Dublin, Ireland-based global CRO Icon has agreed to acquire Firecrest Clinical, a provider of technology solutions that boost investigator site performance and study management.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Limerick, Ireland, Firecrest Clinical provides a site performance management system it said has been used by nine of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies to improve compliance, consistency and execution of activities at investigative sites.

The web-based solution enables accurate study information, including protocol information, training manuals and case report forms, to be rolled out quickly and simultaneously to sites. Site behavior can be tracked to ensure training is understood, procedures are being followed, timelines are met and study parameters are maintained.

“Delivering consistent, real-time information to sites and a clear path to follow in the conduct of trials not only boosts the quality of trials, it also drives efficiencies and improves study timelines,” said Peter Gray, CEO of Icon. “We have worked with Firecrest on a number of trials and have seen first hand how its technology improves quality through enhanced protocol compliance and drives efficiencies by reducing data queries and errors at sites."

“Our combined commitment to quality and our shared vision for using innovative technology to deliver more efficient and effective development programs make the companies a good fit,” Gray said. 

“We are delighted to be joining Icon at a time when technology is driving transformation within the pharmaceutical and clinical trials industry,” said Gary Hughes, Firecrest CEO and co-founder. “Leveraging Icon’s global presence and deep client relationships will enable us to continue to grow and develop new and innovative technology solutions. We also see real synergies between both companies in terms of technology vision and look forward to combining the expertise from both companies to drive innovation.”

Icon is a global provider of outsourced development services, specializing in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development from compound selection to phase I-IV studies. Icon currently has about 7,800 employees in 77 locations in 39 countries.

Firecrest improves clinical site performance through e-clinical technology solutions that provide investigator training and study management tools. Reducing trial costs and protocol deviation, Firecrest can enhance the compliance, consistency and quality of execution for study-related procedures and activities. Firecrest works to increase patient recruitment by 10-to-12% and produce cleaner data with a 40-to-50% reduction in data queries.