Clinical research group Icon has reported net income of $7.5m for its first quarter to the end of February, compared to a $5.2m loss in the same period a year earlier.
Earnings per share in the three months was 53 cents, compared to 39 cents per share last year.
Quarterly revenues were 19% higher at $98.5m, and the company said it had been awarded a record $171m of new business during the quarter, a rise of 61%.
Icon's operating margin was 11.2% in the quarter, up from 7.3% for the same period last year.
Chairman Dr John Climax said Icon had an 'outstanding' start to the year and that business flows continue to be strong.
He said that margins were helped by future improvement in the company's central lab, and in response EPS grew 64%.
