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ICON Public Company

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FY2010 Annual Report · ICON Public Company
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ICON plc and Subsidiaries

Annual Report 2010
Registered number 145835

24 hours in  
the life of ICON

No matter the hour of the day, there’s an ICON expert 
somewhere around the world working to deliver results.

9.15am

San Antonio, U.S.

10.14am

Tokyo, Japan.

3.28pm

Zurich, Switzerland.

Tianjin, China.4.45pm

ICON AR COVER.indd   5

14/4/11   12:54:00

ICON AR COVER.indd   6

14/4/11   12:54:00

Directors’ Report and Consolidated Financial Statements

Contents	

Directors and Other Information 

Directors’ Report 

Operating and Financial Review 

Board of Directors and Senior Management 

Compensation and Organisation Committee Report 

Corporate Governance Report 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Statement of Accounting Policies 

Consolidated Income Statement 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

Company Statement of Financial Position 

Company Statement of Changes in Equity 

Company Statement of Cash Flows 

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements 

Reconciliation between IFRS and US Accounting Principles 

Appendix A: Risk Factors 

Page

2

3

7

12

14

22

30

32

34

44

45

46

47

49

50

51

53

54

111

114

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



 
ICON plc and Subsidiaries 

Directors and Other Information

Directors 

Company	secretary 

Registered	office 

Auditors 

Solicitors 

Registrars 

Bankers 



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Dr. Bruce Given (American – Chairman of the Board) (2) (3) (4) 
Peter Gray (Irish – Chief Executive Officer) (4) 
Dr. John Climax (Irish – Non-Executive) 
Dr. Ronan Lambe (Irish – Non-Executive) (5) 
Thomas Lynch (British – Non-Executive) (1) (2) (3) 
Prof. Dermot Kelleher (Irish – Non-Executive) (1) (5) 
Dr. Anthony Murphy (British – Non-Executive) (2) (3) 
Declan McKeon (Irish – Non-Executive) (1) 
Cathrin Petty (British – Non-Executive) (1)

(1) Member of Audit Committee 
(2) Member of Compensation and Organisation Committee 
(3) Member of Nominating and Governance Committee 
(4) Member of Execution Committee 
(5) Member of Quality Committee

Ciaran Murray

South County Business Park 
Leopardstown 
Dublin 18

KPMG 
Chartered Accountants 
1 Stokes Place 
St. Stephens Green 
Dublin 2

A & L Goodbody 
25-28 North Wall Quay 
IFSC 
Dublin 1

Cahill Gordon Reindel & Co 
80 Pine Street 
New York, USA

Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Limited 
Herron House 
Corrig Road 
Sandyford Industrial Estate 
Dublin 18

Citibank 
Canada Square Canary Warf 
London E14 5LB 
United Kingdom

PNC Bank 
1035 Virginia Drive 
Fort Washington 
PA 19034, USA

 
 
 
Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report and audited Consolidated and Company financial statements of ICON p.l.c.  
(“the Company” or “ICON”), a public limited company incorporated in the Republic of Ireland, and its subsidiary 
undertakings (“the Subsidiaries”, with the Company and the Subsidiaries being together “the Group”) for the year  
ended 31 December 2010.

The Company’s primary listing for its shares is the NASDAQ market. The Company also has a secondary listing  
on the Irish Stock Exchange and, accordingly, is not subject to the same ongoing regulatory requirements as those 
which would apply to an Irish company with a primary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange, including the requirement  
that certain transactions require the approval of shareholders. For further information, shareholders should consult their 
own financial adviser. The Company is considered a foreign private issuer in the US, accordingly it is not subject to the 
same ongoing regulatory requirements as a US registered company with a primary listing on the NASDAQ market.

These Consolidated and Company financial statements (together “the financial statements”) for the year ended 31 
December 2010 are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU and meet the reporting requirements 
pursuant to Irish Company Law and the Irish Stock Exchange Listing Rules. In addition to the consolidated financial 
statements contained in this annual report, the Company also prepares separate consolidated financial statements  
on Form 20-F pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in 
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). The Form 20-F under  
U.S. GAAP is a separate document, a copy of which may be obtained from the Company’s website www.iconplc.com. 
IFRS differs in certain respects from U.S. GAAP, details of which are set out on pages 111 to 113	of this annual report.

Principal	activities,	business	review	and	future	developments

The Group is a contract research organisation (“CRO”), providing outsourced development services on a global  
basis to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Group specialises in the strategic 
development, management and analysis of programs that support Clinical Development – from compound selection  
to Phase I-IV clinical studies.

The Group believes that it is one of a select number of CROs with the capability and expertise to conduct clinical  
trials in most major therapeutic areas on a global basis. The Company believes that being such a global CRO is an 
integral part of both the Company delivering on its objectives and the Group’s business model. At 31 December 2010 
the Group had 7,735 employees, in 73 locations in 39 countries, providing Phase I-IV Clinical Trial Management, Drug 
Development Support Services, Data Management and Biostatistical, Central Laboratory, Imaging and Contract Staffing 
services. The Group has the operational flexibility to provide development services on a stand-alone basis or as part of 
an integrated “full service” solution.

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, the Group began operations in 1990 and has expanded its business through  
internal growth and strategic acquisitions. Its principal executive office is located at: South County Business Park, 
Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Republic of Ireland. The contact telephone number of this office is 353 (1) 291 2000. For  
the year ended 31 December 2010 approximately 42.3%, 46.9% and 10.8% of the Group’s net revenue was derived  
in the United States, Europe and Rest of World, respectively.

On 14 January 2011 the Group acquired Oxford Outcomes, a leading international health outcomes consultancy, 
headquartered in Oxford, UK, and with offices in the USA and Canada. Oxford Outcomes provides specialist services in 
the areas of patient reported outcomes (PRO), health economics, epidemiology and translation and linguistic validation.

On 17 May 2010 the Group acquired Timaq Medical Imaging, a European provider of advanced imaging services  
to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

In 2011, the Group looks forward to increasing its geographic presence through the addition of new offices and 
expanding the scale and range of its service offering. A review of performance during the year is included in the 
Operating and Financial Review section of this annual report.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Directors’ Report (continued)

Results	and	dividends

The results for the year are as shown on page 44 of these financial statements. The Directors do not propose the 
payment of a dividend for the year.

Risks	and	Uncertainties

Details of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group are set out in Appendix A of this annual report.

Financial	Risk	Management

The Group’s financial instruments comprise cash, finance lease obligations and negotiated bank facilities. The main 
purpose of these financial instruments is to fund the working capital requirements of the Group, the cost of new 
acquisitions and continued growth. The principal financial risks facing the Group includes inflation, currency rate risk, 
interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk, further details of which are set out in notes 25 and 31 to the financial 
statements. The Group may from time to time enter into derivative transactions to minimise its exposure to interest  
rate fluctuations and foreign currency exchange rates. The Group does not undertake any trading activity in financial 
instruments. The Group did not enter into any derivatives transactions during 2009 or 2010.

Post	balance	sheet	events

Details of post balance sheet events are set out in note 30 to the financial statements.

Amendment	of	the	Company’s	Articles	of	Association

The Company’s Articles of Association may be amended by a special resolution passed by the shareholders at an 
annual or extraordinary general meeting of the Company. A special resolution is passed at a meeting if not less than 
75% of the members who vote in person or by proxy at the meeting vote in favour of the resolution.

Directors	and	Secretary

On 13 October 2010, the Board appointed Ms Cathrin Petty a Director of the Company. In accordance with the Articles 
of Association of the Company, Ms Petty will offer herself for re-election as a Director of the Company at the Company’s 
Annual General Meeting on 18 July 2011.

On 19 April 2010, the Board appointed Mr. Declan McKeon a Director of the Company. In accordance with the Articles 
of Association of the Company, Mr. McKeon was re-elected a Director of the Company at the Company’s Annual 
General Meeting on 19 July 2010. On 19 April 2010, Mr. Edward Roberts resigned as a Director of the Company.

On 31 December 2009, Dr. John Climax resigned as Chairman of Board of the Company. On 1 January 2010,  
Dr. Bruce Given was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Company.

Details of Directors’ interests in the Group’s shares are set out in the Compensation and Organisation Committee 
Report. Save as shown in the Compensation and Organisation Committee report, no Director had any disclosable 
interest in shares of the Group during the year.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Directors’ Report (continued)

Directors’	remuneration

Details of Directors’ remuneration is set out in the Compensation and Organisation Committee Report.

Directors	power	to	purchase	and	allot	company	shares

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 the Company may purchase any of its shares.  
Every contract for the purchase of, or under which the Company may become entitled or obliged to purchase shares  
in the Company shall be authorised by a special resolution of the Company. The Company may cancel any shares  
so purchased or may hold them as treasury shares or re-issue them.

Rights	and	Obligations	attaching	to	the	Company’s	shares

The share capital of the Company is €6,000,000 divided into 100,000,000 ordinary shares of €0.06. Holders of ordinary 
shares will be entitled to receive such dividends as may be recommended by the board of directors of the Company 
and approved by the shareholders and/or such interim dividends as the board of directors of the Company may decide. 
On liquidation or a winding up of the Company, the par value of the ordinary shares will be repaid out of the assets 
available for distribution among the holders of the Company’s ordinary shares. Holders of ordinary shares have no 
conversion or redemption rights. On a show of hands, every holder of an ordinary share present in person or proxy  
at a general meeting of shareholders shall have one vote with no individual having more than one vote.

Change	of	control	provisions	in	significant	agreements

The Group has negotiated banking facilities with a number of financial institutions, details of which are set out in the 
operating and financial review section of this report. Certain of these facilities require repayment of the facility in the 
event that the Company becomes controlled by any person or persons acting in concert by whom it was not controlled 
at the date the facility was entered into. All amounts previously drawn under these facilities were repaid as at the date  
of this report.

Furthermore certain Group companies have entered capital grant agreements with the Irish government agency, 
Enterprise Ireland, whereby the Group covenants that the controlling interest in the Company will not change without 
Enterprise Ireland’s prior written consent, which will not be unreasonably withheld.

Additionally, the Company’s share option and restricted stock plans contain change in control provisions which allow 
potentially for the acceleration of the exercisability of outstanding options and awards of restricted stock in the event 
that a change in control occurs with respect to the Company. Other potential consequences for outstanding share 
options of a change in control following a takeover bid include the assumption of outstanding awards by the surviving 
company, if not ICON, or the substitution of options or restricted stock of its ordinary shares or that of its parent.

Corporate	Governance

Details of the Directors’ compliance with corporate governance is set out separately in the Corporate Governance 
Report.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Directors’ Report (continued)

Significant	shareholdings

In addition to the interests of directors disclosed in the Compensation and Organisation Committee Report,  
the Company has been notified of the following shareholdings in excess of 3% of the issued share capital of the 
Company at 31 December 2010:

Name

Fidelity Group Companies

Neuberger Berman LLC

Wellington Management Co. LLP

Eagle Asset Management Inc

All directors and officers as a group

Wasatch Advisors Inc

Kornitzer Capital Management Inc

Westfield Capital Management Company LP

Subsidiary	undertakings

%

Number of Shares

9.6%

8.5% 

7.4%

4.8%

4.2%

4.0%

3.9%

3.1%

5,772,913

5,139,680

4,432,301

2,914,432

2,526,160

2,417,341

2,350,725

1,838,550

The information required by the Companies Act, 1963 in relation to subsidiary undertakings is presented in note 32 to 
the financial statements.

Political	donations

The Group made no disclosable political donations in the period.

Going	concern

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operation for the 
foreseeable future. For this reason, the Group continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial 
statements.

Books	of	account

The Directors believe that they have complied with the requirements of Section 202 of the Companies Act, 1990 with 
regard to books of account by employing accounting personnel with appropriate expertise and by providing adequate 
resources to the financial function. The books of account of the Company are maintained at the registered office.

Auditors

In accordance with Section 160(2) of the Companies Act, 1963, the auditors, KPMG, Chartered Accountants,  
will continue in office.

On	behalf	of	the	Board

Dr. Bruce Given 
Director 

Peter Gray 
Director



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Operating and Financial Review

Overview

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements set  
out on pages 34 to 110	of this report.

The Group is a contract research organisation (“CRO”), providing outsourced development services on a global  
basis to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Group specialises in the strategic 
development, management and analysis of programs that support Clinical Development – from compound selection  
to Phase I-IV clinical studies. It has the operational flexibility to provide development services on a stand-alone basis  
or as part of an integrated “full service” solution. The Group can implement a range of resourcing models to suit client 
requirements, and increasingly our teams are flexibly applied to minimise costs for our clients.

In a highly fragmented industry, the Group is one of a small number of CROs with the capability and expertise to 
conduct clinical trials in all major therapeutic areas on a global basis. At 31 December 2010 the Group had 7,735 
employees, in 73 locations in 39 countries, providing Phase I-IV Clinical Trial Management, Drug Development  
Support Services, Data Management, Biostatistics, Central Laboratory, Imaging and Contract Staffing services.

Revenue consists primarily of fees earned under contracts with third-party clients. In most cases, a portion of the 
contract fee is paid at the time the study or trial is started, with the balance of the contract fee generally payable in 
instalments over the study or trial duration, based on the achievement of certain performance targets or “milestones”. 
Revenue from contracts is recognised on a proportional performance method based on the relationship between time 
incurred and the total estimated duration of the trial or on a fee-for-service basis according to the particular circumstances 
of the contract. As is customary in the CRO industry, the Group contracts with third party investigators in connection 
with clinical trials. All investigator fees and certain other costs, where reimbursed by clients, are, in accordance with 
industry practice, deducted from gross revenue to arrive at net revenue. As these costs vary from contract to contract, 
the Group views net revenue as its primary measure of revenue growth.

Backlog consists of potential net revenue yet to be earned from projects awarded by clients. At 31 December 2010  
the Group had a backlog of approximately $1.9 billion, compared with approximately $1.8 billion at 31 December 2009. 
The Group believes that its backlog as of any date is not necessarily a meaningful predictor of future results, due to the 
potential for cancellation or delay of the projects underlying the backlog, and no assurances can be given that it will be 
able to realise this backlog as net revenue.

As the nature of the business involves the management of projects having a typical duration of one to four years,  
the commencement or completion of projects in a fiscal year can have a material impact on revenues earned with  
the relevant clients in such years. In addition, as the Group typically works with some, but not all, divisions of a client, 
fluctuations in the number and status of available projects within such divisions can also have a material impact on 
revenues earned from such clients from year to year.

Although the Company is domiciled in Ireland, the Group reports its results in U.S. dollars. As a consequence the  
results of our non-U.S. based operations, when translated into U.S. dollars, could be materially affected by fluctuations  
in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies of those operations. In addition to translation exposures, 
the Group is also subject to transaction exposures because the currency in which contracts are priced can be different 
from the currencies in which costs relating to those contracts are incurred. The Group’s operations in the United States 
are not materially exposed to such currency differences as the majority of revenues and costs are in U.S. dollars. 
However, outside the United States the multinational nature of the Group’s activities means that contracts are usually 
priced in a single currency, most often U.S. dollars, Euros or pounds Sterling, while costs arise in a number of 
currencies, depending, among other things, on which of its offices provide staff for the contract, and the location  
of investigator sites. Although many such contracts benefit from some degree of natural hedging due to the matching  
of contract revenues and costs in the same currency, where costs are incurred in currencies other than those in which 
contracts are priced, fluctuations in the relative value of those currencies could have a material effect on the Group’s 
results of operations. The Group regularly reviews its currency exposures and usually negotiates currency fluctuation 
clauses in its contracts which allow for price negotiation if changes in the relative value of those currencies exceed 
predetermined tolerances.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Operating and Financial Review (continued)

As the Group conducts operations on a global basis, its effective tax rate has depended and will depend on the 
geographic distribution of its revenue and earnings among locations with varying tax rates. The Group’s results  
of operations therefore may be affected by changes in the tax rates of the various jurisdictions. In particular, as the 
geographic mix of the Group’s results of operations among various tax jurisdictions changes, its effective tax rate  
may vary significantly from period to period.

Operating	Results

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain financial data as a percentage of net revenue and  
the percentage change in these items compared to the prior period, being the key performance indicators used  
by management. The trends illustrated in the following table may not be indicative of future results.

Net revenue

Direct costs

Other operating expenses

One-time net charges

Operating profit

Year	ended	
	December	
00

Year	ended	
	December	
009

As	a	percentage	of	turnover

Percentage	
change	in	period

100%

60.1%

29.6%

-

10.2%

100%

57.3%

29.5%

1.0%

12.2%

1.4%

6.5%

1.8%

100%

(15.1%)

Year	ended		December	00	compared	to	Year	ended		December	009

Net revenue for the year increased by $12.4 million, or 1.4%, from $887.6 million for the year ended 31 December 2009 
to $900.0 million for the year ended 31 December 2010. Net revenue in the Group’s clinical research segment increased 
by 2.4% from $816.9 million for the year ended 31 December 2009 to $836.2 million for the year ended 31 December 
2010. In the Group’s central laboratory business net revenue decreased by 9.8% from $70.7 million for the year ended 
31 December 2009 to $63.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2010. This decrease was primarily attributable to a 
slower rate of conversion on central laboratory business awards, due to both a delay in study start-ups and an increase 
in the average duration of central laboratory studies. For the year ended 31 December 2010 approximately 42.3%, 
46.9% and 10.8% of the Group’s net revenue was derived in the United States, Europe and Rest of World, respectively.

Direct costs for the year increased by $32.9 million, or 6.5%, from $508.5 million for the year ended 31 December  
2009 to $541.4 million for the year ended 31 December 2010. Direct costs comprise compensation, associated fringe 
benefits and share based compensation expense for project related employees, together with other direct project driven 
costs. The increase in direct costs during the year was primarily attributable to an increase in compensation costs for 
project related employees of $31.8 million. Travel costs for project-related employees increased by $6.5 million while 
other direct project-related expenses decreased by $5.4 million. In the Group’s clinical research segment, direct costs 
increased by 6.0% or $27.9 million during the year. The Group has entered a number of strategic relationships with 
sponsors and expanded operations in certain territories, requiring significant upfront investment in personnel and a 
corresponding increase in direct costs. In the Group’s central laboratory business, direct costs increased by 12.0%  
or $5.0 million during the year, primarily attributable to increased investment in personnel and systems in this business. 
As a percentage of net revenue, direct costs have increased from 57.3% for the year ended 31 December 2009 to 
60.1% for the year ended 31 December 2010.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Other operating expenses for the year increased by $4.6 million, or 1.8%, from $262.2 million for the year ended  
31 December 2009 to $266.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2010. Other operating expenses comprise 
compensation, related fringe benefits and share based compensation expense for non-project related employees, 
professional service costs, recruitment expenditure, advertising costs and all costs related to facilities and information 
systems, including depreciation. Compensation, related fringe benefits and share-based compensation expense 
increased by $3.0 million during the year, travel costs increased by $2.1 million, recruitment expenditure, for both  
project and non-project related employees, increased by $2.6 million, while depreciation and amortisation expense 
increased by $1.1 million. These increases were offset by decreases in facilities related expenditure of $2.3 million  
and decreases in other general overheads of $2.0 million. In the Group’s clinical research segment, other operating 
expenses decreased by $1.6 million or 0.7% during the year. This was offset by an increase in the Group’s central 
laboratory business, where other operating expenses increased by $6.2 million or 26.5%, a result of its significant 
investment in personnel and systems during the year. As a percentage of net revenue, other operating expenses, 
increased from 29.5% for the year ended 31 December 2009 to 29.6% for the year ended 31 December 2010.

One-time net charges of $8.8 million were recognised during the year ended 31 December 2009. In response to  
the globalisation of clinical studies and its attendant impact on resources in existing and emerging markets, the  
Group conducted a review of its existing infrastructure during the early months of 2009 to better align its resources  
with the needs of its clients. This realignment resulted in resource rationalisations in certain more mature markets and  
the recognition of a restructuring charge of $13.3 million in the second quarter of 2009. This was partially offset by 
research and development incentives of $4.5 million received by the Group in certain European Union jurisdictions in 
which it operates.

Operating profit for the year decreased by $16.3 million, or 15.1%, from $108.2 million for the year ended 31 December 
2009 to $91.9 million for the year ended 31 December 2010. As a percentage of net revenue, operating profit 
decreased from 12.2% of net revenues for the year ended 31 December 2009 to 10.2% of net revenues for the year 
ended 31 December 2010. In the Group’s clinical research segment, operating profit increased by $1.5 million, or  
1.4%, from $103.2 million for the year ended 31 December 2009 to $104.7 million for the year ended 31 December 
2010. As a percentage of net revenue operating profit decreased from 12.6% of net revenues for the year ended  
31 December 2009 to 12.5% for the year ended 31 December 2010. In the Group’s central laboratory business, 
operating profit decreased by $17.8 million, from income of $5.0 million for the year ended 31 December 2009 to  
a loss of $12.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2010. As a percentage of net revenue, operating profit/(loss) 
decreased from 7.1% for the year ended 31 December 2009 to (20.0)% for the year ended 31 December 2010. The 
significant investment in personnel and systems, together with the slower than expected conversion of business awards, 
has negatively impacted the central laboratory’s operating margin during the year ended 31 December 2010. During  
the year ended 31 December 2009 the Group’s operating profit, excluding the impact of one-time net charges, was 
13.2%, being 13.7% for the clinical research segment and 7.6% for the central laboratory business.

Net finance income for the year ended 31 December 2010 was $0.9 million compared with net finance expense  
of $4.3 million for the year ended 31 December 2009. Finance income for the year increased by $1.2 million from 
$1.5 million for the year ended 31 December 2009 to $2.7 million for the year ended 31 December 2010. This increase 
arose predominately from an increase in cash balances during the year, together with an increase in the rate of return 
earned thereon. Finance expense for the year decreased by $3.9 million, from $5.8 million for the year ended 31 December 
2009 to $1.9 million for the year ended 31 December 2010. This decrease arose predominately from a decrease in 
interest on bank overdrafts and credit facilities together with a decrease in foreign exchange losses on bank overdrafts 
and credit facilities. During the year ended 31 December 2009 the Group repaid all amounts previously drawn under 
negotiated bank overdraft and credit facilities.

Provision for income taxes decreased from $11.2 million for the year ended 31 December 2009 to $6.6 million for  
the year ended 31 December 2010. During the year ended 31 December 2010 the Group recognised $9.7 million  
in unrecognised tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, arising from both the settlement of positions with the relevant  
tax authorities and the expiration of the relevant statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions, thereby allowing for the 
recognition of these benefits during the current year. During the year ended 31 December 2009 corporation tax refunds 
related to research and development tax credits were received by the Group in certain European Union jurisdictions.  
The Group recognised a net benefit of $10.6 million in its provision for income taxes for the year ended 31 December 2009 

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

for research and development tax credits related to prior years but received during 2009. The Group’s effective  
tax rate for the year ended 31 December 2010 was 7.1% compared with 10.8% for the year ended 31 December 
2009. Excluding the impact of the release of uncertain tax provisions during the year ended 31 December 2010 and  
the impact of research and development tax credits recognised during the year ended 31 December 2009, the Group 
would have had an effective tax rate of 17.5% for the year ended 31 December 2010, compared to an effective tax rate 
of 20.2% for the year ended 31 December 2009.

Liquidity	and	capital	resources

The CRO industry is generally not capital intensive. The Group’s principal operating cash needs are payment of salaries, 
office rents, travel expenditures and payments to investigators. Investing activities primarily reflect capital expenditures 
for facilities, information systems enhancements, the purchase of current asset investments and acquisitions.

The Group’s clinical research and development contracts are generally fixed price with some variable components and 
range in duration from a few weeks to several years. Revenue from contracts is generally recognised as income on the 
basis of the relationship between time incurred and the total estimated contract duration or on a fee-for-service basis. 
The cash flow from contracts typically consists of a down payment of between 10% and 20% paid at the time the 
contract is entered into, with the balance paid in instalments over the contract’s duration, in some cases on the 
achievement of certain milestones. Accordingly, cash receipts do not correspond to costs incurred and revenue 
recognised on contracts.

The Group’s total cash balances at 31 December 2010 amounted to $255.7 million compared with total cash balances 
of $194.0 million at 31 December 2009. Cash balances at 31 December 2010 comprised cash and cash equivalents  
of $255.7 million. Cash balances at 31 December 2009 comprised cash and cash equivalents of $144.8 million  
and current investments of $49.2 million. Working capital, comprising total current assets less total current liabilities, 
increased by $104.6 million during the year from $204.1 million at 31 December 2009 to $308.7 million at 31 December 
2010. This increase arose primarily from an increase in cash and cash equivalents. Additional borrowings available to 
the Group under negotiated facilities at 31 December 2010 amounted to $55.9 million compared with $162.5 million  
at 31 December 2009.

Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $87.4 million for the year ended 31 December 2010 compared 
with net cash provided by operating activities of $255.1 million for the year ended 31 December 2009. The most 
significant influence on our operating cash flow is revenue outstanding, which comprises accounts receivable and 
unbilled revenue, less payments on account. The dollar values of these amounts and the related days revenue 
outstanding (i.e. the debtors balance at the end of the period divided by the revenue for the period multiplied by the 
number of days in the period) can vary due to the achievement of contractual milestones, including contract signing, 
and the timing of cash receipts. Improved working capital management during the year ended 31 December 2009 
resulted in a significant increase in cash inflows from operating activities and a corresponding decrease in the number  
of days revenue outstanding from 70 days at 31 December 2008 to 33 days at 31 December 2009. The number of 
days revenue outstanding at 31 December 2010 was 37 days.

Net cash provided by investing activities amounted to $14.6 million for the year ended 31 December 2010 compared  
to net cash used in investing activities of $65.7 million for the year ended 31 December 2009. Cash flows from investing 
activities during the year ended 31 December 2010 arose primarily from the sale of current asset investments offset by 
capital expenditure and cash paid to acquire subsidiary undertakings. During the year ended 31 December 2010 the 
Company received a net $49.2 million from the sale of its current asset investments. The Group actively manages its 
available cash resources to try to ensure optimum returns. Amounts received from the sale of current asset investments 
during the year were reinvested in cash and cash equivalents. Capital expenditure for the year ended 31 December 
2010 amounted to $30.9 million, and was comprised mainly of expenditure on global infrastructure and information 
technology systems to support the Group’s growth. Cash paid on acquisitions during the year ended 31 December 
2010 amounted to $3.7 million. $1.5 million was paid by the Group during the year ended 31 December 2010 in 
respect of the acquisition of Timaq Medical Imaging. In addition, $2.2 million was paid to the former shareholders  
of Healthcare Discoveries in full and final settlement of certain performance milestones payable.

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Operating and Financial Review (continued)

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended 31 December 2010 amounted to $15.3 million 
compared with net cash used of $105.1 million for the year ended 31 December 2009. Cash provided by financing 
activities during the year ended 31 December 2010 comprised mainly of proceeds received from the exercise of share 
options. During the year ended 31 December 2009 the Group repaid $109.6 million, net, in respect of all amounts 
previously drawn under negotiated facilities.

As a result of these cash flows, cash and cash equivalents increased by $110.9 million for the year ended 31 December 
2010 compared to $86.4 million for the year ended 31 December 2009.

On 9 July 2007 the Group entered into a five year committed multi-currency facility agreement for €35 million 
($46.8 million) with Bank of Ireland. The facility bears interest at an annual rate equal to EURIBOR plus a margin and  
is secured by certain composite guarantees, indemnities and pledges in favor of the bank. Amounts available to be  
drawn reduce over the life of this facility in accordance with agreed payment terms. At 31 December 2010 €17.5 million 
($23.4 million) was available to be drawn under this facility.

On 22 December 2008 a committed three year US dollar credit facility was negotiated with Allied Irish Bank plc  
for $50 million. On 21 April 2010 the Group reduced this facility to $25 million. On 9 December 2010 the Company  
further reduced this facility to $12.5 million. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is secured by certain 
composite guarantees and pledges in favor of the bank. At 31 December 2010 $12.5 million was available to be drawn 
under this facility.

On 2 January 2009 an additional four year committed credit facility was negotiated with Bank of Ireland for $25 million. 
The facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was secured by certain composite guarantees, indemnities and 
pledges in favor of the bank. On 2 December 2010 the Group terminated this facility.

On 29 May 2009 a 364 day committed credit facility of $10 million was negotiated with Citibank Europe. This facility 
lapsed during 2010 and was not renewed by the Group. On 29 May 2009 a three year committed credit facility was 
also negotiated with Citibank Europe for $10 million. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is secured  
by certain composite guarantees and pledges in favor of the bank. At 31 December 2010 $10.0 million was available  
to be drawn under the facility.

On 29 May 2009 a committed 364 day credit facility of $30 million was negotiated with JP Morgan for $30 million.  
On 3 September 2010 a committed 364 day credit facility was negotiated with J.P. Morgan for $10 million, partially 
replacing the 2009 facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is secured by certain composite 
guarantees and pledges in favor of the bank. At 31 December 2010 $10.0 million was available to be drawn under  
the facility.

On 17 May 2010 the Group acquired Timaq Medical Imaging, a European provider of advanced imaging services to  
the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland for an initial cash consideration  
of CHF 1.3 million ($1.2 million). Certain performance milestones were built into the acquisition agreement requiring 
potential additional consideration of up to CHF 2.9 million ($3.1 million) if these milestones are achieved during the  
years ended 31 December 2010 to 31 December 2013. On 31 December 2010 CHF 0.3 million ($0.3 million) was  
paid to the former shareholders in respect of certain milestones for the year ended 31 December 2010.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Board of Directors and Senior Management

Dr. Bruce Given – Chairman (aged 56) was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Company in January 2010.  
He has served as a non-executive director of the Company since September 2004. From March 2002 until June 2007  
he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Given previously held various 
positions in Johnson & Johnson group companies. Dr. Given obtained his doctorate from the University of Chicago  
in 1980.

