<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-21-005938.txt : 20210224
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-21-005938.hdr.sgml : 20210224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210224062307
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-21-005938
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	6-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210224
FILED AS OF DATE:		20210224
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210224

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ICON PLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001060955
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH [8731]
		IRS NUMBER:				981067160

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		6-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-08704
		FILM NUMBER:		21668404

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SOUTH COUNTY BUSINESS PARK
		STREET 2:		LEOPARDSTOWN
		CITY:			DUBLIN 18
		STATE:			L2
		ZIP:			00000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		00 353 1 291 2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SOUTH COUNTY BUSINESS PARK
		STREET 2:		LEOPARDSTOWN
		CITY:			DUBLIN 18
		STATE:			L2
		ZIP:			00000

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ICON PLC  /ADR/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20010213
</SEC-HEADER>
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    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt; font-weight: bold;">&#160;FORM 6-K</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">&#160;</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt; font-weight: bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</div>
    <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;"><br style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">Washington, D.C. 20549</div>
    <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;"><br style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt; font-weight: bold;">Report of Foreign Private Issuer</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt; font-weight: bold;">Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 under</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">t<font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">he Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>
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    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">For the month ended February, 2021</div>
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    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt; font-weight: bold;">ICON plc</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">(Registrant&#8217;s name)</div>
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    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt; font-weight: bold;">333-08704</div>
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    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">(Address of principal executive offices)</div>
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    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">Brendan Brennan, CFO</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18, Ireland.</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">Brendan.Brennan@iconplc.com</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">00-353-1-291-2000</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">&#160;(Name, telephone number, email and/or facsimile number and address of Company contact person)</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Form 20-F __<font style="font-weight: bold;">X</font>___</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission
              pursuant to Rule12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">If &#8220;Yes&#8221; is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):82 <font style="font-weight: bold;">N/A</font></div>
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This report contains a Press Release issued February 24, 2021 entitled &#8220;ICON to acquire PRA Health Sciences, creating a world leader in Healthcare Intelligence and Clinical
      Research.&#8221;</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
      as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements regarding the potential transaction between ICON public limited company, a public limited company in Ireland
      (&#8220;ICON&#8221;) and PRA Health Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (&#8220;PRA&#8221;), including any statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the potential transaction, the ability to complete the potential transaction, the expected benefits of
      the potential transaction (including anticipated synergies, projected financial information and future opportunities) and any other statements regarding ICON&#8217;s and PRA&#8217;s future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, results of operations,
      financial condition and cash flows, or future events or performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as &#8220;anticipate,&#8221; &#8220;intend,&#8221; &#8220;plan,&#8221; &#8220;believe,&#8221; &#8220;project,&#8221; &#8220;estimate,&#8221; &#8220;expect,&#8221; &#8220;may,&#8221;
      &#8220;should,&#8221; &#8220;will&#8221; and similar expressions. All such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations of ICON&#8217;s and PRA&#8217;s management and therefore involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors
      that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in the statements. Key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include the ability to obtain
      the requisite ICON and PRA stockholder approvals; uncertainties as to the timing to consummate the potential transaction; the risk that a condition to closing the potential transaction may not be satisfied; the risk that regulatory approvals are not
      obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated by the parties; potential litigation relating to the potential transaction that could be instituted against ICON, PRA or their respective directors; the effects of disruption to
      ICON&#8217;s or PRA&#8217;s respective businesses; restrictions during the pendency of the potential transaction that may impact ICON&#8217;s or PRA&#8217;s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the effect of this communication on
      ICON&#8217;s or PRA&#8217;s stock prices; transaction costs; ICON&#8217;s ability to achieve the benefits from the proposed transaction; ICON&#8217;s ability to effectively integrate acquired operations into its own operations; the ability of ICON or PRA to retain and hire
      key personnel; unknown liabilities; and the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the effects of
      industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions outside of ICON&#8217;s or PRA&#8217;s control (including public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics); risks regarding PRA&#8217;s ability to maintain large customer contracts or enter into new
      contracts; PRA&#8217;s ability to attract suitable investigators and patients for its clinical trials; PRA&#8217;s ability to keep pace with rapid technological change; PRA&#8217;s potential liability if a patient is harmed; and the factors set forth under the heading
      &#8220;Risk Factors&#8221; of ICON&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 20-F and PRA&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;SEC&#8221;). These risks, as well as other risks associated with the potential
      transaction, are more fully discussed in the joint proxy statement/prospectus to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. Other unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this communication could also have material
      adverse effects on forward-looking statements. Neither ICON nor PRA assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that
      speak only as of the date hereof.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">No Offer or Solicitation</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be
      any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of
      a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">Important Information for Investors and Stockholders</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">In connection with the potential transaction, ICON expects to file a registration statement on Form F-4 with the SEC containing a preliminary prospectus of ICON that also
      constitutes a preliminary proxy statement of each of ICON and PRA. After the registration statement is declared effective, each of ICON and PRA will mail a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to stockholders of ICON and PRA, respectively.
