Clinical trials group Icon, listed on the Dublin and Nasdaq markets, has reported strong third quarter results with pre-tax profits for the period up almost 13 per cent at $3.45 million (€3.86 million) while sales rose to $38.3 million from $30.4 million.

Chairman Dr Ronan Lambe said: "New business awards and backlog continue to be strong, margins are improving and the acquisitions we have made in the past year are performing well."