Peter Gray – CEO and Director (aged 56) has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company since November 
2002. He served as the Group Chief Operating Officer from June 2001 to November 2002, and was Chief Financial 
Officer from June 1997 to June 2001. He has been a director of the Company since June 1997. Mr. Gray has over  
20 years experience in the pharmaceutical services industry and has also worked in the engineering and food sectors. 
Mr. Gray received a degree in Law from Trinity College Dublin in 1977 and became a chartered accountant in 1980.  
Mr. Gray has served as a non-Executive director of United Drug plc since September 2004 and as Chairman of the 
Audit Committee of United Drug since August 2008. He has also served as a non-Executive Director of Danica Life 
Limited since April 2008.

Ciaran Murray – CFO and Company Secretary (aged 48) has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company 
since October 2005. He has also held the position of Company Secretary since January 2006. Mr. Murray developed 
his experience working in senior financial positions in Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom, in the food sector with  
Kraft Foods Inc, Cantrell and Cochrane plc and Northern Foods plc, and in the technology sector with Novell Inc and 
Codec Systems. Mr. Murray obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Dublin in 1982. He 
qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

Dr. John Climax – Non-Executive Director (aged 58), one of the Company’s co-founders, served as Chairman  
of the Board of the Company from November 2002 to December 2009, and Chief Executive Officer from June 1990  
to October 2002. From January 2010 he has held a position as a non-executive director of the Company. Dr. Climax 
has over 25 years of experience in the contract research industry. Dr. Climax received his primary degree in pharmacy  
in 1977 from the University of Singapore, his masters in applied pharmacology in 1979 from the University of Wales  
and his PhD. in pharmacology from the National University of Ireland in 1982. He has authored a significant number  
of papers and presentations, and holds adjunct professorship at the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland.

Dr. Ronan Lambe – Non-Executive Director (aged 71), one of the Company’s co-founders, served as Chairman  
of the Board of the Company from June 1990 to November 2002 and is currently a non-Executive director of the 
Company. Dr. Lambe has over 30 years of experience in the contract research industry. Dr. Lambe attended the 
National University of Ireland where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1959, his masters  
in biochemistry in 1962 and his PhD. in pharmacology in 1976.

Thomas Lynch – Independent Non-Executive Director (aged 54) has served as a non-executive director of the 
Company since January 1996. Mr. Lynch served as Chairman of Amarin Corporation plc from 2000 to 2009 and as its 
Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2009. Between 1993 and 2004, he held a number of senior management positions 
in Elan Corporation plc. Mr Lynch is an investor in, and serves on the board of, a number of biotechnology companies. 
He has also served as a board member of IDA Ireland (an agency of the Irish Government) since 2000.

Professor Dermot Kelleher – Independent Non-Executive Director (aged 55) has served as a non-executive 
director of the Company since May 2008. Professor Kelleher is currently Head of the School of Medicine at Trinity 
College, Dublin, Ireland and Director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine in Dublin. His research interests are broad 
ranging in the fields of Gastroenterology, Immunology and Molecular Biology and over a distinguished thirty year career 
he has led significant research projects in this field. Alongside his notable academic appointments he has served as a 
visiting research scientist with a major pharmaceutical company and has been a founder of a number of biotechnology 
companies.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Board of Directors and Senior Management (continued)

Dr. Anthony Murphy – Independent Non-Executive Director (aged 60) has served as a non-executive director  
of the Company since April 2009. Dr. Murphy was the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Eli Lilly & Co., 
prior to his retirement in May 2009. Born in Cardiff, Wales, Mr. Murphy received a bachelor’s degree in psychology  
from University College Dublin in 1970 and a doctorate in psychology from the University of Wales in 1975. Dr. Murphy 
joined Lilly (in the United Kingdom) in 1980, and held increasingly senior positions in HR with the company until his 
retirement. Prior to joining Lilly he had lectured in industrial relations and worked as a consultant and researcher at the 
University of Bath, England. Mr. Murphy is a fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development (U.K.) and a Chartered 
Psychologist.

Declan McKeon – Independent Non-Executive Director (aged 59) has served as a non-executive director of  
the Company since April 2010. Mr. McKeon was a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) from 1986 to 2007.  
His roles included leadership of the audit and business advisory team for PwC Ireland, membership on the PwC  
Europe audit and business advisory services executive and market sector lead for consumer and industrial products. 
Mr. McKeon is a non-executive Director of Ryanair plc, remains a consultant to PwC and sits on the audit committee  
of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Mr. McKeon holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Masters in Business 
Studies from University College Dublin and is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

Cathrin Petty – Independent Non-Executive Director (aged 37) has served as a non-executive director of  
the Company since October 2010. Ms. Petty is a Special Partner at Vitruvian Partners LLP and is a non-Executive  
Director for Circassia Limited. Ms. Petty is an advisor to the pharmaceutical industry and formerly served as a  
non-Executive Director for the NHS (Strategic Health Authority for Greater London). Between 2000 and 2010,  
Ms. Petty was a Healthcare Partner in Apax Partners LLP with responsibility for originating, executing, monitoring  
and exiting healthcare private equity investments. Her early career included Senior Associate and Research Analyst  
roles at Schroder Ventures Life Sciences and Schroders Investment Management.

Alan Morgan – Group President Clinical Research Services (aged 46) was appointed Group President Clinical 
Research Services in August 2010. Since joining the Group in August 2006, he has held positions of increasing 
responsibility, including Vice President of Process Development, President ICON Clinical Europe, and Chief Operating 
Officer of the global Clinical Research Division. In January 2010 he was appointed Group President Early Clinical 
Research and Laboratories Services, responsible for oversight of the Central Laboratory and Development Services 
divisions. Prior to joining the Company Mr. Morgan worked for MDS Pharma Services where he held positions of 
increasing responsibility since joining the company in 2002, including Global General Manager and Vice President  
of their Phase II-IV business. Mr. Morgan started his career in clinical research organisations with Covance, where he  
held a number of leadership positions from 1998 including General Manager of their Phase II-IV business in Europe, 
Asia, and Latin America. His initial career was in pharma, including seven years with Glaxo Wellcome and two years  
with ICI Pharmaceuticals in various business and financial roles. He is a graduate of the City University Business School  
in London, and a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Compensation and Organisation Committee Report

Remuneration	policy

The Compensation and Organisation Committee seeks to achieve the following goals with the Company’s executive 
compensation programs: to attract, motivate and retain key executives and to reward executives for value creation.  
The Committee seeks to foster a performance-oriented environment by ensuring that a significant portion of each 
executive’s cash and equity compensation is based on the achievement of performance targets that are important  
to the Company and its shareholders.

The Company’s executive compensation program has three elements: base salary, a bonus plan and equity incentives  
in the form of share related awards granted under the Company’s equity incentive plans. All elements of key executives 
compensation are determined by the Committee based on the achievement of the Group’s objectives.

Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration

Non-Executive Directors are remunerated by way of Directors’ fees and are also eligible for participation in the share 
option scheme. The Corporate Governance Report set out why it is appropriate for the non-Executive Directors to 
participate in the share option scheme. Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for performance related bonuses and  
no pension contributions are made on their behalf. Non-executive Directors’ remuneration is set by the Execution 
committee, taking into account the recommendations of the nominating and governance committee.

Executive Directors’ and Key Executive Officers’ remuneration

Total cash compensation is divided into a base salary portion and a bonus incentive portion. Base salary is established 
based on peer group and is adjusted based on individual performance and experience. The Committee targets total 
cash compensation at the peer group median of comparable Irish companies and peer CRO companies, adjusted 
upward or downward based on individual performance and experience. The Committee believes that the higher the 
executive’s level of responsibility within the Company, the greater the percentage of the executive’s compensation that 
should be tied to the Company’s performance. Target bonus incentive for executive officers is up to 80% of base salary.

The Company’s executives are eligible to receive equity incentives, including share options and restricted share units, 
granted under the Company’s equity incentive plans. If executives receive equity incentive grants, they are normally 
approved annually at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee in the fiscal year and awarded at the 
closing price on the second full day following the release of the Company’s prior year results. Newly hired executives 
may receive sign-on grants, if approved by the Committee. In addition, the Committee may, in its discretion, issue 
additional equity incentive awards to executives if the Committee determines such awards are necessary to ensure 
appropriate incentives are in place. The number of equity awards granted to each participant is determined primarily 
based on an award range determined by the Committee at the start of each year. The extent of existing options is not 
generally considered in granting equity awards, except that the Company occasionally grants an initial round of equity 
awards to newly recruited executives to provide them a stake in the Company’s success from the commencement of 
their employment. The Company granted equity incentive awards, in the form of share options, to executive officers  
in its fiscal years ended 31 December 2009 and 2010.

All executive officers are eligible to participate in a defined contribution pension plan. The Company’s contributions  
are generally a fixed percentage of their annual compensation, supplementing contributions by the executive. The 
Company has the discretion to make additional contributions if deemed appropriate by the Committee. The Company’s 
contributions are determined at the peer group median of comparable Irish companies and peer CRO companies. 
Contributions to this plan are recorded as an expense in the Income Statement.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Compensation and Organisation Committee Report (continued)

Directors’ and Key Executive Officers service agreements and letters of engagement

Dr. Bruce Given

Dr. Bruce Given was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Company in January 2010. He has served as a  
non-executive director of the Company since September 2004. The arrangements with Dr. Given provide for the 
payment to him of annual fees of $316,932 per annum plus reasonable expenses properly incurred in carrying out  
his duties for the Company. He was previously granted and held at 18 April 2011, 24,000 ordinary share options at 
exercise prices ranging from $8.60 to $35.33.

Mr. Peter Gray

Mr. Peter Gray has served as the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) since November 2002. He served as the Chief 
Operating Officer of the Company from June 2001 to November 2002 and as an Executive Director of the Company 
since June 1997. The service agreement with Mr. Gray is terminable on 12 months notice by either party. He is entitled 
to receive a bonus to be agreed by the Compensation and Organisation Committee. He is also entitled to receive a 
pension contribution, company car allowance and medical insurance cover for himself and his dependants. He was 
previously granted and held at 18 April 2011, 288,000 ordinary share options at exercise prices ranging from $11.00  
to $35.33 per share. On 3 March 2011 he was awarded 100,000 restricted stock units which will vest on the third 
anniversary of date of award. His service agreement requires him to devote his full time and attention to his duties for 
the Company excepting certain non-Executive Director positions authorised by the Board. The Board has authorised  
Mr Gray to serve as a non-Executive director and Audit Committee Chairman of United Drug plc and a non-Executive 
Director of Danica Life Limited and in the year ended 31 December 2010 he was paid and retained fees of €67,000 
($88,600) by United Drug plc and €33,075 ($43,740) by Danica Life Limited. The agreement includes certain post 
termination clauses including non-disclosure, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions. Further details of  
these payments and contributions are set out in the Directors and Key Executive Officers remuneration tables on  
pages 17 and 18.

Mr. Ciaran Murray

Mr. Ciaran Murray has served as the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) since October 2005. He has also held the position 
of Company Secretary since January 2006. The service agreement with Mr. Murray is terminable on 12 months notice  
by either party. He is entitled to receive a bonus to be agreed by the Compensation and Organisation Committee.  
He is also entitled to receive a pension contribution, company car allowance and medical insurance cover for himself  
and his dependants. He was previously granted and held at 18 April 2011, 145,000 ordinary share options at exercise 
prices ranging from $10.42 to $35.33 per share. On 10 February 2011 he was awarded 50,000 restricted stock units 
which will vest on the fifth anniversary of date of award. His service agreement requires him to devote his full time and 
attention to his duties for the Company excepting certain non-Executive Director positions authorised by the Board.  
The agreement includes certain post-termination clauses including non-disclosure, non-competition and non-solicitation 
provisions. Further details of these payments and contributions are set out in the Directors and Key Executive Officers 
remuneration tables on pages 17 and 18.

Dr. John Climax

Dr. John Climax, one of the Company’s co-founders, served as Chairman of the Board of the Company from  
November 2002 to December 2009. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from June 1990  
to October 2002 and as an Executive Director from June 1990 to December 2009. On 31 December 2009,  
Dr. Climax retired as Chairman of the Board of the Company and his service agreement with the Company (the  
“Dr. Climax Service Agreement”) ended. Since January 2010 he has held a position as a non-executive director  
of the Company.

The Dr. Climax Service Agreement provided for a bonus, a pension contribution, a twelve month notice period, two 
company cars and medical insurance cover for himself and his dependants. The new arrangements with Dr. Climax  
in his position as an a non-executive director provide for the payment to him of director fees of $48,000 per annum  
plus reasonable expenses properly incurred in carrying out his duties for the Company. He was previously granted  
and held at 18 April 2011, 108,000 ordinary share options at exercise prices ranging from $8.88 to $35.33 per share.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Compensation and Organisation Committee Report (continued)

Directors’ and Key Executive Officers service agreements and letters of engagement continued)

Dr. John Climax (continued)

The arrangements relating to Dr. Climax’s retirement were set out in an agreement entered into between the Company 
and Dr. Climax in December 2009 (the “December 2009 Agreement”). Pursuant to the December 2009 Agreement,  
Dr. Climax received, having regard to the Dr. Climax Service Agreement (which terminated pursuant to the December 
2009 agreement), a payment of €830,000 ($1,200,620) and a pension contribution of €170,000 ($252,620). In addition, 
and also pursuant to the December 2009 Agreement, he received an ex-gratia pension contribution for past service of 
€220,308 ($327,378), the acceleration of vesting of unvested share options and the transfer of two company cars at  
a cost to the Company of €52,706 ($68,063). Further details of these payments and contributions are set out in the 
Directors and Key Executive Officers remuneration table on pages 17 and 18.

The Company has also entered a three year agreement with Rotrua Limited, a company controlled by Dr. Climax, for  
the provision of consultancy services at an agreed fee of €262,500 ($375,795) per annum. Pursuant to the consultancy 
agreement, Dr. Climax also agreed to certain restrictions that will apply to him after the termination of the consultancy 
agreement including non-disclosure, non-competition and non-solicitation. The consultancy agreement provides that the 
Company will provide, during the term of the agreement, permanent disability and life insurance cover for Dr. Climax and 
medical insurance cover for himself and his dependants.

Dr. Ronan Lambe

Dr. Ronan Lambe, one of the Company’s co-founders, served as Chairman of the Board of the Company from June 
1990 to November 2002 and is currently a non-executive director of the Company. The arrangements with Dr. Lambe 
provide for the payment to him of director fees of $52,000 per annum plus reasonable expenses properly incurred in 
carrying out his duties for the Company. He was previously granted and held at 18 April 2011, 24,000 ordinary share 
options at exercise prices ranging from $8.60 to $35.33 per share.

Mr. Thomas Lynch

Mr. Thomas Lynch has served as a non-executive director of the Company since January 1996. The arrangements  
with Mr. Lynch provide for the payment to him of director fees of $78,000 per annum plus reasonable expenses properly 
incurred in carrying out his duties for the Company. He was previously granted and held at 18 April 2011, 20,000 ordinary 
share options at exercise prices ranging from $8.60 to $35.33 per share.

Professor Dermot Kelleher

Professor Dermot Kelleher has served as a non-executive director of the Company since May 2008. The arrangements 
with Professor Kelleher provide for the payment to him of director fees of $73,000 per annum (pre 23 February 2010: 
$53,000 per annum). He was previously granted and held at 18 April 2011, 12,000 ordinary share options at an 
exercise prices ranging from $22.26 to $36.04.

Dr. Anthony Murphy

Dr. Anthony Murphy has served as a non-executive director of the Company since April 2009. The arrangements with 
Dr. Murphy provide for the payment to him of directors fees of $78,000 per annum (pre 23 February 2010: $53,000 per 
annum). He was previously granted and held at 18 April 2011, 7,000 ordinary share options at exercise prices ranging 
from $15.84 to $24.46.

Mr. Declan McKeon

Mr. Declan McKeon has served as a non-executive director of the Company since April 2010. The arrangements  
with Mr McKeon provide for the payment to him of directors fees of $53,000 per annum. He was previously granted 
and held at 18 April 2011, 5,000 ordinary share options at exercise prices ranging from $20.28 to $29.45.

Ms Cathrin Petty

Ms. Cathrin Petty has served as a non-executive director of the Company since October 2010. The arrangements with 
Ms. Petty provide for the payment to her of directors fees of $53,000 per annum. She was previously granted and held 
at 18 April 2011, 5,000 ordinary share options at exercise prices ranging from $19.45 to $20.28.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Compensation and Organisation Committee Report (continued)

Directors	and	Key	Executive	Officers	Remuneration

Year ended 31 December 2010

Salary Bonus

Pension	
contribution*

All	other	

compensation Subtotal Subtotal

Director	
Fees

Share-
based***	

compensation

Total	
compensation

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Executive Director/Key Executive Officers

Peter Gray

Ciaran Murray

525

400

925

105

100

205

Non-executive Directors

Bruce Given

John Climax**

Ronan Lambe

Thomas Lynch

Edward Roberts

Dermot Kelleher

Anthony Murphy

Declan McKeon

Cathrin Petty

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

53

38

91

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

9

0

9

37

18

55

–

53

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

720

556

958

739

1,276

1,697

–

53

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

68

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

317

48

52

78

17

65

75

40

12

761

219

980

31

7

21

23

44

30

14

12

2

53

0

53

68

,9

,

704

0

184

,

1,719

958

2,677

348

123

73

101

61

95

89

52

14

956

,

* Pension contributions above represent contributions paid by the Company to a defined contribution pension scheme.

** Further information is set out in the Directors’ and Key Executive Officers service agreements and letters of engagement section on pages 15 and 16 of this report.

*** Represents the current year amortisation of the grant-date fair value of share options. The grant date fair value is calculated using a binomial lattice model and is 
amortised to the Consolidated Income statement over the period of vesting of the related option.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Compensation and Organisation Committee Report (continued)

Directors	and	Key	Executive	Officers	Remuneration

Year ended 31 December 2009

Salary Bonus

Pension	
contribution*

All	other	

compensation Subtotal Subtotal

Director	
Fees

Share-
based***	

compensation

Total	
compensation

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

€’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

$’000

Executive Director/Key Executive Officers

John Climax**

Peter Gray

Ciaran Murray

600

500

309

1,409

350

388

209

947

Non-executive Directors

Bruce Given

Ronan Lambe

Thomas Lynch

Edward Roberts

Dermot Kelleher

Anthony Murphy

Shuiji Higuchi

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

440

49

27

516

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

954

2,344

38

18

975

563

1,010

3,882

3,352

1,358

785

5,495

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Total

,09

9



,00

,

,9

–

–

–

–

66

48

78

78

52

42

–

364



401

174

149

724

23

20

23

23

34

6

14

143



3,753

1,532

933

6,218

89

68

101

101

86

48

14

507

,

* Pension contributions above represent contributions paid by the Company to a defined contribution pension scheme.

** Further information is set out in the Directors’ and Key Executive Officers service agreements and letters of engagement section on pages 15 and 16	of this report.

*** Represents the current year amortisation of the grant-date fair value of share options. The grant date fair value is calculated using a binomial lattice model and is 
amortised to the Consolidated Income statement over the period of vesting of the related option.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Compensation and Organisation Committee Report (continued)

The Directors and Secretary who held office at 31 December 2010 had the following interests, all of which were beneficial, 
other than as stated, in the shares and share options of the Company or other Group companies at those dates:

Interest	at	
	April	0

Interest	at	
	December	00

Interest	at	
	December	009

Name	of	Director/	
Key	Executive	Officer

Name	of	company	and	
description	of	shares

Number	

Number	

Number	

of	shares Options

of	shares Options

of	shares Options

Dr. Bruce Given

ICON plc

Ordinary Shares €0.06

00

,000

00

0,000

–

16,000

Peter Gray

ICON plc

Ordinary Shares €0.06

, ,000

, ,000

396,288 128,000

Holmrook Limited

“C” Ordinary Shares 
€0.126974

Ciaran Murray

ICON plc

,000

–

,000

–

1,000

–

Ordinary Shares €0.06

– ,000

– ,000

– 125,000

Holmrook Limited

“H” Ordinary Shares 
€0.0126973

Dr. John Climax

ICON plc

0,000

–

0,000

–

10,000

–

Ordinary Shares €0.06

,0, 0,000

,0, 0,000

3,107,568 124,000

Holmrook Limited

“A” Ordinary Shares 
€0.634869

Dr. Ronan Lambe

ICON plc

00

–

00

–

200

–

Ordinary Shares €0.06

00

,000

00

,000

54,380

26,000

Holmrook Limited

“B” Ordinary Shares 
€0.317435

Thomas Lynch

ICON plc

00

–

00

–

400

–

Ordinary Shares €0.06

,0

0,000

,0

,000

4

17,200

Prof. Dermot Kelleher

ICON plc

Ordinary Shares €0.06

–

,000

–

0,000

Dr. Anthony Murphy

ICON plc

Ordinary Shares €0.06

00

,000

00

,000

Declan McKeon

ICON plc

Ordinary Shares €0.06

Cathrin Petty

ICON plc

Ordinary Shares €0.06

–

–

,000

,000

–

–

,000

,000

–

–

–

–

8,000

3,000

3,000

–

On 3 March 2011 Mr. Peter Gray was awarded 100,000 restricted stock units which will vest after 3 years.  
On 10 February 2011 Mr. Ciaran Murray was awarded 50,000 restricted stock units which will vest after 5 years.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Compensation and Organisation Committee Report (continued)

Further details regarding the above options at 31 December 2010 are as follows:

Name	of	Director/	
Key	Executive	Officer

Dr. Bruce Given

Peter Gray

Ciaran Murray

Dr. John Climax

Dr. Ronan Lambe

Thomas Lynch

Prof. Dermot Kelleher

Dr. Anthony Murphy

Declan McKeon

Cathrin Petty

Options

Exercise	price Grant	date

Expiry	date

4,000
4,000
4,000
2,000
2,000
4,000

12,000
12,000
14,000
50,000
150,000

20,000
18,000
16,000
14,000
17,000
30,000

20,000
12,000
12,000
10,000
50,000
2,000

6,000
4,000
4,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000

2,400
2,400
3,200
4,000
2,000
2,000
2,000

6,000
2,000
2,000

3,000
2,000

3,000

3,000

$8.60
$11.00
$21.25
$35.33
$22.26
$24.46

$11.00
$21.25
$35.33
$15.84
$24.25

$10.42
$11.00
$21.25
$35.33
$22.26
$24.46

$8.88
$11.00
$21.25
$35.33
$15.84
$24.46

$8.88
$8.60
$11.00
$21.25
$35.33
$22.26
$24.46

$8.88
$8.60
$11.00
$21.25
$35.33
$22.26
$24.46

$36.04
$22.26
$24.46

$15.84
$24.46

$29.45

$19.45

24 February 2005
3 February 2006
16 February 2007
26 February 2008
25 February 2009
4 March 2010

3 February 2006
16 February 2007
26 February 2008
30 April 2009
8 March 2010

17 January 2006
3 February 2006
16 February 2007
26 February 2008
25 February 2009
4 March 2010

4 February 2004
3 February 2006
16 February 2007
26 February 2008
30 April 2009
4 March 2010

4 February 2004
24 February 2005
3 February 2006
16 February 2007
26 February 2008
25 February 2009
4 March 2010

4 February 2004
24 February 2005
3 February 2006
16 February 2007
26 February 2008
25 February 2009
4 March 2010

27 May 2008
25 February 2009
4 March 2010

24 February 2013
3 February 2014
16 February 2015
26 February 2016
25 February 2017
4 March 2018

3 February 2014
16 February 2015
26 February 2016
30 April 2017
8 March 2018

17 January 2014
3 February 2014
16 February 2015
26 February 2016
25 February 2017
4 March 2018

4 February 2012
3 February 2014
16 February 2015
26 February 2016
30 April 2017
4 March 2018

4 February 2012
24 February 2013
3 February 2014
16 February 2015
26 February 2016
25 February 2017
4 March 2018

4 February 2012
24 February 2013
3 February 2014
16 February 2015
26 February 2016
25 February 2017
4 March 2018

27 May 2016
25 February 2017
4 March 2018

30 April 2009
4 March 2010

30 April 2017
4 March 2018

29 April 2010

29 April 2018

26 October 2010

26 October 2018

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Compensation and Organisation Committee Report (continued)

Directors’	and	Key	Executive	Officers	share	and	share	option	transactions

Details of transactions entered into by Directors and Key Executive Officers in shares and shares options of the 
Company during the year ended 31 December 2010 were are follows:

Name	of	Director/Key	Executive	Officer

No.	Options

Options	Exercised

Average	
Exercise	Price

Market	Price	on	
date	of	Exercise

Dr. Bruce Given

Peter Gray

Ciaran Murray

Dr. John Climax

Dr. Ronan Lambe

Thomas Lynch

Prof. Dermot Kelleher

Dr. Anthony Murphy 

Declan McKeon

Cathrin Petty

Name	of	Director/	
Key	Executive	Officer

Dr. Bruce Given

Peter Gray

Ciaran Murray

Dr. John Climax

Dr. Ronan Lambe

Thomas Lynch

Prof. Dermot Kelleher

Dr. Anthony Murphy 

Declan McKeon

Cathrin Petty

–

40,000

40,000

20,000

6,000

1,200

–

–

–

–

$7.94

$10.42

$7.00

$7.00

$7.00

–

–

–

–

$28.78

$24.25

$20.12

$20.36

$19.87

–

–

–

Shares	Purchased

Shares	Sold

Average	
purchase	price/
exercise	price

No.	Shares

500

$24.67

–

–

–

–

–

–

200

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$23.87

–

–

No.	Shares

–

(60,000)

(40,000)

(1,520,000)

(59,900)

–

–

–

–

–

Average	
Market	Price	
of	Shares	Sold

–

$28.78

$24.25

$24.31

$22.25

–

–

–

–

–

The market price of the Company’s ordinary shares during the year ended 31 December 2010 moved in the range  
of $18.93 to $30.31 (year ended 31 December 2009: in the range of $12.17 to $26.85). The closing share price  
at 31 December 2010 was $21.90 (at 31 December 2009 $21.73).

On	behalf	of	the	Compensation	and	Organisation	Committee

Dr. Anthony Murphy 
Chairman 
Compensation and Organisation Committee

18 April 2011

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Corporate Governance Report

The Company’s primary listing for its shares is the NASDAQ market. The Company also maintains a secondary listing on 
the Irish Stock Exchange. The Company is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and compliance 
consistent with best practice and during the year ended 31 December 2010 has applied, where practicable, the principles 
set out in section 1 of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance published by the Financial Reporting Council in 
June 2008 (the “Combined Code”) and adopted by the Irish Stock Exchange. The Company also welcomes the introduction 
of the UK Corporate Governance code published by the Financial Reporting Council in June 2010 (the “2010 UK Code”) 
and the Irish Corporate Governance Annex published by the Irish Stock Exchange in December 2010 (the “Irish Annex”) 
both of which, pursuant to the Company’s secondary listing on the Irish Stock Exchange, will apply to the Company’s 
financial year ending 31 December 2011.

Board	of	Directors

The business of the Company is managed by the directors who may exercise all the powers of the Company which  
are not required by the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 or by the Articles of Association of the Company to be exercised 
by the Company in general meeting. A meeting of directors at which a quorum is present may exercise all powers 
exercisable by the directors. The directors may delegate (with power to sub-delegate) to any director holding any 
executive office and to any Committee consisting of one or more directors, together with such other persons as may be 
appointed to such Committee by the directors, provided that a majority of the members of each Committee appointed 
by the directors shall at all times consist of directors and that no resolution of any such Committee shall be effective 
unless a majority of the members of the Committee present at the meeting at which it was passed are directors.

The Board comprises one executive and eight non-Executive Directors at the date of this report. The non-Executive 
Directors bring independent judgment to bear on issues of strategy, performance, resources, key appointments and 
standards. The Company considers all of its non-Executive Directors to be of complementary skills, experience and 
knowledge and each non-Executive Director has specific skills, experience and knowledge that is valuable to the 
Company. Board members between them have very strong financial, pharmaceutical, CRO, scientific, medical, human 
resources and other skills and knowledge which are harnessed to address the challenges facing the Group. The Board 
meets regularly throughout the year and all Directors have full and timely access to the information necessary for them 
to discharge their duties. There is a formal schedule of matters reserved to the Board for consideration and decision 
including approval of strategic plans, financial statements, acquisitions, material capital expenditures and review of the 
effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal controls, thereby maintaining control of the Company and its future 
direction. The Directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary and may seek external 
independent professional advice where required. The Board considers its current size (9 directors) to be adequate  
but continues to look for suitable qualified potential candidates to join the Board.

As detailed below, certain other matters are delegated to Board Committees and all Board Committees report to the 
Board. The Company maintains an appropriate level of insurance cover in respect of legal action against its Directors. 
The Board, through the Nominating and Governance Committee, engages in succession planning for the Board and  
in so doing considers the strength and depth of the Board and the levels of knowledge, skills and experience of the 
directors necessary for the Group to achieve its objectives. The Board normally meets at least four times each year. 
During the year ended 31 December 2010 the Board met on four occasions. Additional meetings and Board updates, 
to consider specific issues, are held as and when required. All Directors allocated sufficient time to the Company during 
the year ended 31 December 2010 to effectively discharge their responsibilities to the Company.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Corporate Governance Report (continued)

Directors’	retirement	and	re-election

The Company’s Articles of Association provide that, unless otherwise determined by the Company at a general meeting, 
the number of directors shall not be more than 15 nor less than 3. At each annual general meeting, one third of the 
directors who are subject to retirement by rotation, rounded down to the next whole number if it is a fractional number, 
shall retire from office. The directors to retire shall be those who have been longest in office, but as between persons 
who became or were last re-appointed on the same day, those to retire shall be determined, unless otherwise agreed, 
by lot. Any additional director appointed by the Company shall hold office until the next annual general meeting and will 
be subject to re-election at that meeting. Accordingly, at the annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 
2011, it is anticipated that two directors will retire by rotation and offer themselves for re-election. In addition, Catherin 
Petty, having been appointed a Director by the Company in October 2010, will also offer herself for re-election.