      This communication is not a substitute for the joint proxy statement/prospectus or registration statement or for any other document that ICON or PRA may file with the SEC in connection with the potential transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF
      ICON AND PRA ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME
      AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by ICON or PRA through the
      website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by ICON will be available free of charge on ICON&#8217;s website at https://www.iconplc.com and copies of the documents filed with the SEC by PRA will be
      available free of charge on PRA&#8217;s website at https://www.prahs.com/. Additionally, copies may be obtained by contacting the investor relations departments of ICON or PRA.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">ICON and PRA and certain of their respective directors, certain of their respective executive officers and other members of management and employees may be considered
      participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the potential transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of ICON is set forth in its annual report on Form 20-F, which was filed with the
      SEC on February 27, 2020. Information about the directors and executive officers of PRA is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 3, 2020. These documents can be obtained
      free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the potential transaction will be included in the registration statement and joint proxy
      statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The term &#8220;ICON&#8221; may refer to ICON public limited company, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or to all of them taken as a whole. The term &#8220;PRA&#8221; may refer to PRA
      Health Sciences, Inc., one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or to all of them taken as a whole. All of these terms are used for convenience only and are not intended as a precise description of any of the separate companies, each of which
      manages its own affairs.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
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    <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">&#160;</div>
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    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt; font-weight: bold;"><u>EXHIBIT LIST</u></div>
    <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">&#160;</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><u>Exhibit</u></div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">&#160;</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><u>Description</u></div>
          </td>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">&#160;</div>
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          </td>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">&#160;</div>
          </td>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">&#160;</div>
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          <td style="width: 12.99%; vertical-align: top;">
            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><a href="nc10020781x6_ex99-1.htm">99.1</a></div>
          </td>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">&#160;</div>
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          <td colspan="2" style="width: 86%; vertical-align: top;">
            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">ICON plc Press Release issued February 24, 2021 - ICON to acquire PRA Health Sciences, creating a world leader in Healthcare Intelligence and Clinical Research</div>
          </td>
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    <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">&#160;</div>
    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt;">&#160;</div>
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    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 11.4pt; font-weight: bold;">SIGNATURES</div>
    <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;"><br style="line-height: 11.4pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">&#160;</div>
    <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">&#160;</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">/s/ Brendan Brennan</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Date: February 24, 2021</div>
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            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">Brendan Brennan</div>
            <div style="line-height: 11.4pt;">Chief Financial Officer</div>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>nc10020781x6_ex99-1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
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      <div style="text-align: right;"><font style="font-weight: bold;">Exhibit 99.1</font><br>
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    <div style="text-align: center; line-height: 15.95pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">ICON to acquire PRA Health Sciences, creating a world leader in Healthcare Intelligence and Clinical Research</div>
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              <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The consolidation brings together two organizations with a history of robust growth and performance ready to build on this
                strength using the outstanding talent of both companies to deliver enhanced value to patients, customers, employees and shareholders.</div>
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              <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">All customers will benefit from increased functional, geographic and therapeutic scale as well as expansive healthcare
                technology innovation.</div>
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              <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The combination will address the growing market need for de-centralised and hybrid trial solutions from a differentiated
                combination of mobile and connected health platforms, a global site network, home health services and wearables expertise.</div>
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              <div style="margin-left: 18pt; line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman">&#9679;</font></div>
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              <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The combined business will be no. 1 or 2 in key clinical market segments and have formal strategic partnerships with a
                majority of the top 20 biopharma companies, providing a platform for growth and innovation.</div>
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              <div style="line-height: 12.55pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Significant shareholder value creation expected as a result of strong industry momentum and leveraging best
