ICON Central Laboratories partners with FMD to open new laboratory facility in China

ICON Central Laboratories - a division of ICON plc, (NASDAQ:ICLR) (ISIN:IE0005711209), a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries - today announced the opening of a new laboratory facility in Tianjin, China, in partnership with Fountain Medical Development Ltd (FMD). It is the third ICON laboratory in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Our alliance with Fountain Medical Development (FMD) and the launch of this new facility underlines our commitment to satisfying our clients' growing demand for quality central laboratory services in the Asia-Pacific region.”

ICON Central Laboratories China offers 3000 square feet of laboratory space and is located 70 miles from Beijing in Tianjin - one of China's most accessible and technologically advanced cities. It will deliver site support services to clinical investigators throughout China and offers overall benefits including shorter shipping distances between clinical sites and existing laboratory testing facilities which expedites study completion.

The facility will offer a comprehensive menu of testing services that includes: chemistry, haematology, coagulation, immunology and other testing services to meet study-specific requirements. The laboratory received CAP (College of American Pathologists) accreditation in May 2010 and is also NGSP Level I Certified.

Commenting on the announcement, Tom O'Leary, President - ICON Central Laboratories, said: "Our alliance with Fountain Medical Development (FMD) and the launch of this new facility underlines our commitment to satisfying our clients' growing demand for quality central laboratory services in the Asia-Pacific region."

Dan Zheng, CEO, FMD, added: "Partnering with ICON Central Laboratories gives the FMD team access to the resources, systems and infrastructure of a large international organisation involved in the management of both large global trials and localised studies. In return, our local knowledge and experience will be utilised by ICON as they work to provide clients with a faster and more cost efficient service."

ICON has been operational in the Asia-Pacific region for over 10 years, where it already employs over 800 staff, with existing laboratory facilities situated in Bangalore and Singapore.