ICLR ICON PLC

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2016

1. Basis of Presentation

These condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”), have not been audited. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the operating results and financial position for the periods presented. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the accounting policies and notes to the consolidated financial statements included in ICON’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal period ending December 31, 2016.

3. Business Combinations

 

Acquisitions – Clinical Research Management, Inc.

On September 15, 2016 the Company acquired ClinicalRM resulting in an initial net cash outflow of $52.4 million inclusive of certain payments made on behalf of ClinicalRM totaling $9.2 million .

ClinicalRM is a full-service CRO specializing in preclinical through Phase IV support of clinical research and clinical trial services for biologics, drugs and devices. The organization helps customers progress their products to market faster with a wide array of research, regulatory and sponsor services within the U.S. and around the globe. ClinicalRM provide full service and functional research solutions to a broad range of US government agencies. Their extensive expertise extends across basic and applied research, infectious diseases, vaccines development and testing and the response to bio-threats. They have worked in collaboration with government and commercial customers to respond to the threat of global viral epidemics.  Further consideration of up to $12.0 million is payable if certain performance milestones are achieved in respect of periods up to December 31, 2017.

The acquisition of ClinicalRM has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations .  The Company has made a provisional assessment of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at that date.  The table following summarizes the Company’s provisional estimates of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

 

*Goodwill represents the acquisition of an established workforce with experience in preclinical through Phase IV support of clinical research and clinical trial services for biologics, drugs and devices.

**The Company has made an initial estimate of separate intangible assets acquired of $9.8 million.  This assessment is under review and will be finalized within 12 months of the date of acquisition.

Acquisitions - PMG

On December 4, 2015 the Company acquired PMG, resulting in an initial net cash outflow of $63.5 million, including certain payments made on behalf of PMG totaling $9.9 million.  PMG is an integrated network of 48 clinical research sites in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Illinois.  The site network includes wholly owned facilities and dedicated clinical research sites.  PMG conducts clinical trials in all major therapeutic areas and has particular expertise in vaccine, gastroenterology, cardiovascular, neurology and endocrinology studies.  It has a proprietary database of clinical trial participants.   It also has access to in excess of 2 million active patients via electronic medical records through its partnerships with healthcare institutions and community physical practices.   The acquisition agreement provides for working capital targets to be achieved by PMG within 90 days of acquisition.  In March 2016, the Company agreed to pay an additional $1.6 million on completion of this working capital review. This amount was paid in April 2016.

The acquisition of PMG has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations .  The Company has made a provisional assessment of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as at that date.  The table following summarizes the Company’s provisional estimates of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

*Goodwill represents the acquisition of an established workforce with experience in clinical trial consulting and regulatory support for the development of drugs, medical devices and diagnostics, with a specific focus on strategy to increase efficiency and productivity in product development.

**The Company has made an initial estimate of separate intangible assets acquired, being customer lists and order backlog, of $10.6 million.  This assessment is under review and will be finalized within 12 months of the date of acquisition.

Acquisitions - MediMedia Pharma Solutions

On February 27, 2015 the Company acquired MediMedia Pharma Solutions for cash consideration of $104.7 million (net of working capital adjustments of $4 million).  In addition to the cash consideration, certain payments were made on behalf of MediMedia Pharma Solutions on completion totaling $11.3 million. Headquartered in Yardley, Pennsylvania, MediMedia Pharma Solutions includes MediMedia Managed Markets and Complete Healthcare Communications. MediMedia Managed Markets is a leading provider of strategic payer-validated market access solutions. Complete Healthcare Communications is one of the leading medical and scientific communication agencies working with medical affairs, commercial and brand development teams within life science companies. The acquisition agreement also provided for certain working capital targets to be achieved by MediMedia Pharma Solutions.

The acquisition of MediMedia Pharma Solutions has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations . The following table summarizes the Company’s estimate of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

 

*

Goodwill represents the acquisition of an established workforce with experience in the provision of strategic payer-validated market access solutions while the acquisition of Complete Healthcare Communications comprises an established workforce with significant communication experience working with medical affairs, commercial and brand development teams within the life science industry.

**	Payments made at acquisition date of $11.3 million were in respect of certain one-time liabilities which have subsequently been discharged.