                  practice operating models, revenue, cost and tax synergies.</font></div>
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              <div style="margin-left: 18pt; line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><font style="font-family: Times New Roman">&#9679;</font></div>
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              <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">ICON and PRA to host conference call at 8:30 a.m. EST 24<sup style="vertical-align: text-top; line-height: 1; font-size: smaller;">th</sup> February.</div>
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      <br>
      <font style="font-weight: bold;">Dublin, Ireland, 24th February 2021- </font><font style="font-weight: bold;">ICON plc</font><font style="font-weight: bold;">, (NASDAQ: ICLR),</font> a global provider of outsourced drug and device development and
      commercialisation services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, and government and public health organisations, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire PRA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:
      PRAH) in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $12 billion, with the per share merger consideration consisting of $80 in cash and 0.4125 shares of ICON stock.&#160; The consideration represents an approximately 30% premium to PRA&#8217;s closing
      price as of February 23<sup style="vertical-align: text-top; line-height: 1; font-size: smaller;">rd</sup>, 2021.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The transaction brings together two high-quality, innovative and growing organisations with similar cultures and a shared focus on high quality and efficient clinical trial
      execution from Phase 1 to post-approval studies.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Biopharma and medical device customers of all sizes will benefit from broader service offerings and geographic footprint, deeper therapeutic expertise, expansive healthcare
      technology innovation, and functional talent and capabilities.&#160; PRA&#8217;s mobile and connected health platforms and real world data and information solutions together with ICON&#8217;s Accellacare site network, home health services and wearables expertise,
      will be combined to deliver differentiated decentralised and hybrid trial solutions to meet growing customer needs.</div>
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The transaction is anticipated to be highly accretive delivering double-digit accretion in the first full year and growing to 20%+ thereafter, driven by growth momentum,
      estimated annual run-rate cost synergies of $150 million, and the combined effective tax rate decreasing to 14%, both to be realised in approximately 4 years.</div>
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">Dr. Steve Cutler, Chief Executive Officer, ICON plc, said:</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic;">&#8220;The combined company will create a new paradigm for accelerating clinical research and bringing new medicines and devices to market. Both ICON and PRA
      have track records of robust growth and performance and we are ready to build on this unrivalled position of strength, utilising the outstanding talent in both organisations. With broader and deeper operational scale combined with innovative
      technology and real world data solutions, we will enable all customers to reduce their development time and cost.&#160; We will be the leading provider of de-centralised and hybrid trial solutions through the integration of our data capabilities, health
      platforms and Accellacare site network.&#160; The transaction will be highly accretive from full year 1 post-close.&#8221;</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">Colin Shannon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, PRA Health Sciences, said:</div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
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    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-style: italic;">&#160;&#8220;I joined PRA 13 years ago to help build a company that would make a difference in the world and transform the way we developed new medicines. The way
      we do it now takes far too long and costs far too much. Critically ill patients can&#8217;t wait for cures. Underserved populations can&#8217;t wait for access. Every day counts. COVID-19 created a platform for change that we cannot ignore. The pandemic
      accelerated the adoption of mobile health technologies and healthcare intelligence tools &#8211; tools that PRA helped develop &#8211; at an unprecedented rate. The union of PRA and ICON will create an organization that has the people, data and technology to
      bring those cures to patients faster and more efficiently than ever before. We are thrilled to be joining with ICON, a company with a similar culture and values. I&#8217;m deeply indebted to PRA&#8217;s 19,000 talented employees who have helped us bring this
      vision closer to reality. We stand together now because patients can&#8217;t wait.&#8221;</div>
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">TRANSACTION DETAILS</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Under the terms of the transaction, PRA shareholders will receive per share, $80 in cash and 0.4125 shares of ICON stock. Upon completion of the transaction, PRA shareholders
      will own approximately 34 percent of the shares of the combined company and ICON shareholders will own approximately 66 percent.</div>
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      <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"><font style="background-color: #FEFEFE;">MANAGEMENT, GOVERNANCE AND HEADQUARTERS</font></div>
      <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"><font style="background-color: #FEFEFE;"> <br>
        </font></div>
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      <div style="text-align: justify; line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The combined company will be headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Steve Cutler, Chief Executive Officer of ICON plc, will serve as Chief Executive
        Officer of the combined company and Brendan Brennan, Chief Financial Officer of ICON plc, will serve as Chief Financial Officer. Ciaran Murray will serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.</div>
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      <div style="text-align: justify; line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Current PRA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Colin Shannon will join the board post the closing of the transaction along with one additional board
        member from PRA.</div>
