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ICON reports 40% increase in net revenue, 63% increase in operating income and 65% increase in EPS (NASDAQ:ICLR)

October 27, 2006

ICON reports 40% increase in net revenue, 63% increase in operating income and 65% increase in EPS (NASDAQ:ICLR)Highlights – Third Quarter Fiscal 2006

  • Third quarter net revenues increased 40% over the comparative quarter to August 31, 2005, to $120.7 million.

  • Adjusted income from operations increased by 63% to $13.6 million.

  • Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased by 65% for the third quarter to 38 cents.

  • $157 million of net new business awarded to ICON during the quarter, an increase of 29%.

  • ICON invites tenders for the sale & leaseback of its Dublin facility.

Dublin, Ireland, October 27, 2006 – ICON (NASDAQ: ICLR), a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2006. As a consequence of the change of financial year, the comparative quarter mentioned in this press release will be the quarter ended August 31, 2005. ICON recently completed its bonus issue of shares (effectively a share spilt), the number of weighted average shares in this press release reflects the share split in both the current and comparative figures.

Net revenues for the quarter were $120.7 million, representing a 40% increase over net revenues of $85.9 million for the comparative quarter last year.

Income from operations, on a US GAAP basis, was $12.6 million and net income was $10.1 million or 35 cents per share, on a diluted basis. Adjusting for $1.0 million in relation to the expensing of stock compensation in accordance with SFAS No.123®, income from operations was $13.6 million, compared to $8.4 million last year and net income was $11.1 million or a diluted 38 cents per share, compared with $6.4 million or 23 cents per share last year. Adjusted operating margin was 11.3%, compared with 9.7% for last year.

Year to date, net revenues were $326.6 million, a 28% increase over the comparative period last year. Income from operations was $34.0 million and net income was $26.9 million or 94 cents per share, on a diluted basis. Adjusting these figures to exclude $3.0 million in relation to the expensing of stock compensation in the current year and the one-time charge of $11.3 million, relating primarily to the impairment of goodwill in the prior year, income from operations for the period ended September 30, 2006 was $37.0 million, an increase of 70% from $21.8 million last year and operating margin was 11.3%, compared with 8.5% for last year. Adjusted net income was $29.9 million or a diluted 103 cents share, compared with $17.4 million, or 61 cents per share last year.

Days sales outstanding, comprising accounts receivable and unbilled revenue less payments on account, were 57 days at September 30, 2006, a decrease from 65 days at December 31, 2005.

For the quarter ending September 30, 2006, cash in-flows from operating activities were $2.6 million, $6.5 million was invested in acquisitions and capital expenditures were $8.4 million, of which $2.3 million related to the extension of our Dublin facility. Year-to-date, cash in-flows from operating activities were $33.0 million and capital expenditure was $19.3 million. As a result, the company's cash and short-term investments, net of debt, was $90.7 million at September 30, 2006, compared to $101.0 million at June 30, 2006 and $77.5 million at December 31, 2005.

“Q3 was another excellent quarter for ICON”, commented Chairman Dr. John Climax. “Our clinical business continues to grow very strongly and our central laboratory made further solid progress. New business wins in the quarter were very satisfactory and we have had a good start to the fourth quarter. Market conditions remain positive and we continue to be confident in the outlook for the year”

ICON has invited tenders for the sale and leaseback of the company's Dublin facility which is currently undergoing expansion. The estimated total cost of construction of the expansion will be in the region of $60 million, which will be funded from cashflow. Of this, $11 million has been spent to-date. The first phase of the expansion project will be completed and ready for occupancy in mid 2007. The remainder will be completed in mid 2008.

The company will hold its third quarter conference call today, October 27, 2006 at 09:00 EST [14:00 Ireland & UK]. This call and linked slide presentation can be accessed live from our website at
www.iconclinical.com. A recording will also be available on the website for 90 days following the call. In addition, a calendar of company events, including upcoming conference presentations, is available on our website, under “shareholders services”. This calendar will be updated regularly.

The statements made in this Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. In addition to the matters described in this Press Release, the ability to maintain large client contracts or enter into new contracts, maintain client relationships and the ability to manage the opening of new offices, the integration of new business mergers and acquisitions, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in SEC reports filed by ICON, including its Form 20-F, F-1, S-8 and F-3, may affect the actual results achieved by ICON. ICON disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

The financial information presented herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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 teams have successfully conducted over 1,900 development projects and over 2,300 consultancy engagements across all major therapeutic areas. ICON currently has over 4,000 employees, operating from 48 locations in 30 countries. Further information is available at
www.iconclinical.com

Source: ICON plc

Contact : Investor Relations 1-888-381-7923 or

Ciaran Murray CFO + 353 –1-291-2000

Both at ICON.

