Shire has posted a healthy set of fourth-quarter figures which show that operating income jumped 29% to $510 million, while revenues rose 12% to $1.33 billion.

Turnover was again driven by the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate), which climbed 29% to $329.9 million. Its off-patent predecessor Adderall XR (mixed amphetamine salts) were flat at $81.9 million, while another ADHD drug, Intuniv (guanfacine), had sales of $86.0 million (+6%).

As for Shire's rare diseases portfolio, Replagal (agalsidase alfa) for Fabry disease climbed 11% to $131.3 million, Vpriv (velaglucerase alfa) for Gaucher's disease rose 17% to $90.8 million, while the Hunter Syndrome therapy Elaprase (idursulfase) also climbed 10% to $153.0 million. Pentasa (mesalamine) was down 5% to $65.4 million and the firm’s newer ulcerative colitis drug Lialda/Mezavant soared 34% to $149.0 million.

Chief executive Flemming Ornskov said the company "has delivered excellent financial results in 2013 and now has the foundations in place for further future growth". He added that "we’re particularly excited to have closed the acquisition of ViroPharma and to be progressing well with the
integration of this business, which will drive further growth in our rare diseases business.

Mr Ornskov concluded by saying that Shire expects a similar level of earnings growth in 2014.