Icon, a global provider of outsourced development services, has announced plans to further expand its U.K. hospital-based presence on the Manchester Royal Infirmary Campus.

Icon has secured a 40,000 square foot pre-let at Citylabs, a newly developed biomedical centre of excellence which was formerly the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

“We are pleased to be expanding our early phase development services through the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Translational Medicine in Citylabs,” said Dr. Mario Rocci, president of development solutions, Icon. “This expansion will enable Icon to increase the capacity of its clinical pharmacology unit in Manchester, as well as the scientific services that are essential in providing a world class offering.”

Icon currently operates a state-of-the-art, hospital-based clinical pharmacology unit on the Manchester Royal Infirmary Campus, where it will continue to run its phase I operations until fully transitioning into the new, larger Citylabs facility, currently targeted to open in Q4 2013. Along with Icon's Translational Medicine Research Centre, Citylabs will feature biohealth organizations, including the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Manchester and other commercial research organizations.

“This exciting development supports our progress to be the leading hospital for research and patient care in England and Citylabs will strengthen our capability to support the development of new medicines and diagnostics for our patients,” said Mike Deegan, chief executive of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. “We are pleased that Icon, who is one of the leaders in early phase trials, is expanding into Citylabs which will help our patients to get early access to leading edge new treatments.”