Shire signs strategic partnership with Icon

Shire has signed a new strategic partnership with biopharmaceutical services provider Icon to support its drug development processes.

Icon has been selected as the company's sole provider of central laboratory services and one of two strategic partners for clinical development services, in a deal covering global operations.

The pharmaceutical company will utilise Icon Central Laboratories' test menu from its global network of labs, while taking advantage of support including site and country feasibility, ethics and regulatory submissions, clinical trial monitoring and project management.

Ciaran Murray, chief executive officer of Icon, said Shire will benefit from access to its "robust processes and innovative technology".

He added: "We look forward to building on our successful relationship with Shire to help them realise efficiencies as they seek to bring new products to market."

Last week, Shire announced that the UK's Medicines Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency will be conducting a review of its new ADHD drug Venvanse, in order to support its European market approval.