Shire changes NASDAQ ticker

Shire has announced a change to the NASDAQ ticker symbol for its American depositary shares (ADS).

From the opening of trading today (July 11th), the symbol will be amended from 'SHPGY' to 'SHPG'.

In a statement, the biopharmaceutical company confirmed that each ADS will continue to represent three ordinary shares in Shire and the London Stock Exchange ticker symbol for the firm's ordinary shares will remain 'SHP'.

The announcement comes after Shire announced strong financial results for the first quarter of 2012, with revenues jumping by 21 percent to $1.17 billion (722.57 million pounds).

It reported earnings per ADS (American Depositary Share) of $1.48 in the three months to the end of March 2012.

Chief executive Angus Russell said the firm's performance during the quarter was boosted by the strength of its ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) drugs Vyvanse and Intuniv, which both increased their market share.