Shire, ICON sign strategic partnership agreement

ICON plc, (NASDAQ: ICLR; ISIN:IE0005711209), a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, today announced that is has signed a strategic partnership with Shire Specialty Pharmaceuticals to serve as the sole global provider of central laboratory services and one of two strategic partners for clinical development services.

As a partner for clinical development, ICON will provide Shire with a full range of services including site and country feasibility, ethics and regulatory submissions, clinical trial monitoring, project management, site and study team support, medical management and medical data review. Shire will also utilise ICON Central Laboratories' extensive test menu from its global network of laboratories.

"We are proud that Shire Specialty Pharmaceuticals has selected ICON as a global partner and it is yet another endorsement of ICON's expertise in operating under strategic partnership models," commented Ciaran Murray, CEO, ICON plc. "ICON's success is based on the right blend of development services and global testing facilities, all of which are underpinned by robust processes and innovative technology. We look forward to building on our successful relationship with Shire to help them realise efficiencies as they seek to bring new products to market."