exchange of certain Exchangeable Shares
in Shire Acquisition Inc., in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement
with BioChem Pharma Inc.



For further information please contact:

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


Notes to editors

Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc

Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (Shire) is a rapidly growing international
specialty pharmaceutical company with a strategic focus on four therapeutic
areas - central nervous system disorders (CNS), gastro intestinal (GI), oncology
and anti-infectives. Shire also has two platform technologies: advanced drug
delivery and biologics. 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