ATLANTA, July 22 Shire Limited
(LSE: SHP, Nasdaq: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company,
today announced that it has launched VYVANSE(TM) (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate)
for the treatment of adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD). This launch follows the recent FDA approval of VYVANSE to treat ADHD
in the adult population. VYVANSE is now available in U.S. pharmacies
nationwide in six once-daily dosage strengths. To raise awareness of ADHD in
adults and recognize the launch of VYVANSE for adults, Shire has partnered
with celebrity designer Ty Pennington to shine the spotlight on living as an
adult with ADHD. Pennington takes VYVANSE as part of his treatment plan to
manage his ADHD symptoms so he can focus and get work done.
Pennington returns today to his hometown of Atlanta, where he will visit
the Savannah College of Art and Design-Atlanta (SCAD-Atlanta) and announce the
Daily Successes with ADHD Scholarship for an adult with ADHD who is pursuing
an education or career in a creative field at SCAD-Atlanta. The $10,000
scholarship, sponsored by Shire, the maker of VYVANSE, will benefit an adult
with ADHD who is enrolled in, or applying to, a graduate program at the art
institution. The objective of the scholarship is to recognize achievements,
and to motivate a student to continue to focus and achieve daily successes.
"As an adult with ADHD, I know, firsthand, the importance of understanding
and treating ADHD. I believe if I'd been diagnosed and treated earlier, I
would have struggled less as a child," said Ty Pennington, host of ABC's
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition(TM). "Today, I have a very demanding schedule
with long production days and constant travel, and I take VYVANSE to help
control my ADHD symptoms so that I can focus and organize."
ADHD Can Affect Adults' Daily Lives
In adults with ADHD, symptoms can impact their professional life, social
life, relationships and personal finances. In a new survey conducted by Shire
of adults who experienced ADHD symptoms in a typical week, 88 percent of 328
adults surveyed reported that they have difficulty organizing tasks and
activities, while 89 percent of 381 of these adults had difficulty finishing
things, such as projects or work at home. These adults reported that this has
had a negative impact on their daily life and activities. Additionally, among
the 347 adults surveyed who are currently employed, 66 percent felt that they
would do a better job at work if they were more focused and organized.
"Although ADHD can affect children and adults, the core symptoms of the
disorder, inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, may present differently
in these two patient groups. For example, hyperactivity may present in adults
as inner restlessness and inattention may present as a lack of focus and
organization, poor time management, and an inability to finish tasks," said
David W. Goodman, M.D., director of the Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
Center of Maryland and assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral
sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. VYVANSE is one of
several treatment options that may provide effective treatment control for
adults with ADHD. In a clinical study, VYVANSE was shown to significantly
improve ADHD symptoms within the first week: inattention -- such as the
ability to focus and organize -- and hyperactivity and impulsivity -- such as
restlessness, and interrupting."
Shire received approval in April 2008 from the FDA for VYVANSE for the
treatment of ADHD in adults aged 18 to 55 years. VYVANSE was introduced in
July 2007 for the treatment of ADHD in children aged 6 to 12 years. VYVANSE
is available in six dosage strengths of 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg, 60 mg, and
70 mg. In its first year of availability, more than 2 million VYVANSE
prescriptions have been filled.
VYVANSE works with the body's natural metabolism to
Source :PR Newswire
