Icon acquires US clinical trial designer for $143.5 million

Icon, the Dublin based provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, has agreed to acquire Aptiv Solutions for $143.5 million. The deal will enhance Icon’s capabilities in adaptive and medical device trials and in Japan.

Aptiv Solutions, which is owned by The Halifax Group, SV Life Sciences, Comvest Partners and Management, is headquartered in Reston Virginia, and operates in 16 countries. It designs and executes adaptive clinical trials for pharmaceutical and biotech customers, and its software product supports the design, simulation and analysis of adaptive trials and is used by FDA, EMA and Japan's PMDA, as well as over fifty top pharmaceutical and medical device companies and academic researchers.

Dr. Nuala Murphy, president of Icon Clinical Research Services, said that Aptiv Solutions' adaptive trial capabilities "will further differentiate and enhance our services to help our customers identify the most promising drug candidates earlier. Their presence in Japan will also broaden our existing capabilities in this market."

Pat Donnelly, chairman and chief executive of Aptiv Solutions, said that Icon isthe "perfect fit" for Aptiv.

“Icon’s excellence in execution, geographic reach, and shared focus on innovation will position the combined entity as the go-to service provider for design and execution of adaptive trials for drug, diagnostic and medical device companies in a fast growing market.”