Acquisitions - Aptiv Solutions

On May 7, 2014 the Company acquired 100% of the common stock of Aptiv Solutions (“Aptiv”), a global biopharmaceutical and medical device development services company and leader in adaptive clinical trials for cash consideration of $143.5 million, including certain payments to be made on behalf of the company on completion totaling $22.4 million. The acquisition agreement provided for working capital targets to be achieved.  On March 25, 2015, the Company received $2.0 million in respect of these targets on completion of the working capital review.  Aptiv offers full-service clinical trial consulting and regulatory support for drugs, medical devices and diagnostics with a specific focus on strategies to increase product development efficiency and productivity. It is a market leader in the integrated design and execution of adaptive clinical trials for exploratory and late phase development as well as being an industry leader in medical device and diagnostic development in key medical technology segments.

 

The acquisition of Aptiv has been accounted for as a business combination in accordance with FASB ASC 805 Business Combinations . The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed:

 

 

*Goodwill represents the acquisition of an established workforce with experience in clinical trial consulting and regulatory support for the development of drugs, medical devices and diagnostics, with a specific focus on strategy to increase efficiency and productivity in product development.  Goodwill related to the US portion of the business acquired is tax deductible.

**Adjustments to cash consideration represent certain one-time liabilities (including loan notes) identified at the acquisition date which have subsequently been paid.

 

4. Restructuring

Restructuring Charges

 

A restructuring charge of $4.1 million was recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2016 ($8.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016) under a restructuring plan adopted following a review by the company of its operations.  The restructuring plan includes resource rationalizations in certain areas of the business to improve resource utilization, resulting in a charge of $2.1 million, and office consolidation which results in the recognition of an onerous lease obligation of $2.0 million.

Details of the restructuring charge recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are as follows:

Details of the movement in the restructuring charge recognized in the three and nine months ended 30 September 2016 are as follows;

 

 

5. Income Taxes

Income taxes recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 comprise:

As at September 30, 2016 the Company maintains a $34.1 million liability (December 31, 2015: $31.4 million) for unrecognized tax benefit, which is comprised of $30.4 million (December 31, 2015: $28.1 million) related to items generating unrecognized tax benefits and $3.7 million (December 31, 2015: $3.3 million) for interest and related penalties to such items. The Company recognizes interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits as an additional income tax expense.

The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the significant federal, state and foreign jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as open tax years in these jurisdictions. The only periods subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions where the Company does business are 2011 through 2015 tax years. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any examination will have a material impact on its financial statements.

6. Net income per ordinary share

Basic net income per ordinary share has been computed by dividing net income available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per ordinary share is computed by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period for all potentially dilutive ordinary shares outstanding during the period and adjusting net income for any changes in income or loss that would result from the conversion of such potential ordinary shares. There is no difference in net income used for basic and diluted net income per ordinary share.

The reconciliation of the number of shares used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per ordinary share is as follows:

7. Share-based Awards

Share Options

On July 21, 2008 the Company adopted the Employee Share Option Plan 2008 (the “2008 Employee Plan”) pursuant to which the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors may grant options to any employee, or any Director holding a salaried office or employment with the Company or a Subsidiary for the purchase of ordinary shares. On the same date, the Company also adopted the Consultants Share Option Plan 2008 (the “2008 Consultants Plan”), pursuant to which the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors may grant options to any consultant, adviser or non-executive Director retained by the Company or any Subsidiary for the purchase of ordinary shares.

 

Each option granted under the 2008 Employee Plan or the 2008 Consultants Plan (together the “2008 Option Plans”) will be an employee stock option, or Non-qualifying Stock Options (‘NSO’), as described in Section 422 or 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. Each grant of an option under the 2008 Options Plans will be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the optionee and the Company. The exercise price will be specified in each Stock Option Agreement, however option prices will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of an ordinary share on the date the option is granted.

 

An aggregate of 6.0 million ordinary shares have been reserved under the 2008 Employee Plan, as reduced by any shares issued or to be issued pursuant to options granted under the 2008 Consultants Plan, under which a limit of 400,000 shares applies.  Further, the maximum number of ordinary shares with respect to which options may be granted under the 2008 Employee Option Plan, during any calendar year to any employee shall be 400,000 ordinary shares.  There is no individual limit under the 2008 Consultants Plan.   No options may be granted under the 2008 Option Plans after July 21, 2018.

