DUBLIN and LEXINGTON, Massachusetts, March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Shire plc , the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of August 25, 2011 for the review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for FIRAZYR(R) (icatibant) for the treatment of acute attacks (Types I and II) of hereditary angioedema (HAE). This 6 month review timeline is consistent with review as a Class II resubmission.

Shire's complete response to the not approvable letter issued by the FDA includes additional data requested by the agency regarding FIRAZYR's efficacy and safety in treating HAE attacks. Shire conducted an additional Phase III clinical study (FAST-3), and in December 2010 reported positive efficacy and safety results. The Company's complete response is based on recent results from the FAST-3 study and the ongoing self-administration study, as well as the previously published FAST-1 and FAST-2 studies.