Shire's HGT unveils ambitious growth plan, doubling sales contribution to 30% by 2015

At a recent investor day, Shire's Human Genetic Therapies unit presented long-term projections for its products, which were largely above analyst expectations.

The UK drugmaker said it intends to drive sales in "mid-teens" supported by an increase in the total revenue contribution from HGT to 30% by 2015 from last year's 15%, while doubling the business' EBITDA margins from 23% to 46%.

In 2007, Shire's specialty pharmaceutical business contributed 85% of total revenues. The UK's third-largest drugmaker earned $776.0 million in the second quarter of this year. Its main product was attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder drug Adderall XR (amphetamine salts), which earned $296.4 million during the period.