Icon buys Firecrest Clinical to help expand services to pharma firms

THE outsourcing company, Icon has acquired technology firm Firecrest Clinical for an undisclosed sum.

Dublin-based Icon said the Firecrest acquisition will expand the range of development services it can offer to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. Firecrest’s technology boosts investigator site performance and study management.

Icon chief executive, Peter Gray, said: “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.

“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 programmes make the companies a good fit.”

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Limerick, Firecrest Clinical provides a site performance management system that has been used by nine of the world’s top-10 pharma companies.

The 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 are maintained.

Firecrest chief executive and co-founder, Gary Hughes, said: “Leveraging Icon’s global presence 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,” he added.