ICON shares up 4% on profit leap

SHARES in ICON rose by nearly 4% in early trading yesterday after the group said net profits rose by 46% in 2007.

ICON, which tests and researches drugs and equipment for pharmaceutical and medical device firms, saw profits rise to $55.9 million (€37.7m) from $38m in the previous year.

Revenues for the year rose by 38% to $630m and the company said it won $344m of new business in the final quarter of 2007.