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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

COVANCE INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (609) 452-4440

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES ý    NO o

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as described in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ý    NO o

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

        As of October 17, 2003, the Registrant had 61,995,967 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Covance Inc.
Form 10-Q For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2003

INDEX

1

COVANCE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND DECEMBER 31, 2002

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2

COVANCE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2002
(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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COVANCE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 AND 2002
(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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COVANCE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2003 and 2002
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)

1.    Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2003. The balance sheet at December 31, 2002 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. You should read these consolidated financial statements together with the historical consolidated financial statements of Covance Inc. and subsidiaries ("Covance") for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

        These unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all entities controlled by Covance. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in affiliates in which Covance owns between 20 and 50 percent. See Note 4.

Use of Estimates

        These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

        In connection with the management of multi-site clinical trials, Covance pays on behalf of its customers fees to investigators, volunteers and other out-of-pocket costs (such as travel, printing, meetings, couriers, etc.), for which we are reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Amounts receivable from customers in connection with billed and unbilled investigator fees, volunteer payments and other out-of-pocket pass-through costs are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled $20.8 million and $13.3 million at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. See Note 2 "Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses".

Inventory

        Inventories, which consist principally of finished goods and supplies, are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.

Goodwill

        Effective January 1, 2002, in accordance with the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Covance ceased amortization of goodwill. Statement No. 142 also outlines the requirements for annual goodwill impairment tests, and accordingly, Covance performs an annual test for impairment of goodwill. The most recent test performed for 2002 did not identify any instances of impairment.

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COVANCE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2003 and 2002
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)

2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Taxes on Income

        Covance uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in enacted tax rates is recognized in income in the period when the change is effective.

        Covance has established, and periodically reviews and reevaluates, an estimated income tax reserve on its consolidated balance sheet to provide for the possibility of adverse outcomes in tax proceedings. When matters are settled or when facts indicate a material change in the probability or amount of the potential exposure, Covance adjusts the carrying value of the related reserve. As a result of favorable income tax developments, relating primarily to the settlement of a longstanding multi-year foreign income tax audit, Covance reduced its income tax reserve and provision by $6.5 million during the three month period ended September 30, 2002.

Comprehensive Income

        Comprehensive income has been calculated in accordance with FASB Statement No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. Covance has determined total comprehensive income to be $20.8 million and $24.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, and $63.6 million and $53.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Covance's total comprehensive income represents net income plus the change in the cumulative translation adjustment equity account for the periods presented.

Earnings Per Share

        Earnings per share has been calculated using the treasury stock method in accordance with the requirements of FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings Per Share. In computing diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, the denominator was increased by 995,138 shares and 1,115,402 shares, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, the denominator was increased by 1,164,883 shares and 1,318,929 shares, respectively, representing the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued for stock options outstanding at September 30, 2003 and 2002 with exercise prices less than the average market price of Covance's Common Stock during each respective period.

Reimbursable Out-of-Pocket Expenses

        As discussed in Note 2 "Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets", Covance pays on behalf of its customers fees to investigators, volunteers and other out-of-pocket costs for which we are reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Effective January 1, 2002, in connection with the required implementation of Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues Task Force Rule No. 01-14 ("EITF 01-14"), Income Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for "Out-of-Pocket" Expenses Incurred, amounts paid to volunteers and other out-of-pocket costs are reflected in operating expenses, while the reimbursements received are reflected in revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Covance will continue to exclude from revenue and expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income fees paid to investigators and the associated reimbursement since Covance acts as an agent on behalf of the pharmaceutical company sponsors with regard to investigator payments.

Stock-Based Compensation

        Covance has several stock-based compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 9 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. Effective January 1, 2003, Covance adopted FASB Statement No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure. Statement No. 148 amends FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to provide, among other things, prominent disclosure of the effects of an entity's accounting policy with respect to stock-based employee compensation on reported net income and earnings per share in annual and interim financial statements. Covance intends to continue to follow the disclosure-only provisions of FASB Statement No. 