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      <div style="text-align: justify; line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">FINANCING, CLOSING AND APPROVALS</div>
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      <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">ICON intends to fund the cash portion of the transaction consideration through a combination of cash on hand and fully committed debt financing from Citi.&#160; The transaction
        is not subject to a financing condition.</div>
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-size: 12pt;"><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The transaction has been unanimously approved by both</font><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">&#160;</font><font style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Boards of Directors and is anticipated to close during quarter three of 2021, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals and customary
        closing conditions. Until closing, PRA and ICON remain separate</font><font style="font-size: 10pt;"> and independent companies. </font></div>
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      <div style="text-align: justify; line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">ADVISORS</div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
      </div>
      <div style="text-align: justify; line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Centerview Partners is acting as lead financial advisor with Citi providing additional financial advisory services, and Cahill Gordon &amp; Reindel
        serving as legal counsel to ICON plc.&#160; BofA and UBS Investment Bank are acting as financial advisors, and Paul Weiss serving as legal counsel to PRA Health Sciences.</div>
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      <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">CONFERENCE CALL / WEBINAR DETAILS</div>
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      </div>
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      </div>
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">ICON will hold a conference call today, February 24th, 2021 at 8:30 EST [13:30 Ireland &amp; UK].&#160; This call and linked slide presentation can be accessed live from our
      website at http://investor.iconplc.com. A recording will also be available on the website for 90 days following the call.&#160; In addition, a calendar of company events, including upcoming conference presentations, is available on our website, under
      &#8220;Investors&#8221;.&#160; This calendar will be updated regularly.</div>
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">Investor enquiries:</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Brendan Brennan, CFO</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">+35312912000</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">&#160;brendan.brennan@iconplc.com</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Jonathan Curtain, VP, Corporate Finance &amp; Investor Relations</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">+35312912000</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">jonathan.curtain@iconplc.com</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">Media enquiries:<br>
      <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">ICON</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">David Green, VP Marketing (GMT timezone)</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">+353 87923 5704, david.green@iconplc.com</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">Weber Shandwick (PR adviser)</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Anthony Steel (EST time zone)</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">+1 917-803-1990, ASteel@webershandwick.com</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Jonathan Smith (GMT time zone)</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">+44 7852 131068, Jonathan.Smith@webershandwick.com</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">About ICON plc</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 14.4pt;">
      <div style="line-height: 0pt;"><br style="line-height: 0pt;">
      </div>
      <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced drug and device development and commercialisation services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and government and
        public health organisations. The company specialises in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland,
        ICON employed approximately 16,000 employees in 93 locations in 41 countries as at December 31, 2020. For further information about ICON, visit: www.iconplc.com and www.iconplc.com/pra</div>
      <div style="line-height: 0pt;"><br style="line-height: 0pt;">
      </div>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt;"><br style="line-height: 13.7pt;">
    </div>
    <div id="DSPFPageBreakArea" style="clear: both; margin-top: 10pt; margin-bottom: 10pt;">
      <div id="DSPFPageBreak" style="page-break-after: always;">
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    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">About PRA</div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 13.7pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">PRA is one of the world&#8217;s leading global contract research organizations by revenue, providing outsourced clinical development and data solution services to the biotechnology
      and pharmaceutical industries. PRA&#8217;s global clinical development platform includes more than 75 offices across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, Australia and the Middle East and approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. Since 2000,
      PRA has participated in approximately 4,000 clinical trials worldwide. In addition, PRA has participated in the pivotal or supportive trials that led to U.S. Food and Drug Administration or international regulatory approval of more than 95 drugs. To
      learn more about PRA, please visit: www.prahs.com</div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements</div>
    <div style="line-height: 15.75pt;"><br style="line-height: 15.75pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
      as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements regarding the potential transaction between ICON public limited company, a public limited company in Ireland
      (&#8220;ICON&#8221;) and PRA Health Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (&#8220;PRA&#8221;), including any statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the potential transaction, the ability to complete the potential transaction, the expected benefits of
      the potential transaction (including anticipated synergies, projected financial information and future opportunities) and any other statements regarding ICON&#8217;s and PRA&#8217;s future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, results of operations,