 

On January 17, 2003 the Company adopted the Share Option Plan 2003 (the “2003 Share Option Plan”) pursuant to which the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Board could grant options to officers and other employees of the Company or its subsidiaries for the purchase of ordinary shares.  An aggregate of 6.0 million ordinary shares were reserved under the 2003 Share Option Plan; and, in no event could the number of ordinary shares issued pursuant to options awarded under this plan exceed 10% of the outstanding shares, as defined in the 2003 Share Option Plan, at the time of the grant, unless the Board expressly determined otherwise. Further, the maximum number of ordinary shares with respect to which options could be granted under the 2003 Share Option Plan during any calendar year to any employee was 400,000 ordinary shares.  The 2003 Share Option Plan expired on January 17, 2013.  No new options may be granted under this plan.

 

Share option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s shares at date of grant.  Share options typically vest over a period of five years from date of grant and expire eight years from date of grant.  The maximum contractual term of options outstanding at September 30, 2016 is eight years.

The following table summarizes option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

 

 

 

The Company has outstanding options with fair values ranging from $6.19 to $20.78 per option or a weighted average fair value of $10.62 per option. The Company issues ordinary shares for all options exercised. The total amount of fully vested share options which remained outstanding at September 30, 2016, was 739,901. Fully vested share options at September 30, 2016, have an average remaining contractual term of 3.38 years, an average exercise price of $29.35 and a total intrinsic value of $35.5 million. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $12.5 million (September 30, 2015: $30.5 million).

The following table summarizes the movement in non-vested share options for the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

 

Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock over a period equal to the expected term of the options; the expected life represents the weighted average period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding given consideration to vesting schedules and our historical experience of past vesting and termination patterns. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. government zero-coupon bonds yield curve in effect at time of the grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option.

Restricted Share Units and Performance Share Units

 

On July 21, 2008 the Company adopted the 2008 Employees Restricted Share Unit Plan (the “2008 RSU Plan”) pursuant to which the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors may select any employee, or any Director holding a salaried office or employment with the Company, or a Subsidiary to receive an award under the plan.  An aggregate of 1.0 million ordinary shares have been reserved for issuance under the 2008 RSU Plan.

 

On April 23, 2013 the Company adopted the 2013 Employees Restricted Share Unit and Performance Share Unit Plan (the “2013 RSU Plan”) pursuant to which the Compensation and Organization Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors may select any employee, or any Director holding a salaried office or employment with the Company, or a Subsidiary to receive an award under the plan.  On May 11, 2015 the 2013 RSU Plan was amended and restated in order to increase the number of shares that can be issued under the RSU Plan by 2.5 million shares.  Accordingly, an aggregate of 4.1 million ordinary shares have been reserved for issuance under the 2013 RSU Plan.  The shares are awarded at par value and vest over a service period. Awards under the 2013 RSU Plan may be settled in cash or shares at the option of the Company.

 

The Company has awarded RSUs and PSUs to certain key individuals of the Group. The following table summarizes RSU and PSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016:

The fair value of RSUs vested for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 totaled $10.5 million (full year 2015: $7.0 million).

 

The fair value of PSUs vested for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 totaled $10.3 million (the fair value of PSUs vested for the full year 2015 was $0.3 million).

The PSUs vest based on service and specified EPS targets over the period 2013 – 2016, 2014 – 2017, 2015 – 2018 and 2016 - 2019. Since 2013, 421,079 PSUs (net of forfeitures) have been granted.  Depending on the actual amount of EPS from 2013 to 2019, up to an additional 409,444 PSUs may also be granted.

 

Non-cash stock compensation expense

Non-cash stock compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 has been allocated as follows:

 

Total non-cash stock compensation expense not yet recognized at September 30, 2016 amounted to $76.1 million.  The weighted average period over which this is expected to be recognized is 2.2 years    .  Total tax benefit recognized in additional paid in capital related to the non-cash compensation expense amounted to $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (September 30, 2015: $3.0 million).

 

 

8. Business Segment Information

The Company determines and presents operating segments based on the information that is internally provided to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, who together are considered the Company’s chief operating decision maker, in accordance with FASB ASC 280-10 Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprises and Related Information .