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COVANCE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2003 and 2002
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)

2.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

123 and, accordingly, will continue to account for these plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations.

        While Covance does record compensation expense related to awards of stock, no compensation cost is recorded for option grants under Covance's stock option plans as all options granted under these plans are issued with an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share had Covance applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to all of its stock-based employee compensation plans.

Segment Reporting

        Covance reports information about its operating segments and related disclosures about products, services, geographic areas and major customers in accordance with FASB Statement No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. See Note 7 "Segment Information."

3.    Treasury Stock

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, Covance purchased into treasury 640,300 shares of its Common Stock under the Board approved 2003 share buyback program, for the aggregate cost of $13.5 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, Covance also acquired approximately 9,400 shares of its Common Stock into treasury to satisfy income tax withholding associated with the vesting of stock awards and the exercise of stock options, the fair value of which was approximately $0.4 million.

4.    Investment in Affiliate

        Covance has a minority equity position (approximately 22% at September 30, 2003) in Bio-Imaging Technologies, Inc. ("BITI"). BITI uses proprietary medical imaging technologies to process and analyze medical images, and also provides other services, including the data-basing and regulatory submission of medical images, quantitative data and text. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003, Covance recognized income of $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, representing its share of BITI's earnings.

7

COVANCE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2003 and 2002
(dollars in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)

5.    Supplemental Cash Flow Information

        Cash paid for interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 totaled $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Cash paid for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 totaled $13.3 million and $15.7 million, respectively.

6.    Acquisition

        In July 2002, Covance acquired the stock of Virtual Central Laboratory b.v. (now known as Covance Virtual Central Laboratory b.v.) for a cash payment of $3.0 million. The goodwill resulting from this transaction aggregated $2.7 million.

7.    Segment Information

        Covance has two reportable segments: early development and late-stage development. Early development services, which includes Covance's preclinical and Phase I clinical service capabilities, involve evaluating a new compound for safety and early effectiveness as well as evaluating the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of the compound in the human body. It is at this stage that a pharmaceutical company, based on available data, will generally decide whether to continue further development of a drug. Late-stage development services, which include Covance's central laboratory, clinical development, commercialization and other clinical support capabilities are geared toward demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of a compound in treating certain diseases or conditions, obtaining regulatory approval and maximizing the drug's commercial potential.

        The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 2. Segment net revenues, operating income and total assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:

(a)

Represents revenues associated with reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses

(b)

Represents corporate administrative expenses (primarily information technology, marketing, communications, human resources, finance and legal)

(c)

Represents corporate assets

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

        You should read the following discussion together with the unaudited Covance consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

Overview

        Covance is a leading drug development services company providing a wide range of product development services on a worldwide basis primarily to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. Covance also provides services such as laboratory testing to the chemical, agrochemical and food industries. The foregoing services comprise two segments for financial reporting purposes: early development services, which includes preclinical and Phase I clinical; and late-stage development services, which includes central laboratory, clinical development, commercialization and other clinical support services. Covance believes it is one of the largest drug development services companies, based on 2002 annual net revenues, and one of a few that is capable of providing comprehensive global product development services. Covance offers its clients high quality services designed to provide data to clients as rapidly as possible and reduce product development time. We believe this enables Covance's customers to introduce their products into the marketplace faster and as a result, maximize the period of market exclusivity and monetary return on their research and development investments. Additionally, Covance's comprehensive services and broad experience provide its customers with a variable cost alternative to fixed cost internal development capabilities.

Critical Accounting Policies

        Covance's consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principals generally accepted in the United States, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The following discussion highlights what we believe to be the critical accounting policies and judgments made in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements.

