Specialty biopharmaceutical company Shire has joined the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) as a full member.

"Shire is a fast growing company with high ambitions and our U.K. business continues to evolve; we seek to play a role in the development and growth of our industry so joining the ABPI will be one way of contributing to this,” said Nicola Massey vice president and general manager of the U.K. International Speciality Business and Janis Clayton vice president and general manager of the U.K. Human Genetics Therapy Business, Shire. “We are looking forward to working with the ABPI and engaging with their wider membership on issues that are important to all of us but most importantly to fight for the needs of our patients."

Nicola Massey will join the ABPI board of management with immediate effect.

Stephen Whitehead, chief executive of the ABPI, said, "I’m delighted Shire has joined the ABPI. This is a critical time for industry and a very important time for our members. The ABPI provides a strong voice and strong leadership for our members and we are very happy to be supporting Shire as we go forward."

Shire is focused on chronic symptomatic diseases in areas of unmet needs where the impact of their medicines can make an immediate and tangible difference for patients.