The Company has noted that the 2010 UK Code does provide for annual re-election of the entire Board for FTSE 350 
companies and that the Irish Annex provides that the Company is to be regarded as a FTSE350 company for the purposes 
of the 2010 UK Code. The Company however, is currently intending not to apply annual re-election of the entire Board 
for the July 2011 annual general meeting as it is not required to do so under the NASDAQ rules (where the Company 
has its primary listing) and also because the Company does not believe that putting the entire Board up for annual  
re-election in 2011 is in the best interest of shareholders. The Company will however monitor how annual re-election  
is applied to other listed companies that have implemented the 2010 UK Code and will re-evaluate if annual re-election 
should apply to all of the Company’s Board of Directors in 2012 and beyond.

Directors’	Independence

The Board considers the non-Executive Directors, excluding Dr. Ronan Lambe and Dr. John Climax, to be independent. 
This means that the Board considers each of Cathrin Petty, Declan Mc Keon, Dermot Kelleher, Anthony Murphy and 
Thomas Lynch to be independent. The Board consider this to be the case notwithstanding:

(i) 

the granting of share options to them which is considered appropriate given the work that they undertake  
on behalf of the Company, their value to the company and the fact that the Company’s primary listing is on  
the NASDAQ (as NASDAQ rules do not prevent non-Executive directors from receiving share options). The 
Company acknowledges that the 2010 UK Code recommends that non-Executive Directors should not receive 
share options but the Company feels that, based on the reasons above, it is appropriate for share options to  
be granted to Non-executive directors; and

(ii)  in the case of Thomas Lynch, that he has served as a non-Executive Director for more than 9 years.  

(The reasons for this are set out in the Compliance Statement on page 29.)

The non-Executive Directors bring independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy, performance, resources,  
key appointments and standards and the Board are satisfied that all of the independent non-Executive directors are 
independent in character and judgement and there are no relationships or circumstances which are likely to affect,  
or could appear to affect, any independent non-executive’s judgement.

Chairman

On 1 January 2010 Dr. Bruce Given was appointed Chairman of the Board of the Company; replacing Dr. John Climax 
who resigned as Chairman of the Board on 31 December 2009. The Chairman is responsible for the efficient and effective 
working of the Board. He ensures that Board agendas cover the key issues confronting the Group and that briefing papers 
are circulated to Board members in advance of meetings allowing them full and timely access to the information necessary 
to enable them to discharge their duties. The Chairman is available to shareholders who may have concerns that cannot 
be addressed through the Chief Executive Officer. The Chairman makes himself available to the non-Executive Directors 
without the executive Directors present. The Chairman evaluates and monitors the performance of the other Directors. 
The Board is aware that the 2010 UK Code recommends for FTSE350 companies, that the evaluation of the Board 
should be externally facilitated at least every three years. The 2010 UK Code will apply to the year ending 31 December 
2011 but the Company has already started to consider how external Board evaluation would work in practice and if it 
would be to the benefit of shareholders.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Corporate Governance Report (continued)

Company	Secretary

The appointment and removal of the Company Secretary is a matter for the Board. All Directors have direct access to 
the advice and services of the Company Secretary, who is responsible to the Board for ensuring that applicable rules 
and regulations are complied with and that Board procedures are observed.

Senior	Independent	Director

Mr. Thomas Lynch was appointed as Senior Independent Director in February 2010 and replaced Mr. Edward Roberts 
who was the previous Senior Independent Director. Mr. Lynch is available to shareholders should they have any concerns 
where contact through the normal channels of Chairman or Chief Executive Officer has failed to resolve or for which 
such contact is inappropriate.

Skill	and	Contribution	of	Directors

The skills, knowledge and experience of each of the Directors is set out in the Board of Directors and Senior Management 
section. The Company believes their combined broad and diverse skills, knowledge and experience are appropriate and 
adequate for the Company however the Board continues to look for potential new Board members. The Chairman has 
informally evaluated the contribution of each Director to the Board during the year ended 31 December 2010 and was 
satisfied with each Directors contribution.

Induction	and	development

An induction program is arranged for all new Directors. This covers the major trading activities of the Company, the  
roles and responsibilities of Directors, information on the Group’s Strategy and individual meetings with members of the 
Company’s senior management team. All Directors are informed of relevant corporate and compliance developments as 
they arise and the Directors regularly update and refresh their skills and knowledge as appropriate.

Board	committees

The Board has delegated some of its responsibilities to Board Committees. There are five permanent Committees. 
These are the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Organisation Committee, the Nominating and Governance 
Committee, the Execution Committee and the Quality Committee. Each Committee has been charged with specific 
responsibilities and each has written terms of reference that are reviewed periodically. Minutes of Committee meetings 
are circulated to all members of the Board. The Company Secretary is available to act as secretary to each of the Board 
Committees if required. Appropriate key executives are regularly invited to attend meetings of the Board committees. 
Each Committee Chairman informally evaluated the contribution of each Committee member to the Committee during 
the year ended 31 December 2010 and was satisfied with each Directors’ contribution.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Corporate Governance Report (continued)

The membership of each board Committee as at 18 April 2011, together with details of date of appointment to the 
committee, are as follows:

Board committee membership and dates of appointment

Compensation	
and	
Organisation

Nominating	
and	
Governance

Audit

Execution

Quality

Dr. Bruce Given

Peter Gray

Dr. Ronan Lambe

Dr. John Climax

Thomas Lynch

17 July 1998

17 July 1998

22 July 2004

Prof. Dermot Kelleher

28 April 2008

–

–

Dr. Anthony Murphy

Mr Declan McKeon 

Ms Cathrin Petty 

–

19 Oct 2009

21 Feb 2010

19 April 2010

18 Oct 2010

–

–

–

–

23 Sept 2004

23 Sept 2004

23 Feb 2010

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

9 Aug 2002

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

23 Feb 2010

–

–

23 Feb 2010

–

–

–

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee meets a minimum of four times a year. It reviews the quarterly and annual financial statements, the 
effectiveness of the system of internal control (including the arrangement for group staff to raise concerns in confidence 
about possible financial inappropriateness) and recommends the appointment and removal of the external auditors.  
It monitors the adequacy of internal accounting practices and addresses all issues raised and recommendations made 
by the external auditors. It pre-approves on an annual basis, the audit and non-audit services provided to the Company 
by its external auditors. Such annual pre-approval is given with respect to particular services. The Audit Committee, on  
a case by case basis, may approve additional services not covered by the annual pre-approval, as the need for such 
services arises. The Audit Committee reviews all services which are provided by the external auditors regularly to review 
the independence and objectivity of the external auditors taking into consideration relevant professional and regulatory 
requirements so that these are not impaired by the provisions of permissible non-audit services. The Chief Financial 
Officer and the external auditors normally attend all meetings of the Audit Committee and have direct access to the 
Committee Chairman at all times.

The Company is aware of the importance of risk management and has noted the developments in relation to risk 
management introduced by the 2010 UK Code and the Irish Corporate Governance Annex. Management, together with 
input from the audit committee, are working with external risk consultants to evaluate the Group’s current risk strategies 
and policies which have been developed by the group based on the group’s activities and potential exposures. The 
establishment of the quality committee of the Board in February 2010 was part of the Company’s ongoing efforts to 
manage and monitor risk. Ensuring that the Group does its work and provides its services in accordance with regulatory 
standards and contractual obligations is one of the Group’s key objectives.

At the Company’s Board meeting on 23 February 2010 the composition of the Audit Committee was amended to 
comprise Thomas Lynch (Chairman), Edward Roberts, and Professor Dermot Kelleher, having previously comprised 
Edward Roberts (Chairman), Thomas Lynch, Bruce Given and Professor Dermot Kelleher. On 19 April 2010 Edward 
Roberts resigned as a member of the Audit Committee and was replaced by Declan McKeon. On 18 October 2010 
Cathrin Petty was appointed as a member of the Audit Committee. In addition, it has been agreed that Declan McKeon 
will replace Thomas Lynch as Chairman of the Audit Committee with effect from the Company’s July 2011 Audit 
Committee meeting.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Corporate Governance Report (continued)

Compensation and Organisation Committee

The Compensation and Organisation Committee is responsible for senior executive remuneration. The committee aims  
to ensure that remuneration packages are competitive so that individuals are appropriately rewarded relative to their 
responsibility, experience and value to the Group. Annual bonuses for the executive director are determined by the 
committee based on the achievement of the Company’s objectives. The Committee also oversees succession planning 
for the Groups’ senior management. The Compensation and Organisation Committee currently comprises two 
independent non-executive Directors and the Chairman. The Company notes that the 2010 UK code recommends  
that the Committee should comprise at least three independent non-executive Directors and may also comprise the 
Chairman. The Company will continue to monitor the composition of its Board committees during the year ended  
31 December 2011.

At the Company’s Board meeting on 23 February 2010 composition of the Compensation and Organisation Committee 
was amended to comprise and currently comprises Dr Anthony Murphy (Chairman), Dr. Bruce Given and Thomas Lynch, 
having previously comprised Dr. Anthony Murphy (Chairman), Edward Roberts, Dr. Bruce Given and Thomas Lynch.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The Nominating and Governance Committee reviews the membership of the Board and Board committees on an 
ongoing basis. As part of this it regularly evaluates the balance of skills, knowledge and experience on the Board and 
then based on this evaluation, identifies and if appropriate recommends individuals to join the Board. The Committee 
used in 2010 and is using during 2011 an external search consultant to assist it in identifying potential new non-Executive 
Directors. Once potential suitable candidates are identified either by the external search consultants or by members of 
the nominating Committee, the Committee then discusses and considers the skills, knowledge and experience of the 
potential candidate. The Committee will assess if the Board requires and would benefit from the potential candidate’s 
skills knowledge and experience and if it decides the potential candidate is suitable and would add relevant skills, 
knowledge and experience to the Board, the committee recommends to the Board that the potential candidate be 
appointed to the Board. The Board then decides whether or not to appoint the candidate. The Committee pays 
attention to the need to consider and have diversity of the Board members when making recommendations to the 
Board and was pleased when Cathrin Petty was appointed as a Director in October 2010. The Committee also reviews 
and recommends the corporate governance principles of the Company.

At the Company’s Board meeting on 23 February 2010 composition of the Nominating and Governance Committee  
was amended to comprise Dr. Anthony Murphy (Chairman), Dr. Bruce Given and Thomas Lynch, having previously 
comprised Thomas Lynch (Chairman), Dr. Bruce Given and Dr. Anthony Murphy.

Execution Committee

The primary function of the Execution Committee is to exercise the power and authority of the Board at intervals 
between meetings of the Board. All powers exercised by the Execution Committee are ratified at subsequent Board 
meetings. This Committee convenes as often as it determines to be necessary or appropriate. At the Company’s  
Board meeting on 23 February 2010 composition of the Execution Committee was amended to comprise Peter Gray 
(Chairman), Dr. Bruce Given and Ciaran Murray, having previously comprised Peter Gray (Chairman), Dr. John Climax 
and Ciaran Murray.

Quality Committee

On 23 February 2010 the Company established a Quality Committee. The primary function of this committee is to 
oversee the Company’s quality strategy, commitment and performance. The committee comprises Professor Dermot 
Kelleher (Chairman) and Dr. Ronan Lambe. Due to the importance of operational quality to the Groups business, the 
Board concluded that the Quality Committee reporting to the Board will be part of the Board’s annual review of risk 
management as required by the 2010 UK Code.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Corporate Governance Report (continued)

Attendance	at	Board	and	Committee	meetings

Attendance at Board and committee meetings by the directors who held office during 2010 are set out as follows:

Directors’ Attendance Table

Board

Audit

Compensation
and	
Organisation

Nominating	
and	
Governance

Execution

Quality

Director

Number	of	meetings	attended/number	of	meetings	eligible	to	attend

Dr. Bruce Given

Peter Gray

Dr. Ronan Lambe

Dr. John Climax

Thomas Lynch

Edward Roberts  
(resigned April 2010)

Prof. Dermot Kelleher

Dr. Anthony Murphy

Mr Declan McKeon  
(appointed April 2010)

Ms Cathrin Petty  
(appointed October 2010)

* Denotes committee chairman.

Internal	control

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

2/2

4/4

4/4

3/3

1/1

–

–

–

–

4/4

2/2

4/4

–

3/3*

–

4/4

–

–

–

3/4

2/2

–

4/4*

–

–

3/3

–

–

–

3/3

2/2

–

3/3*

–

–

1/1

1/1*

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3/3

–

–

–

3/3*

–

–

–

The Board is ultimately responsible for the Group’s system of internal control and for reviewing its effectiveness. 
However, such a system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives, 
and can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The principal processes comprising the system of internal control are as follows:

n  A clear focus on business objectives is established by the Board having considered the risk profile of the Group;

n  The organisation structure of the Group under the day-to-day direction of its Chief Executive Officer is clear. 
Defined lines of responsibility and delegation of authority have been established within which the Group’s 
activities can be planned, executed, controlled and monitored in order to achieve the strategic objectives  
which the Board has adopted for the Group;

n  A process of hierarchical reporting has been established which provides for a documented and auditable trail  

of accountability. These procedures are relevant across Group operations and provide for successive assurances 
to be given at increasingly higher levels of management and, finally, to the Board;

n  The Board has reviewed the process for identifying and evaluating the significant risks affecting the business  

and the policies and procedures by which these risks are managed. The executive Director reports to the Board 
significant changes in the business and external environment which affect the significant risks identified;

n  The Company has a comprehensive process for reporting financial information to the Board including a budget 
process which is approved annually by the Board. The Chief Financial Officer provides the Board with quarterly 
financial information which includes key performance indicators;

n  The Group has a formal system of management and financial reporting, treasury management and capital project 
appraisal. This reporting system includes reporting on trading activities, operational issues, financial performance, 
working capital, cash flow and asset management. All material commitments are subject to Board approval.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Corporate Governance Report (continued)

To support our system of internal control the Company has a separate Internal Audit Function which reports 
independently to the Audit Committee of the Board. The Board reviews the effectiveness of the system of internal 
control and where areas for improvement in the system are identified, they will consider the recommendations made  
by the Audit Committee.

Management are responsible for the identification and evaluation of significant risks applicable to their areas of business 
together with the design and operation of suitable internal controls. As part of this identification process, management 
have identified a number of risks which could materially adversely affect the business financial condition or results of 
operations. These risks, which are set out in Appendix A of this annual report, are assessed on a continual basis.

With regard to the guidance for Directors on internal control, “Internal Control: Guidance for Directors on the Combined 
Code (the Turnbull guidance)”, the Board confirms, as outlined above, that there is an ongoing process for identifying, 
evaluating and managing the significant risks faced by the Group. This has been in place for the period under review 
and up to the date of approval of the annual report and financial statements and is reviewed by the Board in 
accordance with the guidance.

Memorandum	and	articles	of	association

The Company’s Memorandum of Association sets out the objectives and powers of the Company. The Articles of 
Association detail the rights attaching to the Company’s ordinary shares; the method by which the Company’s shares 
can be purchased or re-issued; the provisions which apply to the holding of and voting at general meetings; and the 
rules relating to the Directors, including their appointment, retirement, re-election, duties and powers. The Company’s 
Articles of Association may be amended by special resolution passed by the shareholders at an annual or extraordinary 
general meeting of the Company. A special resolution is passed at a meeting if not less than 75% of the members who 
vote in person or by proxy at the meeting vote in favour of the resolution.

A copy of the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association can be obtained from the Company’s website, 
www.iconplc.com.

Code	of	ethics

The Board of Directors adopted the Company’s code of ethics in 2003 (the “2003 Code”), which applies to the Chief 
Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and any persons performing similar functions, if any, of the Company. On  
22 March 2011 the 2003 Code was replaced by the Group’s new code of ethics which applies to all Group employees 
(the “2011 Code”). There are no material modifications to, or waivers from, the provisions of the 2011 Code, which are 
required to be disclosed and prior to being replaced by the 2011 Code, there were no waivers from the provisions of 
the 2003 Code although minor modifications were made to it in January 2011. A copy of both the 2003 Ethics Code 
and the 2011 Ethics Code are available on the Company’s website, www.iconplc.com.

Communications	with	shareholders

Communications with shareholders are given high priority and there is regular dialogue with individual institutional 
shareholders other than during closed periods, as well as general presentations at the time of the announcement of the 
annual and interim results. The Company’s Annual General Meeting affords individual shareholders the opportunity to 
question the Chairman, the Board and Board Committee Chairmen. In addition, the Company is available to respond 
throughout the year to shareholders on issues that shareholders wish to raise. The non-Executive directors are kept 
informed of the views of the stock market analysts and major shareholders in relation to the Company.

The Company’s website, www.iconplc.com, provides the full text of annual and interim reports together with all relevant 
press releases.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Corporate Governance Report (continued)

Compliance	statement

The Board confirms that the Company has complied with the relevant principles of section 1 of the Combined Code 
during the year ended 31 December 2010 except for:

n  A formal policy for regular evaluation of the Board Committees, individual Directors and the Chairman, which  

has yet to be put in place,

n  Non Executive Directors are in receipt of share options which has been deemed appropriate by the Board  

(and which is allowed by the NASDAQ listing rules where the Company has its primary listing), and

n  Directors with more than 9 years service are not subject to annual re-election.

The Board considers Thomas Lynch to be independent despite having served as a non Executive Director for more than 
9 years. In making this decision, the Board took into account that the Combined Code provides that a director having 
more than 9 years service is relevant in deciding whether a director is independent. However, despite having more than 
9 years service, the Board is satisfied that Thomas Lynch is independent for the purposes of the Combined Code as he 
is independent in character and judgement and there are no relationships or circumstances which are likely to affect, or 
could appear to affect, his judgement as an independent non-Executive Director.

The Board welcomes the introduction of and is actively considering the 2010 UK Code and Irish Annex which apply in 
respect of the financial year commenced 1 January 2011. Since 1 January 2011, the Company has complied with the 
relevant provisions of the 2010 UK Code except for:

n  The exceptions listed above in respect of the Combined Code,

n  The Company currently intends not to put all Directors up for re-election in 2011 and instead will put forward  

3 of the 9 Directors in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association,

n  The Company does not intend in 2011 to have an independent evaluation of the Board but it should be noted 

that an independent evaluation is only required once every 3 years.

The Company feels that all non-compliance with the Combined Code, the 2010 UK Code and the Irish Annex are 
adequately explained in the Annual Report and that none have any material impact on Shareholder’s interests.

On	behalf	of	the	board

Dr. Bruce Given 
Director 

Peter Gray 
Director

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Directors’	Responsibilities	Statement	in	respect	of	the	Annual	Report	and	the	Financial	Statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Consolidated and Company financial statements, 
in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and Company financial statements for each financial year. Under 
that law the directors are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the EU and have elected to prepare the Company financial statements in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and as applied in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009.

The Group and Company financial statements are required by law and IFRSs as adopted by the EU to present fairly the 
financial position and performance of the Group and Company. The Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 provide in relation  
to such financial statements that references in the relevant part of that Act to financial statements giving a true and fair 
view are references to their achieving a fair presentation.

In preparing each of the Group and Company financial statements, the directors are required to:

n  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

n  make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

n  state that the financial statements comply with the IFRSs as adopted by the EU, and in the case of the 

Company, as applied in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009; and

n  prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group 

and Company will continue in business.

Under applicable law and the requirements of the Listing Rules issued by the Irish Stock Exchange, the Directors  
are also responsible for preparing a Directors’ Report and reports relating to directors’ remuneration and corporate 
governance that comply with the law and those Rules. In particular, in accordance with the Transparency (Directive 
2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 (the Transparency Regulations), the directors are required to include in their report  
a fair review of the business and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties (outlined in Appendix A) facing  
the Group and the Company and a responsibility statement relating to these and other matters, included below.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper books of account that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time 
the financial position of the Company and the Group and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply 
with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 
They are also responsible for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group 
and Company and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Under applicable law and the requirements of the Listing Rules issued by the Irish Stock Exchange regulations, the 
directors are also responsible for preparing a Directors’ Report and reports relating to directors’ remuneration and 
corporate governance that comply with that law and those Rules.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on 
the Company’s website. Legislation in the Republic of Ireland governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities (continued)

Responsibility	Statement,	in	accordance	with	the	Transparency	Regulations

Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed on page 2	confirm that, to the best of each person’s 
knowledge and belief:

n 

n 

n 

the Group financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair 
view of the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Group at 31 December 2010 and its profit for the year 
then ended;

the Company financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and as applied  
in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities and 
financial position of the Company at 31 December 2010; and

the directors’ report contained in the Annual Report includes a fair view of the development and performance  
of the business and the position of the Group and Company, together with a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties that they face.

On	behalf	of	the	board

Dr. Bruce Given 
Director 

Peter Gray 
Director

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of ICON plc

We have audited the Group and Company financial statements (the ‘‘financial statements’’) of ICON plc for the year 
ended 31 December 2010 which comprise of the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated and Company 
Statements of Financial Position, the Consolidated and Company Statements of Cash Flow, the Consolidated 
Statements of Recognised Income and Expense, the Consolidated and Company Statements of Changes in Equity  
and the related notes (notes 1 to 32). These financial statements have been prepared under the accounting policies  
set out therein.

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with section 193 of the Companies 
Act 1990. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we 
are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we 
do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body,  
for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Respective	responsibilities	of	Directors	and	Auditors

The Directors’ responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU and, in the case of  
the Company as applied in accordance with Company Acts 1963 to 2009, are set out in the Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities on pages 30 and 31.

Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements  
and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland).

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view in accordance with IFRSs 
as adopted by the EU, and have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009 and,  
in the case of the Consolidated financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. We also report to you our opinion 
as to: whether proper books of account have been kept by the Company; whether at the balance sheet date, there 
exists a financial situation requiring the convening of an extraordinary general meeting of the Company; and whether  
the information given in the Directors’ Report is consistent with the financial statements. In addition, we state whether  
we have obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of our audit, and whether the 
Company balance sheet is in agreement with the books of account.

We also report to you if, in our opinion, any information specified by law or the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange 
regarding Directors’ remuneration and Directors’ transactions is not disclosed and, where practicable, include such 
information in our report.

We are required by law to report to you our opinion as to whether the description of the main features of the internal 
control and risk management systems in relation to the process for preparing the consolidated group financial statements, 
set out in the annual Corporate Governance Statement is consistent with the consolidated financial statements. In addition 
we review whether the Corporate Governance Statement reflects the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions  
of the 2008 Combined Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange, and we report  
if it does not. We are not required to consider whether the Directors’ statements on internal control cover all risks and 
controls, or form an opinion on the effectiveness of the Group’s corporate governance procedures or its risk and control 
procedures.

We read the other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent with the audited 
financial statements. The other information comprises only the Directors’ Report and the Report on Directors’ 
Remuneration. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or 
material inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of ICON plc (continued)

Basis	of	audit	opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing 
Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures  
in the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgments made by the 
directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to  
the Group’s and Company’s circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered 
necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements  
are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we 
also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements.

Opinion

In our opinion:

n 

n 

n 

n 

the Consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by  
the EU, of the state of the Group’s affairs as at 31 December 2010 and of its profit for the year then ended;

the Company financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU  
and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009, of the state of the 
Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2010;

the Consolidated financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts 
1963 to 2009 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation; and

the Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963  
to 2009.

Other	Matters

We have obtained all the information and explanations which we consider necessary for the purposes of our audit.  
In our opinion proper books of account have been kept by the Company. The Company balance sheet is in agreement 
with the books of account.

In our opinion the information given in the directors’ report and the description in the annual corporate governance 
statement of the main features of the internal control and risk management systems in relation to the process for 
preparing the consolidated groups financial statements is consistent with the financial statements.

The net assets of the Company, as stated in the Company balance sheet, are more than half of the amount of its  
called-up share capital and, in our opinion, on that basis there did not exist at 31 December 2010 a financial situation 
which under Section 40 (1) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1983 would require the convening of an extraordinary 
general meeting of the Company.

KPMG	
Chartered Accountants 
Registered Auditor 
Dublin, Ireland

18 April 2011

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Statement of Accounting Policies

Basis	of	preparation

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in 
relation to the Group’s financial statements.

The Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRS) that are adopted by the European Union (EU) that are effective at 31 December 2010. The Directors have  
elected to prepare the Company financial statements in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU and as applied  
in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009. The Group adopted the amendment to IAS 1 Presentation  
of Financial Statements – A Revised Presentation during 2009. This amendment sets overall requirements for  
the presentation of financial statements, guidelines for their structure and minimum requirements for their content.  
The revised standard aims to improve users’ ability to analyse and compare information given in financial statements. 
The revised standard prohibits the presentation of items of income and expenses (that is, non-owner changes in equity)  
in the statement of changes in equity, requiring non-owner changes in equity to be presented separately from owner 
changes in equity in a statement of comprehensive income. As a result, the Group presents in the consolidated statements 
of changes in equity all owner changes in equity, whereas all non-owner changes in equity are presented in a performance 
statement. The Group have elected to present non-owner changes in equity in two separate performance statements: 
the Consolidated Income Statement and the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. The adoption of the 
amendment did not impact on the Statement of Financial Position or results from operations.

These Group and Company financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest 
thousand ($ ‘000), except where otherwise indicated, being the reporting currency of the Group. They are prepared on 
the historical cost basis, except for the measurement at fair value on date of grant of share options and the UK defined 
benefit pension plan. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. The 
estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors believed to be reasonable 
under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making the judgments about carrying values of assets 
and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. These estimates and judgments are reviewed on an ongoing 
basis. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Accounting policies are applied consistently with the prior year.

Statement	of	compliance

The Group financial statements have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (“EU IFRS”), and the individual financial statements  
of the Company (“Company Financial Statements”) have been prepared and approved by the Directors in accordance 
with EU IFRSs as applied in accordance with the Companies Acts 1963 to 2009. In accordance with Companies Acts 
1963 to 2009, a company that publishes its Group and Company financial statements together, can take advantage  
of the exemption in Section 148(8) of the Companies Act 1963 from presenting to its members a Company income 
statement and related notes that form part of the approved Company financial statements.

The International Accounting Standards Board and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee 
(“IFRIC”) have issued the following standards and interpretations which have not yet been adopted by the Company  
or Group:

n	 Amendment to IFRS 2 Share-based Payment – “Group Cash-settled share-based payment transactions” 

(effective 1 January 2010)

n  Amendment to IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures (effective 1 January 2011)

n  Amendment to IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (effective 1 July 2009)

n  Amendment to IAS 32 Financial Instruments: “Classification of Rights Issues” (effective 1 February 2010)*

n  Amendments to IAS 39 Financial Instrument: Recognition and Measurements and IFRS 7 Financial Instrument: 

Disclosure (effective 1 July 2008)*

n  Amendments to IAS 39 Financial Instrument: Recognition and Measurements (effective 1 July 2009)



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Statement of Accounting Policies (continued)

Statement	of	compliance	(continued)

n 

n 

n 

IFRIC Interpretation 14 Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement (effective 1 January 2012)

IFRIC Interpretation 19 Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments (effective 1 July 2010)

Improvements to IFRS (effective 1 January 2010)*

* Endorsed by the EU

The Group does not anticipate that the adoption of these standards and interpretations will have a material effect  
on its financial statements on initial adoption.

Basis	of	consolidation

The Group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of ICON plc and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are 
consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and cease to be consolidated from the date  
on which control is transferred out of the Group. Control exists when the Company has the power, directly or indirectly, 
to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain economic benefits from its activities. Financial 
statements of subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting year as the Company and where necessary, adjustments 
are made to the results of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those used by the Group. The 
Group will continue to prepare the statutory, individual financial statements of subsidiary companies under GAAP 
applicable in their country of incorporation but adjustments have been made to the results and financial position  
of such companies to bring their accounting policies into line with those of the Group.

All inter-company balances and transactions, including unrealised profits arising from inter-group transactions, have 
been eliminated in full. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same manner as unrealised gains except to the extent 
that there is evidence of impairment.

Foreign	currency	translation

The presentation currency of the Group and Company is US dollars ($). The functional currency of the Company is 
Euros. The Company financial statements have been presented in US dollars as a large number of the Company’s 
investors are domiciled in the United States. Results and cash flows of non-dollar denominated undertakings are 
translated into dollars at the actual exchange rates at the transaction dates or average exchange rates for the year 
where this is a reasonable approximation. The related balance sheets are translated at the rates of exchange ruling at 
the balance sheet date. Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on acquisition of a foreign operation are regarded  
as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation, are expressed in the functional currency of the foreign operation and  
are recorded at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and subsequently retranslated at the applicable  
closing rates. Adjustments arising on translation of the results of non-dollar undertakings at average rates, and on the 
restatement of the opening net assets at closing rates, are dealt with in a separate translation reserve within equity.

Transactions in currencies different to the functional currencies of operations are recorded at the rate of exchange ruling 
at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated into the 
functional currency at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. All translation differences are taken to the income 
statement. In addition long term intercompany balances where repayment is not foreseen are treated as part of the net 
investment and exchange difference are included in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Statement of Accounting Policies (continued)

Foreign	currency	translation	(continued)

The principal exchange rates used for the translation of results, cash flows and balance sheets into US dollars were  
as follows:

Average

Year	end

Year	to	
	December	
00

.0

.0

Year to 
31 December 
2009

1.39520

1.56763

	December	
00

31 December 
2009

.

.99

1.43160

1.61540

Euro 1:$

Pound Sterling 1:$

On disposal of a foreign operation, accumulated currency translation differences, together with any exchange differences 
on foreign currency borrowings that provide a hedge of the net investment are recognised in the income statement as 
part of the overall gain or loss on disposal; the cumulative currency translation differences arising prior to the transition 
date have been set to zero for the purposes of ascertaining the gain or loss on disposal of a foreign operation 
subsequent to 1 June 2004.