        Revenue Recognition.    Covance recognizes revenue either as services are performed or products are delivered, depending upon the nature of the work contracted. Historically, a majority of Covance's net revenues have been earned under contracts which range in duration from a few months to two years, but can extend in duration up to five years or longer. Service contracts generally take the form of fee-for-service or fixed-price arrangements. In the case of fee-for-service contracts, revenue is recognized as services are performed, based upon, for example, hours worked or samples tested. For long-term fixed-price service contracts, revenue is recognized as services are performed, with performance generally assessed using output measures, such as units-of-work performed to date as compared to the total units-of-work contracted. Changes in the scope of work generally result in a renegotiation of contract pricing terms. Renegotiated amounts are not included in net revenues until earned and realization is assured. Estimates of costs to complete are made, as appropriate, to provide for losses expected on contracts. Costs are not deferred in anticipation of contracts being awarded, but instead are expensed as incurred. In some cases, for multi-year contracts a portion of the contract fee is paid at the time the trial is initiated. These advances are deferred and recognized as revenue as services are performed, as discussed above. Additional payments may be made based upon the achievement of performance-based milestones over the contract duration. Most contracts are terminable by the client either immediately or upon notice. These contracts typically require payment to Covance of expenses to wind down the study, fees earned to date and, in some cases, a termination fee or a payment to Covance of some portion of the fees or profits that could have been earned by Covance under the contract if it had not been terminated early. Despite these provisions, the unexpected termination of a large study or the termination of several studies over a relatively short period of time could cause periods of excess capacity which could negatively impact revenues and earnings. In connection with the management of multi-site clinical trials, Covance pays on behalf of its customers fees to investigators, volunteers and other out-of-pocket costs (such as for travel, printing, meetings, couriers, etc.), for which it is reimbursed at cost, without mark-up or profit. Investigator fees are not reflected in total revenues or expenses where Covance acts in the capacity of an agent on behalf of the pharmaceutical company sponsor, passing through these costs without risk or reward to Covance. All other out-of-pocket costs are included in total revenues and expenses.

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        Bad Debts.    Covance endeavors to assess and monitor the creditworthiness of its customers to which it grants credit terms in the ordinary course of business. Covance maintains a provision for doubtful accounts to provide for the possibility that amounts due Covance may not be collected. This bad debt provision is monitored on a monthly basis and adjusted as circumstances warrant. Since the recorded bad debt provision is based upon management's judgment, actual bad debt write-offs may be greater or less than the amount recorded. Historically bad debt write-offs have not been material.

        Foreign Currency Risks.    Since Covance operates on a global basis, it is exposed to various foreign currency risks. Two specific risks arise from the nature of the contracts Covance executes with its customers since from time to time contracts are denominated in a currency different than the particular Covance subsidiary's local currency. These risks are generally applicable only to a portion of the contracts executed by Covance's foreign subsidiaries providing clinical services. The first risk occurs as revenue recognized for services rendered is denominated in a currency different from the currency in which the subsidiary's expenses are incurred. As a result, the subsidiary's net revenues and resultant earnings can be affected by fluctuations in exchange rates. Historically, fluctuations in exchange rates from those in effect at the time contracts were executed have not had a material effect upon Covance's consolidated financial results. See "Risk Factors".

        The second risk results from the passage of time between the invoicing of customers under these contracts and the ultimate collection of customer payments against such invoices. Because the contract is denominated in a currency other than the subsidiary's local currency, Covance recognizes a receivable at the time of invoicing for the local currency equivalent of the foreign currency invoice amount. Changes in exchange rates from the time the invoice is prepared and payment from the customer is received will result in Covance receiving either more or less in local currency than the local currency equivalent of the invoice amount at the time the invoice was prepared and the receivable established. This difference is recognized by Covance as a foreign currency transaction gain or loss, as applicable, and is reported in other expense (income) in Covance's Consolidated Statements of Income. Foreign currency transaction losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 were $0.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

