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COVANCE REPORTS RECORD FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 1998 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Covance delivers eighth consecutive quarter of strong, balanced, diversified growth

Fourth Quarter Highlights:
  • Fourth quarter net revenues up 25.8%, net income up 25.4%

  • Full year 1998 net revenues rose 23.9%, net income rose 22.3%

  • Backlog at year-end increased to $780 million, up 24.8%

  • Late-stage development services strengthened via acquisition of GDXI, Inc.

  • Early development capabilities bolstered via acquisition of Berkeley Antibody Company
Princeton, NJ, January 26, 1999 — Covance Inc. (NYSE: CVD), one of the world's largest and most comprehensive drug development service companies, today reported record financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 1998.

Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 1998 were $198.8 million, up 25.8% compared to $158.1 million for the fourth quarter of 1997. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, revenues in the fourth quarter increased 24.5%. For full year 1998, net revenues were $731.6 million, up 23.9% compared to $590.7 million for the same period in 1997. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, full year 1998 revenues were up 23.5%.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 1998 was $23.0 million, up 18.5%, in line with expectations and compared to $19.4 million for the fourth quarter of 1997. For full year 1998, operating income was $91.9 million, up 18.3% compared to $77.7 million for full year 1997.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 1998 was $12.2 million, or $0.21/diluted share, up 25.4% compared to $9.7 million or $0.17/diluted share for the fourth quarter of 1997. For full year 1998, net income was $48.6 million, or $0.83/diluted share, up 22.3% compared to $39.8 million or $0.69/diluted share for full year 1997.

Days sales outstanding (DSO's) at year end improved to 55 days compared to 63 days at the end of the third quarter 1998. Backlog at the end of 1998 was $780 million, up 24.8% compared to $625 million at the end of 1997.

Commenting on these results, Chris Kuebler, Chairman and CEO of Covance noted, "We are pleased to report strong fourth quarter and full year 1998 financial results. We have executed and delivered on all key financial targets in our second year as an independent public company. The fundamentals in the outsourcing industry are strong, and we remain well positioned to capitalize on this positive trend."

"In keeping with our strategy to acquire high quality, value-added services that accelerate the drug development process, we completed the acquisitions of GDXI, Inc., one of the worlds leading providers of centralized electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis for clinical trials, and the Berkeley Antibody Company, a California-based industry leader in providing antibodies used in research and development," added Chris Kuebler.

Covance, with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the worlds largest and most comprehensive drug development service companies, with 1998 revenues of $732 million, operations currently in 17 countries, and approximately 7,500 employees worldwide. Covances 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, biomanufacturing, central laboratory, clinical packaging, clinical, periapproval and health economics services to the worlds pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies.


Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such forward-looking statements including the statements contained herein regarding anticipated trends in the Companys business are based largely on managements expectations and are subject to and qualified by risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, competitive factors, outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical industry, the Companys ability to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel, the fixed price nature of contracts or the loss of large contracts and other factors described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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COVANCE INC. INCOME STATEMENTS
THREE MONTHS AND YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)

                                      Three Months Ended December 31,      Year Ended December 31,
                                            1998           1997              1998            1997
                                      _____________________________       ___________________________

Net Revenues                          $198,789          $ 158,072         $ 731,574       $ 590,651

Costs and expenses: 
  Cost of revenue                      132,695            104,686           484,128         389,785
  Selling, General & Administrative
      expenses                          32,449             25,631           117,844          92,329
  Depreciation and Amortization         10,657              8,358            37,723          30,877
                                      _____________________________       ___________________________
        Total                          175,801            138,675           639,695         512,991
                                      _____________________________       ___________________________


Income from operations                  22,988             19,397            91,879          77,660

Other expense:
  Interest expense, net                  2,071              1,939             7,361           8,314
  Other expense, net                         1                278               373             167
                                      _____________________________       ___________________________
                                         2,241              2,217             7,734           8,481
                                      _____________________________       ___________________________

Income before taxes and
  equity investee operations            20,747             17,180            84,145          69,179

Taxes on income                          8,522              7,216            35,099          29,367

Equity investee loss                         -                215                 4              58
                                      _____________________________       ___________________________

Net Income                            $ 12,225           $  9,749          $ 48,608   $      39,754
                                      =============================       ===========================

Basic earnings per share                 $0.21              $0.17             $0.84           $0.69

Weighted Average Shares
      Outstanding - Basic           58,317,177         57,484,592        58,050,114      57,254,042

Diluted earnings per share               $0.21              $0.17             $0.83           $0.69

Weighted Average Shares
      Outstanding - Diluted         59,337,859         57,708,828        58,774,334      57,463,587


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

                                                               December 31,
                                                          1998            1997

Cash and cash equivalents                               $ 19,263       $ 28,027
Accounts and unbilled receivables                        180,734        145,769
Total Current Assets                                     274,489        230,478
Total Assets                                             593,415        484,014


Total Current Liabilities                                193,001        170,990
Long-Term Debt                                           149,909        132,423
Total Liabilities                                        368,400        326,957
Total Stockholders' Equity                               225,015        157,057

March 31, 1996 earnings per share computed based upon the number of shares
issued as a result of the spin-off from Corning.


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


Cash flows from net earnings adjusted for
   non-cash activity                                    $ 98,109      $  84,683
Changes in working capital                                (33,970)        (8,054)
                                                         _________      _________
Net cash provided by operating activities                  64,139         76,629


Capital expenditures                                      (74,945)       (56,538)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired           (25,546)          -
Other, net                                                    129            196

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities        27,459        (17,676)
                                                         _________      _________


Net change in cash and cash equivalents                    (8,764)         2,611

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period             28,027         25,416
                                                         _________      _________


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                  $19,263        $28,027