Property,	plant	and	equipment

Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any provisions for 
impairment losses.

Depreciation is calculated to write off the original cost of property, plant and equipment less its estimated residual  
value over its expected useful lives on a straight line basis. The estimated useful lives applied in determining the  
charge to depreciation are as follows:

Buildings 
Computer Equipment 
Office furniture and fixtures 
Laboratory equipment 
Motor vehicles 

Years	
40 
4 
8 
5 
5

Leasehold improvements are amortised using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset  
or the lease term, whichever is shorter.

Residual values and useful lives of property, plant and equipment are reviewed and adjusted if appropriate at each 
balance sheet date. Assets acquired under finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of their useful economic  
life and the lease term.

On disposal of property, plant and equipment the cost and related accumulated depreciation and impairments are 
removed from the financial statements and the net amount, less any proceeds, is taken to the income statement.

The carrying amounts of the Group’s property, plant and equipment are reviewed at each balance sheet date to 
determine whether there is any indication of impairment. Where such an indicator exists an impairment review is carried 
out. An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash generation unit exceeds  
its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement unless the asset is recorded at a 
revalued amount in which case it is firstly dealt with through the revaluation reserve with any residual amount being 
transferred to the income statement.

Subsequent costs are included in an asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only 
when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the 
replaced item can be measured reliably. All other repair and maintenance costs are charged to the income statement 
during the financial period in which they are incurred.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

	
Statement of Accounting Policies (continued)

Leased	Assets	–	as	lessee

Finance leases, which transfer to the Group substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the leased asset, are 
capitalised at the inception of the lease at the fair value of the leased asset or if lower the present value of the minimum 
lease payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. 
Lease payments are apportioned between the finance charges and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a 
constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are charged to the income statement 
as part of finance costs.

Capitalised leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term.

Leases where the lessor retains substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the assets are classified as 
operating leases. Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the income statement on a straight line 
basis over the lease term. Lease incentives are recognised over the term of the lease as an integral part of the total 
lease expense.

Investments	in	subsidiaries	–	company

Investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost less provision for impairment in the Company’s balance sheet. 
Loans to subsidiary undertakings are initially recorded at fair value in the Company balance sheet and subsequently at 
amortised cost using an effective interest rate methodology.

Business	combinations

The cost of a business combination is measured as the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of assets 
given, liabilities incurred or assumed and equity instruments issued in exchange for control together with any directly 
attributable costs. Where a business combination agreement provides for an adjustment to the cost of the acquisition 
which is contingent on future events, the amount of the estimated adjustment is recognised on the acquisition date at 
the acquisition date fair value of this contingent consideration if it can be reliably measured. Any changes to this estimate  
in subsequent periods will depend on the classification of the contingent consideration. If the contingent consideration  
is classified as equity it shall not be remeasured and the settlement shall be accounted for within equity. If the contingent 
consideration is classified as an asset or liability any adjustments will be accounted for through the Consolidated Income 
Statement or other comprehensive income depending on whether the asset or liability is considered a financial instrument.

The assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of businesses acquired are measured at their fair values at the date of 
acquisition. In the case of a business combination which is completed in stages, the fair values of the identifiable assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities are determined at the date of each exchange transaction. When the initial accounting 
for a business combination is determined provisionally, any subsequent adjustments to the provisional values allocated 
to the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are made within twelve months of the acquisition date and 
presented as adjustments to the original acquisition accounting.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of net identifiable 
assets of the acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on the acquisition of subsidiaries is included in 
‘intangible assets – goodwill and other’.

At the acquisition date, any goodwill acquired is allocated to each of the cash-generating units expected to benefit from 
the combination’s synergies. Impairment is determined by assessing the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit 
to which the goodwill relates.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Statement of Accounting Policies (continued)

Goodwill	(continued)

Where goodwill forms part of a cash-generating unit and part of the operation within that unit is disposed of, the goodwill 
associated with the operation disposed of is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain 
or loss on disposal of the operation. Goodwill disposed of in this circumstance is measured on the basis of the relative 
values of the operation disposed of and the proportion of the cash-generating unit retained.

Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill relating  
to acquisitions post 1 June 2001 and the deemed cost of goodwill carried in the balance sheet at 1 June 2001 is not 
amortised. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying value may be impaired.

Impairment	of	non	financial	assets

The carrying amounts of the Group’s assets, other than deferred tax assets, are reviewed at each balance sheet date  
to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount 
is estimated. An estimate of the recoverable amount of goodwill is carried out at each balance sheet date.

An impairment loss is recognised in the income statement whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash 
generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash generating units are 
allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to cash generating units and then, to reduce the 
carrying amount of other assets in the unit on a pro rata basis.

The recoverable value of assets, other than receivables carried at amortised cost and short term receivables, is the 
greater of their net selling price and value in use. Value in use is assessed by discounting estimated future cash flows  
of the asset to their present value or discounting the estimated future cash flows of the cash generating unit where the 
asset does not generate independent cash flows. Estimated cash flows are discounted using a pre tax discount rate 
reflecting current market estimates of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.

The recoverable amount of receivables carried at amortised cost is calculated by discounting the present value  
of estimated future cash flows of the asset to their present value, discounted at the original effective interest rate. 
Receivables with a short duration of less than six months are not discounted.

Impairment losses in respect of receivables carried at amortised cost are reversed if subsequent increases in the 
recoverable amount of the asset can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was 
recognised.

Impairment losses in respect of other assets, other than goodwill, are reversed if there has been a change in the 
estimates used to determine recoverable amount. Impairment losses are reversed only to the extent that the carrying 
amount of the asset does not exceed the carrying value that would have been determined, net of depreciation or 
amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised. Impairment losses in respect of goodwill are not reversed.

Intangible	assets

Other intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Amortisation is 
charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets, currently 
estimated as follows:

Computer software 
Customer relationships 
Volunteer list 
Order backlog 

Years	
4-8 
3-11 
6 
3



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

	
Statement of Accounting Policies (continued)

Inventories

Inventories, which comprise laboratory inventories, are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost in the 
case of raw materials comprises the purchase price and attributable costs, less trade discounts. Net realisable value is 
the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less selling expenses.

Trade	and	other	receivables

Trade and other receivables are initially measured at fair value and are thereafter measured at amortised cost using  
the effective interest rate method less any provision for impairment. A provision for impairment of trade receivables is 
recognised when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the 
original terms of the receivables. Impairment losses, and any subsequent recovery of such losses, are recognised in the 
income statement within ‘other operating expenses’.

Current	asset	investments	–	available	for	sale

Financial instruments held are classified as current assets and are stated at fair value, with any resultant gain or loss 
recognised in the statement of recognised income and expense. The fair value of financial instruments classified as 
available-for-sale is their market price at the balance sheet date.

Cash	and	cash	equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly liquid investments with initial maturities of three months or less  
and are stated at cost, which approximates market value.

Trade	payables

Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest rate method.

Government	grants

Government grants received that compensate the Group for the cost of an asset are recognised in the balance sheet 
initially as deferred income when there is reasonable assurance that it will be received and that the Group will comply 
with the conditions attaching to it. Such grants are recognised in the income statement on a systematic basis over  
the useful economic life of the asset.

Grants that compensate the Group for expenses incurred are recognised in the income statement on a systematic  
basis in the same periods in which the expenses are incurred provided that the Group meets all the conditions for 
receipt of the grant.

Under grant agreements amounts received may become repayable in full or in part should certain circumstances 
specified within the grant agreements occur, including downsizing by the Group, disposing of the related assets, 
ceasing to carry on its business or the appointment of a receiver over any of its assets. The Group has not recognised 
any such loss contingency having assessed as remote the likelihood of these events arising.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Statement of Accounting Policies (continued)

Interest	bearing	loans	and	borrowings

Interest bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, interest bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption 
value being recognised in the income statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

Fees paid on the establishment of loan facilities are recognised as transaction costs of the loan to the extent that it is 
probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down. In this case, the fee is deferred until the draw-down occurs.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the 
liability for at least 12 months after the balance sheet date.

Provisions

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has a present or legal or constructive obligation as a 
result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation.  
If the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash 
flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability. 
Where discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost.

A provision for restructuring is recognised when the Group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and 
the restructuring has either commenced or has been announced publicly. Future operating costs are not provided for.

A provision for onerous contracts is recognised when the expected benefits to be derived by the Group from a contract 
are lower than the unavoidable cost of meeting its obligations under the contract.

Share	capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options  
are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds. Where any Group company purchases the 
Company’s share capital (treasury shares), the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental costs  
(net of income taxes) is deducted from equity attributable to the company’s equity holders until the shares are cancelled 
or reissued. Where such shares are subsequently reissued, any consideration received, net of any directly attributable 
incremental transaction costs and the related income tax effects, is included in equity attributable to the Company’s 
equity holders.

Employee	benefits

(a) Pension and other post-employment benefits

Certain companies within the Group operate defined contribution pension plans. A defined contribution plan is a pension 
plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. The Group has no legal or constructive 
obligations to pay further contributions if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits 
relating to employee service in the current and prior periods. Contributions to defined contribution pension plans are 
expensed as incurred.

The Company operates a defined benefit pension plan for certain of its United Kingdom employees through a subsidiary. 
A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that is not a defined contribution plan. Typically defined benefit plans define the 
amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such 
as age, years of service and compensation.

Obligations for contributions to defined benefit contribution pension plans are recognised as an expense in the income 
statement as service is received from the relevant employees.

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Statement of Accounting Policies (continued)

Employee	benefits	(continued)

(a) Pension and other post-employment benefits (continued)

The Group’s net obligation in respect of the defined benefit pension plan is calculated separately by estimating the 
amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods; that 
benefit is discounted to determine its present value, and the fair value of plan assets deducted. The discount rate used  
is the yield at the balance sheet date on AA credit rated bonds that have maturity dates approximating to the terms  
of the Group’s obligations. The calculation is performed by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. 
Returns on the scheme assets are recorded in the financing income line in the Consolidated income statement while 
interest on the scheme liabilities are recorded in the financing expense line. When benefits of a plan are improved, the 
portion of the increased benefit relating to the past service by employees is recognised as an expense in the income 
statement on a straight line basis over the average period until the benefits become vested. To the extent that the 
benefits vest immediately, the expense is recognised immediately in the income statement.

All actuarial gains and losses as at 1 June 2004, the date of transition to IFRSs, were recognised and adjusted against 
retained earnings. Actuarial gains and losses arising after this date are recognised immediately in the Statement of 
Recognised Income and Expenditure.

(b) Share-based payments

Share-based payments comprise options to acquire ordinary shares in the Company and restricted share units awarded 
to the Directors and other employees of the Group based on service and non-market performance conditions such as term 
of employment and individual performance. The fair value of options granted is recognised as an employee expense with  
a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at grant date and spread over the period during which 
the Directors and other employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair value of options granted is 
measured using a binomial lattice model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were 
granted. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the options granted, excluding 
the impact of any non-market service and performance vesting conditions (for example profitability, sales growth 
targets). Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected  
to vest. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest.

Revenue	recognition

The Group primarily earns revenues by providing clinical research services to its customers. Clinical research services 
include clinical trials management, biometric activities, imaging consulting, laboratory services and contract staffing. 
Contracts range in duration from a number of months to several years.

Clinical trials management revenue is recognised on a proportional performance method. Depending on the contractual 
terms, revenue is either recognised on the percentage of completion method, based on the relationship between hours 
incurred and the total estimated hours of the trial, or on the unit of delivery method. Biometrics revenue is recognised on 
a fee-for-service method on the basis of the number of units completed in a period as a percentage of the total number 
of contracted units. Imaging revenue is recognised on a fee-for-service basis. Consulting revenue is recognised on a 
fee-for-service basis as the related service is performed. Laboratory service revenue is recognised on a fee-for-service 
basis. Contract staffing revenue is recognised on a fee-for-service basis, over the time the related service is performed, 
or in the case of permanent placement, once the candidate has been placed with the client. The Company accounts  
for laboratory service contracts as multiple element arrangements, with contractual elements comprising laboratory kits 
and laboratory testing, each of which can be sold separately. Fair values for contractual elements are determined by 
reference to objective and reliable evidence of their fair values. Non-refundable set-up fees are allocated as additional 
consideration to the contractual elements based on the proportionate fair values of each of these elements. Revenues 
for contractual elements are recognised on the basis of the number of deliverable units completed in the period.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Statement of Accounting Policies (continued)

Revenue	recognition	(continued)

Contracts generally contain provisions for renegotiation in the event of changes in the scope, nature, duration, volume  
of services or conditions of the contract. Renegotiated amounts are recognised as revenue by revision to the total 
contract value arising as a result of an authorised customer change order. Provisions for losses to be incurred on 
contracts are recognised in full in the period in which it is determined that a loss will result from performance of the 
contractual arrangement.

The difference between the amount of revenue recognised and the amount billed on a particular contract is included in 
the balance sheet as unbilled revenue. Normally, amounts become billable upon the achievement of certain milestones, 
in accordance with pre-agreed payment schedules included in the contract or on submission of appropriate billing 
detail. Such cash payments are not representative of revenue earned on the contract as revenues are recognised over 
the period in which the specified contractual obligations are fulfilled. Amounts included in unbilled revenue are expected 
to be collected within one year and are included within current assets. Advance billings to customers, for which revenue 
has not been recognised, are recognised as payments on account within current liabilities.

In the event of contract termination, if the value of work performed and recognised as revenue is greater than aggregate 
milestone billings at the date of termination, cancellation clauses ensure that the Company is paid for all work performed 
to the termination date.

Reimbursable	expenses

Reimbursable expenses comprise investigator payments and certain other costs which are reimbursed by clients under 
terms specific to each contract and are deducted from gross revenue in arriving at net revenue. Investigator payments 
are accrued based on patient enrolment over the life of the contract. Investigator payments are made based on 
predetermined contractual arrangements, which may differ from the accrual of the expense.

Direct	costs

Direct costs consist of compensation and associated employee benefits for project-related employees and other direct 
project related costs.

Research	and	development	credits

Research and development credits that are provided under the income tax law of the jurisdictions in which the Group 
operates generally are recognised as a reduction of income tax expense. However, certain tax jurisdictions provide 
refundable credits that are not dependent on the Group’s ongoing tax status or tax position. In these circumstances the 
benefit of these credits is not recorded as a reduction to income tax expense, but rather as a reduction of the operating 
expenditure to which the credits relate.

Financing	expense

Financing expense comprises interest payable on borrowings calculated using the effective interest rate method,  
finance charges on finance leases, foreign exchange gains and losses on bank loans, interest costs on defined  
benefit obligations and gains and losses on hedging instruments that are recognised in the income statement.

Financing	income

Interest income is recognised in the income statement as it accrues, using the effective interest rate method  
and includes interest receivable on funds invested and actuarial gains on pension plan assets.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Statement of Accounting Policies (continued)

Income	tax

The tax expense in the income statement represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the 
income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and  
it further excludes items that are not taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using rates 
that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date.

Tax is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity.

Deferred income tax is provided, using the liability method, on all differences between the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes except those arising from 
non-deductible goodwill or on initial recognition of an asset or liability which affects neither accounting nor taxable  
profit. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when  
the asset is expected to be realised or the liability to be settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible differences, carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax 
losses, to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary 
differences and the carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses can be utilised.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is 
no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit would be available to allow all or part of the deferred income tax asset  
to be utilised.

Earnings	per	ordinary	share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net profit for the financial period attributable to ordinary 
shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue that ranked for dividend 
during the financial period.

Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the profit for the financial period attributable to ordinary shareholders 
of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue after adjusting for the effects of all potential 
dilutive ordinary shares that were outstanding during the financial period.

Segment	reporting

An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues 
and incur expenses, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Group’s other components. 
The Group determines and presents operating segments based on the information that internally is provided to the 
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who together are considered the Group’s chief operating 
decision maker. An operating segment’s operating results are reviewed regularly by the CEO and CFO to make decisions 
about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and for which discrete financial information 
is available.

Segment results that are reported to the CEO and CFO include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those 
that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the period to 
acquire property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets other than goodwill.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Gross	revenue

Reimbursable expenses

Net	revenue

Direct costs

Other operating expenses

Exceptional items

Operating	profit

Financing income

Financing expense

Profit	before	taxation

Income tax expense

Profit	for	the	year

Attributable	to:

Equity holders of the Company

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

Note

,,

1,258,227

1

7

3

4

2

5

(,0)

900,0

(,0)

(,)

–

9,

,

(,)

9,9

(,)

(370,615)

887,612

(508,462)

(262,153)

(8,808)

108,189

1,492

(5,762)

103,919

(11,211)

,

92,708

24

,

92,708

Profit	for	the	year

,

92,708

Earnings	per	ordinary	share

Basic

Diluted

6

6

.

.

1.58

1.54

On	behalf	of	the	Board

Dr. Bruce Given 
Director 

Peter Gray 
Director



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Items	of	income	and	expense	recognised	directly	in	equity

Currency translation differences

Foreign exchange on long-term intercompany funding (net of tax)

Deferred tax movement on unexercised options

Tax benefit excess on exercised options

Actuarial loss recognised on defined benefit pension scheme

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

Note

24

24

5

24

9

(9,0)

7,797

(,)

2,251

(,)

,

611

487

(,09)

(619)

Net (loss)/income recognised directly in equity

(,0)

10,527

Profit for the financial year

,

92,708

Total recognised income and expense for the year  
attributable to equity holders of the company

,

103,235

On	behalf	of	the	Board

Dr. Bruce Given 
Director 

Peter Gray 
Director

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 December 2010

ASSETS
Non-current	assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets – goodwill and other
Other non-current assets
Deferred tax assets
Total	non-current	assets

Current	assets
Inventories
Accounts receivable
Unbilled revenue
Other current assets
Current taxes receivable
Current asset investments
Cash and cash equivalents
Total	current	assets
Total	assets

EQUITY
Share capital
Share premium
Options reserve
Other reserves
Foreign currency translation reserve
Retained earnings
Total	equity	attributable	to	equity	holders

LIABILITIES
Non-current	liabilities
Deferred government grants and other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Total	non-current	liabilities

Current	liabilities
Accounts payable
Payments on account
Accrued and other liabilities
Current tax payable
Total	current	liabilities
Total	liabilities
Total	equity	and	liabilities

On	behalf	of	the	Board

Dr. Bruce Given 
Director 

Peter Gray 
Director



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

Note

11
12
14
5

15
16

17

18
19

23

24

20
5

20

0,00
,9
0,9
,
,

,9
,90
0,
,00
9,
–
,0
,
99,

,0
,
,
,
9
,9
,

,
,9
,

,
,0
00,
,9
9,
,0
99,

152,825
222,999
7,837
7,556
391,217

3,559
191,924
92,080
24,828
15,110
49,227
144,801
521,529
912,746

4,965
142,518
31,017
7,422
11,328
392,531
589,781

4,594
955
5,549

12,123
165,198
118,963
21,132
317,416
322,965
912,746

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Number	
of	shares

Share	
Capital	
$’000

Share	
Premium	
$’000

Options	
Reserve	
$’000

Other	
Reserves	
$’000

Currency	
Reserve	
$’000

Retained	
Earnings	
$’000

Total	
$’000

59,007,565

4,965

142,518

31,017

7,422

11,328

392,531

589,781

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,237,015

98

13,070

–

–

–

(2,865)

2,345

–

(520)

(520)

7,383

–

–

–

–

(51)

2,512

–

–

–

–

–

–

(6,402)

1,239,527

98

13,019

1,239,527

98

13,019

981

981

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

86,172

86,172

(9,701)

(1,278)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(9,701)

(1,278)

(2,865)

2,345

(1,209)

(1,209)

(10,979)

(1,209)

(12,708)

(10,979)

84,963

73,464

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,383

13,168

–

(51)

6,402

–

6,402

20,500

6,402

20,500

60,247,092

5,063

155,537

31,478

7,422

349

483,896

683,745

Balance at  
1 January 2010

Total	comprehensive		
income	for	the	year:

Profit for the year

Other	Comprehensive		
Income:

Foreign currency 
translation

Foreign exchange  
on long-term  
funding (net of tax)

Deferred tax movement  
on unexercised options

Tax benefit excess on 
exercise of options

Employee benefits

Total other  
comprehensive income

Total comprehensive  
income for the year

Transactions	with	
owners,	recorded	
directly	in	equity

Share-based payment

Exercise of  
share options

Issue of restricted  
share units

Share issue costs

Transfer of exercised and  
expired share-based 
awards

Total contributions  
by and distributions  
to owners

Total transactions  
with owners

Balance at  
31 December 2010

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2009

Number	
of	shares

Share	
Capital	
$’000

Share	
Premium	
$’000

Options	
Reserve	
$’000

Other	
Reserves	
$’000

Currency	
Reserve	
$’000

Retained	
Earnings	
$’000

Total	
$’000

58,518,195

4,921

138,227

28,123

7,422

1,280

294,153

474,126

Balance at  
1 January 2009

Total	comprehensive	
income	for	the	year:

Profit for the year

Other	Comprehensive	
Income:

Foreign currency 
translation

Foreign exchange  
on long-term funding  
(net of tax)

Deferred tax movement  
on unexercised options

Tax benefit excess  
on exercise of options

Employee benefits

Total other comprehensive 
income

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

Transactions	with	
owners,	recorded	
directly	in	equity

Share-based payment

Share issue costs

Transfer of exercised  
and expired share-based 
awards

Total contributions  
by and distributions  
to owners

Total transactions  
with owners

Balance at  
31 December 2009

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

489,730

489,730

Exercise of share options

489,370

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

44

–

–

44

44

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

4,375

(84)

–

–

–

611

487

–

1,098

1,098

8,085

–

–

–

(6,289)

4,291

1,796

4,291

1,796

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

92,708

92,708

7,797

2,251

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(619)

7,797

2,251

611

487

(619)

10,048

(619)

10,527

10,048

92,089

103,235

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8,085

4,419

(84)

6,289

–

6,289

12,420

6,289

12,420

59,007,565

4,965

142,518

31,017

7,422

11,328

392,531

589,781

Further details of the reserves above are detailed in note 24



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Profit	for	the	financial	year
Adjustments	to	reconcile	net	income	to		
net	cash	generated	from	operating	activities
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Amortisation of grants
Stock compensation expense
Finance income
Finance expense
Defined benefit pension costs
Income tax expense
Operating	cash	inflow	before	changes	in	working	capital

Decrease in accounts receivable
(Increase)/decrease in unbilled revenue
(Increase)/decrease in other current assets
Increase in other non current assets
Increase in inventory
Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable
(Decrease)/increase in payments on account
(Decrease)/increase in accrued and other liabilities
Increase in non current other liabilities
Cash	provided	by	operations
Income taxes paid
Employer contribution defined benefit pension scheme
Interest received
Interest paid
Net	cash	inflow	from	operating	activities
Investing	activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Purchase of subsidiary undertakings and acquisition costs
Cash acquired with subsidiary undertakings
Sale of current asset investments
Purchase of current asset investments
Grant received
Net	cash	provided	by/(used	in)	investing	activities
Financing	activities
Drawdown of bank loan facilities
Repayment of credit lines and facilities
Tax benefit from the exercise of share options
Proceeds from exercise of share options
Share issuance costs
Repayment of lease liabilities
Net	cash	provided	by/(used	in)	financing	activities
Net	increase	in	cash	and	cash	equivalents
Effect of exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at start of year
Cash	and	cash	equivalents	at	end	of	year

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

92,708


,9
,00
(0)
,
(,)
,

,
,

,
(,)
()
(,)
()

(9,9)
(,90)
999
0,
(,)
(9)
,0
()
,

(,990)
(,9)
(,9)
–
9,
(0,0)
–
,

–
–
,
,
()
()
,9
,0
(,0)
,0
,0

264
22,492
10,167
(149)
8,085
(1,492)
5,762
182
11,211
149,230

25,804
47,898
4,264
(903)
(202)
(5,641)
43,474
10,639
1,261
275,824
(17,610)
(432)
930
(3,642)
255,070

(22,274)
(11,518)
(25,932)
32
17,544
(24,045)
501
(65,692)

17,400
(126,969)
487
4,419
(84)
(311)
(105,058)
84,320
2,103
58,378
144,801

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Company Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 December 2010

ASSETS
Non-current	assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Investment in subsidiaries
Deferred tax asset
Total	non-current	assets

Current	assets
Other current assets
Amounts due by subsidiary undertakings
Cash and cash equivalents
Total	current	assets

Note

31(a)
31(b)
31(c)
31(d)

31(e)

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

,
,0
9,9

,0

,
,9

1,781
183
351,190
1,333
354,487

3,304
–
1,031
4,335

Total	assets

,00

358,822

EQUITY
Share capital
Share premium
Options reserve
Other reserves
Functional currency translation reserve
Retained earnings
Attributable	to	equity	holders

Total	equity

LIABILITIES

Current	liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued and other liabilities
Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings
Current taxes payable
Total	current	liabilities

Total	liabilities

Total	equity	and	liabilities

On	behalf	of	the	Board

Dr. Bruce Given 
Director 

Peter Gray 
Director

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

,0
,
0,900
,0
,99
,
,

4,965
142,518
29,919
6,071
32,521
116,509
332,503

,

332,503


,
–

,

,

305
9,587
16,406
21
26,319

26,319

,00

358,822

31(f)

Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Number	
of	shares

Share	
Capital	
$’000

Share	
Premium	
$’000

Options	
Reserve	
$’000

Other	
Reserves	
$’000

Currency	
Reserve	
$’000

Retained	
Earnings	
$’000

Total	
Equity	
$’000

59,007,565

4,965

142,518

29,919

6,071

32,521

116,509

332,503

–

–

–

–

–

2,512

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

98

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

13,070

–

(51)

–

–

–

–

7,383

–

–

–

–

(6,402)

1,239,527

98

13,019

1,239,527

98

13,019

981

981

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,956

1,956

(18,524)

(18,524)

–

–

(18,524)

(18,524)

(18,524)

1,956

(16,568)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

7,383

13,168

–

(51)

6,402

–

6,402

20,500

6,402

20,500

Balance at  
1 January 2010

Total	comprehensive	
income	for	the	year:

Profit for the year

Other	comprehensive	
income

Foreign currency 
translation

Total other  
comprehensive income

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

Transactions	with	
owners,	recorded	
directly	in	equity

Share-based payment

Issue of restricted  
share units

Share issue costs

Transfer of exercised  
and expired share- 
based awards

Total contributions  
by and distributions  
to owners

Total transactions  
with owners

Balance at  
31 December 2010

Exercise of share options

1,237,015

60,247,092

5,063

155,537

30,900

6,071

13,997

124,867

336,435

As permitted by section 148(8) of the Companies Act 1963, the Company has not presented a Company income 
statement. The profit for the 2010 financial year retained by the Company amounted to $(1,956,000) (2009: Loss of 
$2,426,000).

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Company Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2009

Number	
of	shares

Share	
Capital	
$’000

Share	
Premium	
$’000

Options	
Reserve	
$’000

Other	
Reserves	
$’000

Currency	
Reserve	
$’000

Retained	
Earnings	
$’000

Total	
Equity	
$’000

58,518,195

4,921

138,227

28,123

6,071

33,924

112,646

323,912

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

489,370

489,370

–

–

–

–

–

44

–

–

44

44

–

–

–

–

–

4,375

(84)

–

–

–

–

8,085

–

–

–

(6,289)

4,291

1,796

4,291

1,796

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(2,426)

(2,426)

(1,403)

(1,403)

–

–

(1,403)

(1,403)

(1,403)

(2,426)

(3,829)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8,085

4,419

(84)

6,289

–

6,289

12,420

6,289

12,420

59,007,565

4,965

142,518

29,919

6,071

32,521

116,509

332,503

Balance at  
1 January 2009

Total	comprehensive	
income	for	the	year:

Loss for the year

Other	comprehensive	
income

Foreign currency 
translation

Total other  
comprehensive income

Total comprehensive 
income for the year

Transactions	with	
owners,	recorded	
directly	in	equity

Share-based payment

Share issue costs

Transfer of exercised  
and expired share- 
based awards

Total contributions  
by and distributions  
to owners

Total transactions  
with owners

Balance at  
31 December 2009

Exercise of share options

489,370

As permitted by section 148(8) of the Companies Act 1963, the Company has not presented a Company income 
statement. The loss for the 2009 financial year retained by the Company amounted to $(2,426,000) (2008: profit  
of $55,187,000).



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Company Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 December 2010

Profit/(loss)	for	the	financial	year

Adjustments	to	reconcile	net	income/(loss)		
to	net	cash	provided	by	operating	activities:

Loss on disposal of fixed asset

Depreciation

Amortisation of intangible assets

Stock compensation expense

Interest on intercompany loans

Finance expense

Income tax expense

Operating	cash	inflow	before	changes	in	working	capital

Decrease in other current assets

Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities

Increase in income taxes payable

Cash	provided	by/(used	in)	operations

Interest paid

Income taxes paid

Net	cash	inflow/outflow	from	operating	activities

Investing	activities

Purchase of computer software

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Net	cash	used	by	investing	activities

Financing	activities

Drawdown of bank credit lines and loan facilities

Repayment of bank credit lines and loan facilities

Increase/(decrease) in amounts due from subsidiary undertakings

Proceeds from exercise of share options

Share issuance costs

Net	cash	(used	in)/provided	by	financing	activities

Net	increase	in	cash	and	cash	equivalents

Effect of exchange rate changes

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year

Cash	and	cash	equivalents	at	end	of	year

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

,9

(2,426)





9

,

(,)

,0

99

,0



,0



9,0

()

(9)

,

()

()

(99)

–

–

(9,0)

,

()

(,0)

,0

(0)

,0

,

14

526

25

941

(2,549)

3,373

795

699

699

(1,793)

238

(157)

(3,642)

(854)

(4,653)

(161)

(359)

(520)

17,400

(126,969)

110,914

4,419

(84)

5,680

507

80

444

1,031

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements

.	 Segmental	information

The Group determines and presents operating segments based on the information that internally is provided to  
the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who together are considered the Group’s chief 
operating decision maker. The Company’s primary listing for its shares is the NASDAQ market in the United States. 
Consequently, information reviewed by the chief operating decision maker is prepared in accordance with US 
generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). Reconciliations of the Group’s profit for the financial year  
and the shareholders equity from US GAAP to IFRS are set out on pages 111 to 113	of this report.

