DUBLIN-LISTED FIRM Icon has acquired PriceSpective, a US pharmaceutical consultancy. PriceSpective, which is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in London, Los Angeles, San Diego, Raleigh and Boston, has developed solutions for dozens of products and product launches.

Icon chief executive Ciarán Murray said consumers were “increasingly demanding evidence not only of product efficacy, but also value for money, which has led to an upsurge in client demand for research that links efficacy, value and price”.

Icon has about 8,500 employees operating from 81 locations in 40 countries.

Mr Murray said the acquisition demonstrated the company’s commitment to “providing clients with integrated service offerings”.