The Company is a contract research organization (“CRO”), providing outsourced development services on a global basis to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. It specializes in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support all stages of the clinical development process - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies.  The Company has the expertise and capability to conduct clinical trials in most major therapeutic areas on a global basis and has the operational flexibility to provide development services on a stand-alone basis or as part of an integrated “full service” solution.  The Company has expanded predominately through internal growth, together with a number of strategic acquisitions to enhance its expertise and capabilities in certain areas of the clinical development process.

The Company is generally awarded projects based upon responses to requests for proposals received from companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries or work orders executed under our strategic partnership arrangements.  Contracts with customers are generally entered into centrally, in most cases with ICON Clinical Research Limited (“ICON Ireland”), the Company’s principal operating subsidiary in Ireland.  Revenues, which consist primarily of fees earned under these contracts, are allocated to individual entities within the Group, based on where the work is performed in accordance with the Company’s global transfer pricing model.

ICON Ireland acts as the group entrepreneur under the Company’s global transfer pricing model given its role in the development and management of the group, it’s ownership of key intellectual property and customer relationships, its key role in the mitigation of risks faced by the group and its responsibility for maintaining the Company’s  global network.  As such it enters into the majority of the Company’s customer contracts.

ICON Ireland remunerates other operating entities in the ICON Group on the basis of a guaranteed cost plus mark up for the services they perform in each of their local territories.  The cost plus mark up for each ICON entity is established to ensure that each of ICON Ireland and the ICON entities that are involved in the conduct of services for customers, earn an appropriate arms-length return having regard to the assets owned, risks borne, and functions performed by each entity from these intercompany transactions. The cost plus mark-up policy is reviewed annually to ensure that it is market appropriate.

The geographic split of revenue disclosed for each region outside Ireland is the cost plus revenue attributable to these entities. The residual revenues of the Group, once each ICON entity has been paid its respective intercompany service fee, generally fall to be retained by ICON Ireland.  As such revenues and income from operations in Ireland are a function of this global transfer pricing model and comprise net revenues of the Group after deducting the cost plus revenues attributable to the activities performed outside Ireland.

The Company's areas of operation outside of Ireland include the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Sweden, Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Israel, Romania, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, India, China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, The Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Segment information as at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 is as follows:

a) The distribution of net revenue by geographical area was as follows:

* All sales shown for Ireland are export sales.

b) The distribution of income from operations, including restructuring, by geographical area was as follows:

c) The distribution of income from operations, excluding restructuring, by geographical area was as follows:

d) The distribution of property, plant and equipment, net, by geographical area was as follows:

e) The distribution of depreciation and amortization by geographical area was as follows:

f) The distribution of total assets by geographical area was as follows:

* The December 31, 2015 Balance Sheet has been retrospectively restated as required to reflect the requirements of new guidance in respect of the presentation of debt issue costs.

ICON plc

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere herein and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto included in our  Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Overview

We are a contract research organization (“CRO”), providing outsourced development services on a global basis to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. We specialize in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support all stages of the clinical development process - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. Our vision is to be the Global CRO partner of choice in drug development by delivering best in class information, solutions and performance in clinical and outcomes research.

We believe that we are one of a select group of CROs with the expertise and capability to conduct clinical trials in most major therapeutic areas on a global basis and have the operational flexibility to provide development services on a stand-alone basis or as part of an integrated “full service” solution. At September 30, 2016, we employed approximately 12,592 employees, in 88 locations in 37 countries. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 we derived approximately 47.2%, 42.7% and 10.1% of our net revenue in the United States, Europe and Rest of World respectively.

Revenue consists primarily of fees earned under contracts with third-party clients. In most cases, a portion of the contract fee is paid at the time the study or trial is started, with the balance of the contract fee generally payable in installments over the study or trial duration, based on the achievement of certain performance targets or "milestones". Revenue from contracts is recognized on a proportional performance method based on the relationship between time incurred and the total estimated duration of the trial or on a fee-for-service basis according to the particular circumstances of the contract. As is customary in the CRO industry, we contract with third party investigators in connection with clinical trials. All investigator fees and certain other costs, where reimbursed by clients, are, in accordance with industry practice, deducted from gross revenue to arrive at net revenue. As these costs vary from contract to contract, we view net revenue as our primary measure of revenue growth.