The Company operates predominantly in the contract clinical research industry providing a broad range of clinical 
research and integrated product development services on a global basis for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology 
industries. Historically, the Group organised, operated and assessed its business in two segments, the clinical 
research segment and the central laboratory segment, which includes the Company’s central laboratories located  
in Dublin, New York, India, Singapore and China. During 2009 management determined that its clinical research 
and central laboratory businesses operate in the same clinical research market, have a similar customer profile,  
are subject to the same regulatory environment, support the development of new clinical therapies and are so 
economically similar, reporting their results on an aggregated basis would be more useful to users of the Company’s 
financial statements. In addition, the central laboratory division did not reach the thresholds of net revenue, income 
from operations and total assets as a requirement for being reported as a separate segment. Accordingly, in 2009 
the Company consolidated and reclassified the results of the former central laboratory segment into the clinical 
research segment for the years ended 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2008.

During the year ended 31 December 2010 the Company incurred losses in its central laboratory business which 
breached the quantitative criteria in accordance with IFRS 8 Operating Segments and therefore requires the central 
laboratory business to be reported as a separate segment. Accordingly the Company has disclosed two reportable 
segments for the year ended 31 December 2010. The Company has also reclassified the results of the central 
laboratory segment from the clinical research segment for the year ended 31 December 2009.

Business	Segment	Information:

Segment	Revenue
Central laboratory
Clinical research
Total

Segment	Income	from	Operations
Central laboratory
Clinical research
Total

Segment	Depreciation	and	Amortisation
Central laboratory
Clinical research
Total

Segment	Interest	Income
Central laboratory
Clinical research
Total



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

(US	GAAP)	
Year	ended	
	December	
00	
US$’000

(US GAAP) 
Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
US$’000

,
,
900,0

(,9)
0,
9,09

,
,9
,

0
,
,

70,656
816,956
887,612

5,029
102,423
107,452

3,724
28,935
32,659

18
734
752

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Segmental	information	(continued)

Business	Segment	Information	(continued):

Segment	tax	(credit)/charge
Central laboratory
Clinical research
Total

Segment	assets:
Central laboratory
Clinical research
Total

Segment	Liabilities:
Central laboratory
Clinical research
Total

Capital	expenditure:
Central laboratory
Clinical research

Geographical	segment	information

External	revenue

Ireland

Rest of Europe

United States

Rest of World

Non-current	assets

Europe

United States

Rest of World

Major	customers

(US	GAAP)	
	December	
00	
US$’000

(US GAAP) 
31 December 
2009 
US$’000

(,)
,
,

0,00
9,
99,

,
,
9,

,99
,0
,9

610
9,765
10,375

61,809
846,589
908,398

14,440
321,713
336,153

10,774
24,040
34,814

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
US$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
US$’000

,90

9,

,9

9,9

900,0

0,

,

,

,

151,618

251,104

408,561

76,329

887,612

198,015

178,972

14,230

391,217

No one client accounted for more than 10% of revenue during the years ended 31 December 2010 and  
31 December 2009.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Segmental	information	(continued)

Revenue	categories

There were no significant categories of revenue recognised during the years ended 31 December 2010 and  
31 December 2009.

.	 Profit	before	taxation

Profit	before	taxation	is	stated	after	charging	the	following:

Year	ended		December	00

Auditors’	remuneration:

Audit fees (1) (2)

Other assurance fees (3)

Tax advisory fees (4)

Other non-audit fees (5)

Total	fees

Group	
auditor	
$’000

Affiliated	
firms	
$’000

,0



9

0

,09

0

0



–



Total	
$’000

,

9

,0

0

,0

Year ended 31 December 2009
Group 
auditor 
$’000

Affiliated 
firms 
$’000

Total 
$’000

1,130

11

585

–

1,726

370

249

342

–

961

1,500

260

927

–

2,687

(1)  Audit fees include annual audit fees for ICON plc and companies based in Ireland and the US.

(2)  Audit fees for the Company for the year is set at $30,000 (2009: $30,000).

(3)  Other assurance fees principally consist of fees for audit of remaining subsidiaries and fees for audit of financial statements  

of employee benefit plans.

(4)  Tax advisory fees are for tax compliance and tax advisory services.

(5)  Other non-audit fee principally consist of fees for financial due diligence.

Directors’	emoluments

Fees

Other emoluments and benefits in kind

Pension contributions

Stock compensation expense

Total	Directors’	emoluments

Amortisation of intangible assets

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Operating	lease	rentals:

Premises

Motor vehicles

Plant and equipment

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

0

9

0

9

,

,00

,

,

,

,0

364

3,991

718

719

5,792

10,167

22,492

36,206

6,935

2,025

For additional information regarding Directors’ shareholdings, share options and compensation, please refer  
to the Compensation and Organisation Committee Report and note 8 – Payroll and related benefits.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Financing	income

Financing	income:

Interest receivable

Defined benefit pension – expected return on plan assets

All of the above relates to items not at fair value through profit and loss.

.	 Financing	expense

Financing	expense:

Foreign exchange loss on bank loans

Interest on bank overdraft and credit facilities

Finance lease interest

Defined benefit pension-interest cost

All of the above relates to items not at fair value through profit and loss

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

90

,

752

740

1,492

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

–

,0





,

1,559

3,460

70

673

5,762

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	

Income	tax	expense

The components of the current and deferred tax expense for the years ended 31 December 2010 and 2009  
were as follows:

Current	tax	expense:

Current year

(Over)/under provided in prior years

Deferred	tax	charge/(credit):

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

Under/(over) provided in prior years

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

()

,9

,0



12,969

758

13,727

(1,428)

(1,088)

Total	income	tax	expense	in	the	income	statement

,

11,211

The total tax expense of $6.6 million and $11.2 million for the years ended 31 December 2010 and 31 December 
2009 respectively, reflects tax at standard rates on taxable profits in the jurisdictions in which the group operates, 
foreign withholding tax and the availability of tax losses.

The deferred tax charge of $3.3 million for the year ended 31 December 2010 and the deferred tax credit of 
$2.5 million for the year ended 31 December 2009, relate to deferred tax arising in respect of net operating losses 
and temporary differences in capital items, certain goodwill and the timing of the deduction of share option 
schemes for tax purposes. No deferred tax asset has been recognised on the defined benefit pension scheme.

A reconciliation of the expected tax expense, computed by applying the standard Irish tax rate to income before  
tax to the actual tax expense, is as follows:

Profit before tax

Irish standard tax rate

Taxes at Irish standard tax rate

Reversal of prior year under provision in respect of current foreign taxes

Foreign and other income taxed at higher rates

Non deductible expenses

Other

Losses for which no benefit has been recognised

Research and development tax incentives

Tax	expense	on	profit	for	the	year

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

9,

.%

,9

()

(,)

9





(,9)

,

103,919

12.5%

12,990

(329)

10,249

65

81

4,027

(15,872)

11,211



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	

Income	tax	expense	(continued)

The net deferred tax asset at 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009 was as follows:

Deferred	taxation	liabilities:

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill and related assets

Other intangible assets

Other

Accruals to cash method adjustment

Total deferred taxation liabilities

Less: offset against deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liability disclosed on balance sheet

Deferred	taxation	assets:

Net operating losses carried forward

Accrued expenses and payments on account

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred compensation

Stock compensation expense

Other

Total deferred taxation assets

Less: offset against deferred tax liabilities

Deferred tax asset disclosed on balance sheet

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

,



9



,00

(,)

,9

,

,



,9

,

9

,9

(,)

,

5,873

5,492

12

750

1,312

13,439

(12,484)

955

2,133

9,296

353

947

7,072

239

20,040

(12,484)

7,556

Net	deferred	taxation	asset



6,601

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	

Income	tax	expense	(continued)

The movement in temporary differences during the years ended 31 December 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

Balance	
	January	
00	
$’000

Acquired	
$’000

Recognised	
in	Income	
$’000

Recognised	
in	Equity	
$’000

Balance	
	December	
00	
$’000

Deferred	taxation	liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill on acquisition
Accruals to cash method adjustment
Other intangible assets
Other
Total	deferred	taxation	liabilities

Deferred	taxation	assets:
Net operating loss carry forwards
Accrued expenses and payments on 
account
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred compensation
Stock compensation expense
Other
Total	deferred	taxation	assets
Net	deferred	taxation	asset

5,873
5,492
12
1,312
750
,9

2,133

9,296
353
947
7,073
238
0,00
,0

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

605
1,856
808
(1,089)
(601)
,9

–
–
12
–
–


,
,


9
,00

1,710

35*

,

(2,774)
80
402
(950)
(147)
(,9)
(,)

66*
–
–
(2,865)
–
(,)
(,)

,

,9
,
9
,9


* These adjustments relate to currency translation on the deferred tax asset.

Balance	
	January	
009	
$’000

Acquired	
$’000

Recognised	
in	Income	
$’000

Recognised	
in	Equity	
$’000

Balance	
	December	
009	
$’000

Deferred	taxation	liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill on acquisition
Other intangible assets
Accruals to cash method adjustment
Other
Total	deferred	taxation	liabilities

Deferred	taxation	assets:
Net operating loss carry forwards
Accrued expenses and payments on 
account
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred compensation
Stock compensation expense
Other
Total	deferred	taxation	assets
Net	deferred	taxation	asset

5,667
5,112
546
1,219
1,008
,

3,690

6,746
260
737
6,177
21
,
,09

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–
–
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206
(338)
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(1,207)
(258)
()

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(1,592)

–
–
–
–
–
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()

2,482
93
210
285
214
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(7)
–
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68
–
–
611
3



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ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	

Income	tax	expense	(continued)

Unrecognised	deferred	tax	assets

At 31 December 2010, non-US subsidiaries had operating loss carry-forwards for income tax purposes that may  
be carried forward indefinitely, available to offset against future taxable income, if any, of approximately $43.3 million 
(31 December 2009: $34.8 million).

At 31 December 2010, ICON Laboratory Inc., a U.S. subsidiary, had U.S. Federal and State net operating loss  
carry forwards of approximately $10.2million and $11.4 million, respectively (31 December 2009: approximately 
$6.7 million and $5.3 million). These net operating losses are available for offset against future taxable income and 
expire between 2010 and 2029. Of the $10.2 million U.S. Federal and $11.4 million State net operating losses, 
approximately $9.1 million and $10.2 million are currently available for offset against future U.S. Federal and State 
taxable income respectively. The subsidiary’s ability to use the remaining U.S. Federal and State net operating  
loss (“NOL”) carry forwards of $1.1 million and $1.2 million respectively is limited to $113,000 per year due to the 
subsidiary experiencing a change of ownership in 2000, as defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code  
of 1986, as amended.

Certain of the deferred tax assets relating to net operating losses have not been recognised to the extent that  
it is considered unlikely that a benefit will be received in the future.

At 31 December 2010, ICON Clinical Research Inc and its US subsidiaries had combined US state net operating 
loss carry forwards of approximately $5.2 million and $13.9 million. These NOL’s are available for offset against 
future, or in some cases prior taxable income in the relevant state and generally expire between 2019 and 2030.

In total, the Group has unrecognised deferred tax assets at 31 December 2010 of $12.3 million and $10.4 million  
at 31 December 2009. The Company has not recognised the remaining deferred tax assets because it believes  
that it is more likely than not that the losses and other deferred tax assets will not be utilised given their history  
of operating losses.

Unrecognised	deferred	tax	liabilities

At 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009 respectively, there were no recognised or unrecognised deferred  
tax liabilities for taxes that would be payable on the unremitted earnings of certain of the Group’s subsidiaries.  
The Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences of its subsidiaries and it is 
probable that these temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

.	 Earnings	per	share

The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted net earnings per share for the year ended  
31 December 2010:

Numerator	computations

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Profit for the financial year

Profit attributable to equity holders

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

,

92,708

92,708

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.		 Earnings	per	share	(continued)

	December	
00

31 December 
2009

Number	of	Shares

Denominator	computations

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding – basic

Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares

9,,9

58,636,878

,9,

1,540,702

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding – diluted

0,9,

60,177,580

Earnings	per	Share

Basic earnings per ordinary share

Diluted earnings per ordinary share

	December	
00	
$

31 December 
2009 
$

.

.

1.58

1.54

The Company had 2,568,216 anti-dilutive shares in issue at 31 December 2010 (31 December 2009: 3,060,584).

.	 Exceptional	items

Exceptional items recognised during the year ended 31 December 2010 comprised:

Restructuring Charge

Research and Development Incentives

Net Charge

Restructuring	Charge

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

–

–

–

13,301

(4,493)

8,808

In response to the globalisation of clinical studies and its attendant impact on resources in existing and emerging 
markets, the Company conducted a review of its existing infrastructure during the three months ended 30 June 
2009 to better align its resources with the needs of its clients. On conclusion, a program of restructuring activities 
was initiated which resulted in resource rationalisations in certain more mature markets in which the Company 
operates and the recognition of an initial restructuring charge of $13.4 million.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Exceptional	items	(continued)

Details of restructuring provisions recognised are as follows

Initial provision recognised

Amounts released

Net provision recognised

Cash payments

Property, plant and equipment write-off

Closing provision as at 31 December 2010

Research	and	Development	Incentives

Workforce	
Reductions	
$’000

Office	
Consolidations	
$’000

4,886

–

4,886

(4,886)

–

–

8,548

(133)

8,415

(6,188)

(1,912)

315

Total	
$’000

13,434

(133)

13,301

(11,074)

(1,912)

315

During the year ended 31 December 2009 the Company received research and development incentives in certain 
jurisdictions in which it operates. Research and development credits are available to the Company under the tax 
laws in certain jurisdictions, based on qualifying research and development spend as defined under those tax  
laws. Research and development credits are generally recognised as a reduction of income tax expense. However, 
certain tax jurisdictions provide refundable credits that are not wholly dependent on the Company’s ongoing income 
tax status or income tax position. In these circumstances the benefit of these credits is not recorded as a reduction 
to income tax expense, but rather as a reduction of the operating expenditure to which the credits relate. Income  
of $4.5 million was recognised during the year ended 31 December 2009 in respect of these incentives.

.	 Payroll	and	related	benefits

The aggregate payroll costs of employees of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2010 was as follows:

Wages and salaries

Social welfare costs

Pension costs for defined contribution pension schemes

Pension costs for defined benefit pension schemes

Share-based payment*

Total	charge	to	income

Actuarial losses recognised on defined benefit pension scheme

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

9,

,

0,0

(0)

,

,00

,09

462,630

63,724

19,430

217

8,085

554,086

619

Total	payroll	and	related	benefit	costs

,09

554,705

* IFRS 2 Share-Based Payments requires that the fair value of options is calculated and amortised over the vesting period of the related 
option. A compensation expense of $7.4 million was recognised in respect of the year ended 31 December 2010. The compensation 
expense for the year ended 31 December 2009 was $8.1 million.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Payroll	and	related	benefits	(continued)

The average number of employees, including Executive Directors, employed by the Group for the year ended  
31 December 2010 was as follows:

Marketing

Administration

Clinical research processing

Laboratory

Total

Directors’	remuneration

Year	ended	
	December	
00

Year ended 
31 December 
2009



,0

,



,0

205

1,243

5,207

397

7,052

Information in relation to the Directors’ shareholdings and share options is included in the Compensation  
and Organisation Committee Report on pages 14 to 21.

Dr. John Climax, one of the Company’s co-founders, served as Chairman of the Board of the Company from 
November 2002 to December 2009. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from June 1990  
to October 2002 and as an Executive Director from June 1990 to December 2009. On 31 December 2009,  
Dr. Climax retired as Chairman of the Board of the Company and his service agreement with the Company  
(the “Dr. Climax Service Agreement”) ended. Since January 2010, he has held a position as a non-Executive-
Director of the Company.

The Dr. Climax Service Agreement provided for a bonus, a pension contribution, a twelve month notice period,  
two company cars and medical insurance cover for himself and his dependants. At 18 April 2011, Dr. Climax  
held 108,000 ordinary share options at exercise prices ranging from $8.88 to $35.33 per share.

The arrangements relating to Dr. Climax’s retirement were set out in an agreement entered into between the 
Company and Dr. Climax in December 2009 (the “December 2009 Agreement”). Pursuant to the December 2009 
Agreement, Dr. Climax received, having regard to the Dr. Climax Service Agreement (which terminated pursuant  
to the December 2009 agreement), a payment of €830,000 ($1,200,620) and a pension contribution of €170,000 
($252,620). In addition, and also pursuant to the December 2009 Agreement, he received an ex-gratia pension 
contribution for past service of €220,308 ($327,378), the acceleration of vesting of unvested share options and  
the transfer to him of two company cars. The payments and contributions set out in this paragraph are included  
in the amounts listed for Dr. Climax in the summary compensation table overleaf.

The Company has also entered a three year agreement with Rotrua Limited, a company controlled by Dr. Climax, 
for the provision of consultancy services at an agreed fee of €262,500 ($375,795) per annum. Pursuant to the 
consultancy agreement, Dr. Climax also agreed to certain restrictions that will apply to him after the termination  
of the consultancy agreement including non-disclosure, non-competition and non-solicitation. The consultancy 
agreement provides that the Company will provide, during the term of the agreement, permanent disability and  
life insurance cover for Dr. Climax and medical insurance cover for himself and his dependants.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

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ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

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Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

9.	 Retirement	Benefit	Obligations

The Group operates a number of defined contribution schemes and a defined benefit pension scheme.  
The Group accounts for pensions in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits (“IAS 19”).

(i)	 Defined	Contribution	Schemes

Certain employees of the Group are eligible to participate in a defined contribution plan (the “Plan”). Participants in 
the Plan may elect to defer a portion of their pre-tax earnings into a pension plan, which is run by an independent 
party. The Group matches each participant’s contributions typically at 6% of the participant’s annual compensation. 
Contributions to this plan are recorded as a remuneration expense in the Consolidated Income Statement. 
Contributions for the year ended 31 December 2010 and the year ended 31 December 2009 were $14,206,000  
and $14,241,000 respectively.

The Group’s United States operations maintain a retirement plan (the “U.S. Plan”) that qualifies as a deferred  
salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participants in the U.S. Plan may elect  
to defer a portion of their pre-tax earnings, up to the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limit. The 
Company matches 50% of each participant’s contributions; each participant can contribute up to 6% of their 
annual compensation. Contributions to this U.S. Plan are recorded, in the year contributed, as an expense  
in the Consolidated Income Statement. Contributions for the year ended 31 December 2010 and year ended  
31 December 2009 were $6,603,000 and $5,189,000 respectively.

(ii)	 Defined	Benefit	Plans

One of the Group’s subsidiaries, ICON Development Solutions Limited, which was acquired by the Group in  
2003, operates a defined benefit pension plan in the United Kingdom for certain of its employees, which is  
now closed to new members. The plan is managed externally and the related pension costs and liabilities are 
assessed in accordance with the advice of a professionally qualified actuary. Plan assets at 31 December 2010  
and 31 December 2009 consist of units held in independently administered funds. The most recent valuation of 
plan obligations was carried out as at 1 September 2007 using the projected unit credit method and updated  
on an appropriate basis at 31 December 2010.

The principal actuarial assumptions used for the purpose of the actuarial valuations were as follows:

Financial	assumptions

Discount rate

Expected return on plan assets

Inflation rate

Future pension increases

Future salary increases

Mortality	assumptions

	December	
00

31 December 
2009

.%

.0%

.%

.%

.0%

5.70%

7.40%

3.50%

3.40%

4.00%

The mortality assumptions adopted at 31 December 2010 imply the following life expectancies at age 62 (2009: 62):

Male currently age 40

Female currently age 40

Male currently age 62

Female currently age 62



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

	December	
00

31 December 
2009

.	years

9.	years

.	years

.	years

26.5 years

29.0 years

24.4 years

27.0 years

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

9.	 Retirement	Benefit	Obligations	(continued)

Amounts recognised in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at 31 December 2010 in respect of defined benefit pension 
schemes are as follows:

Present value of benefit obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Present	value	of	net	plan	obligation

Actuarial gains/losses

Experience adjustments on plan assets

Effects of changes in demographic and financial assumptions underlying the 
present value of plan liabilities

Total	actuarial	loss	in	year

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

(,)

,99

(9)

(13,686)

13,573

(113)

,0

1,460

(,)

(,09)

(2,079)

(619)

Cumulative net actuarial losses reported in the Statement of Recognised Income and Expense from the date of 
transition, 1 June 2004, to 31 December 2010 amounted to $0.5 million (31 December 2009: net gains of $0.7 million).

Amounts recognised in net periodic pension cost in the Consolidated Income Statement during the year ended  
31 December 2010 in respect of defined benefit pension schemes were are follows:

Current service cost

Interest cost

Amortisation of prior service costs

Expected return on plan assets

Net	Periodic	Pension	(Credit)/charge

Year	Ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year Ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000





–

(90)

(0)

182

673

102

(740)

217

The actual return on plan assets amounted to a gain of $2.0 million (2009: gain of $2.20 million).

Changes in the net (obligation)/asset of the plan during the period were as follows:

Net	plan	assets	at	start	of	year

Movement In Year

Current service cost

Contributions paid

Other finance expense, net

Amortisation of prior service costs

Actuarial loss

Foreign exchange rate changes

Net	plan	obligation	at	end	of	year

Year	Ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year Ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

()

()

9



–

(,09)

()

(9)

278

(182)

432

66

(102)

(619)

14

(113)

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

9.	 Retirement	Benefit	Obligations	(continued)

Changes in the present value of defined benefit obligations of the plan are as follows:

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

Projected	benefit	obligation	at	start	of	year

,

10,114

Service cost

Interest cost

Plan participants’ contributions

Actuarial loss

Benefits paid

Plan amendments

Foreign exchange rate changes

Projected	benefit	obligation	at	end	of	year







,

()

–

()

,

182

673

160

2,079

(774)

103

1,149

13,686

Changes in the fair value of the plans’ assets during the year ended 31 December 2010 were as follows:

Fair	value	of	plan	assets	at	start	of	year

Expected return on plan assets

Actuarial gain on plan assets

Employer contribution

Plan participants’ contributions

Benefit paid

Foreign exchange movements

Fair	value	of	plan	assets	at	end	of	year

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

90

,0

9



()

(9)

,99

10,392

740

1,460

432

160

(774)

1,163

13,573

The fair value of plan assets at 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009 is analysed as follows:

Unit funds

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,99

13,573

The plan’s assets do not include any of the Group’s own financial instruments, nor any property occupied by,  
or other assets used by the Group.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

9.	 Retirement	Benefit	Obligations	(continued)

The assets of the scheme are invested in a unitised with profits policy. The expected long-term rate of return on 
assets at 31 December 2010 of 7.1% (2009: 7.4%) was calculated on the assumption of the following returns for 
each asset class:

Equities

Bonds

	December	
00

31 December 
2009

.%

.%

7.6%

5.7%

At 31 December 2010, UK gilts were yielding around 4.2% per annum. This is often referred to as the risk free  
rate of return as UK gilts have a negligible risk of default and the income payments and capital on redemption  
are guaranteed by the UK Government. The long-term expected return on equities has been determined by  
setting appropriate risk premiums above the yield on UK gilts. A long term equity “risk-premium” of 3.1% per 
annum has been assumed, this being the expected long-term out-performance of equities over UK gilts. The  
long-term expected return on bonds is determined by reference to UK long dated government and corporate  
bond yields at the balance sheet date. This is represented by the iboxx AA 15 year plus return.

The underlying asset split of the funds at 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009 was as follows:

Equities

Bonds

	December	
00

31 December 
2009

90%

0%

90%

10%

Applying the above expected long term rates of return to the asset distribution at 31 December 2010, gives  
rise to an expected overall rate of return of scheme assets of approximately 7.1% (2009: 7.4%) per annum.

The history of the Group’s defined benefit pension scheme is as follows:

31 December 
2010 
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

31 December 
2008 
$’000

31 December 
2007 
$’000

31 December 
2006 
$’000

Present value of benefit 
obligations

Fair value of plan assets

Present value of net plan 
(obligations)/assets

(16,482)

15,499

(13,686)

13,573

(10,114)

10,392

(15,216)

15,470

(17,816)

13,092

(983)

(113)

278

254

(4,724)

Actuarial gain/(loss) on asset

Actuarial (loss)/gain on liability

Total actuarial (loss)/gain

1,023

(2,232)

(1,209)

1,460

(2,079)

(619)

(2,923)

1,968

(955)

654

4,722

5,376

639

(1,015)

(376)

The Group expects to contribute approximately $0.3 million of normal contribution to the defined benefit pension 
scheme for the year ended 31 December 2011.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

0.	 Share	Options

On 17 January 2003 the Company adopted the Share Option Plan 2003 (“the 2003 Plan”), pursuant to which the 
Compensation and Organisation Committee of the Company’s Board of Director’s may grant options to employees 
of the Company or its subsidiaries for the purchase of ordinary shares. Each grant of an option under the 2003 Plan 
will be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the optionee and the Company. The exercise price will be 
specified in each Stock Option Agreement, however option prices will not be less than 100% of the fair market 
value of an ordinary share on the date the option is granted.

An aggregate of 6.0 million ordinary shares have been reserved under the 2003 Plan; and, in no event will the 
number of ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to options awarded under the 2003 Plan exceed 10%  
of the outstanding shares, as defined in the 2003 Plan, at the time of the grant. Further, the maximum number  
of ordinary shares with respect to which options may be granted under the 2003 Plan during any calendar year  
to any employee shall be 400,000 ordinary shares. No options can be granted after 17 January 2013.

On 21 July 2008 the Company adopted the Employee Share Option Plan 2008 (the “2008 Employee Plan”) 
pursuant to which the Compensation and Organisation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors may grant 
options to any employee, or any director holding a salaried office or employment with the Company or a Subsidiary 
for the purchase of ordinary shares. On the same date, the Company also adopted the Consultants Share Option 
Plan 2008 (the “2008 Consultants Plan”), pursuant to which the Compensation and Organisation Committee of  
the Company’s Board of Directors may grant options to any consultant, adviser or non-Executive director retained  
by the Company or any Subsidiary for the purchase of ordinary shares. Each option granted under the 2008 
Employees Plan or the 2008 Consultants Plan (together the “2008 Option plans”) will be evidenced by a Stock 
Option Agreement between the optionee and the Company. The exercise price will be specified in each Stock 
Option Agreement, however option prices will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of an ordinary share  
on the date the option is granted.

An aggregate of 6.0 million ordinary shares have been reserved under the 2008 Employee Plan as reduced by any 
shares issued or to be issued pursuant to options granted under the 2008 Consultants Plan, under which a limit  
of 400,000 shares applies. Further, the maximum number of ordinary shares with respect to which options may  
be granted under the 2008 Employee Option Plan during any calendar year to any employee shall be 400,000 
ordinary shares. There is no individual limit under the 2008 Consultants Option Plan. No options may be granted 
under the plans after 21 July 2018.

On 21 July 2008 the Company adopted the 2008 Employees Restricted Share Unit Plan (the “2008 RSU Plan”) 
pursuant to which the Compensation and Organisation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors may select 
any employee, or any director holding a salaried office or employment with the Company or a Subsidiary to receive 
an award under the plan. An aggregate of 1.0 million ordinary shares have been reserved for issuance under the 
2008 RSU Plan. Awards under the 2008 RSU Plan may be settled in cash or shares.

Share option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s ordinary  
shares at date of grant. Share options typically vest over a period of five years from date of grant and expire eight 
years from date of grant.

Set out below is a summary of the total number of options outstanding and number of options available to grant 
under each plan as at 31 December 2010:

Outstanding

Available	to	Grant

	December
00

31 December
2009

	December
00

31 December
2009

1998 Long Term Incentive Plan

2003 Stock Option Plan

2008 Stock Option Plan

Total

,0

,,

99,9

1,052,592

4,342,630

13,000

,9,

5,408,222

–

0,9

,00,0

,09,

–

397,426

5,613,000

6,010,426

The 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan expired on 14 January 2008 and no further options may be granted under this plan.

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

0.	 Share	Options	(continued)

The total number of share options outstanding and exercisable at 31 December 2010 is as follows:

Outstanding at 31 December 2008

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

Outstanding at 31 December 2009

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

Outstanding	at		December	00

Exercisable	at		December	00

Number	of	
Options

Weighted	Average	
Exercise	Price

5,222,263

932,133

(489,370)

(256,804)

5,408,222

1,038,327

(1,237,015)

(410,857)

,9,

,,00

$17.98

$21.54

$9.03

$26.60

$18.99

$24.34

$10.64

$25.86

$.

$.

