History
Over the last decade, structural changes and increased regulation have dramatically impacted the way companies communicate with their key constituencies.
Senior management today face a number of complex challenges: they can no longer speak freely with their sell-side analysts, they are inundated with conference invitations and meeting requests and the pressure of knowing that every word they say will be scrutinized. These challenges can often be overwhelming and distract management teams, leading to disappointing results
Recognizing the nuances of this changing environment, Westwicke was founded in 2006 specifically to help companies develop comprehensive strategies to successfully communicate their stories, increase their visibility and build a quality, long-term shareholder base. Twelve years later, Westwicke has grown into the country’s largest healthcare-focused investor relations firm.
In 2019, Westwicke, merged with ICR, a full service strategic communications and advisory firm, to operate as it healthcare practice under the brand ICR Westwicke. In the process, Westwicke acquired the full breadth of ICR’s communications capabilities, including public relations, crisis communications, special situations & governance and digital branding, enabling us to provide all healthcare clients with a fully integrated solution.
We now have offices in Baltimore, Boston, Connecticut, New York, and Beijing. As part of a 400-person firm, our team of approximately 50 dedicated healthcare professionals looks forward to challenges the come with each day and the many opportunities that await in the years ahead.
The History of ICR Westwicke
2006
- June – Westwicke founded
- Bob and Mark visit every person they know…dubbed the “No Revenue Tour”
(22 cities in 3 months)
- Sign our first public company and IPO advisory clients
2007
- We recognize the need for a dedicated life sciences team and hire a senior biotech partner
- Client base expands in med tech and healthcare services
- First IPO advisory client goes public
2008
- Open our first west coast office (San Francisco) and hire a senior med tech partner
- Healthcare services and life sciences teams expand
- Move to new, larger offices
2009
- Westwicke clients raise $1.2 billion in follow-on equity offerings
- Open a San Diego office and now have a life science practice on both coasts
2010
- Host an “IPO Bootcamp” for private companies (Palo Alto)
- Add institutional marketing team
- We now have clients in 18 states
2011
- Host inaugural “Wall Street Revealed” conference
- Double size of life science team
- Celebrate 5-year anniversary
2012
- Strengthen analyst team with addition of med tech and life science personnel
- Continue to grow west coast team
- Sign our 50th client
2013
- IPO Advisory business sees record financing activity as our private clients’ price over $1 billion in IPO proceeds
- Begin “Wall Street Revealed” webinars
2014
- Open Boston office, adding a New England presence
- Host first HCIT Access Day for private companies (New York)
- Advise 21 private companies through the IPO process
- Sign our 70th client
2015
- Host first crossover event for private life science companies
- Expand biotech, spec pharma and HCIT teams
- Client IPO proceeds top $3 billion over last 18 months
2016
- Add dedicated institutional sales professional
- Strengthen med tech team in San Francisco
- Launch Westwicke Luncheon Series for private and public companies
- Celebrate 10-year anniversary
2017
- Establish our Capital Markets Advisory service by welcoming a new managing director to lead the effort
- Open our New York City office
2019
- Westwicke merges with ICR to offer its clients a full spectrum of communications capabilities, including public relations, crisis communications, special situations & governance and digital branding, enabling us to provide all healthcare clients with a fully integrated solution