        Finally, Covance's consolidated financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates between the applicable foreign currency and the U.S. dollar will affect the translation of each foreign subsidiary's financial results into U.S. dollars for purposes of reporting Covance's consolidated financial results. The process by which each foreign subsidiary's financial results are translated into U.S. dollars is as follows: income statement accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the period; balance sheet asset and liability accounts are translated at end of period exchange rates; and equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates. Translation of the balance sheet in this manner affects the stockholders' equity account, referred to as the cumulative translation adjustment account. This account exists only in the foreign subsidiary's U.S. dollar balance sheet and is necessary to keep the foreign balance sheet stated in U.S. dollars in balance. To date such cumulative translation adjustments have not been material to Covance's consolidated financial position.

        Taxes on Income.    Since Covance conducts operations on a global basis, its effective tax rate has and will continue to depend upon the geographic distribution of its pre-tax earnings among locations with varying tax rates. Covance's profits are further impacted by changes in the tax rates of the various jurisdictions. In particular, as the geographic mix of Covance's pre-tax earnings among various tax jurisdictions changes, Covance's effective tax rate may vary from period to period. Covance has established, and periodically reevaluates, an estimated income tax reserve on its consolidated balance sheet to provide for the possibility of adverse outcomes in income tax proceedings. While Covance believes that it has identified all reasonably identifiable exposures and that the reserve it has established for identifiable exposures is appropriate under the circumstances, it is possible that additional exposures exist and that exposures will be settled at amounts different than the amounts reserved. It is possible that changes in estimates in the future could cause Covance to either materially increase or reduce the carrying amount of its income tax reserve. In addition, Covance's policy is to provide income taxes on earnings of foreign subsidiaries to the extent those earnings are taxable or are expected to be remitted. Taxes have not been provided on accumulated foreign unremitted earnings totaling $88.9 million as of December 31, 2002 because Covance currently intends to leave these earnings invested in those countries. If Covance were to repatriate these earnings, or a portion of these earnings, Covance might incur a significant income tax liability.

        Stock Based Compensation.    Covance grants stock options to its employees at an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant and accounts for these stock option grants in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees ("APB 25") and related interpretations. Under APB 25, when stock options are issued with an exercise price equal to the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized in the income statement.

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        Impairment of Assets.    Covance reviews its long-lived assets for impairment, when events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based upon Covance's judgment of its ability to recover the asset from the expected future undiscounted cash flows of the related operations. Actual future cash flows may be greater or less than estimated.

        In 2002, Covance began to perform an annual test for impairment of goodwill. This test is performed by comparing, at the reporting unit level, the carrying value of goodwill to its fair value. Covance assesses fair value based upon its best estimate of the present value of the future cash flows that it expects to be generated by the reporting unit. The test performed for 2002 did not identify any instances of impairment. However, changes in expectations as to the present value of the reporting unit's future cash flows might impact subsequent year's assessments of impairment.

        Defined Benefit Pension Plans.    Covance sponsors defined benefit pension plans for the benefit of its employees at three foreign subsidiaries. The measurement of the related pension benefit obligation and the expense recorded in each year is based upon actuarial computations which require judgment as to (a) the appropriate discount rate to use in computing the present value of the benefit obligation, (b) the expected return on plan assets and (c) the expected future rate of salary increases. Actual results will likely differ, in some periods materially, from the assumptions used in the actuarial valuation. For example, in 2002 as a result of the poor performance of the European equity markets Covance's United Kingdom plans suffered a decline in the fair value of their assets in the aggregate amount of $7.2 million which caused an increase in the under-funded status of these plans. This is likely to result in an increase in the annual expense of these plans going forward.

