Raleigh, NC: December 14, 2006 —INC Research, a therapeutically focused contract research organization with a trusted process for delivering reliable results, has named Ronald E. Keeney, M.D., FAAP, FFPM/CP, CPI/APP, as its vice president of pediatric product development.  In this position, Dr. Keeney will be responsible for supporting and further expanding INC Research's renowned pediatrics division.

"Dr. Keeney is an exceptional addition to our pediatric team," said Kevin L. Keim, Ph.D., chief development officer of INC Research. "As we look to enhance the depth of unique pediatric expertise within our company and expand pediatric trial capabilities into Latin America, India, and Asia, Ron's many years of successfully planning and executing complex, multi-national pediatric programs will be an immense value to our pharma and biotech customers."

"As a consultant to INC Research, I have witnessed the growth of the reputation and prominence of INC Research's pediatric division over the last several years," said Dr. Keeney. "It is a distinct pleasure to join this impressive team. I am confident that INC Research;s pediatrics division will continue on this course and become the industry's flagship for translating the pediatric opportunity into real value for drug sponsors and improved healthcare for pediatric patients worldwide."

Dr. Keeney joins INC Research with more than 35 years of drug development experience, a significant portion of which has focused on pediatrics.  His specialization in pediatrics allowed him to become an industry leader in pediatric drug development long before there were regulations to guide the process.  His further experience in medical consulting, monitoring and business development will round out the skill sets needed for INC Research to fulfill its pediatric drug development commitment, building upon its current, solid foundation. For 11 years prior to joining INC Research, he served as founder and president of Pharmaceutical Medicine Associates, Inc., a pharmaceutical medicine consulting company.  Prior to that experience he served for 10 years as medical director of worldwide infectious diseases and antiviral clinical research for Parke, Davis and Co. and Burroughs Wellcome Co. followed by 10 years as Director, Late Phase Clinical Research, VP, Medical Affairs and VP, R&D Operations at Glaxo, Inc. Dr. Keeney also served as executive director, pediatrics & academic alliances, for a global CRO.  He is currently a member of the executive committee, Section on Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  He is an elected Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom, chairman of the Physician Investigator Certification Committee of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Investigators, serves on various scientific advisory boards and has numerous publications to his credit.  

Dr. Keeney earned his bachelor of science degree from Southeast Missouri State College and his medical degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine.  He completed his pediatric residency at the University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a pediatric infectious diseases fellowship at St. Louis Children's Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine. 

About INC Research®

INC Research is a therapeutically focused contract research organization with an unrivaled 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 1 - Phase 4 programs in therapeutic areas of specialty, and in innovative pediatric trials. Our "Trusted Process" methodology and therapeutic foresight leads our customers to more confident, better-informed drug and device development decisions. INC Research is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, and in 22 locations in 35 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit our website at www.incresearch.com.