ICON plc has acquired the Mapi Group, a Patient-Centered Health Outcomes Research and Commercialisation company. The acquisition expands ICON’s Commercialization and Outcomes Research business adding significant commercialization presence, analytics, real world evidence generation and strategic regulatory expertise.

The acquisition also provides direct access to Mapi Research Trust, a library of Clinical Outcomes Assessments (COAs), with exclusive distribution of over 300 families of validated questionnaires, including licensing of COA services used by commercial, academic and regulatory research organisations.

“The late phase CRO market continues to grow as our customers face greater scrutiny from regulators and reimbursement bodies around real-world evidence of product value and safety,” commented Dr. Steve Cutler, chief executive officer, ICON plc. “The acquisition of Mapi extends the breadth and depth of ICON’s late phase capabilities, creating an industry leading provider of post-approval research, spanning evidence generation, strategic regulatory services, scientific communications and commercial strategy. Our customers will also benefit from ICON’s access to the industry’s broadest set of COA tools and instruments as well as new and enhanced real world data sets. Mapi has been a pioneer of late phase and outcomes research since their foundation and we are delighted to welcome their team of experts to ICON.”

“By combining with ICON, our customers will have access to a broader global footprint, additional depth of experience, new scientific communication services and access to innovative solutions to capture real world data from patients,” commented James Karis, CEO of Mapi Group. “In addition, our customers will have access to a wide range of global clinical services, spanning all phases of development. Mapi and ICON are an ideal combination, having complimentary services and a shared mission to provide superior research solutions that helpimprove the lives of patients globally.”