INC Research, Inc.'s Susan Akers-Smith Promoted to Vice President, Early Phase Oncology Development

Raleigh, NC, Sept. 5, 2012 – INC Research, LLC, a therapeutically focused clinical research organization (CRO) with a Trusted Process® for delivering reliable results, today announced the promotion of Susan Akers-Smith to Vice President, Early Phase Oncology Development. In this new role, she will provide global leadership for delivery of advanced clinical development solutions to meet the diverse early phase needs of the Company’s oncology customers, ultimately driving growth in this key area of the business.

“We are thrilled to recognize Susan’s individual efforts, creativity and performance through this well-deserved promotion,” said Nicholas Kenny, PhD, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Global Oncology and Hematology, INC Research. “We always strive to combine operational efficiency with the latest advancements in medical and regulatory knowledge to conduct cancer trials of the highest quality. Susan epitomizes the leadership traits necessary for this role and we look forward to leveraging her experience to further support the growing early phase oncology research needs of our customers.”

During her tenure at INC Research, Akers-Smith has served in various management and operational positions within the Company’s oncology therapeutic business unit, developing valuable knowledge in managing complex early phase oncology trials. She brings more than a decade of management experience in the CRO industry focused on early phase oncology development, with therapeutic experience including a broad range of study designs and tumor types. Prior to working in the CRO industry, she worked in emergency healthcare and served in the U.S. Army Reserve.

INC Research’s oncology therapeutic business unit is passionately committed to delivering innovative and effective solutions for global biopharmaceutical customers worldwide. Its global, multidisciplinary teams develop and implement a broad variety of oncology research programs and because of the Company’s extensive global reach are able to successfully deliver the services customers need, even at the Phase I stage, regardless of sponsor and investigational site locations.

About INC Research

INC Research is a therapeutically focused clinical research organization with a high-performance reputation for conducting global clinical development programs of the highest integrity. Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies look to INC Research for a complete range of customized Phase I through Phase IV programs in all therapeutic areas and innovative pediatric and women's health trials. The company's Trusted Process® methodology and therapeutic foresight lead customers to more confident, better-informed drug and device development decisions. INC Research is headquartered in Raleigh, NC. For more information, please visit www.incresearch.com or follow us at @inc_research.