At 31 December 2010, the range of exercise prices and weighted average remaining contractual life of outstanding 
and exercisable options was as follows:

Options	Outstanding

Options	Exercisable

Range	
Exercise	
Price

Number	of	
Shares

Weighted	Average	
Remaining	
Contractual	Life

Weighted	Average	
Exercise	Price

Number	of	
Shares

Weighted	Average	
Exercise	Price

$7.00

$8.60

$8.88

$10.42

$11.00

$15.47

$15.84

$17.30

$18.00

$18.98

$19.45

$19.94

$20.16

$21.25

$21.76

$22.10

$22.26

$22.60

$23.06

4,000

396,776

230,568

20,000

579,987

900

103,000

24,000

70,000

9,000

33,000

2,000

2,000

754,230

1,000

11,000

662,493

2,000

10,000

0.05

2.15

1.09

3.04

3.09

6.33

6.33

3.64

3.83

5.87

7.82

6.17

7.87

4.13

4.31

6.56

6.15

4.65

7.62

$7.00

$8.60

$8.88

$10.42

$11.00

$15.47

$15.84

$17.30

$18.00

$18.98

$19.45

$19.94

$20.16

$21.25

$21.76

$22.10

$22.26

$22.60

$23.06

4,000

396,776

230,568

20,000

419,563

180

20,600

19,200

50,000

3,600

–

400

–

434,698

600

2,200

128,724

1,200

–

$7.00

$8.60

$8.88

$10.42

$11.00

$15.47

$15.84

$17.30

$18.00

$18.98

$19.45

$19.94

$20.16

$21.25

$21.76

$22.10

$22.26

$22.60

$23.06

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

0.	 Share	Options	(continued)

Options	Outstanding

Options	Exercisable

Range	
Exercise	
Price

Number	of	
Shares

Weighted	Average	
Remaining	
Contractual	Life

Weighted	Average	
Exercise	Price

Number	of	
Shares

Weighted	Average	
Exercise	Price

$23.20

$24.25

$24.46

$26.20

$26.27

$27.91

$29.45

$29.38

$35.33

$36.05

$36.20

$41.25

$7.00 - 
$41.25

4,000

150,000

743,383

2,400

2,000

2,000

8,000

10,000

951,940

6,000

2,000

1,000

4,798,677

Fair	values

7.70

7.18

7.17

7.38

5.81

7.42

7.33

7.34

5.15

5.40

5.33

5.67

4.84

$23.20

$24.25

$24.46

$26.20

$26.27

$27.91

$29.45

$29.38

$35.33

$36.05

$36.20

$41.25

–

–

2,000

–

800

–

–

–

385,694

3,000

800

400

$21.71

2,125,003

$23.20

$24.25

$24.46

$26.20

$26.27

$27.91

$29.45

$29.38

$35.33

$36.05

$36.20

$41.25

$17.88

The overall weighted average fair value of share options granted by the Company during the year ended  
31 December 2010 was $9.23 based on the following grants:

Number	of	
Shares

Weighted	Average	
Share	price

816,927

150,000

8,000

10,000

2,400

2,000

10,000

4,000

33,000

2,000

1,038,327

$24.46

$24.25

$29.45

$29.38

$26.20

$27.91

$23.06

$23.20

$19.45

$20.16

$24.34

Grant	Date

4-Mar-10

8-Mar-10

29-Apr-10

3-May-10

20-May-10

1-Jun-10

16-Aug-10

13-Sep-10

26-Oct-10

15-Nov-10



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

0.	 Share	Options	(continued)

The overall weighted average fair value of share options granted by the Company during the year ended  
31 December 2009 was $9.35 based on the following grants:

Grant	Date

25-Feb-09

2-Mar-09

30-Apr-09

1-May-09

24-Jul-09

Number	
of	Shares

Weighted	Average	
Share	price

815,233

2,000

103,000

900

11,000

932,133

$22.26

$19.94

$15.84

$15.47

$22.10

$21.54

The weighted average share price of share options granted by the Company during the year ended 31 December 
2010 and 2009 was $24.34 and $21.54 respectively.

The fair values of options granted during the year ended 31 December 2010 and the year ended 31 December 
2009 were calculated using a binomial option-pricing-model, using the following assumptions:

Weighted average share price

Weighted average exercise price

Expected volatility (1)

Expected dividend yield

Risk-free rate (2)

Rate of forced early exercise

Year	ended	
	December	
00

Year ended 
31 December 
2009

$.

$.

%

–

.0%-.%

0%	p.a.

$21.54

$21.54

45%

–

2.3%-3.3%

10% p.a.

Minimum gain for voluntary early exercise

%	of	exercise	price

25% of exercise price

Rate of voluntary early exercise at minimum gain

00%	per	annum

60% per annum

(1)  Expected volatility has been determined based upon the volatility of the Company’s share price over a period which is commensurate 

with the expected term of the options granted.

(2)  Risk free rate is dependant on the grant date.

Restricted	share	units

On 7 August 2008 the Company awarded 6,280 restricted share units to certain employees of the Group. These 
shares are exercisable over periods ranging from 26 February 2009, to 26 February 2011. The market value of the 
Company’s shares on date of issue was $41.95. On 16 August 2010 2,512 ordinary shares were issued by the 
Company relating to certain of the RSU awards.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

0.	 Share	Options	(continued)

Non-cash	stock	compensation	expense

Operating profit for the year ended 31 December 2010 is stated after charging $7.4 million in respect of non-cash 
stock compensation expense. Non-cash stock compensation expense has been allocated to direct costs and other 
operating expenses as follows:

Direct costs

Other operating expenses

Total non-cash compensation cost

.	 Property,	Plant	and	Equipment

Year	Ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

,0

,

,

Year Ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

4,455

3,630

8,085

Land	
$’000

Buildings	
$’000

Leasehold	
improvements	
$’000

Computer	
equipment	
$’000

Office	
furniture	&	
fixtures	
$’000

Laboratory	
equipment	
$’000

Motor	
vehicles	
$’000

Total	
$’000

Group

Cost

At 1 January 2010

3,979

80,309

Additions

Disposals

Arising on acquisition

Foreign currency 
adjustment

–

–

–

362

–

–

134

(5,160)

At		December	00 ,

,

24,762

2,569

66,022

11,064

(922)

(1,048)

–

–

(223)

,

(1,481)

,

54,311

3,973

(398)

107

(1,549)

,

21,828

1,905

(16)

–

(397)

,0

43 251,254

–

–

–

1

19,873

(2,384)

107

(8,675)

 0,

Depreciation

At 1 January 2010

Charge for year

Eliminated on disposal

Foreign currency 
adjustment

At		December	00

–

–

–

–

–

Net	book	value
At		December	00 ,

6,032

7,564

–

10,736

4,047

46,395

10,414

(876)

(1,038)

24,861

305

(203)

10,387

3,534

(15)

18

98,429

5

–

25,869

(2,132)

(603)

89

(944)

(391)

(241)

(1)

(2,091)

,99

,99

,

,

,

 0,0

,

,90

9,0

,

9,

 0,00

At 31 December 2009

3,979

74,277

14,026

19,627

29,450

11,441

25 152,825

Cost at 31 December 2010 includes $825,000 (31 December 2009: $907,000) relating to computer equipment 
held under finance leases. Related accumulated depreciation amounted to $518,000 (31 December 2009: $357,000). 
Depreciation expense of $25.8 million (31 December 2009: $22.5 million) has been charged in ‘other operating 
expenses’ in the income statement.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Property,	Plant	and	Equipment	(continued)

Land	
$’000

Buildings	
$’000

Leasehold	
improvements	
$’000

Computer	
equipment	
$’000

Office	
furniture	
&	fixtures	
$’000

Laboratory	
equipment	
$’000

Motor	
vehicles	
$’000

Total	
$’000

Group

Cost

At 1 January 2009

3,850

75,562

Additions

Disposals

Arising on acquisition

Foreign currency 
adjustment

–

–

–

3,039

–

–

129

1,708

At		December	009 ,99

0,09

15,060

9,757

(816)

16

59,863

5,376

(580)

15

745

,

1,348

,0

53,048

1,983

(2,209)

41

1,448

,

18,582

2,343

(340)

289

954

,

Depreciation

At 1 January 2009

Charge for year

Eliminated on disposal

Foreign currency 
adjustment

At		December	009

–

–

–

–

–

Net	book	value
At		December	009 ,99

3,747

2,152

–

133

7,921

3,153

(608)

37,274

8,651

(411)

19,170

6,254

(1,320)

7,723

2,338

(79)

270

881

757

405

,0

0,

,9

,

0,



9,9

,

,0

9,

9,0

,

 ,

106 226,071

–

22,498

(63)

(4,008)

–

–

361

6,332

 ,

74

75,909

(56) 22,492

–

–

(2,418)

2,446

At 31 December 2008

3,850

71,815

7,139

22,589

33,878

10,859

32 150,162

Cost at 31 December 2009 includes $907,000 (31 December 2008: $1,054,000) relating to computer equipment 
held under finance leases. Related accumulated depreciation amounted to $357,000 (31 December 2008: $303,000). 
Depreciation expense of $22.5 million (31 December 2008: $19.8 million) has been charged in ‘other operating 
expenses’ in the income statement.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Intangible	assets	–	goodwill	and	other

Computer	
Software	
$’000

Customer	
Relationships	
$’000

Volunteer	
List	
$’000

Order	
Backlog	
$’000

Goodwill	
$’000

Total	
$’000

Group

Cost:

At 1 January 2009

Additions

Disposal

Arising on acquisition

Prior period acquisition

Foreign exchange 
movement

At 1 January 2010

Additions

Disposal

Arising on acquisition

Prior period acquisition

Foreign exchange 
movement

	December	00

Accumulated	
amortisation:

At 1 January 2009

Amortised in the year

Disposal

Foreign exchange 
movement

At 1 January 2010

Amortised in the year

Disposal

Foreign exchange 
movement

At		December	00

56,250

11,518

(36)

–

–

1,014

68,746

11,962

(78)

–

–

(2,840)

,90

35,086

7,441

(19)

774

43,282

5,550

(78)

(1,727)

,0

Net	book	value

At		December	00

0,

At 31 December 2009

25,464

11,005

1,325

–

–

352

240

47

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,470

183,353

251,933

–

–

1,584

(836)

11,518

(36)

1,936

874

–

3,476

4,537

11,644

1,325

1,470

187,577

270,762

–

–

770

–

(126)

,

1,516

2,016

–

49

3,581

1,747

–

(134)

,9

,09

8,063

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,505

2,539

11,962

(78)

4,275

2,539

(3,752)

(6,718)

,

,0

9,9

,

190

217

–

–

407

217

–

–

–

493

–

–

493

490

–

–



9

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

36,792

10,167

(19)

823

47,763

8,004

(78)

(1,861)

,

0

918



9,9

,9

977

187,577

222,999

Amortisation expense of $8.0 million (31 December 2009: $10.2 million) is included in ‘other operating expenses’  
in the income statement.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Intangible	assets	–	goodwill	and	other	(continued)

Impairment	review	of	goodwill

Two cash generating units for the purpose of the impairment review of goodwill have been identified by the Group 
as follows:

Goodwill

Clinical research

Central laboratory

00	
$’000

2009 
$’000

9,9

187,577

–

–

9,9

187,577

An impairment charge of the carrying value of the goodwill of the central laboratory cash generating unit was 
recorded in a prior period and the goodwill was fully written down. Accordingly the 2010 impairment review 
consisted of a review of the goodwill applicable to the clinical research cash generating unit. It was determined  
that an impairment did not exist as at 31 December 2010. The recoverable amount of the clinical research cash 
generating unit is based on a value in use computation. This is calculated based upon the present value of 
expected future cash flows for the cash generating unit for a period of five years forward from date of review.

The following assumptions were used in carrying out the impairment review of the clinical research cash generating 
unit for 31 December 2010:

Expected revenue growth rate

Expected growth rate for costs

Expected movement in creditors

Expected movement in debtors based on DSO*

Discount rate

	December	
00

31 December 
2009

%

%

%

0	days

0%

7%

5%

8%

45 days

15%

* Days sales outstanding (DSO) is a measure of the number of days in the period that the company takes to collect revenue.

The key assumptions above used in determining expected future cash flows include management’s estimate  
of future profitability, replacement capital expenditure requirements, trade working capital investment needs and  
tax considerations. Management’s estimates are based upon past experience and expected growth rates for the 
industry. The cash flows are discounted using managements current estimate of appropriate risk adjusted pre-tax 
discount rates.

A sensitivity analysis was performed using a higher discount rate of 15% and a lower revenue growth rate of 3%  
to determine if these changes in assumptions would lead to an impairment. The excess of the recoverable amount 
over the carrying value of the cash generating unit was maintained using theses changes in assumptons and 
therefore, at the year end, it is considered that no reasonable change in assumptions would result in an impairment.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Business	Combinations

The Group adopted the revised IFRS 3 Business Combinations in 2009 and applied it prospectively from 1 January 
2009. The revised standard continues to apply the acquisition method to business combinations but with some 
significant changes including the requirement for all acquisition-related costs to be expensed. The adoption of the 
revised IFRS 3 did not have a material impact on our financial position or results from operations. The acquisitions 
of Timaq Medical Imaging, Qualia Clinical Services Inc. and Veeda Laboratories Ltd. have been accounted for as  
business combinations in accordance with the revised IFRS 3.

(a)	 Acquisition	of	Timaq	Medical	Imaging

On 17 May 2010 the Company acquired Timaq Medical Imaging (“Timaq”), a European provider of advanced 
imaging services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, located in Zurich, Switzerland for an initial  
cash consideration of CHF 1.3 million ($1.2 million). Certain performance milestones were built into the acquisition 
agreement requiring potential additional consideration of up to CHF 2.9 million ($3.1 million) if these milestones  
are achieved during the years ended 31 December 2010 to 31 December 2013. On 31 December 2010 CHF 
0.3 million ($0.3 million) was paid to the former shareholders in respect of certain milestones for the year ended  
31 December 2010. CHF 2.6 million ($2.7 million) has been accrued in relation to the remaining milestones at  
31 December 2010.

The acquisition of Timaq has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with the revised IFRS 3 
Business Combinations. The following table summarises the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities 
assumed:

Property, plant and equipment

Other current assets

Current liabilities

Goodwill

Intangible assets – customer relationships

Purchase price

Carrying	
Amount	
$’000

Fair	Value	
Adjustment	
$’000

Fair	Value	
$’000

107

160

(719)

–

–

–

–

–

3,505

770

107

160

(719)

3,505

770

$3,823

Goodwill represents the acquisition of an established workforce with experience in the provision of advanced 
imaging services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers in the European market

The proforma effect of the Timaq Medical Imaging acquisition, if completed on 1 January 2009, would have resulted  
in net revenue and profit for the fiscal years ended 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2010 as follows:

Year	Ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year	Ended	
	December	
009	
$’000

$900,370

$86,647

$888,929

$96,675

Net revenue

Profit for the year



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Business	Combinations	(continued)

(b)	 Prior	Period	Acquisitions	–	Acquisition	of	Qualia	Clinical	Services	Inc.	and	Veeda	Laboratories	Ltd.

During the year ended 31 December 2009 the Group completed the acquisitions of Qualia Clinical Services Inc.,  
a Phase 1 facility located in Omaha, Nebraska and Veeda Laboratories Limited, a specialist provider of biomarker 
laboratory services to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, located in Oxford, United Kingdom, 
neither of which are considered individually significant. In aggregate, the total cash consideration for these acquisitions 
was approximately $2.2 million. The excess of the consideration paid over the carrying value of the assets acquired 
of $0.6 million, has been recorded as goodwill of $1.6 million.

The following table summarises the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.

Property, plant and equipment

Cash

Other current assets

Current liabilities

Non current liabilities

Goodwill

Intangible assets – customer relationships

Purchase price

Carrying	
Amount	
$’000

Fair	Value	
Adjustment	
$’000

Fair	Value	
$’000

361

32

423

(507)

(12)

–

–

–

–

(19)

–

–

1,584

352

361

32

404

(507)

(12)

1,584

352

2,214

Goodwill represents the acquisition of an established workforce with experience in the provision of Phase I  
clinical trial management services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The value of certain  
customer relationships identified are being amortised over 3 years, the estimated period of benefit.

The proforma effect of the Qualia Clinical Services Inc. and Veeda Laboratories Ltd. acquisitions if completed  
on 1 January 2009 would have resulted in net revenue and profit for the year ended 31 December 2009 as follows:

Net revenue

Profit for the year

Year	Ended	
	December	
009	
$’000

$888,048

$92,296

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Business	Combinations	(continued)

(c)	 Prior	Period	Acquisitions	Acquisition	of	Healthcare	Discoveries	Inc.

On 11 February 2008 the Group acquired 100% of the common stock of Healthcare Discoveries Inc. (“Healthcare 
Discoveries”) for an initial cash consideration of approximately $11.1 million, excluding costs of acquisition. Healthcare 
Discoveries, located in San Antonio, Texas, USA, is engaged in the provision of Phase I clinical trial management 
services. Certain performance milestones were built into the acquisition agreement requiring payment of additional 
consideration of up to $10.0 million if certain performance milestones were achieved during the year ended 31 December 
2008. On 3 September 2010 $2.2 million was paid to the former shareholders of Healthcare Discoveries Inc. in full 
and final settlement of the outstanding consideration payable.

The following table summarises the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date  
of acquisition as follows:

Carrying	
Amount	
$’000

Fair	Value	
Adjustment	
$’000

Fair	Value	
$’000

Property, plant and equipment

Cash

Other current assets

Current liabilities

Goodwill

Intangible assets – customer relationships

Intangible assets – volunteer list

Purchase Price

Cash Payment

Acquisition Costs

Purchase Price

327

5

575

(1,951)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

12,424

1,565

1,325

327

5

575

(1,951)

12,424

1,565

1,325

14,270

$’000

13,295

975

14,270

Goodwill represents the acquisition of an established workforce with experience in the provision of Phase I clinical 
trial management services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The value of certain customer relationships 
identified are being amortised over a period ranging from approximately 2 to 9 years, the estimated period of benefit. 
The value of certain volunteer lists identified is being amortised over approximately 6 years, the estimated period  
of benefit.

.	 Other	non-current	assets

Lease deposits

Other

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,99

,0

0,9

5,420

2,417

7,837

Other non-current assets include lease deposits paid in respect of certain premises leased by the Group.  
Lease deposits are refundable on expiry of the related leases.

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Inventories

Laboratory inventories

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,9

3,559

The cost of inventories is recognised as an expense and included in other operating expenses in the income statement. 
$22.5 million (2009:$ 21.4 million) was charged in the income statement for the year ended 31 December 2010.

.	 Accounts	receivable

Accounts receivable

Less amounts provided for doubtful debts

Accounts receivable, net

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,9

(,)

,90

197,133

(5,209)

191,924

Movement on the accounts receivable impairment provision during the year was as follows:

Accounts	receivable	impairment	provision:

Balance at start of year

Amounts used during the year

Amounts released during the year

Balance at end of year

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,09

(,9)



,

7,474

(166)

(2,098)

5,209

All receivables are due within twelve months of the balance sheet date.

A provision for impairment is recognised where there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect 
all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivable. At 31 December 2010 the Group recognised an 
impairment provision of $3.3 million (2009: $ 5.2 million).

The carrying amounts of the Group’s accounts receivables are denominated in the following currencies:

Currency

US Dollar

Euro

Sterling

Other Currencies

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

9,

,9

,9

124,659

59,163

5,425

2,677

,90

191,924

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Other	current	assets

Prepayments

Other receivables

Total

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,00

,0

,00

16,567

8,261

24,828

Other current assets do not contain any impaired assets. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting  
date is the carrying value of each receivable. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.

.	 Current	asset	investments

At start of year

Additions

Disposals

At end of year

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

9,

–

(9,)

–

42,726

24,045

(17,544)

49,227

The Company actively manages its available cash resources to try to ensure optimum returns. During the year 
ended 31 December 2010 the Company reinvested its investment portfolio in cash and cash equivalents. The 
Company had previously classified its investment portfolio as available for sale. The investments were reported at 
fair value, with unrealised gains or losses reported in shareholders’ equity. In the year ended 31 December 2009 
and 31 December 2010 no unrealised gains or losses arose. Any differences between the cost and fair value of  
the investments are represented by accrued interest.

9.	 Cash	and	cash	equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand

Short term deposits

Cash and cash equivalents

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,9

0,

,0

87,528

57,273

144,801



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

0.	 Accrued	and	other	liabilities

Non-current	other	liabilities:

Deferred government grants (note 21)

Finance lease obligations (note 26)

Other non current liabilities

Total

Current	accrued	and	other	liabilities:

Personnel related liabilities

Facility related liabilities

General overhead liabilities

Other liabilities

Short term government grants

Short term finance leases (note 26)

Acquisition consideration payable

Retirement benefit net plan liabilities

Restructuring provisions (note 7)

Total

.	 Deferred	government	grants

At beginning of year

Amortised during the year

Acquired during the year

Foreign exchange movement

At end of year

Current

Non-current

Total

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,0

–

,

,

1,750

158

2,686

4,594

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,9

,

,0

,0





,

9



00,

60,441

13,540

34,756

6,233

159

325

–

113

3,396

118,963

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,909

(0)

–

(0)

,



,0

,

1,530

(149)

501

27

1,909

159

1,750

1,909

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Bank	credit	lines	and	loan	facilities

On 9 July 2007 the Group entered into a five year committed multi-currency facility agreement for €35 million 
($46.8 million) with Bank of Ireland. The facility bears interest at an annual rate equal to EURIBOR plus a margin  
and is secured by certain composite guarantees, indemnities and pledges in favor of the bank. Amounts available 
to be drawn reduce over the life of this facility in accordance with agreed payment terms. At 31 December 2010 
€17.5 million ($23.4 million) was available to be drawn under this facility.

On 22 December 2008 a committed three year US dollar credit facility was negotiated with Allied Irish Bank plc for 
$50 million. On 21 April 2010 the Company reduced this facility to $25 million. On 9 December 2010 the Company 
further reduced this facility to $12.5 million. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is secured by 
certain composite guarantees and pledges in favor of the bank. At 31 December 2010 $12.5 million was available  
to be drawn under this facility.

On 2 January 2009 an additional four year committed credit facility was negotiated with Bank of Ireland for 
$25 million. The facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin and was secured by certain composite guarantees, 
indemnities and pledges in favor of the bank. On 2 December 2010 the Company terminated this facility.

On 29 May 2009 a 364 day committed credit facility of $10 million was negotiated with Citibank Europe. This facility 
lapsed during 2010 and was not renewed by the Company. On 29 May 2009 a three year committed credit facility 
was also negotiated with Citibank Europe for $10 million. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is 
secured by certain composite guarantees and pledges in favor of the bank. At 31 December 2010 $10.0 million 
was available to be drawn under the facility.

On 29 May 2009 a committed 364 day credit facility of $30 million was negotiated with JP Morgan for $30 million. 
On 3 September 2010 a committed 364 day credit facility was negotiated with J.P. Morgan for $10 million, partially 
replacing the 2009 facility. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is secured by certain composite 
guarantees and pledges in favor of the bank. At 31 December 2010 $10.0 million was available to be drawn under 
the facility.

.	 Share	capital

Group	and	Company

Authorised	share	capital:

Ordinary shares of par value €0.06

No.	of	Ordinary	Shares

100,000,000

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

Allotted,	called	up	and	fully	paid

60,247,092 (31 December 2009: 59,007,565) ordinary shares of €0.06 each

,0

4,965

Issued,	fully	paid	share	capital

At beginning of year

Employee share options exercised

At end of year



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,9

9

,0

4,921

44

4,965

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Share	capital	(continued)

Holders of Ordinary shares will be entitled to receive such dividends as may be recommended by the board of Directors 
of the Company and approved by the shareholders and/or such interim dividends as the board of Directors of the 
Company may decide. On liquidation or a winding up of the Company, the par value of the Ordinary Shares will be 
repaid out of the assets available for distribution among the holders of the Company’s Ordinary Shares. Holders of 
Ordinary Shares have no conversion or redemption rights. On a show of hands, every holder of an ordinary share 
present in person or proxy at a general meeting of shareholders shall have one vote, with no individual having more 
than one vote.

During the year ended 31 December 2010 1,237,015 options were exercised by employees for total proceeds of 
$13.2 million. During the year ended 31 December 2010 2,512 ordinary shares were issued in respect of certain 
RSU’s previously awarded by the Company.

During the year ended 31 December 2009 489,370 options were exercised by employees for total proceeds  
of $4.4 million.

.	 Capital	and	reserves

Reserve	Descriptions

Other reserves 
The Group has recognised a non-distributable reserve of $1.4 million in accordance with agreements made 
between the Group and Enterprise Ireland, an Irish government agency. In 2005 the Group also recognised a  
share-based compensation charge of $6.0 million being the fair value of outstanding ordinary shares transferred  
to Mr Peter Gray, Chief Executive Officer, by founding Directors, Dr. John Climax and Dr. Ronan Lambe.

Share based payment reserve 
The option reserve is used to account for share-based payments. The fair value of share-based payments is 
expensed to the income statement over the period the related services are received, with a corresponding increase 
in equity. As at 31 December 2010 the Group has recognised a cumulative charge for share-based payments  
of $43.7 million net of deferred tax (2009: $36.3 million). The Group has also recognised a cumulative credit of 
$9.6 million (2009: $10.0 million) in reserves for the current and deferred tax effects of the realised tax benefits 
relating to the exercise of employee share options in excess of related cumulative compensation expense. The 
Group has transferred a cumulative credit of $21.8 million (2009: $15.4 million) to retained earnings in respect  
of exercised and expired share based awards.

Currency reserve 
The currency reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial 
statements of foreign currency denominated operations of the Group since 1 June 2004, the date of transition  
to IFRS.

Retained earnings 
In addition to the profit for the financial year the Group has also recognised the actuarial loss on the defined  
benefit pension scheme in this reserve. In 2010 the Group recognised an actuarial loss of $1.2 million on the 
defined benefit pension scheme (31 December 2009: actuarial loss of $0.6 million). The Group has recognised  
a credit of €6.4 million during 2010 (2009: $6.3 million) in respect of exercised and expired share based awards  
that have been transferred from the Option Reserve.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Financial	Instruments

The Group is exposed to various financial risks in the normal course of the business. The principle financial risks to 
which it is exposed include risks related to the creditworthiness of its customers, risks related to the creditworthiness 
of the counterparties with which it invests surplus cash funds, and risks associated with both changes in foreign 
currency exchange rates and interest rates.

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk 
management framework. The Group’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks 
faced by the Group, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk 
management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Group’s 
activities. The Group, through its training, management, standards and procedures, aims to develop a disciplined  
and constructive control environment in which all employees understand their roles and obligations. The Audit 
Committee of the Board oversees how management monitors compliance with the Group’s risk management 
policies and procedures and reviews the adequacy of the risk management framework in relation to the risks faced  
by the Group.

Credit risk 
The Group’s exposure to credit risk arises predominately in respect of amounts due from customers for the value  
of work performed and counterparties in respect of surplus cash balances invested.

Credit risk pertaining to customers is managed by ensuring strict credit procedures are in place, in particular 
through evaluation of all new customers and ongoing account monitoring. The Group earns revenues from 
contracts with its customers based upon certain activities and performance specifications. Such contracts are 
generally either fixed price or units-based. Payment terms usually provide either for payments based on the 
achievement of certain identified milestones or units delivered or monthly payments according to a fixed payment 
schedule over the life of the contract. Where customers request changes in the scope of a trial or in the services  
to be provided, a change order or amendment is issued which may result either in an increase or decrease in the 
contract value. The Group also contracts on a “fee-for-service,” or “time and materials” basis, but this accounts  
for a small portion of overall project activities.

Contract terms may range from several weeks to several years depending on the nature of the work to be 
performed. In most cases, a portion of the contract fee, typically 10% to 20%, is paid at the time the study or trial  
is started. The balance of the contract fee is generally payable in instalments over the study or trial duration and 
may be based on the achievement of certain performance targets or “milestones” or, based on units delivered,  
or on a fixed monthly payment schedule. For instance, installment payments may be based on patient enrollment  
or delivery of the database. During the course of the study, the Group will generally incur reimbursable expenses. 
Reimbursable expenses are typically estimated and budgeted within the contract and invoiced on a monthly basis. 
Reimbursable expenses include payments to investigators, travel and accommodation costs and various other 
direct costs incurred in the course of the clinical trial which are fully reimbursable by the customer.

Most of the Group’s contracts are terminable immediately by the customer with justifiable cause or with 30 to  
90 days notice without cause. In the event of termination, the Group is usually entitled to all sums owed for work 
performed through the notice of termination and certain costs associated with termination of the study. Termination 
or delay in the performance of a contract occurs for various reasons, including, but not limited to, unexpected or 
undesired results, production problems resulting in shortages of the drug, adverse patient reactions to the drug, the 
customer’s decision to de-emphasise a particular trial or inadequate patient enrollment or investigator recruitment.

The Group did not have a significant concentration of credit risk at the balance sheet date. The Group’s top  
five customers accounted for approximately 33% and 27% respectively of net revenue during the years ended  
31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009. No one customer accounted for more than 10% of net revenue  
or accounts receivable during either year.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Financial	Instruments	(continued)

The maximum exposure of credit risk pertaining to customers is the carrying value of accounts receivable and 
unbilled revenue balances. The carrying value of accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances, by geographic 
region, at 31 December 2010 was as follows:

Europe

United States

Rest of World

Total

Accounts	Receivable

Unbilled	Revenue

00	
$’000

9,

,

,

2009 
$’000

91,032

99,451

1,441

00	
$’000

,

,

,9

,90

191,924

0,

2009 
$’000

43,863

46,240

1,977

92,080

Foreign exchange gains and losses recognised on the above balances are recognised in other operating expenses 
with the exception of foreign exchange gains and losses on bank credit lines and loan facilities, which are recorded 
in finance income or finance expense as applicable.

Liquid	and	Capital	Resources

The Group’s liquid and capital resources at 31 December 2010 were as follows:

Current asset investments (note 18)

Cash and cash equivalents (note 19)

Total liquid resources

Shareholders Equity

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

–

,0

,0

49,227

144,801

194,028

,

589,781

The principal operating cash requirements of the Group include payment of salaries, office rents, travel expenditures 
and payments to investigators. Other cash requirements include capital expenditures for facilities and information 
system enhancements and cash required to fund acquisitions and other growth opportunities. The CRO industry is 
generally not capital intensive. The Group primarily finances its operations and growth through cash flows from 
operations, together with amounts drawn under negotiated facilities as required.