As the nature of our business involves the management of projects having a typical duration of a few weeks to several years, the commencement or completion of projects in a fiscal year can have a material impact on revenues earned with the relevant clients in such years. In addition, as we typically work with some, but not all, divisions of a client, fluctuations in the number and status of available projects within such divisions can also have a material impact on revenues earned from such clients from year to year.

Termination or delay in the performance of an individual contract may occur for various reasons, including, but not limited to, unexpected or undesired results, production problems resulting in shortages of the drug, adverse patient reactions to the drug, the client’s decision to de-emphasize a particular trial or inadequate patient enrolment or investigator recruitment.   In the event of termination the Company is usually entitled to all sums owed for work performed through the notice of termination and certain costs associated with the termination of the study. In addition, contracts generally contain provisions for renegotiation in the event of changes in the scope, nature, duration, or volume of services of the contract.

Our backlog consists of potential net revenue yet to be earned from projects awarded by clients. At September 30, 2016 we had a backlog of approximately $4.2 billion, compared with approximately $3.9 billion at December 31, 2015. We believe that our backlog as of any date is not necessarily a meaningful predictor of future results, due to the potential for cancellation or delay of the projects underlying the backlog, and no assurances can be given on the extent to which we will be able to realize this backlog as net revenue.

Although we are domiciled in Ireland, we report our results in U.S. dollars. As a consequence the results of our non-U.S. based operations, when translated into U.S. dollars, could be materially affected by fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies of those operations.

In addition to translation exposures, we are also subject to transaction exposures because the currency in which contracts are priced can be different from the currencies in which costs relating to those contracts are incurred.  Our operations in the United States are not materially exposed to such currency differences as the majority of our revenues and costs are in U.S. dollars. However, outside the United States the multinational nature of our activities means that contracts are usually priced in a single currency, most often U.S. dollars or euro, while costs arise in a number of currencies, depending, among other things, on which of our offices provide staff for the contract and the location of investigator sites. Although many such contracts benefit from some degree of natural hedging, due to the matching of contract revenues and costs in the same currency, where costs are incurred in currencies other than those in which contracts are priced, fluctuations in the relative value of those currencies could have a material effect on our results of operations.

As we conduct operations on a global basis, our effective tax rate has depended and will depend on the geographic distribution of our revenue and earnings among locations with varying tax rates. Our results therefore may be affected by changes in the tax rates of the various jurisdictions. In particular, as the geographic mix of our results of operations among various tax jurisdictions changes, our effective tax rate may vary significantly from period to period.

Net revenue for the period increased by $25.5 million, or 6.4%, from $394.7 million   for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $420.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Net revenue increased by 6.8% in constant currency and by 4.3% in constant dollar organic terms. The increase in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2016 can be explained by both continued growth and the additional net revenues from the acquisition of PMG which was acquired on December 4, 2015 and ClinicalRM which was acquired on September 15, 2016.  During the three months ended September 30, 2016 we derived approximately 48.6%, 41.3% and 10.1% of our net revenue in the United States, Europe and Rest of World respectively.  During the three months ended September 30, 2016 $185.4 million or 44.1% of our net revenues were derived from our top 5 customers compared to $192.6 million or 48.8% of net revenues derived from our top 5 customers during the three months ended September 30, 2015. The largest of these customers related to a Strategic Partnership with a large global pharmaceutical company.  Net revenue from this customer contributed 25.2% of net revenue for the quarter, compared to 30.7% of net revenue in respect of the three months ended September 30, 2015. The addition of new customer accounts, particularly mid-tier pharma customers and biotech customers continues to result in a reduction in concentration of revenues from our top five customers.

 

Net revenue in Ireland decreased from $113.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $97.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Net revenue in Ireland is principally a function of the Company’s global transfer pricing model ( see note 8 Business Segmental Information for further details ).   Net revenue in our Rest of Europe region decreased from $79.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $76.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, while net revenue in our Rest of World region increased from $41.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $42.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  Net revenues in non-U.S. dollar operations in this region were impacted by foreign currency translation and the movement in local rates to the U.S. dollar over the comparative quarter.  Net revenue in the U.S. region increased from $161.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $204.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Net revenues in the U.S. region for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was impacted positively by the acquisition of PMG, which was acquired on December 4, 2015 and the acquisition of ClinicalRM which was acquired on September 15, 2016.

