Icon, which provides services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, has agreed to buy Chinese company BeijingWits Medical Consulting.
Icon says BeijingWits offers clinical development capabilities and has a strong track record in clinical trial execution in China.
Icon says the deal will boost its presence in the region, while also adding more than 100 highly qualified and experienced professionals in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Hong Kong to its workforce.
"The acquisition of BeijingWits is a further step in our on-going expansion in China and the greater Asia-Pacific region," said Icon CEO Ciaran Murray.
He said a growing number of its customers were looking to carry out research in China, and local companies were also placing more emphasis on research and development.
