DUBLIN, Ireland, Apr 28, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- ICON plc (Nasdaq:ICLR) (ISIN:IE0005711209), a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, today announced that it has acquired a 33,000-square-foot Phase I facility with a capacity of up to 100 beds in Omaha, Nebraska, having acquired the assets of the former Qualia Clinical Services, Inc.
ICON has also announced the appointment of Dr. Gary Curtis as Senior VP, Global Clinical Pharmacology. Dr Curtis will integrate the Omaha facility with ICON's existing Phase I units and will be supported by key clinical operational staff from Qualia who have been rehired by ICON.
"This latest acquisition supports our strategy of expanding our Phase I capabilities in the US and brings our total bed capacity there to approximately 225 beds," commented Dr.Thomas Frey, President, ICON Development Solutions. "We have acquired an excellent facility and we have put in place an experienced team who will ensure the delivery of quality clinical pharmacology services to clients."
Dr. Curtis comes to ICON after spending nearly 20 years with MDS Pharma Services where he was responsible for operational execution, strategic growth, and integration of MDS' global early phase business units. Dr. Curtis' extensive expertise in early phase clinical operations on a global scale will complement ICON's existing scientific clinical pharmacology leadership.
About ICON plc
ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Company specializes 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 over 7,000 employees, operating from 71 locations in 38 countries. Further information is available at www.iconplc.com.
ICON/ICLR-G
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SOURCE: ICON plc
ICON plc
Ciaran Murray, CFO
+353-1-2912000
IR@iconplc.com
Niamh Murphy, Corporate Communications Manager
+353-1-2912180
Niamh.Murphy@iconplc.com
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