LONDON, UK - 8 October 2007 -- SkyePharma PLC (LSE: SKP) announces that the distribution and marketing rights for Solaraze® are being divested by Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY, TSX: SHQ) to Almirall together with a portfolio of other products which are principally sold by Shire in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ireland. Solaraze® (diclofenac), is a topical preparation for the treatment of actinic keratoses, which are common skin lesions on areas damaged extensively by sunlight. It is marketed in the US by Doak Dermatologics, a subsidiary of Bradley Pharmaceuticals Inc. and has recently been launched in Australia by CSL Biotherapies under an agreement with Shire. SkyePharma receives a low teens royalty on relevant net sales; this is not affected by the proposed transfer from Shire to Almirall.
