Shire Launches BRAVE Awards to Recognize Caregivers

“PHILADELPHIA, PA & LEXINGTON, MA – A new international awards program intended to recognize everyday people who serve as caregivers has been launched by Shire Pharmaceuticals, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company.  The Shire BRAVE Awards is the first and only awards initiative of its kind and is designed to recognize the courage and dedication of non-professional caregivers, honoring everyday heroes who provide regular, consistent care of another person.

“The BRAVE Awards honor some of the bravest people in the world — those who give their time, support and compassion to care for a relative, neighbor or friend,” said Angus Russell, Shire Chief Executive Officer. “At Shire, we believe that caregivers are often the unsung heroes and we hope the BRAVE Awards will draw attention to the important and sometimes undervalued role that family, friends and neighbors play in the life of others around the world.”

Nominations for the Shire BRAVE Awards are being accepted through the official website at www.ShireBRAVEawards.com between June 15 and August 31, 2011 and winners will be announced in November 2011.  The submission process is straightforward: consider a caregiver who you believe deserves recognition; visit the website to learn more; and complete the online nomination form, which requires nominators to share the story of a caregiver believed to be worthy of receiving a Shire BRAVE Award.

A caregiver is defined by the Shire BRAVE Awards as an individual who is providing regular, consistent care for another person.  The caregiver can be a relative, neighbor, or friend who gives their time, support, and compassion regularly, helping another person who is not able to care for themselves.  The caregiver cannot be a professional healthcare provider and cannot be compensated in any formal way through their employment as a caregiver.  Doctors, nurses, hospital staff and other healthcare workers are not eligible.  Nominees must be age 18 or older as of August 31, 2011.  In 2011, its first year, the Shire BRAVE Awards are open to eligible nominees in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

A Selection Committee consisting of Shire employees and non-Shire representatives will choose the finalists.  Shire’s 4,700 employees across the world will then be invited to select up to ten (10) winners from the pool of eligible finalists through an online voting system, and each winner will receive $10,000 USD or local currency equivalent.

The Shire BRAVE Awards are presented in the spirit of Shire’s BRAVE culture, which fosters an environment that encourages its employees and partners to act with integrity; create innovative solutions that make a difference; act on the needs of others; strive to be better everyday; and to exemplify trust and openness through teamwork.

There are no restrictions on the type of care being provided, and the care recipient need not be prescribed a Shire medicine or treatment.  Nominations will be treated in accordance with Shire’s privacy policy posted on www.ShireBRAVEawards.com

For further information please contact:

Matthew Cabrey (mcabrey@shire.com) — +1 484 595 8248

Robert Stanislaro (robert.stanislaro@fd.com) — +1 212 850 5657