The Board of Directors of Shire plc, the biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Basingstoke, this week announced that David Mott will join the Board as a Non Executive Director with immediate effect.

Mr Mott is Chief Executive Officer and President of MedImmune, Inc, a role he was appointed to in 2000. He joined MedImmune in 1992 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in finance, strategic planning, business development, medical and regulatory including the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. MedImmune was acquired by AstraZeneca (AZ) in June 2007, and Mr. Mott is also now serving as Executive Vice President of AZ and a member of AZ’s Senior Executive Team.

Prior to joining MedImmune, Mr Mott was a Vice President in the Health Care Investment Banking Group at Smith Barney, Harris Upham & Co., Inc.

Mr Mott is a member of the Board of Directors of Rib-X Pharmaceuticals and also serves on the Boards of Directors of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the Technology Council of Maryland and MdBio. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and government from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, USA.

Dr James Cavanaugh, Chairman of Shire commented:

David’s experience in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in biotechnology is a welcome addition to our Board. As we reinforce Shire’s status as a growing global biopharmaceutical company, we will benefit greatly from David’s insight and talents.

David Mott added:

Shire is one of the most interesting companies in the industry with an impressive recent track record of launches and an equally exciting pipeline. I’m very pleased to be joining the Shire team at this point in the Company’s development.