PRINCETON, N.J., October 18, 2011 — Covance Inc. (NYSE: CVD), one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive drug development services companies, today announced that Raymond Kaiser, Ph.D., has joined the company as the new Global Science Leader and Vice President for Biotechnology Services. Kaiser will replace Dr. Carl Martin, who will be retiring from this role, after 35 years with Covance.
Dr. Kaiser comes to Covance from Merck Research Laboratories in West Point, Pa., where he was Executive Director of Bioprocess Research and Development. Dr. Kaiser is a recognized expert in the research, development, quality control and technical support of biologic and vaccine products. Over a 21-year career in the biopharmaceutical industry, he has published more than 50 papers and received patents on various aspects of the development, manufacture and characterization of biologics and vaccines.
“Covance has been providing high-quality, comprehensive biotechnology services globally for more than 20 years,” said John Robson, Vice President and General Manager, Global Early Development. “Adding Ray — a recognized thought leader in the industry — to the Covance team will help us continue to enhance our service offering and to make significant contributions to biological development.”
During Dr. Kaiser’s tenure with Merck, he had responsibility for the development of novel vaccine and therapeutic protein processes, assays and products. Previously, he was Senior Director of Vaccines Analytical and Formulation Development at Wyeth Vaccines and held a number of scientific leadership positions at Eli Lilly & Company.
“As the pharmaceutical industry continues to move toward strategic outsourcing to make drug development more efficient, contract research organizations will be increasingly important. I chose Covance because it is a leader in the space, with a track record of building strategic relationships with biopharmaceutical companies, delivering operational and service excellence, and providing industry-leading scientific expertise,” said Kaiser. “I am eager to have the opportunity to work with some of the top minds in the field and apply my decades of biotech development experience to help Covance clients bring new products to market.”
Currently, biologics account for approximately 30 percent of all compounds in the pharmaceutical industry’s pipeline. Various industry reports are predicting that by 2015, biologics will account for 50 of the 100 top-selling drugs on the market, making biologic development an important growth focus for the industry.
Covance biotechnology services include protein analytical chemistry, bioassays, cGMP stability and release, cell banking, biosafety testing, viral clearance, molecular biology and biomanufacturing support.
About Covance Inc.
Covance, with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive drug development services companies with annual revenues greater than $1.9 billion, global operations in more than 30 countries, and more than 10,500 employees worldwide. Information on Covance’s products and services, recent press releases, and SEC filings can be obtained through its website at http://www.covance.com/.