Global CRO ICON, based in Ireland, is widening its access to key opinion leader expertise and clinical investigators, both in the U.S. and worldwide, through an alliance with Boston Clinical Research Institute (BCRI), according to PharmaTimes.

BCRI is an Academic Research Organization (ARO) based in Boston, Mass. The strategic alliance will leverage BCRI’s leadership in clinical strategy, study planning and academic relationships by combining it with ICON’s experience in executing global clinical trials, the company said.

“We believe that the future of clinical research is collaboration between the ARO and the CRO,” said Dr. Michael Gibson, BCRI founder and senior consultant. “ICON clearly recognizes the incremental benefits of collaboration with the thought leaders in the medical community to optimize study planning, execution and credibility.”

ICON said BCRI provides scientific consultancy in study design, using expert practicing clinicians and key opinion leaders from premier medical institutions, as well as academic leadership for steering committees, advisory panel participation, endpoint committees, core laboratory services and data safety and monitoring boards.

The Institute also maintains a network of global investigators in all medical specialties and sub-specialties. ICON CEO Peter Gray said these activities will give ICON and its clients access to “a breadth of expertise in the key opinion leader community and to investigators worldwide, including national and international leaders.”

Among the benefits ICON expects to reap from the new relationship are enhanced study planning, design, site selection and enrollment performance.