Operating Expenses

        Covance segregates its recurring operating expenses among four categories: cost of revenue; reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses; selling, general and administrative expenses; and depreciation and amortization. Cost of revenue consists of appropriate amounts necessary to complete the revenue and earnings process, and includes direct labor and related benefits, other direct costs, shipping and handling fees, and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs, and excludes depreciation and amortization. Cost of revenue, as a percentage of net revenues, tends and is expected to fluctuate from one period to another, as a result of changes in labor utilization and the mix of service offerings involving hundreds of studies conducted during any period of time. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of administrative payroll and related benefit charges, advertising and promotional expenses, administrative travel and an allocation of facility charges and information technology costs, and excludes depreciation and amortization.

Quarterly Results

        Covance's quarterly operating results are subject to variation, and are expected to continue to be subject to variation, as a result of factors such as (1) delays in initiating or completing significant drug development trials, (2) termination or reduction in size of drug development trials, (3) acquisitions and divestitures, and (4) exchange rate fluctuations. Delays and terminations of trials are often the result of actions taken by Covance's customers or regulatory authorities and are not typically controllable by Covance. Since a large amount of Covance's operating costs are relatively fixed while revenue is subject to fluctuation, moderate variations in the commencement, progress or completion of drug development trials may cause significant variations in quarterly results.

Results of Operations

        Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2002.    Net revenues increased 5.0% to $232.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $221.0 million for the corresponding 2002 period. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate variances between both periods, net revenues increased 2.8% as compared to the corresponding 2002 period. Net revenues from Covance's early development segment grew 11.6%, or 9.4% excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate variances between both periods, on strong performance in our European toxicology, global chemistry, and global Phase I clinical services. Net revenues from Covance's late-stage development segment increased 0.1%, or decreased 2.1% excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate variances between both periods. Growth in our late-stage development segment was negatively impacted by below target net order generation in the first half of 2003 in central laboratories as well as softness in Phase IV.

        Cost of revenue increased 1.5% to $154.8 million or 66.7% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $152.6 million or 69.0% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period. Gross margins improved to 33.3%

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for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from 31.0% for the corresponding 2002 period, primarily due to stronger margins in our central laboratories and most of our early development service offerings.

        Overall, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 8.8% to $36.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $33.2 million for the corresponding 2002 period. As a percentage of net revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 15.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from 15.0% for the corresponding 2002 period.

        Depreciation and amortization increased 9.0% to $11.3 million or 4.9% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $10.3 million or 4.7% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period.

        Income from operations increased 19.8% to $29.8 million or 12.8% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $24.9 million or 11.3% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period. Income from operations from Covance's early development segment increased $4.9 million or 26.8% to $23.1 million or 22.0% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $18.2 million or 19.4% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period, primarily driven by strong profitability in global toxicology, global chemistry and global Phase I services. Income from operations from Covance's late-stage development segment increased $0.6 million or 3.5% to $18.8 million or 14.8% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $18.2 million or 14.3% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period, primarily driven by strong margins in our central laboratory services, partially offset by continued softness in our Phase IV services. Corporate expenses increased $0.6 million to $12.1 million or 5.2% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $11.5 million or 5.2% of net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2002.

        Other expense, net decreased $0.5 million to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 from $0.8 million for the corresponding 2002 period. The weakening of the U.S. dollar during the three months ended September 30, 2002 drove foreign exchange transaction losses totaling $0.5 million as compared to losses totaling only $0.3 million for the comparable 2003 period. Also contributing to the decrease was a $0.2 million reduction in net interest expense.

        Covance's effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2003 was 34.1% as compared to 9.1% for the corresponding 2002 period. Covance's 2002 effective tax rate reflects the reversal of a $6.5 million income tax reserve relating primarily to the favorable settlement of a longstanding multi-year foreign income tax audit. Excluding the effect of this adjustment, Covance's effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2002 was 36.1%.

        Covance has a minority equity position (approximately 22% at September 30, 2003) in Bio-Imaging Technologies, Inc. ("BITI"). BITI uses proprietary medical imaging technologies to process and analyze medical images, and also provides other services, including the data-basing and regulatory submission of medical images, quantitative data and text. During the three month period ended September 30, 2003, Covance recognized income of $0.1 million, representing its share of BITI's earnings.