      financial condition and cash flows, or future events or performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as &#8220;anticipate,&#8221; &#8220;intend,&#8221; &#8220;plan,&#8221; &#8220;believe,&#8221; &#8220;project,&#8221; &#8220;estimate,&#8221; &#8220;expect,&#8221; &#8220;may,&#8221;
      &#8220;should,&#8221; &#8220;will&#8221; and similar expressions. All such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations of ICON&#8217;s and PRA&#8217;s management and therefore involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors
      that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in the statements. Key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include the ability to obtain
      the requisite ICON and PRA stockholder approvals; uncertainties as to the timing to consummate the potential transaction; the risk that a condition to closing the potential transaction may not be satisfied; the risk that regulatory approvals are not
      obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated by the parties; potential litigation relating to the potential transaction that could be instituted against ICON, PRA or their respective directors; the effects of disruption to
      ICON&#8217;s or PRA&#8217;s respective businesses; restrictions during the pendency of the potential transaction that may impact ICON&#8217;s or PRA&#8217;s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the effect of this communication on
      ICON&#8217;s or PRA&#8217;s stock prices; transaction costs; ICON&#8217;s ability to achieve the benefits from the proposed transaction; ICON&#8217;s ability to effectively integrate acquired operations into its own operations; the ability of ICON or PRA to retain and hire
      key personnel; unknown liabilities; and the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the effects of
      industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions outside of ICON&#8217;s or PRA&#8217;s control (including public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics); risks regarding PRA&#8217;s ability to maintain large customer contracts or enter into new
      contracts; PRA&#8217;s ability to attract suitable investigators and patients for its clinical trials; PRA&#8217;s ability to keep pace with rapid technological change; PRA&#8217;s potential liability if a patient is harmed; and the factors set forth under the heading
      &#8220;Risk Factors&#8221; of ICON&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 20-F and PRA&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;SEC&#8221;). These risks, as well as other risks associated with the potential
      transaction, are more fully discussed in the joint proxy statement/prospectus to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. Other unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this communication could also have material
      adverse effects on forward-looking statements. Neither ICON nor PRA assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that
      speak only as of the date hereof.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt;"><font style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> </font><br style="line-height: 17.15pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">No Offer or Solicitation</div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be
      any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of
      a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt;"><br style="line-height: 17.15pt;">
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-weight: bold;">Important Information for Investors and Stockholders<br>
      <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">In connection with the potential transaction, ICON expects to file a registration statement on Form F-4 with the SEC containing a preliminary prospectus of ICON that also
      constitutes a preliminary proxy statement of each of ICON and PRA. After the registration statement is declared effective, each of ICON and PRA will mail a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to stockholders of ICON and PRA, respectively.
      This communication is not a substitute for the joint proxy statement/prospectus or registration statement or for any other document that ICON or PRA may file with the SEC in connection with the potential transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF
      ICON AND PRA ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME
      AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by ICON or PRA through the
      website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by ICON will be available free of charge on ICON&#8217;s website at https://www.iconplc.com and copies of the documents filed with the SEC by PRA will be
      available free of charge on PRA&#8217;s website at https://www.prahs.com/. Additionally, copies may be obtained by contacting the investor relations departments of ICON or PRA.</div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt;"><br style="line-height: 17.15pt;">
    </div>
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    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">ICON and PRA and certain of their respective directors, certain of their respective executive officers and other members of management and employees may be considered
      participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the potential transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of ICON is set forth in its annual report on Form 20-F, which was filed with the
      SEC on February 27, 2020. Information about the directors and executive officers of PRA is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 3, 2020. These documents can be obtained
      free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of such participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the potential transaction will be included in the registration statement and joint proxy
      statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.<br>
      <br>
    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The term &#8220;PRA&#8221; may refer to PRA Health Sciences, Inc., one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or to all of them taken as a whole. The term &#8220;ICON&#8221; may refer to ICON
      public limited company, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or to all of them taken as a whole. All of these terms are used for convenience only and are not intended as a precise description of any of the separate companies, each of which
      manages its own affairs.</div>
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    </div>
    <div style="line-height: 17.15pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">
      <div style="line-height: 12.55pt; font-weight: bold;">ICON/ICLR-F</div>
      <div style="line-height: 12.55pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-weight: bold;"> <br>
      </div>
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