INC Research and Society for Clinical Research Sites Reach Milestone of More Than 100 Scholarships Awarded to Clinical Research Sites Worldwide

RALEIGH, N.C., March 31, 2015 – INC Research Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: INCR), a leading, global Phase I to IV contract research organization, together with the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS), the global trade organization fully dedicated to representing the interests of clinical research sites, today announced they have collectively awarded scholarships to more than 100 sites worldwide through the SCRS Site Scholarship Program. Funded by INC Research and developed by SCRS to retain and sustain sites participating in clinical research and build a critical mass of sites around the globe, the scholarship program brings new sites into sustainability through education and training. 

 SCRS member benefits include training, education and mentorship tools and opportunities that position sites for excellence in the conduct of clinical trials, work that INC Research is supporting through its Circle of Sustainability Sponsorship. In addition to gaining the ability to participate in discussions and decisions that impact clinical research sites and the industry at large, sites awarded membership through the SCRS Site Scholarship Program are provided a pathway to sustainability through training and tools in six essential areas: business foundation, opportunity tied to first learning about a study, pre-study, patient enrollment, follow up and close out.

 “As an advocate for sites, INC Research understands the importance of their contributions in delivering successful clinical research, and we are pleased to hit this first milestone with the Site Scholarship Program,” said Jamie Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer. “INC partners with organizations like SCRS to provide sites with best practices and advancements in technology through education and training. Through the Scholarship Program, we’re able to provide an avenue for sites to stay current on industry standards, while helping them become more efficient in their operations and empowering them to grow and sustain this part of their business. This scholarship effort is a great supplement to our INC Research Clinical Research Site Awards program, which recognizes sites for the great work they do and their importance in helping bring new medicines to patients.”

 Selection criteria for the scholarship awards include being in good standing with federal and state regulatory agencies and being in business for a minimum of three years. Scholarship Program sponsors are also able to request inclusion of sites that are representative of a variety of settings, including academic sites, particular therapeutic areas of expertise, certain regions of the world, emerging countries, emerging sites and/or minority populations.

 “Positioning sites for sustainability and excellence is SCRS’ primary goal. SCRS’ member benefits provide the training, education, mentorship and advocacy needed to support sites globally in their ongoing commitment to the conduct of clinical trials,” said Christine Pierre, President, SCRS. “We are pleased to have INC Research’s continued support and partnership on this important initiative and look forward to the continued growth of the SCRS Scholarship Program.”

 At the forefront of working more effectively with sites, INC Research is a Global Impact Partner and Circle of Sustainability Sponsor (the highest level of partnership) with SCRS. INC is the first and only CRO to sponsor SCRS scholarships to provide sites across the globe the benefit of training and mentorship through SCRS membership. The Company is the first and only CRO to utilize Site Advocacy Groups, a new forum providing valuable perspectives from sites earlier in the clinical trials process, leading to greater predictability in performance and improved site sustainability.

 For more information on the SCRS Site Scholarship Program and how to quality, visit MySCRS.org.