Singapore: ICON, a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, and Korea National Enterprise for Clinical Trials (KoNECT) have signed a partnership agreement that aims to advance the clinical trials industry in South Korea.

Through the agreement, ICON and KoNECT will collaborate on a series of educational events for local and multinational pharmaceutical companies, investigators and industry officials. The programs aim to further enhance the already high standards of clinical research in South Korea and will kick off with an oncology trials seminar in Seoul on October 26, 2012.

"South Korea has become a key country for clinical development and ICON has had a well-established presence there since 2005," commented Wei Ming Goh, VP, Asia Pacific, ICON. "Our agreement with KoNECT supports our mutual interest in developing and growing the clinical research industry in South Korea and demonstrates our on-going commitment to the Asia Pacific region."

KoNECT president, Professor Sang-Goo Shin, added, "We are delighted to collaborate with a leading clinical research organisation such as ICON that has a wealth of expertise in both local and global clinical development programmes. Together we can develop high quality clinical research professionals and a clinical trials infrastructure that can support the increased demand from local and global pharma companies."