Icon, a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, has announced that Cynthia Dukes, vice president, global project management, vaccines, infectious disease, women’s health and primary care, has been voted one of the 50 Most Influential People in Vaccines following a global industry survey conducted by vaccine industry organization, VaccineNation. Cynthia was the only CRO representative included in the list.

In April, Icon was awarded the Best CRO in the Vaccine Industry Excellence Awards, which honored individuals, organizations and initiatives that have made significant contributions to innovation in the field of vaccines. Icon was selected by a panel of global biotechnology industry stakeholders as the best CRO according to the following criteria:

• Range of services provided in niche and core therapeutic areas
• Methods of performance improvement or introduction of new services
• Attention to and quality of relationships with clients
• Reaching of milestones and final/ongoing outcomes
• Building and maintaining existing and long-term partnerships.

Icon’s Vaccine Center of Excellence offers a unique blend of industry expereince with enabling technologies, including Firecrest, ICONIK and ADDPLAN, to help customers identify and overcome the challenges associated with vaccine development. The team is led by Cynthia Dukes who has over 29 years of clinical research experience in vaccines, oncology and infectious disease. To date in Icon, Cynthia has provided strategic and management oversight on numerous pivotal studies leading to the approval of seven vaccines and five oncology therapies.