Direct costs for the period increased by $16.7 million, or 7.4%, from $226.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $243.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Direct costs consist primarily of compensation, associated fringe benefits and share based compensation expense for project-related employees and other direct project driven costs. The increase in direct costs during the period arose from an increase in headcount and a corresponding increase in personnel related expenditure of $19.2 million and laboratory costs of $2.1 million. This increase was offset by a decrease in travel related costs of $1.4 million and a decrease in other direct project related costs of $3.2 million. As a percentage of net revenue, direct costs have increased from 57.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to 57.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the period decreased by $1.2 million, or 1.5%, from $82.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $81.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Selling, general and administrative expenses comprise primarily of compensation, related fringe benefits and share based compensation expense for non-project-related employees, recruitment expenditure, professional service costs, advertising costs and all costs related to facilities and information systems. The decrease in selling, general and administration expenses for the period reflects continued focus on personnel related expenditure and facilities and related costs, offset by net foreign exchange movements of $1.2 million. As a percentage of net revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses, decreased from 20.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to 19.3% for the three months ended  September 30, 2016.

Depreciation expense for the period increased by $0.3 million, or 3.0%, from $10.4 million for three months ended September 30, 2015 to $10.7 million for three months ended September 30, 2016. Depreciation expense arises principally from continued investment in facilities, information systems and equipment to support the Company’s growth. As a percentage of net revenue (2.5%), the depreciation expense for the three months ended September 2016 remained in line with the percentage of net revenue charge for the three months ended September 30, 2015 (2.6%).  Amortization expense for the period decreased by $0.1 million, or 3.3%, from $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015   to $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Amortization expense represents the amortization of intangible assets acquired on business combinations. The main reason for the decrease in the amortization expense for the period relates to the finalisation of the amortization charge in respect of the MediMedia order backlog asset, this was offset in part by the additional amortization for the period related to the PMG acquisition.  As a percentage of net revenue, amortization expense decreased from 1.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2015   to 0.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

During the three months ended September 30, 2016, a restructuring charge of $4.1 million was recognized under a restructuring plan adopted following a review by the company of its operations.  The restructuring plan includes resource rationalizations in certain areas of the business to improve resource utilization and an onerous lease charge arising on office consolidation ( see   note 4 Restructuring for further information). During the three months ended September 30, 2015, there was no restructuring charge incurred.

 

As a result of the above, income from operations for the three months increased by $5.7 million, or 8.0%, from $71.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015   to $77.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 ($81.2 million excluding restructuring charges). As a percentage of net revenue, income from operations increased from 18.1% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2015   to 18.4% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016 ( 19.3% excluding restructuring charges).

Income from operations in Ireland increased from $56.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $63.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 ($64.8 million excluding restructuring charges). Income from operations in Ireland is impacted by the Group’s global transfer pricing model (see note 8 Business Segmental Information for further details).  Income from operations in our Rest of Europe region decreased from $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 ($1.4 million excluding restructuring charges), while income from operations in our Rest of World region decreased from $2.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 ($1.2 million excluding restructuring charges). Income from operations in these regions was impacted by foreign currency translation and the movement in local rates to the U.S. dollar over the comparative quarter.  Income from operations in the U.S. region increased from $8.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $11.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 ($13.8 million excluding restructuring charges).  Income from operations in this region was positively impacted by the acquisition of PMG, which was acquired on December 4, 2015 and ClinicalRM which was acquired on September 15, 2016.

Interest expense for the period increased by $2.0 million or 174.0%, from $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $3.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Interest income decreased by $0.07 million or 13.0%, from $0.53 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $0.46 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Provision for income taxes for the period increased from $9.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 to $10.5 million ($11.0 million excluding restructuring) for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was 14.1% (14.0% excluding restructuring) compared with 13.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The Company’s effective tax rate is principally a function of the distribution of pre-tax profits amongst the territories in which it operates.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain financial data as a percentage of net revenue and the percentage change in these items compared to the prior comparable period. The trends illustrated in the following table may not be indicative of future results.