ICON plc

Consolidated Income Statements

(Unaudited)

Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2006 and August 31, 2005

(Dollars, in thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

August 31,

September 30,

August 31,

2006

2005

2006

2005

Gross Revenue

171,109

115,352

465,497

350,672

Subcontractor costs

50,395

29,431

138,852

95,927

Net Revenue

120,714

85,921

326,645

254,745

Costs and expenses

Direct costs

68,428

47,310

183,146

140,847

Selling, general and administrative

35,800

26,809

98,477

81,734

Depreciation and amortization

3,875

3,434

11,009

10,407

One-time charges

-

-

-

11,275

Total costs and expenses

108,103

77,553

292,632

244,263

Income from operations

12,611

8,368

34,013

10,482

Interest income (net)

951

415

2,536

1051

Income before provision of income taxes

13,562

8,783

36,549

11,533

Provision for income taxes

3,423

2,459

9,496

4,679

Minority Interest

45

(59)

121

50

Net income

10,094

6,383

26,932

6,804

Net income per ordinary share

Basic

$0.36

$0.23

$0.95

$0.24

Diluted

$0.35

$0.23

$0.94

$0.24

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Basic

28,351,525

27,839,212

28,333,823

27,782,555

Diluted

29,085,080

28,300,424

28,709,932

28,218,814

ICON plc

Adjusted Consolidated Income Statements

(Unaudited)

Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2006 and August 31, 2005

(Dollars, in thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

August 31,

September 30,

August 31,

2006

2005

2006

2005

Gross Revenue

171,109

115,352

465,497

350,672

Subcontractor costs

50,395

29,431

138,852

95,927

Net Revenue

120,714

85,921

326,645

254,745

Costs and expenses

Direct costs

67,863

47,310

181,497

140,847

Selling, general and administrative

35,340

26,809

97,133

81,734

Depreciation and amortization

3,875

3,434

11,009

10,407

Total costs and expenses

107,078

77,553

289,639

232,988

Income from operations

  • 13,636

8,368

  • 37,006

    • 21,757

Interest income (net)

951

415

2,536

1051

Income before provision of income taxes

14,587

8,783

39,542

22,808

Provision for income taxes

3,423

2,459

9,496

5,404

Minority Interest

45

(59)

121

50

Net income

11,119

6,383

29,925

17,354

Net income per ordinary share

Basic

$0.39

$0.23

$1.06

$0.62

Diluted

$0.38

$0.23

$1.03

$0.61

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Basic

28,351,525

27,839,212

28,333,823

27,782,554

Diluted

29,514,059

28,300,424

29,161,310

28,218,814

  • Excluded from the quarter to September 30, 2006, is the non-cash stock compensation expense of $1.025 million ($2.993 million for the nine months to September 30, 2006) relating to stock options expensed in accordance with SFAS No. 123®. Also excluded from this quarter, is the adjustment of 428,979 shares (and 451,378 shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2006) on the diluted share number which is a consequence of the adoption of the standard.

    • The nine month period ended August 31, 2005, excludes a one-time charge of $11.3 million, relating to the recognition in the quarter to February 28, 2005, of an impairment of the goodwill associated with the Central Laboratory business, certain assets, lease termination costs and exit costs, net of the tax deduction thereon.

    ICON plc

    Summary Balance Sheet Data

    September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

    (Dollars, in thousands)

    September 30,

    December 31,

    2006

    2005

    (unaudited)

    (audited)

    Cash and short-term investments

    94,710

    82,318

    Short-term debt

    4,000

    4,856

    Net cash

    90,710

    77,462

    Accounts receivable

    101,124

    71,450

    Unbilled revenue

    76,826

    62,270

    Payments on account

    (71,156)

    (50,211)

    Total

    106,794

    83,509

    Working Capital

    153,532

    132,312

    Total assets

    431,137

    349,067

    Shareholder's equity

    284,326

    241,558

    Source:

    ICON plc

    Contact:

    Investor Relations 1-888-381-7923 or

    Ciaran Murray CFO + 353 1 291 2000

    both at ICON.




    www.iconclinical.com

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