        Net income of $19.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 decreased $2.4 million or 10.8% as compared to $21.9 million for the corresponding 2002 period. Excluding the $6.5 million income tax reserve reversal discussed above, net income increased $4.1 million or 26.8% as compared to the corresponding 2002 period.

        Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002.    Net revenues increased 7.8% to $699.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $648.8 million for the corresponding 2002 period. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate variances between both periods, net revenues increased 5.2% as compared to the corresponding 2002 period. Net revenues from Covance's early development services grew 12.1%, or 9.2% excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate variances between both periods, on strong performance in our European toxicology, global chemistry and global Phase I clinical services. Net revenues from Covance's late-stage development segment increased 4.7%, or 2.2% excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate variances between both periods. Growth in our late-stage development segment was negatively impacted by softness in Phase IV net revenues.

        Cost of revenue increased 4.5% to $473.5 million or 67.7% of net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 as compared to $452.9 million or 69.8% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period. Gross margins improved to 32.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from 30.2% for the corresponding 2002 period, primarily due to stronger margins in our central laboratories and most of our early development service offerings.

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        Overall, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 7.7% to $106.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $98.7 million for the corresponding 2002 period. As a percentage of net revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses were 15.2% for both of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.

        Depreciation and amortization increased 10.6% to $33.9 million or 4.8% of net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $30.6 million or 4.7% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period.

        Income from operations increased 28.6% to $85.5 million or 12.2% of net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $66.5 million or 10.3% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period. Income from operations from Covance's early development segment increased $12.0 million or 24.5% to $61.3 million or 20.2% of net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $49.3 million or 18.2% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period, primarily driven by strong performance in our global toxicology, global chemistry, and global Phase I services. Income from operations from Covance's late-stage development segment increased $10.1 million or 20.7% to $58.9 million or 14.9% of net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $48.8 million or 12.9% of net revenues for the corresponding 2002 period, primarily driven by strong margins in our central laboratory services, partially offset by softness in our Phase IV service offering. Corporate expense increased $3.2 million to $34.7 million or 5.0% of net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $31.2 million or 4.9% of net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The increase is primarily attributable to increased investment in centralized human resources and resource management initiatives.

        Other expense, net decreased $2.1 million to $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 from $2.7 million for the corresponding 2002 period. The weakening of the U.S. dollar during the nine months ended September 30, 2002 drove foreign exchange transaction losses totaling $1.9 million as compared to losses totaling only $0.3 million for the comparable 2003 period. Also contributing to the decrease was a $0.5 million reduction in net interest expense.

        Covance's effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was 34.9% compared to 26.8% for the corresponding 2002 period. Covance's 2002 effective tax rate reflects the reversal of a $6.5 million income tax reserve relating primarily to the favorable settlement of a longstanding multi-year foreign income tax audit. Excluding the effect of this adjustment, Covance's effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 was 36.9%.

        Covance has a minority equity position (approximately 22% at September 30, 2003) in Bio-Imaging Technologies, Inc. ("BITI"). BITI uses proprietary medical imaging technologies to process and analyze medical images, and also provides other services, including the data-basing and regulatory submission of medical images, quantitative data and text. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2003, Covance recognized income of $0.3 million, representing its share of BITI's earnings.

        Net income of $55.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 increased $8.9 million or 19.1% as compared to $46.8 million for the corresponding 2002 period. Excluding the $6.5 million income tax reserve reversal discussed above, net income increased $15.4 million or 38.3% as compared to the corresponding 2002 period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Covance's expected primary cash needs on both a short and long-term basis are for capital expenditures, expansion of services, possible future acquisitions, geographic expansion, working capital and other general corporate purposes, including possible share repurchases. Covance believes cash from operations will provide sufficient liquidity for the foreseeable future. In addition, Covance has access to additional cash through its $150 million senior revolving credit facility ("the Credit Facility"). Although the Credit Facility expires in June 2004, Covance is confident that it will be able to enter into a replacement credit facility or otherwise obtain access to credit on satisfactory terms when the Credit Facility expires. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2003 and at both September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. During the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, there were $2.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of outstanding letters of credit under the Credit Facility. Interest on all outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility is based upon the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a margin. Costs associated with replacing the previous credit facility in June 2001, consisting primarily of bank fees totaling $1.7 million, are being amortized to interest expense over the three year facility term.

