Lexington Communications wins Celgene UK and Ireland brief

Lexington Communications has won a six-figure contract to become the first retained agency for the pharmaceutical company Celgene in the UK and Ireland.

PRWeek understands that Lexington has been tasked with handling the drugmaker's market access, corporate and brand public affairs account following a competitive pitching process.

It represents the first time Celgene has chosen a dedicated agency partner, having previously worked with PR firms on a project-by-project basis, such as its ad hoc relationship with Helen Johnson Consulting last year.

This also comes after Lexington recently established an international healthcare practice under Joanne Bullen, who joined the agency from APCO Worldwide in February 2013 as its new global healthcare director.

According to Lexington's co-founder Ian Kennedy, the agency now has a number of healthcare clients who are seeking to respond to challenges on an international basis.

The firm was originally established in 1998 and is now the UK's leading independent public affairs and communications agency.