ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR) is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The company specializes in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. ICON teams have successfully conducted over 1,900 development projects and over 2,300 consultancy engagements across all major therapeutic areas. The firm has approximately 6,150 employees, operating from 69 locations in 36 countries.

ICON pleased investors last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 56 cents and revenues of $201.3 million. Analysts had been expecting 53 cents and $182.1 million. The chairman noted that there had been $369 million in net new business wins in the quarter, representing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.8. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.35-$2.45 ($2.37 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $840-$860 million ($788.29M consensus). Jefferies and Lehman Brothers subsequently reiterated "buy" ratings on the shares.

Successful drug development consultants are those with the operational flexibility to provide services on a stand-alone basis, or as part of an integrated solution. Global experience helps, too. There is an outfit in Dublin, Ireland that touches all the bases. It employees 5,600 and operates from 67 locations in 35 countries.

ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR) is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The company specializes in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. ICON teams have conducted over 1,900 development projects and over 2,300 consultancy engagements across all major therapeutic areas.

ICON pleased investors last month, when it reaffirmed its profit outlook for 2007 and set forth its 2008 financial targets. Management guided FY07 EPS to $1.82-$1.85 ($1.85 consensus), FY07 revenues to $615-$625 million ($619M consensus), FY08 EPS to $2.27-$2.36 ($2.31 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $750-$770 million ($765M consensus).