INC Research Expands Relationship with Society for Clinical Research Sites as First Circle of Sustainability Sponsor

INC Research Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: INCR), a leading, global Phase I to IV contract research organization, today announced an expanded partnership with the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) to become the society’s first Circle of Sustainability Sponsor, further reinforcing the Company’s commitment to fostering strong site relationships globally. Through this enhanced relationship, INC Research will be the first organization to support SCRS’ new member Scholarship Program as well as the first CRO to establish a Site Advocacy Group (SAG). INC Research also will continue as a Global Impact Partner and Site Appreciation Reception sponsor for all SCRS’ Site Solutions Summit events globally across 2015.

“Sites are critical to the clinical development process and it is important that we continue to recognize their contributions and provide them with the support they need to be successful,” said Jamie Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer. “INC Research is excited to partner with SCRS on these key initiatives focused on strengthening support to sites globally and leveraging their insights to improve clinical development. Through our participation, INC is afforded additional avenues to actively listen to and engage with site communities across the globe, allowing us to gain valuable perspectives earlier in the clinical trials process that we believe will lead to greater predictability in site performance, improved site sustainability and ultimately faster delivery of new medications to patients.”

“As an industry, it’s imperative that we more fully understand and identify high-performing clinical research sites and develop new models to improve site sustainability,” stated Christine Pierre, President, SCRS. “Having INC Research’s continued support for endeavors like our SAG program, which was initiated to catalyze productive dialogue between sites and industry, and our new member Scholarship Program, which grants SCRS membership to 500 non-member sites, is invaluable as we continue to advance the role of sites in clinical research. This membership opportunity will provide educational, business and operational training programs that promote site sustainability and enhance clinical research effectiveness.”

As the first sponsor of SCRS’ scholarship program, INC Research will support the society’s efforts in retaining and sustaining sites currently participating in clinical research and building the critical mass of sites conducting clinical research around the globe, with a goal of expanding site membership in SCRS to approximately 5,000 sites in 2015. As the voice of sites to the clinical research community, SCRS provides valuable training, experience and mentoring needed to achieve excellence among sites and establish their ongoing commitment to the conduct of clinical trials, work that INC Research will support through the Circle of Sustainability Sponsorship.

Through the expanded relationship, INC Research will be the first CRO to establish a SAG, a new concept currently in use by leading pharmaceutical organizations such as TransCelerate BioPharma and Eli Lilly & Company to facilitate ongoing dialogue with clinical investigators and site professionals worldwide in an effort to improve and drive efficiencies across the clinical development process. Through this approach, INC and investigative sites globally will exchange perspectives and insights on innovative methods, tools and technologies in an effortto enhance clinical research efficiency and more closely align the work of the sites and industry across the research ecosystem.

As a Circle of Sustainability sponsor, INC Research will continue to participate on the SCRS’ Global Impact Board and Leadership Council, as well as serve as the sponsor of site appreciation receptions at the society’s annual Site Solutions Summit and regional meetings throughout the U.S. and Europe. INC Research has been actively engaged in supporting the efforts of the society, as well as site engagement overall, through a number of initiatives connecting sites, sponsors and CROs in an ongoing dialogue regarding how to work together more effectively to improve the clinical development process for the benefit of patients. The Company’s final Site Appreciation Reception for 2014 will take place Dec. 7 in conjunction with the 56th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

INC Research is focused on connecting customers, sites and patients to improve world health. Ranked the “Top CRO to Work with” in the 2013 CenterWatch Global Investigative Site Relationship Survey of more than 2,000 sites globally, the Company is committed to developing and nurturing deep site relationships that ensure rapid study start-up, smooth study conduct and consistently excellent results.
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