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, Covance's operations provided net cash of $80.3 million, a decrease of $18.8 million from the corresponding 2002 period. The change in net operating assets used $24.1 million in cash during the

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nine months ended September 30, 2003 primarily due to a reduction in unearned revenue and accrued liabilities and an increase in unbilled services, partially offset by a reduction in accounts receivable, while this net change provided $12.5 million in cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2002, primarily due to an increase in income taxes payable and accrued liabilities and a reduction in accounts receivable, partially offset by a reduction in unearned revenue. Covance's ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.12 at September 30, 2003 and 1.61 at December 31, 2002.

        Investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 used $48.7 million, compared to using $41.3 million for the corresponding 2002 period. Capital spending for the first nine months of 2003 totaled $48.7 million, and was primarily for the purchase of our previously leased Geneva facility in September 2003 for $18.8 million, expansion and enhancement of our Harrogate, England facility, outfitting of new facilities, purchase of new equipment, upgrade of existing equipment and computer equipment and software for newly hired employees. Capital spending for the corresponding 2002 period totaled $38.5 million, and was primarily for the expansion of Covance's toxicology capacity, outfitting of new facilities, purchase of new equipment, upgrade of existing equipment and computer equipment and software for newly hired employees. Investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 also include the July 2002 acquisition of Virtual Central Laboratory b.v. for a gross cash payment of $3.0 million.

        Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 provided $3.5 million and consisted primarily of $17.4 million received from stock option exercises and employee contributions to Covance's noncompensatory employee stock purchase plan, partially offset by the purchase into treasury of 649,700 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate cost of $13.9 million, primarily in connection with a 3.0 million share buyback program authorized by Covance's Board of Directors in February 2003. Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 used $26.9 million, and primarily consisted of the purchase into treasury of 1,013,700 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate cost of $16.4 million primarily in connection with a share buyback program authorized by Covance's Board of Directors in 1999, and repayments under the Credit Facility totaling $15.0 million, partially offset by $4.5 million received from stock option exercises and employee contributions to Covance's noncompensatory employee stock purchase plan.

Inflation

        While most of Covance's net revenues are earned under contracts, the long-term contracts (those in excess of one year) generally include an inflation or cost of living adjustment for the portion of the services to be performed beyond one year from the contract date. As a result, Covance believes that the effects of inflation generally do not have a material adverse effect on its operations or financial condition.

Forward Looking Statements. Statements in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as in certain other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that look forward in time, are forward looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, expectations, predictions, and assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts. All such forward looking statements are based on the current expectations of management and are subject to, and are qualified by, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, competitive factors, outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical industry, levels of industry research and development spending, the Company's ability to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel, the fixed price nature of contracts or the loss of large contracts, risks associated with acquisitions and investments, the Company's ability to increase profitability of its clinical development services and to increase order volume in central laboratory and commercialization services, and continued growth in demand for bioanalytical services and Covance's ability to provide these services on a large scale basis, and other factors described in Covance's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Risk Factors

        This section discusses various risk factors that are attendant with our business and the provision of our services. If the events outlined below were to occur individually or in the aggregate, our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

Changes in government regulation could decrease the need for the services we provide.