The Group’s primary objectives in managing its liquid and capital resources are as follows:

• 

• 

• 

to maintain adequate resources to fund its continued operations,

to ensure availability of sufficient resources to sustain future development and growth of the business,

to maintain sufficient resources to mitigate risks and unforeseen events which may arise.

The Group manages risks associated with liquid and capital resources through ongoing monitoring of actual and 
forecast cash balances and by reviewing the existing and future cash requirements of the business. It ensures that 
sufficient headroom is available under the Group’s existing negotiated facilities and negotiates additional facilities as 
required. The Group currently has a number of negotiated facilities in place, further details of which are set out in 
note 22 Bank Credit Lines and Loan Facilities. No amounts remained drawn under these facilities at 31 December 
2010 or 31 December 2009. The Group may raise additional finance through the issuance of ordinary shares or 
debt as required.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Financial	Instruments	(continued)

The following table sets out details of the maturity of the Group’s financial liabilities into the relevant maturity 
groupings based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date to contractual maturity date:

	December	00

Carrying	
Amount	
$’000

Contractual	
Cashflows	
$’000

	mths	
or	less	
$’000

-	mths	
$’000

-	years	
$’000

-	years	
$’000

More	than	
	years	
$’000

Finance lease liabilities

(158)

(160)

(80)

Accounts payable

Other liabilities

	December	009

(12,314)

(103,585)

(116,057)

(12,314)

(12,314)

(103,585)

(99,909)

(116,059)

(112,303)

(80)

–

–

(80)

–

–

(3,676)

(3,676)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Carrying	
Amount	
$’000

Contractual	
Cashflows	
$’000

	mths	
or	less	
$’000

-	mths	
$’000

-	years	
$’000

-	years	
$’000

More	than	
	years	
$’000

Finance lease liabilities

(483)

(500)

(170)

(170)

Accounts payable

Other liabilities

(12,123)

(121,165)

(133,771)

(12,123)

(12,123)

(121,165)

(118,479)

–

–

(133,788)

(130,772)

(170)

(160)

–

(2,686)

(2,846)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Foreign	currency	risk

The Group is subject to a number of foreign currency risks given the global nature of its operations. Operating from 
73 offices in 39 locations at 31 December 2010, the principal foreign currency risks to which the business is subject 
to includes both foreign currency translation risk and foreign currency transaction risk.

Although domiciled in Ireland, the Group reports its results in U.S. dollars. As a consequence the results of  
non-U.S. based operations, when translated into U.S. dollars, could be affected by fluctuations in exchange rates 
between the U.S. dollar and the currencies of those operations.

The Group is also subject to foreign currency transaction exposures as the currency in which contracts are priced 
can be different from the currencies in which costs relating to those contracts are incurred. The Group’s operations 
in the United States are not materially exposed to such currency differences as the majority of revenues and costs 
are in U.S. dollars. However, outside the United States the multinational nature of the Group’s activities means that 
contracts are usually priced in a single currency, most often U.S. dollars, Euros or pounds Sterling, while costs arise 
in a number of currencies, depending, among other things, on which of the Group’s offices provide staff for the 
contract, and the location of investigator sites. Although many such contracts benefit from some degree of natural 
hedging due to the matching of contract revenues and costs in the same currency, where costs are incurred in 
currencies other than those in which contracts are priced, fluctuations in the relative value of those currencies could 
have a material effect on the results of the Group’s operations. The Group regularly reviews its foreign currency 
exposures and usually negotiates currency fluctuation clauses in its contracts which allow for price negotiation if 
certain exchange rate triggers occur.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

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ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Financial	Instruments	(continued)

The following significant exchange rates applied during the year:

Euro

Pound Sterling

Average	Rate

Closing	Rate

00

.0

.0

2009

1.39520

1.56763

00

.

.99

2009

1.43160

1.61540

A 10% strengthening or weakening of the US Dollar against the Euro and Sterling from the 31 December 2010 rates 
based on the underlying currencies per the table on the previous page would have increased or decreased profit 
and equity by $1.8 million (31 December 2009 $1.8 million). This analysis assumes that all other variables remain 
constant.

Interest	rate	risk

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk in respect of its cash and cash equivalents, current asset investments 
and amounts drawn under negotiated facilities which are subject to variable rates of interest.

As stated previously, the Group’s treasury function actively manages its available cash resources and invests 
significant cash balances in various financial instruments to try to ensure optimum returns for the Group’s surplus 
cash balances. Financial instruments are classified either as cash and cash equivalents or current asset investments 
depending upon the maturity of the related investment. Funds may be invested in the form of floating rate notes 
and medium term minimum “A” rated corporate securities. The Group may be subject to interest rate risk in respect 
of interest rate changes on amounts invested. The Group manages interest rate risk in respect of these balances by 
monitoring the composition of the Group’s investment portfolio on an ongoing basis having regard to current market 
interest rates and future trends.

In addition to interest rate risk on surplus cash balances invested, the Group may also be subject to interest rate risk 
on amounts drawn under negotiated facilities which are subject to variable rates of interest. Details of the Group’s 
negotiated facilities are set out in note 22 Bank Credit Lines and Loan Facilities. No amounts remained drawn under 
these facilities at 31 December 2010 or 31 December 2009. During the year ended 31 December 2009 the Group 
repaid all amounts previously drawn under its negotiated facilities. The Group manages interest rate risk in respect 
of amounts drawn under negotiated facilities through ongoing monitoring of actual and forecast cash balances, 
reviewing existing and future cash requirements of the business and by reviewing existing levels of borrowings 
having regard to current market interest rates and future trends.

The sensitivity analysis below represents the hypothetical change in our interest income/(expense) based on an 
immediate 1% movement in market interest rates.

Interest	Income

Interest	Expense

As reported

Effect of change in market interest rate on profit:

00	
$’000

,

2009 
$’000

752

1% Increase

1% Decrease

,9

–

2,692

–

This analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.

00	
$’000

–

–

–

2009 
$’000

(3,530)

(3,950)

(3,110)

90

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Financial	Instruments	(continued)

Fair	Values

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities, together with the carrying amounts shown in the balance sheet,  
are as follows:

	December	00

31 December 2009

Accounts receivable

Unbilled revenue

Current asset investments

Cash and cash equivalents

Other receivables

Accounts payable

Finance lease liabilities

Payments on account

Other liabilities

Carrying	
Amount	
$’000

,90

0,

–

,0

,00

,09

(,)

()

(,0)

(0,)

(0,9)

Fair	
Value	
$’000

,90

0,

–

,0

,00

,09

(,)

()

(,0)

(0,)

(0,9)

Carrying 
Amount 
$’000

191,924

92,080

49,227

144,801

24,828

502,860

(12,123)

(470)

(165,198)

(121,178)

(298,969)

Fair 
Value 
$’000

191,924

92,080

49,227

144,801

24,828

502,860

(12,123)

(470)

(165,198)

(121,178)

(298,969)

The carrying values of accounts receivable, less impairment provision, unbilled revenue, other receivables, accounts 
payable, payments on account, and other liabilities are assumed to be approximate to their fair values due to the 
short term nature of these balances.

Current asset investments are stated at fair value, with any resultant gain or loss recognised in the statement of 
recognised income and expense. The fair value of current asset investments is their market price at the balance 
sheet date.

The fair value finance lease obligations for disclosure purposes is calculated based on the present value of future 
principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate of interest at the reporting date.

We disclose our financial instruments that are measured in the balance sheet at fair value using the following fair 
value hierarchy for valuation inputs. The hierarchy prioritises the inputs into three levels based on the extent to 
which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Each fair value measurement is reported in 
one of the three levels, which is determined by the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement 
in its entirety. These levels are:

Level 1:

Inputs are based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

Level 2:

Inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for 
identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques 
for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by 
observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3:

Inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions  
that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Lease	commitments

The Company has several non-cancellable operating leases, primarily for facilities, that expire over the next 12 
years. These leases generally contain renewal options and require the Company to pay all executory costs such  
as maintenance and insurance. The Company expensed $46.0 million for the year ended 31 December 2010 and 
$45.2 million for the year ended 31 December 2009. Future minimum rental commitments for operating leases with 
non-cancellable terms are as follows:

Less than one year
Between one and two years
Between two and three years
Between three and four years
Between four and five years
More than five years
Total

	December	
00		
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

9,0
,0
0,9
,
,9
,99
,0

38,192
31,015
26,009
23,074
20,137
39,285
177,712

The Group has obligations under finance leases for certain items of property, plant and equipment as follows:

Less than one year
Between one and five years
More than five years
Total gross payment
Less future finance charges
Total

.	 Commitments	and	contingencies

(a)	 Capital	commitments

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

0
–
–
0
()


340
160
–
500
(17)
483

The following capital commitments for the purchase of property, plant and equipment had been authorised  
by the Group at 31 December 2010:

Contracted for

Not-contracted for

Total

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

0,90

0,0

0,99

5,604

5,386

10,990

9

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Commitments	and	contingencies	(continued)

(b)	 Guarantees

Where the Company enters into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of other companies 
within the Group, the Company considers these to be insurance arrangements and accounts for them as such.  
The Company treats the guarantee contract as a contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable that  
the Company will be required to make a payment under that guarantee.

The Company has guaranteed the liabilities referred to in the Section 5 (c) (ii) of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 
1986 in respect of the financial year ending 31 December 2010 for the subsidiary companies listed below. These 
subsidiaries are availing of the exemption under Section 17 of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986 not to file 
statutory financial statements.

- ICON Clinical Research Property Holdings (Ireland) Limited

- ICON Clinical Property Development (Ireland) Limited

- ICON Clinical Property Holdings Limited

- ICON Clinical Property Development Limited

- ICON Clinical Research Limited

- Holmrook Limited

- Shelbourne Data Management Limited

(c)	 Contractual	obligations

The following represents Group contractual obligations and commercial commitments as at 31 December 2010:

Payments	due	by	period

Less	than	
	year

	to		
years

-	
years

More	than	
	years

$	in	millions

0.2

39.5

21.0

60.7

–

64.5

–

64.5

–

44.3

–

44.3

–

35.9

–

35.9

Total

0.2

184.2

21.0

205.4

Finance lease obligations

Operating lease commitments

Capital commitments

Total

The Group expects to spend approximately $47.5million in the next 12 months on further investments in information 
technology, the expansion of existing facilities and the addition of new offices. The Group believes that it will be able 
to fund additional foreseeable cash needs for the next twelve months from cash flow from operations and existing 
cash balances. In the future, the Group may consider acquiring businesses to enhance service offerings and global 
presence. Any such acquisitions may require additional external financing and the Group may, from time to time, 
seek to obtain funds from public or private issues of equity or debt securities. There can be no assurance that  
such financing will be available on terms acceptable to the Group.

.	 Litigation

The Company is not party to any litigation or other legal proceedings that the Company believes could reasonably 
be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial 
position.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

9.	 Related	Parties

(i)	 Transactions	with	Directors	and	Executive	Officers

The total compensation of the Directors and Executive Officers (Key Management Remuneration) for the years 
ended 31 December 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

Salary and fees

Bonus

Other benefits

Pension contributions

Share-based-payment

Total

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

,9







,

,

2,326

1,317

1,458

757

867

6,725

Dr. John Climax, one of the Company’s co-founders, served as Chairman of the Board of the Company from 
November 2002 to December 2009. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from June 1990 to 
October 2002 and as an Executive Director from June 1990 to December 2009. On 31 December 2009 Dr. Climax 
retired as Chairman of the Board of the Company and his service agreement with the Company (the “Dr. Climax 
Service Agreement”) ended. Since January 2010 he has held a position as a non-Executive Director of the 
Company.

The Dr. Climax Service Agreement provided for a bonus, a pension contribution, a twelve month notice period,  
two company cars and medical insurance cover for himself and his dependants. At 18 April 2011, Dr. Climax  
held 108,000 ordinary share options at exercise prices ranging from $8.88 to $35.33 per share.

The arrangements relating to Dr. Climax’s retirement were set out in an agreement entered into between the 
Company and Dr. Climax in December 2009 (the “December 2009 Agreement”). Pursuant to the December 2009 
Agreement, Dr. Climax received, having regard to the Dr. Climax Service Agreement (which terminated pursuant  
to the December 2009 agreement), a payment of €830,000 ($1,200,620) and a pension contribution of €170,000 
($252,620). In addition, and also pursuant to the December 2009 Agreement, he received an ex-gratia pension 
contribution for past service of €220,308 ($327,378), the acceleration of vesting of unvested share options and the 
transfer of two company cars €52,706 ($68,063). The payments and contributions set out in this paragraph are 
included in the amounts listed for Dr. Climax in the summary compensation table for the year ended 31 December 
2009 on page 65.

The Company has also entered into a three year agreement with Rotrua Limited, a company controlled by  
Dr. Climax, for the provision of consultancy services at an agreed fee of €262,500 ($375,795) per annum. The 
consultancy agreement provides that the Company will provide, during the term of the agreement, permanent 
disability and life insurance cover for Dr. Climax and medical insurance cover for himself and his dependants.

9

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

9.	 Related	Parties	(continued)

The following share options were awarded to directors and executive officers during the years ended 31 December 
2010 and 31 December 2009:

Name	of	Director/	
Key	Executive	Officer

Dr. Bruce Given

Peter Gray

Ciaran Murray

Dr. John Climax

Dr. Ronan Lambe

Thomas Lynch

Prof. Dermot Kelleher

Dr. Anthony Murphy

Declan McKeon

Cathrin Petty

Options

2,000

4,000

50,000

150,000

17,000

30,000

50,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

2,000

3,000

2,000

3,000

3,000

Exercise	
price

$22.26

$24.46

$15.84

$24.25

$22.26

$24.46

$15.84

$24.46

$22.26

$24.46

$22.26

$24.46

$22.26

$24.46

$15.84

$24.46

$29.45

$19.45

Grant	date

Expiry	date

25 February 2009

25 February 2017

4 March 2010

4 March 2018

30 April 2009

8 March 2010

30 April 2017

8 March 2018

25 February 2009

4 March 2018

25 February 2017

4 March 2018

30 April 2009

4 March 2010

30 April 2017

4 March 2018

25 February 2009

25 February 2017

4 March 2010

4 March 2018

25 February 2009

25 February 2017

4 March 2010

4 March 2018

25 February 2009

25 February 2017

4 March 2010

4 March 2018

30 April 2009

4 March 2010

30 April 2017

4 March 2018

29 April 2010

29 April 2018

26 October 2010

26 October 2018

100,000 of the options granted to Peter Gray on 8 March 2010, will vest between 2011 and 2013. All other options 
granted to Directors and executive officers during 2010 will vest between 2011 and 2015. All options granted 
during the year end 31 December 2009 options will vest between 2010 and 2014.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

9.	 Related	Parties	(continued)

Details of transactions entered into by Directors and Key Executive Officers in shares and share options of the 
Company during the year ended 31 December 2010 were are follows:

Name	of	Director/Key	Executive	Officer

No.	Options

Options	Exercised

Average	
Exercise	
Price

Market	Price	
on	date	of	
Exercise

Dr. Bruce Given

Peter Gray

Ciaran Murray

Dr. John Climax

Dr. Ronan Lambe

Thomas Lynch

Prof. Dermot Kelleher

Dr. Anthony Murphy

Declan McKeon

Cathrin Petty

Name	of	Director/	
Key	Executive	Officer

Dr. Bruce Given

Peter Gray

Ciaran Murray

Dr. John Climax

Dr. Ronan Lambe

Thomas Lynch

Prof. Dermot Kelleher

Dr. Anthony Murphy

Declan McKeon

Cathrin Petty

–

40,000

40,000

20,000

6,000

1,200

–

–

–

–

–

$7.94

$10.42

$7.00

$7.00

$7.00

–

–

–

–

–

$28.78

$24.25

$20.12

$20.36

$19.87

–

–

–

–

Shares	Purchased

Shares	Sold

Average	
purchase	
price/exercise	
price

No.	Shares

500

$24.67

–

–

–

–

–

–

200

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$23.87

–

–

No.	Shares

–

(60,000)

(40,000)

(1,520,000)

(59,900)

–

–

–

–

–

Average	
Market	Price	
of	Shares	Sold

–

$28.78

$24.25

$24.31

$22.25

–

–

–

–

–

(ii)	 Other	Related	Party	Transactions

Year	ended		December	00

With the exception of the consultancy agreement with Rotrua Limited a company controlled by Dr. Climax,  
as outlined on page 94, there were no other related party transactions during 2010.

9

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

9.	 Related	Parties	(continued)

Year	ended		December	009

Mr Edward Roberts previously served as Chairman of Merz GmbH. Merz is an independent German pharmaceutical 
company focused on the development of drugs for the treatment of illnesses in the fields of neurology and 
psychiatry. ICON Clinical Research Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has entered into a number  
of contracts with Merz, for the provision of consulting and clinical trial related activities. The total potential value  
of these contracts is $43.5 million. During the year ended 31 December 2009 the Company recognised a total  
of $9.8 million of revenue in relation to these activities. At 31 December 2009 $1.2 million was outstanding to be 
received from Merz GmbH. During the time that ICON performed this work Mr. Roberts excused himself from or  
did not attend any meeting of either or both of ICON and Merz relating to this work. At no stage was there any 
conflict of interest between Mr. Roberts position as director of the Company and his work for Merz.

Dr. Bruce Given previously served as Acting Chief Medical Officer of Sembiosys Genetics Inc. (“Sembiosys”). 
Sembiosys is a plant biotechnology company specialising in the production of high-value pharmaceutical and  
non-pharmaceutical products. During the year ending 31 December 2008 Sembiosys engaged ICON Development 
Solutions a wholly owned subsidiary of ICON, in consulting and clinical trial related activities. The total potential 
value of this study was $0.8 million. During the year ending 31 December 2009 ICON recognised a total of 
$0.3 million of revenue in relation to these activities. There were no amounts outstanding as at 31 December 2009. 
During the time that ICON performed this work Dr Given excused himself from or did not attend any meeting of 
either or both of ICON and Sembiosys relating to this work. At no stage was there any conflict of interest between  
Dr Given’s position as director of the Company and his work for Sembiosys.

0.	 Post	Balance	Sheet	Events

On 14 January 2011 the Company acquired approximately 80% of the common stock of Oxford Outcomes Limited, 
a leading international health outcomes consultancy business, headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, and with 
offices in the USA and Canada, for an initial cash consideration of £17.8 million ($27.7 million). Oxford Outcomes 
provides specialist services in the areas of patient reported outcomes (PRO), health economics, epidemiology and 
translation and linguistic validation. Further consideration of up to £6.5 million ($10.2 million) may become payable 
during the period to 31 March 2012 if certain performance milestones are achieved. In addition, the acquisition 
agreement also provides for certain working capital targets to be achieved by Oxford Outcomes Limited on completion, 
with additional amounts payable by or refundable to the Company based on the achievement of these targets.

The Company also holds an option to acquire the remaining common stock of Oxford Outcomes Limited during  
the year ended 31 December 2011 for cash consideration of £3.8 million ($5.9 million). Further consideration of  
up to £1.5 million ($2.3 million) relating to this remaining common stock of Oxford Outcomes may become payable 
during the period to 31 March 2012 if certain performance milestones are achieved.

The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were as follows:

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill

Cash and cash equivalents

Other current assets

Current liabilities

Purchase price

	January	
0	
$’000

490

41,462

6,335

6,043

(3,055)

51,275

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

9

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Notes	to	the	Company	financial	statements

(a)	 Property,	Plant	and	Equipment

Cost

At 1 January 2010

Additions

Disposals

Foreign currency adjustment

At		December	00

Depreciation

At 1 January 2010

Charge for year

Eliminated on disposals

Foreign currency adjustment

At		December	00

Net	book	value

At		December	00

At 31 December 2009

Leasehold	
improvements	
$’000

Computer	
equipment	
$’000

Office	
furniture	&	
fixtures	
$’000

528

183

–

(29)



142

100

–

(7)





386

1,204

203

–

(68)

,9

777

251

–

(42)

9



427

1,406

287

(12)

(75)

,0

438

173

(4)

(24)



,0

968

Total	
$’000

3,138

673

(12)

(172)

,

1,357

524

(4)

(73)

,0

,

1,781

9

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Notes	to	the	Company	financial	statements	(continued)

(a)	 Property,	Plant	and	Equipment	(continued)

Leasehold	
improvements	
$’000

Computer	
equipment	
$’000

Office	
furniture	&	
fixtures	
$’000

Cost

At 1 January 2009

Additions

Disposals

Reclassifications

Foreign currency adjustment

At		December	009

Depreciation

At 1 January 2009

Charge for year

Eliminated on disposals

Reclassifications

Foreign currency adjustment

At		December	009

Net	book	value

At		December	009

At 31 December 2008

295

148

(48)

124

9



62

77

(22)

23

2





233

1,016

160

–

–

28

,0

494

270

–

–

13





522

1,465

87

(62)

(124)

40

,0

293

179

(19)

(23)

8



9

1,172

Total	
$’000

2,776

395

(110)

–

77

,

849

526

(41)

–

23

,

,

1,927

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

99

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Notes	to	the	Company	financial	statements	(continued)

(b)	

Intangible	assets

Computer	
Software	
$’000

79

161

2

242

278

(5)



33

25

1

59

98

(3)





183

Cost:

At 1 January 2009

Additions

Foreign exchange movement

At 31 December 2009

Additions

Foreign exchange movement

At		December	00

Accumulated	amortisation:

At 1 January 2009

Arising during the year

Foreign exchange movement

At 31 December 2009

Arising during the year

Foreign exchange movement

At		December	00

Net	book	value:

At		December	00

At 31 December 2009

00

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Notes	to	the	Company	financial	statements	(continued)

(c)	

Investment	in	subsidiaries

Investment	
in	Subsidiary	
Undertakings	
$’000

Long	Term	
Advances	to	
Subsidiary	
Undertakings	
$’000

264,534

–

7,144

4,286

275,964

–

(6,101)

6,136

(15,220)

260,779

70,906

2,549

–

1,771

75,226

2,518

–

–

(2,387)

75,357

Total	
$’000

335,440

2,549

7,144

6,057

351,190

2,518

(6,101)

6,136

(17,607)

336,136

Cost:

At 1 January 2009

Imputed interest on long term intercompany loans

Share based payments

Foreign exchange movement

At 31 December 2009

Imputed interest on long term intercompany loans

Disposals

Share based payments

Foreign exchange movement

At 31 December 2010

(d)	 Deferred	taxation

The net deferred tax asset at 31 December 2010 was as follows:

Deferred	taxation	liabilities:

Property, plant and equipment

Accrued expenses and payments on account

Total deferred taxation liabilities

Deferred	taxation	assets:

Accrued expenses and payments on account

Property, plant and equipment

Loans to subsidiaries

Total	deferred	taxation	assets

Net	deferred	taxation	asset

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

(0)

()

()





0

,0

,0

(42)

–

(42)

178

71

1,126

1,375

1,333

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

0

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Notes	to	the	Company	financial	statements	(continued)

(d)	 Deferred	taxation	(continued)

The movement in temporary differences during the year ended 31 December 2010 and year ended 31 December 
2009 was as follows:

Balance	
	January	
00	
$’000

Investment	
in	Subsidiary	
Undertakings	
$’000

Recognised	
in	Income	
$’000

Balance	
	December	
00	
$’000

Deferred	taxation	liabilities:

Property, plant and equipment

Accrued expenses and payments on account

Total	deferred	taxation	liabilities

Deferred	taxation	assets:

Accrued expenses and payments on account

Property plant and equipment

Loans to subsidiaries

Total	deferred	taxation	assets

Net	deferred	taxation	asset

(42)

–

()

178

71

1,126

,

,

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

32

(5)



67

(38)

(318)

(9)

()

(10)

(5)

()

245

33

808

,0

,0

Balance	
	January	
009	
$’000

Investment	
in	Subsidiary	
Undertakings	
$’000

Recognised	
in	Income	
$’000

Balance	
	December	
009	
$’000

Deferred	taxation	liabilities:

Property, plant and equipment

Total	deferred	taxation	liabilities

Deferred	taxation	assets:

Accrued expenses and payments on account

Property plant and equipment

Loans to subsidiaries

Total	deferred	taxation	assets

Net	deferred	taxation	asset

–

–

123

102

1,451

,

,

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(42)

()

55

(31)

(325)

(0)

()

(42)

()

178

71

1,126

,

,

At 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009 the Company had no operating loss carry forwards for income tax 
purposes and no deferred tax assets that have not been recognised.

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Notes	to	the	Company	financial	statements	(continued)

(e)	 Other	Current	Assets

Prepayments

Other receivables

Total

(f)	 Accrued	and	Other	Liabilities

Current	liabilities:

Accruals and other liabilities

Total

(g)	 Payroll	and	Related	Benefits

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000



,9

,0

1,180

2,124

3,304

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

,

9,587

9,587

The aggregate payroll costs of employees of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2010 was as follows:

Wages and salaries

Social welfare costs

Pension costs for defined contribution pension schemes

Share-based payment

Total

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

,9

,9

,0

,

,9

19,912

4,018

1,638

941

26,509

Certain employees of the Company are eligible to participate in a defined contribution plan (the “plan”). Participants 
in the Plan may elect to defer a portion of their pre-tax earnings into a pension plan, which is run by an independent 
party. The Company matches each participant’s contributions typically at 6% of the participant’s annual compensation. 
The Company also makes contributions for Directors and Executive officers at rates ranging from 10% to 15% of 
the individual’s basic salary. Contributions to this plan are recorded as a remuneration expense in the Company 
Income Statement. Contributions for the year ended 31 December 2010 and the year ended 31 December 2009 
were $2,045,000 and $1,638,000 respectively.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

0

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Notes	to	the	Company	financial	statements	(continued)

The average number of employees, including executive Directors, employed by the Company for the year ending  
31 December 2010 was as follows:

Marketing

Administration

Clinical research processing

Total

(h)	 Related	Parties

Year	ended	
	December	
00

Year ended 
31 December 
2009









2

69

304

375

The Company entered into the following transactions with subsidiary companies during the period:

Income	Statement:

Expenses recharged to subsidiary companies

Imputed interest charged to subsidiary companies

Total

Cash	Flow:

(Decrease)/increase in intercompany creditor

Total

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

,

,

,

17,905

2,549

20,454

(9,0)

(9,0)

110,914

110,914

Directors and Executive Officers of the Parent Company are the same as those for the Group. For information  
on transactions with Directors and Executive Officers see note 29 to the Group financial statements, and for 
information on directors’ remuneration see note 8.

(i)	 Commitments	and	Contingencies

The Company had no commitments or contingencies at 31 December 2010 (2009: $nil).

(j)	 Litigation

The Company is not party to any litigation or other legal proceedings that the Company believes could reasonably 
be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial 
position.

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Notes	to	the	Company	financial	statements	(continued)

(k)	 Financial	Assets	and	Risk	Management

The Company is exposed to various financial risks in the normal course of the business. The Company’s financial 
instruments typically comprise, cash, bank borrowings and accounts payable. The main purpose of these financial 
instruments is to provide finance for the Company’s operations. The main risks arising from the Company’s financial 
instruments are credit risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, and foreign exchange risk.

Credit risk 
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails  
to meet its contractual obligations. Credit risk in respect of the Company arises on balances due from group 
companies. As such, the Company has assessed the exposure to credit risk as low.

Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The 
Company’s liquidity risk arises from the repayment of short term debt and other obligations as they fall due. The 
Company minimises liquidity risk by ensuring that sufficient cash balances and committed bank lines of credit are 
available to meet its obligations as they fall due. Details of the Company’s bank credit lines and facilities are set out 
in note 22.

The following table sets out details of the maturity of the Company’s financial liabilities into the relevant maturity 
groupings based on the remaining period at the balance sheet date to contractual maturity date:

	December	00

Accounts payable

Accruals and other liabilities

	December	009

Carrying	
Amount	
$’000

Contractual	
Cashflows	
$’000

(168)

(8,386)

(8,554)

(168)

(8,386)

(8,554)

	mths	
or	less	
$’000

(168)

(8,386)

(8,554)

-	
mths	
$’000

-	
years	
$’000

-	
years	
$’000

More	than	
	years	
$’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Carrying	
Amount	
$’000

Contractual	
Cashflows	
$’000

	mths	
or	less	
$’000

-	
mths	
$’000

-	
years	
$’000

-	
years	
$’000

More	than	
	years	
$’000

Accounts payable

Accruals and other liabilities

Amounts due to subsidiaries

(305)

(9,587)

(16,406)

(26,298)

(305)

(305)

(9,587)

(9,587)

(16,406)

(16,406)

(26,298)

(26,298)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Foreign currency risk 
While the functional currency of the Company is Euro, the Company reports its results in U.S. dollars. As a 
consequence, the results, when translated into U.S. dollars, could be affected by fluctuations in exchange rates 
against the U.S. dollar. At 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009 the Company had no US dollar denominated 
bank loans.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

0

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Notes	to	the	Company	financial	statements	(continued)

Interest rate risk 
The Company finances its operations through a mixture of shareholders’ funds, borrowings and working capital. 
The Company borrows in desired currencies at both fixed and floating rates of interest. In general the Company 
borrows at floating rates of interest but may borrow at fixed rates depending on rates available. The Company 
determines the level of borrowings at fixed rates of interest having regard to current market rates and future  
trends. At 31 December 2010 the company did not have any borrowings drawn down.

