ICON plc, a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, has collaborated with Drug Information Association (DIA) to deliver the first solution-provider webinar, which offers free access to knowledge and innovative solutions to overcome some of the key challenges in medical product development.

ICON is the first to collaborate with DIA’s newly-created Solution Provider Webinar Programme. ICON experts, together with leading scientists and thought leaders from the biopharma industry, will present four 90-minute webinars throughout 2013. The webinars are free to DIA members and will feature topics including oncology, strategies for late phase development, biomarkers and technology as an enabler of clinical development services.

The first webinar, taking place on March 11, 2013, is entitled Oncology Clinical Trial Endpoints – Keys to Maximising Success in your Development Programs.

Dr Jamal Gasmi, vice president & Global Leader - Oncology & Haematology Drug Development, ICON Clinical Research, Dr Gregory V Goldmacher, director, Medical & Scientific Affairs, Head of Oncology Imaging, ICON Medical Imaging, Dr James J Conklin, senior vice president, Medical and Scientific Affairs, ICON Medical Imaging, Dr Samuel Blackman, executive director, Head of Translational Medicine, Seattle Genetics will be present at the webinar.

Commenting on the programme, Robert L Howie, Jr., chief marketing officer, ICON plc said, “We are delighted to work with an organisation as respected as DIA to share and disseminate the industry insights we have gained from more than 20 years of helping biopharma companies bring their drugs to market faster. The webinars will discuss some of the burning challenges faced by our customers today and how ICON is bringing new ways of thinking as well as innovative solutions to help them overcome these challenges.”

Susan Cantrell, director, North America at DIA said, “As the global forum for knowledge exchange, we are very excited to be launching our new Solution Provider Webinar programme. The programme, supported by companies like ICON, is intended to bring their solutions and experience to DIA members. Having expert presenters from both the solution-provider and industry perspectives ensures that these webinars will meet the high-quality standards that DIA members have come to expect.”

ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The company specialises in the strategic development, management and analysis of programmes that support clinical development - from compound selection to phase I-IV clinical studies.

DIA is a neutral, global, professional, member-driven association of nearly 18,000 professionals involved in the discovery, development, and life cycle management of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and related medical products.