Covance Shanghai facility receives OECD Good Laboratory Practice certification

Covance Inc. (NYSE: CVD) today announced that its early development facility located in Shanghai, China, has received Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification from the Belgian GLP Monitoring Authority, a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The Covance facility in Shanghai provides bioanalytical, toxicology, lead optimization toxicology, in-vivo PK screening, and metabolism services.

"As the volume of global drug development activity expands, it's vital that clients know they can expect the same high standards and quality data from Covance in China that they experience in all of our other facilities worldwide," said Deborah Tanner, Executive Vice President and Group President, R&D Laboratories. "The GLP certification from an OECD member, along with the AAALAC accreditation we received in February 2011, is a significant milestone in expanding Covance's global reputation and reach."

Honggang Bi, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Covance China, added, "Covance has always demonstrated the highest levels of compliance and client support. With this certification of our recently opened toxicology facility in China, we are now able to offer services to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies that meet international GLP quality standards."

The OECD is an inter-governmental organization consisting of 34 members that represent developed and emerging countries in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. The OECD has developed sound criteria that support their belief that quality data through Good Laboratory Practices can further improve the protection of human health and the environment.