Icon extends medical imaging capabilities through vRad partnership

18-Oct-2011 - Last updated on 19-Oct-2011 at 11:12 GMT

Icon has extended its medical imaging division through a new partnership agreement with Virtual Radiologic (vRad).

Under the deal, Icon’s US-based group – which provides medical imaging-based product development services to biotechs and medical device companies – will gain access to over 400 radiologists working in 2,700 facilities.

And technology-enabled national radiology practice vRad says the new deal will give it the opportunity to make a bigger impact in trial market.

"As the healthcare delivery system continues to evolve, we see growing demands for our technology-enabled practice,” said Rob Kill, vRad CEO.

"The partnership with ICON is a significant milestone for vRad, and another example of how we extend our mission--transforming radiology, and delivering efficient access to subspecialists, while meaningfully engaging our physician community."

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Icon launched its first clinical trial with vRad in September. More trials are expected to open up shop within the next few months.

A spokesperson for the new venture said with its extended capabilities, Icon will be able to help bring drugs to the market more quickly, and more cost effectively.

“The use of imaging in clinical trials has been recognized by the pharmaceutical industry to assist in measuring early results, thereby helping to shorten the timeline for bringing effective drugs to market, and saving costs and lives in the process,” said the spokesperson.