ICON and Tigermed forge China alliance

Contract research organisation ICON is to team up with Tigermed Consulting, a clinical services company based in China.

The alliance is aimed at giving pharma and biotech clients better access to Chinese patients, using the global reach and experience of ICON organisation, complemented by Tigermed’s in depth knowledge of the Chinese drug development landscape and geographic coverage in China.

China is the world’s biggest and most important emerging market for pharmaceuticals, but restrictions on foreign ownership of companies make establishing a business there problematic.

Like many pharma companies, ICON is using an alliance with a Chinese company to help it increase its presence in the market.

Headquartered in Shanghai, Tigermed currently operates from 21 offices in China and has over 300 clinical development staff located there.

“ Tigermed has a substantial clinical operations presence on the Chinese mainland and this experience, gives them the ability to provide wide-ranging support for clinical drug development in China.” commented Dr. John Hubbard, Group President, Global Clinical Research Services at ICON. 

“ TigerMed’s strength in China, complements ICON’s strong regional presence in Asia Pacific and makes them the ideal partner for ICON as we continue to drive the rapid and effective development of our client’s global drug development portfolios.”

“We are extremely pleased to have signed this agreement with ICON” commented Xiaoping Ye, chairman and chief executive of Tigermed. “Not only are ICON  recognised as a truly global provider of quality clinical services, their culture and core values built around people, performance and client focus fit well with those of Tigermed. This alliance enhances our regional and global capabilities and will enable both ICON and Tigermed to expand the range of clinical research services we can offer to clients in China and around the globe.”