Fair Values 
The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, together with the carrying amounts shown in the 
balance sheet, are as follows:

	December	00

31 December 2009

Loans to subsidiaries

Amounts due by subsidiary undertaking

Cash and cash equivalents

Other current assets

Accounts payable

Amounts due to subsidiary undertakings

Accruals and other liabilities

Carrying	
Amount	
$’000

,



,

,0

,0

()

–

(,)

(,)

Fair	
Value	
$’000

,



,

,0

9,

()

–

(,)

(,)

Carrying 
Amount 
$’000

75,226

–

1,031

3,304

79,561

(305)

(16,406)

(9,587)

(26,298)

Fair 
Value 
$’000

75,056

–

1,031

3,304

79,391

(305)

(16,406)

(9,587)

(26,298)

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, other current assets, accounts payable, amounts due to 
subsidiary undertakings, accounts payable and other liabilities are assumed to be approximate to their fair values 
due to the short term nature of these balances. The fair value of loans to subsidiaries for disclosure purposes is 
calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash flows, discounted at the market rate  
of interest at the reporting date.

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Subsidiary	Undertakings

As at 31 December 2010 the Company had the following principal subsidiary undertakings:

Name

Registered	Office

Proportion	held	by	group

ICON Clinical Research Limited

ICON Clinical Research Inc.

ICON Clinical Research (UK) Limited

ICON Clinical Research GmbH

ICON Clinical Research SARL

ICON Clinical Research Israel Limited

ICON Clinical Research

ICON Clinical Research Kft.

ICON Clinical Research S.R.L.

ICON Clinical Research EOOD

South County Business Park  
Leopardstown
Dublin 18
Republic of Ireland

212 Church Road
North Wales
Pennsylvania
PA 19454
U.S.A.

Concept House
6, Stoneycroft Rise
Chandlers Ford
Eastleigh
Hampshire, SO53 3LD
England

Heinrich-Hertz Strasse 26
D-63225 Langen
Germany

20, rue Troyon
92310 Sevres
France

6 Haba’al Shem Tov st.
North Industrial Area Lod 71289
POB 1114 Lod 71100
Israel

Calle Josep Pla, número 2
Torre Diagonal Mar
piso 11
módulo 1
08019 Barcelona
Spain

Szepvolgy ut 39
Szepvolgy Irodapark
1037 Budapest
Hungary

3rd Floor
133-137 Calea Floreasca, 1st District
Bucharest
Romania

4th floor, Saborna Str.
2a, Sredets Municipality
Sofia
Bulgaria

100%*

100%

100%*

100%*

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

0

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Subsidiary	Undertakings	(continued)

Name

ICON Research d.o.o

ICON Clinical Research LLC

ICON Clinical Research LLC

ICON Holdings

ICON Holdings Clinical Research 
International Limited

ICON Clinical Research S.R.O

ICON Clinical Research (Canada) Inc.

ICON Clinical Research Pty Limited

ICON Clinical Research (New Zealand) 
Limited

ICON Japan K.K.

ICON Clinical Research Pte Limited

Registered	Office

Radni ka cesta 80
Zagreb
Croatia

Bulevar Zorana Djindjica 64a
11070 Belgrade
Serbia

4th Floor
St. Poleva, 24
Kiev
Ukraine, 03056

South County Business Park Leopardstown
Dublin 18
Republic of Ireland

South County Business Park Leopardstown
Dublin 18
Republic of Ireland

V parku 2335/20,
Post Code 148 00
Prague 4
Czech Republic

7405, Transcanada Highway
Suite 300
St.Laurent
Quebec (H4T 1Z2)
Canada

Level 2, Suite 201
2-4 Lyon Park Road
North Ryde
Sydney
N.S.W. 2113
Australia

Plaza Level, AXA Centre
41 Shortland Street
Auckland 1010
New Zealand

MD Kanda Building 6F-7F
Kanda-Mitoshirocho
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo, 101-0053
Japan

Raffles Place, #20-05
Clifford Centre
Singapore 048621

Proportion	held	by	group

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%*

100%

100%*

100%

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Subsidiary	Undertakings	(continued)

Name

ICON Clinical Research

ICON Clinical Research India Private 
Limited

Registered	Office

Korea Yuhan Hoesa
18th Floor, Capital Tower
736-1, YeokSam-Dong
KangNam-Gu
Seoul, Korea 135-983

RMZ Millennia Business Park
Building 3A, 2nd Floor
143 Dr. M G R Road
Kandhanchavady
Chennai – 600 096
Tamil Nadu
India

ICON Clinical Research S.A.

ICON Pesquisas Clinicas LTDA

Av. Fondo de la Legua 936/54
Edificio Lomas de San Isidro Plaza1 Martinez
Buenos Aires (B1640ED0)
Argentina

Avenida Paulista
No. 2300
Andar Pilotis-sal 03100-300
Bela Vista
Sao Paulo
SP Brazil

ICON Clinical Research Mexico  
S.A. de CV

Barranca del Muerto 329 3rd Floor
Col. San José Insurgentes
03900 México D.F.

ICON Chile Limitada

ICON Clinical Research Peru SA

Huerfanos 770
piso 4
oficina 402,
Santiago, Chile

Edificio Real Seis
Av. Victor A. Belaunde 147
Via Principal 140-Piso
Ofs 713 y 715
San Isidro-Lima 27
Peru

Proportion	held	by	group

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

ICON Development Solutions Limited Skelton House, 1

100%

DOCS Global Inc.

Manchester Science Park
Lloyd Street North
Manchester M15 6SH
England

2 Grand Central Tower
140 East 45th Street
10017 NY
New York, US

100%

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

09

Notes to Consolidated and Company Financial Statements (continued)

.	 Subsidiary	Undertakings	(continued)

Name

DOCS International BV

ICON Development Solutions, Inc.

ICON Central Laboratories, Inc.

Beacon Bioscience, Inc.

Healthcare Discoveries Inc

Prevalere Life Sciences Inc

Icon Medical Imaging AG

ICON Clinical Research (Beijing)  
Co. Limited

ICON Clnical Research Services 
Philippines Inc.

* held directly

Registered	Office

Handelsweg 53
1181 ZA Amstelveen
The Netherlands

7250, Parkway Drive
Suite 430
Hanover, MD 21076
U.S.A.

123 Smith Street
Farmingdale
New York 11735
U.S.A.

4259 W. Swamp Road
Suite 410
Doylestown, PA 18901-1033
U.S.A

8307 Gault Lane
San Antonio
TX 78209
U.S.A.

8282 Halsey Road
Whitsboro
NY 13492
U.S.A.

Zeltweg 46
8032 Zurich
Switzerland

Floor 5, Tower B
Minsheng Financial Center No. 28
JianGuoMenNei Avenue
Dong Cheng District
Beijing 100005
China

Rm28, 28 Floor Regus Center
Enterprise Building, Tower 2
6766 Ayala Ave Corner
Paseo de Roxas
Makati City 1226
Philippines

.	 Approval	of	financial	statements

The Board of Directors approved these financial statements on 18 April 2011.

Proportion	held	by	group

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

0

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Reconciliation between IFRS and US Accounting Principles

The financial statements of the Group set out on pages 34 to 110	have been prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as adopted by the European Union (“EU IFRS”), which differ in certain significant 
respects from those applicable in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”). The material differences as they apply to the Company’s 
financial statements are as follows:

(a)	Financial	statement	format

The format of the financial statements and certain note disclosures differ under U.S. GAAP from those under EU IFRS. 
The Company prepared a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Form 20-F Report which was made available to 
all shareholders in March 2011. The financial statements included in such Form 20-F are prepared in accordance with 
U.S. GAAP.

(b)	Merger	with	PRAI

The Group accounts for business combinations under EU IFRS in accordance with the IFRS 3 Business Combinations. 
As permitted by IFRS 1 First Time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards the Group has only restated 
business combinations from 1 June 2001 onwards. Business combinations prior to this date have not been restated.  
In addition, goodwill has no longer been amortised since 1 June 2001, but rather is tested annually for impairment.  
U.S. GAAP adopts different criteria to EU IFRS for establishing the method of accounting to be adopted for business 
combinations. On 28 January 2000 the Group completed a transaction with Pacific Research Associates Inc. (“PRAI”),  
a company specialising in data management, statistical analysis and medical and regulatory consulting based in  
San Francisco, USA. The merger with PRAI was accounted for using acquisition accounting principles in accordance  
with EU IFRS whilst U.S. GAAP required that the merger be accounted for using the pooling-of-interest method of 
accounting. U.S. GAAP pooling-of-interest accounting has resulted in a number of adjustments. Most significantly

(i) 

the Group’s historic US GAAP financial statements have been restated to reflect the combined results of ICON  
and PRAI;

(ii) 

the costs of the merger were expensed for U.S. GAAP purposes and included in the cost of acquisition for IFRS;

(iii)  goodwill arising on IFRS has been amortised over its expected useful life up to 31 May 2001. No goodwill arose  

on the merger under U.S. GAAP;

(iv)  the tax charge arising on the conversion of PRAI from an S-Corporation to a C-Corporation is treated as a pre 

acquisition charge under IFRS.

(c)	Defined	benefit	pension	scheme

Under IFRS the Group is required to recognise net scheme assets and liabilities of defined benefit pension schemes  
it operates. Actuarial gains and losses associated with such schemes are recognised directly against retained earnings 
through the Group Statement of Recognised Income and Expense. Under U.S. GAAP an additional minimum pension 
liability relating to the excess of any unfunded accumulated benefit obligation over recognised prior service cost must  
be included within other accumulated comprehensive income. This amount is amortised to the consolidated statement 
of operations over the remaining service life of the scheme participants under US GAAP. The excess is not amortised 
under IFRS and accordingly the Group has not recognised the amortisation charge of $23,000 recorded in 2009 under 
US GAAP. No such amortisation charge arose in 2010 under US GAAP.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Reconciliation between IFRS and US Accounting Principles (continued)

(d)	Non-cash	stock	compensation	expense

IFRS requires that the fair value of share-based payments be expensed to the income statement over the period  
the related services are received, with a corresponding increase in equity. In the year ending 31 December 2009  
the Company has accounted for share-based payments under U.S. GAAP in accordance with FASB ASC 718, 
Compensation – Stock Compensation, which also requires that the fair value of share-based payments be expensed  
to the income statement over the period the related services are received, with a corresponding increase in equity. 
There is a difference in recorded expense because firstly different periods are in scope for both treatments due to the 
different effective dates under both standards and secondly due to different models used to calculate the fair value of 
options. Under US GAAP the Black-Scholes model was used for the calculation of the expense whereas under IFRS 
this model is not the preferred model to be used and as such the binomial model is used.

(e)	Deferred	tax	assets

IFRS requires that the fair value of share-based payments, including share options issued to employees, be expensed  
to the income statement over the period the related services are received, with a corresponding increase in equity. Under 
U.S. tax law the Group receives a tax deduction when U.S. employee share options are exercised. This deduction is 
measured as the intrinsic value of the share options at the date the options are exercised. Therefore, the tax deduction 
generally arises in different amounts and in different periods from compensation cost recognised in the financial 
statements.

Under US GAAP, FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company has recognised a deferred tax asset for the cumulative 
amount of compensation cost recognised in the financial statements for options that will result in a future tax deduction. 
A deferred tax asset is also recognised under IFRS for options that will result in a future tax deduction. However, under 
IAS 12 Income Taxes if the tax deduction available in future periods is not known at the end of the period it is estimated 
based on information available at the end of the period. As the tax deduction is dependent upon the Company’s share 
price at the exercise date, the measurement of the deductible temporary difference is based on the Company’s share 
price at the end of the period. Where the amount of the estimated future tax deduction exceeds the amount of the 
related cumulative remuneration expense, the deferred tax associated with the excess is recognised directly in equity.

(f)	Currency	Translation	Adjustment

Under IFRS where repayment of permanent advances to subsidiaries occurs, exchange differences on those advances 
previously recognised in the currency reserve are required to be released to the income statement. In accordance with 
IAS 21 The effects of changes in foreign exchange rates, the portion of the loan repaid is deemed to be a partial return 
of the investment and is regarded as a disposal and the proportionate share of the exchange differences recognised  
in equity relating to the net investment as a whole are released to the income statement.

Under US GAAP, the repayment of permanent advances does not trigger a release of exchange differences unless  
it constitutes a substantially complete liquidation of a foreign entity.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Reconciliation between IFRS and US Accounting Principles (continued)

(g)	Forward-looking	statements

To the extent any statements made in this annual report deal with information that is not historical, these statements  
are necessarily forward-looking. As such, they are subject to the occurrence of many events outside of ICON’s control 
and are subject to various risk factors that would cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in any 
forward-looking statement. The risk factors are described in Appendix A on pages to 114 to 119	include, without 
limitation, the inherent risk of dependence on pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and certain clients, 
termination or delay of large contracts, risk of cost overruns, the risk of clinical outcomes, regulatory risks, and  
market competition.

The following is a summary of the material adjustments to profit and shareholders’ equity, which would be required,  
had the financial statements been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

(i)	 Effect	on	profit	for	the	financial	year

Year	ended	
	December	
00	
$’000

Year ended 
31 December 
2009 
$’000

Profit for the financial year attributable to equity holders as stated under IFRS

,

92,708

US	GAAP	adjustments:

Non-cash stock compensation expense under IFRS

Non-cash stock compensation expense under U.S. GAAP

Additional pension costs on defined benefit scheme

Deferred tax adjustments on share-based payments

,

(,0)

–

9

8,085

(7,353)

23

836

Net income as stated under U.S. GAAP

,0

94,299

Basic earnings per Ordinary Share under U.S. GAAP

Diluted earnings per Ordinary Share under U.S. GAAP

$.

$.

$1.61

$1.57

(ii)	 Effect	on	shareholders’	equity

	December	
00	
$’000

31 December 
2009 
$’000

Shareholders’ equity as stated under IFRS

,

589,781

US	GAAP	adjustments:

Goodwill arising on merger with PRAI

Amortisation of PRAI goodwill

Deferred tax adjustments on share-based payments

(,00)

,00



(15,010)

1,001

(3,526)

Shareholders’ equity as stated under U.S. GAAP

9,999

572,246

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Appendix A: Risk Factors

Risk Factors

Risk	Related	to	Our	Business	and	Operations

We depend on a limited number of clients and a loss of or significant decrease in business from them  
could affect our business.

We have in the past and may in the future derive a significant portion of our net revenue from a relatively limited number 
of major projects or clients. During the years ended 31 December 2010, 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2008 
33%, 27% and 29% respectively of our net revenues were derived from our top five clients. No one client contributed 
more than 10% of net revenues during the years ended 31 December 2010, 31 December 2009 and 31 December 
2008. The loss of, or a significant decrease in business from one or more of these key clients could have a material 
adverse impact on our results of operations.

Many of our contracts are long-term fixed-fee contracts. We would lose money in performing these 
contracts if the costs of performance exceed the fixed fees for these projects and we were unable to 
negotiate a change order for the value of work performed.

Many of our contracts are long-term fixed fee contracts. Revenues on these contracts are agreed on contract initiation 
between the Company and the customer and are based on estimated time inputs to the contract. Factors considered  
in estimating time requirements include the complexity of the study, the number of geographical sites where trials are  
to be conducted and the number of patients to be recruited at each site. The Company regularly reviews the estimated 
hours on each contract to determine if the budget accurately reflects the agreed tasks to be performed taking into account 
the state of progress at the time of review. The Company further ensures that changes in scope are appropriately 
monitored and change orders for additional revenue are promptly negotiated for additional work as necessary. If we 
were to fail to recognise and negotiate change orders for changes in the resources required or the scope of the work to 
be performed the Company could lose money if the costs of performance of these contracts exceeded their fixed fees.

If our clients discontinue using our services, or cancel or discontinue projects, our revenue will be adversely 
affected and we may not receive their business in the future or may not be able to attract new clients.

Our clients may discontinue using our services completely or cancel some projects either without notice or upon short 
notice. The termination or delay of a large contract or of multiple contracts could have a material adverse effect on our 
revenue and profitability. Historically, clients have cancelled or discontinued projects and may in the future cancel their 
contracts with us for reasons including:

n 

the failure of products being tested to satisfy safety or efficacy requirements;

n  unexpected or undesired clinical results of the product;

n  a decision that a particular study is no longer necessary;

n  poor project performance, quality concerns, insufficient patient enrollment or investigator recruitment; or

n  production problems resulting in shortages of the drug.

If we lose clients, we may not be able to attract new ones, and if we lose individual projects, we may not be able  
to replace them.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Appendix A: Risk Factors (continued)

If we fail to attract or retain qualified staff, our performance may suffer.

Our business, future success and ability to expand operations depend upon our ability to attract, hire, train and retain 
qualified professional, scientific and technical operating staff. We compete for qualified professionals with other CROs, 
temporary staffing agencies and the in-house departments of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device 
companies. Although we have not had any difficulty attracting or retaining qualified staff in the past, there is no 
guarantee that we will be able to continue to attract a sufficient number of clinical research professionals at an 
acceptable cost.

Our ability to perform clinical trials is dependant upon our ability to recruit suitable willing investigators  
and patients.

We contract with physicians located in hospitals, clinics or other such sites, who serve as investigators in conducting 
clinical trials to test new drugs on their patients. Investigators supervise administration of the study drug to patients 
during the course of the clinical trial. The availability of suitable patients for enrolment on studies is dependent upon 
many factors including, amongst others, the size of the patient population, the design of the study protocol, eligibility 
criteria, the referral practices of physicians, the perceived risks and benefits of the drug under study and the availability  
of alternative medication, including medication undergoing separate clinical trial. Insufficient patient enrolment or 
investigator recruitment may result in the termination or delay of a study which could have a material adverse impact  
on our results of operations.

We are highly dependent on information technology. If our systems fail or are unreliable our operations  
may be adversely impacted.

The efficient operation of our business depends on our information technology infrastructure and our management 
information systems. Our information technology infrastructure includes both third party solutions and applications 
designed and maintained internally. Since the Group operates on multiple platforms, the failure of our information 
technology infrastructure and/or our management information systems to perform could severely disrupt our business 
and adversely affect our results of operation. In addition, our information technology infrastructure and/or our management 
information systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from natural or man-made disasters, terrorist attacks, 
computer viruses or hackers, power loss, or other computer systems, Internet telecommunications or data network 
failures. Any such interruption could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We may make acquisitions in the future, which may lead to disruptions to our ongoing business.

We have made a number of acquisitions and will continue to review new acquisition opportunities. If we are unable  
to successfully integrate an acquired company, the acquisition could lead to disruptions to the business. The success  
of an acquisition will depend upon, among other things, our ability to:

n  assimilate the operations and services or products of the acquired company;

n 

integrate acquired personnel;

n 

retain and motivate key employees;

n 

retain customers; and

n  minimise the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns.

In the event that the operations of an acquired business do not meet our performance expectations, we may have  
to restructure the acquired business or write-off the value of some or all of the assets of the acquired business.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Appendix A: Risk Factors (continued)

Our operations might be impacted by a disruption to the air travel system.

Many of our operations rely on the availability of air transportation for the distribution of clinical trial materials, study 
samples and personnel. A disruption to the air travel system could materially impact our operations. While we have 
developed contingency plans to minimise the impact of such events, a disruption to the availability of air transportation 
could have a material adverse impact on our activities and results of operations.

We rely on our interactive voice response systems to provide accurate information regarding the 
randomisation of patients and the dosage required for patients enrolled in the trials.

We develop and maintain computer run interactive voice response systems to automatically manage the randomisation 
of patients in trials, assign the study drug, and adjust the dosage when required for patients enrolled in trials we support. 
An error in the design, programming or validation of these systems could lead to inappropriate assignment or dosing  
of patients which could give rise to patient safety issues, invalidation of the trial, liability claims against the Company  
or all three.

We rely on various control measures to mitigate the risk of a serious adverse event resulting from  
healthy volunteer Phase I trials.

We conduct healthy volunteer Phase I trials including first-into-man trials. Due to the experimental nature of these 
studies, serious adverse events may arise. We mitigate such events by following Good Clinical Practice and ensuring 
appropriately trained and experienced clinical physicians are managing these trials and that internal Standard Operating 
Procedures and client protocols are rigorously adhered to. We also ensure that a signed contract is in place with the 
client in advance of clinical dosing with appropriate indemnifications and insurance coverage. We maintain our own  
no-faults clinical trial insurance. Following our internal review and submission, an Independent Ethics committee 
approves the study protocol and appropriate approval is obtained from the relevant regulatory body.

Risk	Related	to	Our	Industry

We are dependent on the continued outsourcing of research and development by the pharmaceutical, 
biotechnology and medical device industries.

We are dependent upon the ability and willingness of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies 
to continue to spend on research and development and to outsource the services that we provide. We are therefore 
subject to risks, uncertainties and trends that affect companies in these industries. We have benefited to date from the 
tendency of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies to outsource clinical research projects. Any 
downturn in these industries or reduction in spending or outsourcing could adversely affect our business. For example, 
if these companies expanded upon their in-house clinical or development capabilities, they would be less likely to utilise 
our services. In addition, if governmental regulations were changed, it could affect the ability of our clients to operate 
profitably, which may lead to a decrease in research spending and therefore this could have a material adverse effect  
on our business.

Risk	Related	to	Our	Financial	Results

Our quarterly results are dependent upon a number of factors and can fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

Our results of operations in any quarter can fluctuate depending upon, among other things, the number and scope  
of ongoing client projects, the commencement, postponement, variation and cancellation or termination of projects  
in a quarter, the mix of revenue, cost overruns, employee hiring and other factors. Our net revenue in any period is 
directly related to the number and percentage of employees who were working on projects billable to the client during 
that period. We may be unable to compensate for periods of underutilisation during one part of a fiscal period by 
augmenting revenues during another part of that period. We believe that operating results for any particular quarter  
are not necessarily a meaningful indication of future results.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Appendix A: Risk Factors (continued)

Our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our contracts with our clients are sometimes denominated in currencies other than the currency in which we incur 
expenses related to such contracts. Where expenses are incurred in currencies other than those in which contracts  
are priced, fluctuations in the relative value of those currencies could have a material adverse effect on our results  
of operations. This risk is partially mitigated by clauses in certain of our contracts which allow for price renegotiation  
with our clients if changes in the relative value of those currencies exceed predetermined tolerances.

In addition, we are also subject to translation exposures as our consolidated financial results are presented in U.S. 
dollars, while the local results of certain of our subsidiaries are prepared in currencies other than U.S. dollars, including, 
amongst others, the pound sterling and the euro. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and 
those other currencies will affect the translation of a subsidiary’s financial results into U.S. dollars for purposes of 
reporting our consolidated financial results.

Our effective tax rate may fluctuate from quarter-to-quarter, which may affect our results of operations.

Our quarterly effective tax rate has depended and will continue to depend on the geographic distribution of our revenue 
and earnings amongst the multiple tax jurisdictions in which we operate. Changes in the geographic mix of our results 
of operations amongst these jurisdictions may have a significant impact on our effective tax rate from quarter to quarter. 
In addition, as we operate in multiple tax jurisdictions, we may be subject to audits in certain jurisdictions. These audits 
may involve complex issues which could require an extended period of time for resolution. While we believe that 
adequate provisions for income taxes have been made in our financial statements, the resolution of audit issues may 
lead to differences which could have a significant impact on our effective tax rate.

Our backlog may not convert to net revenue and the rate of conversion may slow.

Our backlog at any date is not necessarily a meaningful predictor of future results, due to the potential for the 
cancellation or delay of projects underlying the backlog. No assurances can be given that we will be able to realise  
this backlog as net revenue. A failure to realise backlog as net revenue could have a material adverse impact on our 
results of operations. In addition, as the length and complexity of projects underlying our backlog increases, the rate  
at which backlog converts to net revenue may be slower than in the past. A significant reduction in the rate at which 
backlog converts to net revenue could have a material impact on our results of operations.

Risk	Related	to	Political,	Legal	or	Regulatory	Environment

We may lose business opportunities as a result of health care reform and the expansion of managed  
care organisations.

Numerous governments, including the U.S. government and governments outside of the U.S., have undertaken  
efforts to control growing health care costs through legislation, regulation and voluntary agreements with medical  
care providers and drug companies. If these efforts are successful, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical  
device companies may react by spending less on research and development and therefore this could have a  
material adverse effect on our business.

In addition to healthcare reform proposals, the expansion of managed care organisations in the healthcare market  
may result in reduced spending on research and development. Managed care organisations’ efforts to cut costs  
by limiting expenditures on pharmaceuticals and medical devices could result in pharmaceutical, biotechnology  
and medical device companies spending less on research and development. If this were to occur, we would  
have fewer business opportunities and our revenues could decrease, possibly materially.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010



Appendix A: Risk Factors (continued)

Failure to comply with the regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory 
authorities could result in substantial penalties and/or loss of business.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, and other regulatory authorities inspect us from time to time to ensure 
that we comply with their regulations and guidelines, including environmental and health and safety matters. In addition, 
we must comply with the applicable regulatory requirements governing the conduct of clinical trials in all countries in 
which we operate. If we fail to comply with any of these requirements and/or contractual obligations we could suffer:

n 

termination of any research;

n  disqualification of data;

n  denial of the right to conduct business;

n  criminal penalties;

n  other enforcement actions.

n 

loss of clients or business.

n 

litigation from clients other from other parties if clinical trials have not been conducted in accordance with best 
practice and/or contractual obligations.

In December 2009, we received a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding clinical 
study management services provided by the company to one of its clients in relation to two studies conducted between 
2004 and 2006. These studies related to the development of an antibiotic for the treatment of complicated skin and 
skin-structure infections. The FDA letter arose from its inspections of the company’s client and selected clinical sites  
and follows a similar letter issued to that client. On 13 January 2010 we submitted a response to the FDA and received  
a letter from the FDA on 27 September 2010 acknowledging receipt of our response and requesting further clarification 
around some details set out in our letter of 13 January 2010. We made a further submission to the FDA on 22 
November 2010 addressing matters from the 27 September 2010 letter from the FDA. We remain committed to 
working cooperatively and expeditiously with the FDA to address the matters raised in the warning letter. We are  
unable to predict at this time the financial consequences, if any, of the issues raised by the letter.

We may lose business as a result of changes in the regulatory environment.

Various regulatory bodies throughout the world may enact legislation which could introduce changes to the regulatory 
environment for drug development and research. The adoption and implementation of such legislation is difficult to 
predict and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Liability claims brought against us could result in payment of substantial damages to plaintiffs and 
decrease our profitability.

We contract with physicians who serve as investigators in conducting clinical trials to test new drugs on their patients. 
This testing creates the risk of liability for personal injury to or death of the patients. Although investigators are generally 
required by law to maintain their own liability insurance, we could be named in lawsuits and incur expenses arising from 
any professional malpractice actions against the investigators with whom we contract. To date, we have not been 
subject to any liability claims that are expected to have a material effect on us.

Indemnifications provided by our clients against the risk of liability for personal injury to or death of the patients vary  
from client to client and from trial to trial and may not be sufficient in scope or amount or the providers may not have 
the financial ability to fulfill their indemnification obligations. Furthermore, we would be liable for our own negligence  
and negligence of our employees and such negligence could lead to litigation from clients.



ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

Appendix A: Risk Factors (continued)

In addition, we maintain what we believe is an appropriate level of worldwide Professional Liability/Error and Omissions 
Insurance. The amount of coverage we maintain depends upon the nature of the trial. We may in the future be unable  
to maintain or continue our current insurance coverage on the same or similar terms. If we are liable for a claim that  
is beyond the level of insurance coverage, we may be responsible for paying all or part of any award.

We are subject to political, regulatory and legal risks associated with our international operations.

We are one of a small group of organisations with the capability and expertise to conduct clinical trials on a global basis. 
We believe that this capability to provide our services globally in most major and developing pharmaceutical markets 
enhances our ability to compete for new business from large multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical 
device companies. We have expanded geographically and operate from 73 locations in 39 countries and intend to 
continue expanding in regions that have the potential to increase our client base or increase our investigator and patient 
populations. We expect that revenues earned in emerging markets will continue to account for an increasing portion  
of our total revenues. However, emerging market operations may present several risks, including civil disturbances, 
health concerns, cultural differences such as employment and business practices, volatility in gross domestic product, 
economic and governmental instability, the potential for nationalisation of private assets and the imposition of exchange 
controls.

Changes in the political and regulatory environment in the international markets in which we operate such as price or 
exchange controls could impact our revenue and profitability, and could lead to penalties, sanctions and reputational 
damages if we are not compliant with those regulations. Political uncertainty and a lack of institutional continuity in some 
of the emerging and developing countries in which we operate could affect the orderly operation of markets in these 
economies. In addition, in countries with a large and complicated structure of government and administration, national, 
regional, local and other governmental bodies may issue inconsistent decisions and opinions that could increase our 
cost of regulatory compliance.

Uncertainty of the legal environment in some emerging countries could also limit our ability to enforce our rights.  
In certain emerging and developing countries we enjoy less comprehensive protection for some of our rights,  
including intellectual property rights, which could undermine our competitive position.

Finally, we operate in some countries where national laws may require not only accurate books and records, but  
also sufficient controls, policies and processes to ensure business is conducted without the influence of bribery and 
corruption. Given the high level of complexity of these laws, however, there is a risk that some provisions may be 
inadvertently breached, for example through negligent behaviour of individual employees, or failure to comply with 
certain formal documentation requirements or otherwise. Any violation of these laws or allegations of such violations, 
whether merited or not, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and could cause the trading price of  
our common stock to decline.

If any of the above risks or similar risks associated with our international operations were to materialise,  
our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Risk	Related	to	Our	Common	Stock

Volatility in the market price of our common stock could lead to losses by investors.

The market price of our common stock has experienced and may experience volatility in the future which could lead to 
losses for investors. Factors impacting volatility in the market price of our common stock include, amongst others, our 
results of operations, analyst expectations, developments impacting the industry or our competitors and general market 
and economic conditions. In addition, stock markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume 
fluctuations unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. Future fluctuations in stock markets may 
lead to volatility in the market price of our common stock which could lead to losses by investors.

ICON plc and Subsidiaries  Annual Report 2010

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Corporate Headquarters

South County Business Park
Leopardstown
Dublin 18, Ireland

Tel:   +353 (1) 291 2000
Fax:  +353 (1) 291 2700

www.iconplc.com

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