Full Press Release Details
Acquires Firecrest Clinical
ICON to Enhance Investigator Site Performance & Quality
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 2011--ICON plc, (NASDAQ: ICLR;
ISIN:IE0005711209), a global provider of outsourced development
services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device
industries, today announced the acquisition of Firecrest Clinical, a
market-leading provider of technology solutions that boost investigator
site performance and study management.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Limerick, Ireland, Firecrest
Clinical provides a comprehensive site performance management system
that has been used by 9 of the world's top-10 pharma companies to
improve compliance, consistency and execution of activities at
investigative sites. The web-based solution enables accurate study
information, including protocol information, training manuals and case
report forms, to be rolled out quickly and simultaneously to sites. Site
behaviour can then be tracked to ensure training is understood,
procedures are being followed, timelines are met and study parameters
"Delivering consistent, real-time information to sites and a clear path
to follow in the conduct of trials not only boosts the quality of
trials, it also drives efficiencies and improves study timelines,"
commented Peter Gray, CEO at ICON plc. "We have worked with Firecrest on
a number of trials and have seen first hand how their technology
improves quality through enhanced protocol compliance and drives
efficiencies by reducing data queries and errors at sites. Our combined
commitment to quality and our shared vision for using innovative
technology to deliver more efficient and effective development programs
make the companies a good fit."
"We are delighted to be joining ICON at a time when technology is
driving transformation within the pharmaceutical and clinical trials
industry," commented Gary Hughes, Firecrest CEO and Co-Founder.
"Leveraging ICON's global presence and deep client relationships will
enable us to continue to grow and develop new and innovative technology
solutions. We also see real synergies between both companies in terms of
technology vision and look forward to combining the expertise from both
companies to drive innovation."
ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced
development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical
device industries. The Company specialises in the strategic development,
management and analysis of programs that support clinical development -
from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. ICON currently
has around 7,800 employees, operating from 77 locations in 39 countries.
Further information is available at www.iconplc.com
Firecrest definitively improves clinical site
performance through e-clinical technology solutions that provide
investigator training and study management tools. Reducing trial costs
and protocol deviation, Firecrest is proven to enhance compliance,
consistency, and the quality of execution for all study-related
procedures and activities. Firecrest works to increase patient
recruitment by 10-12 percent and produces much cleaner data with a 40-50
percent reduction in data queries.
Further information is available at www.firecrestclinical.com
DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The information contained in this release is
as of July 14, 2011. ICON assumes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements contained in this release. A description of
risks and uncertainties relating to ICON and its business can be found
in ICON's Annual Report and Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2010 and in its Reports of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K filed with the
US Securities and Exchange Commission.
VP Investor Relations