Biotech case studies
How our flexible approach helps small and mid sized biopharma clients develop transformative therapies and meet milestones to market
Discover our expertise by exploring our biotech case studies and see how we help biotech achieve critical milestones.

Protocol optimisation
A virtual biotech start-up acquired an immunomodulatory mechanism targeting inflammatory pathways. It had undergone phase 1 and small phase 2a studies. With urgency to advance development and limited resources, the client proposed two separate studies, posing challenges in complexity, timeline, and budget. The client turned to ICON to streamline development.

Exceeding expectations for late-stage rescue study success
ICON stepped in when a biopharma company required urgent rescue assistance with two phase 3 trials for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA).

Building a scalable partnership model to accelerate biopharma innovation
A leading venture capital fund, focused on advancing breakthrough biopharma innovation, and sought to establish a
scalable operational framework to support its growing portfolio of early-stage companies.
scalable operational framework to support its growing portfolio of early-stage companies.

Early phase study for non-opioid pain treatment
A leading biotech company developing a groundbreaking non-opioid treatment for moderate-to-severe acute pain partnered with ICON to conduct a series of early-phase trials.

Multinational phase 1 biosimilar study
ICON conducted a multinational biosimilar phase 1 study for multiple sclerosis (MS). This trial was performed under high regulatory scrutiny and challenging pandemic conditions, with increased dosing targets requiring additional site activation.

A small biotech success story
A small US-based biotech company was in a race to be the first to market with their lead targeted oncology product.

Optimising Biosimilar Development
ICON’s proactivity in risk mitigation, commitment to the study, project planning and communication contributed significantly to the ultimate success of the study.

CRF design for a cell-therapy, immuno-oncology study
ICON developed flexible, cost-effective CRF designs for a cell therapy immuno-oncology study, harmonising RECIST and iRECIST criteria while addressing re-treatment requirements and supporting sponsors in meeting study timelines.

Optimised adaptive trial design for oncology biotech
ICON assisted a US-based oncology biotech in overcoming timeline, data uncertainty, budget constraints, and pressure for publishable results by offering a cost-effective phase 3 trial design with interim analysis, enabling early efficacy and regulatory approval with minimal upfront investment.

Externalised Development Solutions
A newly formed company needed expertise to support asset due diligence and strategic development planning to build their portfolio. ICON was asked to verify the company’s own due diligence assessments and requested ICON’s experience in designing and executing a more efficient clinical development programme.

Patient support services
A sponsor needed to recruit nearly 500 patients for a pivotal study in an ultra rare disease. The study's demanding protocol posed significant difficulties for patients. ICON was able to revise the protocol, reducing patient burden, and implemented a global recruitment strategy and additional support that allowed recruitment to be completed ahead of schedule, saving the sponsor an estimated $700,000.

Comprehensive standalone DMC services
ICON provided a comprehensive DMC solution for a phase 2 NASH trial, overcoming challenges like coordinating data across multiple vendors and adjusting to rapid enrollment.