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COVANCE REPORTS STRONG FIRST QUARTER 1998 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Revenues Up 24.2%, Net Income Up 21.2%

First Quarter Highlights:
  • Earnings per share of $0.18 in line with expectations

  • Covance delivers strong, balanced growth in all quarters as an independent company

  • First quarter 1998 revenues up 24.2%

  • First quarter net income up 21.2%

  • Opened a new 45,000 square foot clinical packaging facility in Basel, Switzerland

  • Initiated facility expansion for new 200,000 square foot clinical packaging site in Allentown, Pennsylvania

  • Strengthened clinical North America management via addition of Carlo

  • Medici from Roche Diagnostic Systems as new general manager
Princeton, NJ, April 20, 1998 — Covance Inc. (NYSE: CVD - news), one of the world's largest and most comprehensive drug development companies, today reported strong financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 1998.

Net revenues for the first quarter of 1998 were $168.5 million, up 24.2% compared to $135.7 million for the first quarter of 1997. Operating income for the first quarter of 1998 was in line with expectations at $20.3 million, up 18.5% compared to $17.1 million for the first quarter of 1997. Net income for the first quarter of 1998 was $10.5 million or $0.18/share, also in line with expectations and up 21.2% compared to $8.6 million or $0.15/share for the first quarter of 1997. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 1998 were both $0.18, while basic and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 1997 were both $0.15.

"We are pleased to be off to a strong start in 1998," noted Chris Kuebler, Chairman and CEO of Covance. "Our tradition of excellent science and world class service will continue to enable us to shape solutions in ways that add value to our customers' products. The 6,300 employee shareholders of Covance are excited about the prospects that lie ahead and are committed to delivering strong, balanced and diversified growth to our investors over the long-term."

Covance, with headquarters in Princeton, NJ, is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive drug development companies, with 1997 revenues of approximately $590 million, operations currently in 17 countries, and 6,300 employees worldwide. Covance's purpose is to lead advancements in drug development through science, service and shaping solutions. Covance strives to achieve this goal by combining superior development expertise and global presence to provide broad based drug development capabilities including preclinical, health economics, central laboratory, biomanufacturing, clinical packaging and clinical and periapproval services to the world's pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies.

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts may be considered forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements including the statements contained herein regarding anticipated trends in the Company's business are based largely on Covance's expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Covance's control. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including the risk factors described in Covance's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission such as (i) Covance has only recently been operating as a separate independent company, (ii) changes in regulations governing the drug development process, and (iii) the fixed price nature of contracts or the loss of large contracts. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information contained in this press release will in fact transpire.
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                                 COVANCE INC.
                              INCOME STATEMENTS
              FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 and 1997
                (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
                                 (UNAUDITED)

                                   Three Months Ended March 31,
                                     1998                    1997

    Net revenues                 $168,509                $135,723
    Costs and expenses:
      Cost of revenue             112,729                  90,825
      Selling, general & 
        administrative expenses    26,911                  20,651
      Depreciation and amortization 8,555                   7,108
        Total                     148,195                 118,584
    Income from operations         20,314                  17,139
    Other expense, net:
      Interest expense, net         1,695                   2,015
      Other expense                   113                     474
        Other expense, net          1,808                   2,489
    Income before taxes and
      equity investee results      18,506                  14,650
    Taxes on income                 7,860                   6,153
    Equity investee loss (gain)       194                   (130)
    Net Income                    $10,452                  $8,627
    Basic earnings per share        $0.18                   $0.15
    Weighted average shares
     outstanding - basic       57,775,312              57,063,644
    Diluted earnings per share      $0.18                   $0.15
    Weighted average shares
      outstanding - diluted    58,241,983              57,253,369


                                 COVANCE INC.
                         CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET DATA
                     MARCH 31, 1998 AND DECEMBER 31, 1997
                            (Dollars in thousands)

                                       March 31,        December 31,
                                         1998              1997

    CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET DATA

    Cash and cash equivalents            $17,730          $28,027
    Accounts and unbilled receivables   $152,832         $145,769
    Total Current Assets                $229,605         $230,478
    Total Assets                        $484,873         $484,014

    Total Current Liabilities           $170,423         $170,990
    Long-term debt                      $122,059         $132,423
    Total Liabilities                   $316,380         $326,957
    Total Stockholders' Equity          $168,493         $157,057

                                 COVANCE INC.
                           CONDENSED CASH FLOW DATA
              FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997
                            (Dollars in thousands)

                                         Three Months Ended March 31
                                            1998              1997
    CONDENSED CASH FLOW DATA

    Cash flows from net earnings adjusted
      for non-cash activity                 $20,667          $15,744
    Changes in operating assets
      and liabilities                      (12,408)          (3,749)
    Net cash provided by
      operating activities                    8,259           11,995
    Capital expenditures                    (9,957)         (14,502)
    Other, net                                   10               51
    Net repayment of debt                  (10,000)          (2,000)
    Cash provided by stock issued under
      employee benefits plans                 1,391               --
    Net change in cash
      and cash equivalents                 (10,297)          (4,456)
    Cash and cash equivalents,
      beginning of period                    28,027           25,416
    Cash and cash equivalents,
      end of period                         $17,730          $20,960

SOURCE  Covance Inc.