        Governmental agencies throughout the world, but particularly in the United States, strictly regulate the drug development process. Our business involves helping pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies navigate the regulatory drug approval process. Changes in regulation, such as a relaxation in regulatory requirements or the introduction of simplified drug approval procedures or an increase in regulatory requirements that we have difficulty satisfying, could eliminate or substantially reduce the need for our services. Also, if government efforts to contain drug costs and pharmaceutical and biotechnology company profits from new drugs, our customers may spend less, or reduce their growth in spending, on research and development.

Failure to comply with existing regulations could result in a loss of revenue or earnings.

        Any failure on our part to comply with applicable regulations could result in the termination of on-going research or sales and marketing projects or the disqualification of data for submission to regulatory authorities. For example, if we were to fail to verify that patient participants were fully informed and have fully consented to a particular clinical trial, the data collected from that trial could be disqualified. If this were to happen, we could be contractually required to repeat the trial at no further cost to our customer, but at substantial cost to us.

We may bear financial losses because most of our contracts are of a fixed price nature and may be delayed or terminated or reduced in scope for reasons beyond our control.

        Many of our contracts provide for services on a fixed price or fee-for-service with a cap basis and they may be terminated or reduced in scope either immediately or upon notice. Cancellations may occur for a variety of reasons, including:

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the failure of products to satisfy safety requirements;

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unexpected or undesired results of the products;

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insufficient patient enrollment;

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insufficient investigator recruitment;

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the client's decision to terminate the development of a product or to end a particular study; and

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our failure to perform properly our duties under the contract.

The loss, reduction in scope or delay of a large contract or the loss or delay of multiple contracts could materially adversely affect our business, although our contracts frequently entitle us to receive the costs of winding down the terminated projects, as well as all fees earned by us up to the time of termination. Some contracts also entitle us to a termination fee.

We may bear financial risk if we under price our contracts or overrun cost estimates.

        Since our contracts are often structured as fixed price or fee-for-service with a cap, we bear the financial risk if we initially under price our contracts or otherwise overrun our cost estimates. Such under pricing or significant cost overruns could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

We may not be able to successfully develop and market new services.

        We may seek to develop and market new services that complement or expand our existing business. If we are unable to develop new services and/or create demand for those newly developed services, our future business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows could be adversely affected.

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Our quarterly operating results may vary.

        Our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and are influenced by such factors as:

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exchange rate fluctuations;

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the commencement, completion or cancellation of large contracts;

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the progress of ongoing contracts;

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the timing of and charges associated with completed acquisitions or other events; and

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changes in the mix of our services.

        We believe that operating results for any particular quarter are not necessarily a meaningful indication of future results. While fluctuations in our quarterly operating results could negatively or positively affect the market price of our common stock, these fluctuations may not be related to our future overall operating performance.

We depend on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

        Our revenues depend greatly on the expenditures made by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in research and development. Accordingly, economic factors and industry trends that affect our clients in these industries also affect our business. If companies in these industries were to reduce the number of research and development projects they outsource, our business could be materially adversely affected.

We operate in a highly competitive industry.

        Competitors in the contract research organization industry range from small, limited-service providers to full service global contract research organizations. Our main competition consists of in-house departments of pharmaceutical companies, full-service contract research organizations, and universities and teaching hospitals, although to a lesser degree. We compete on a variety of factors, including:

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reputation for on-time quality performance;

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expertise and experience in specific areas;

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scope of service offerings;

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strengths in various geographic markets;

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price;

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technological expertise and efficient drug development processes;

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ability to acquire, process, analyze and report data in a time-saving and accurate manner;

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ability to manage large-scale clinical trials both domestically and internationally;

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expertise and experience in health economics and outcomes services; and

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size.

        For instance, our clinical development services have from time to time experienced periods of increased price competition which had a material adverse effect on Covance's late-stage development profitability and consolidated net revenues and net income. Covance took actions in 2000 to mitigate the effects of this price competition; however, if market conditions were to deteriorate, additional actions might be required in the future.

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        There is competition among the larger contract research organizations for both clients and potential acquisition candidates. Additionally, small, limited-service entities considering entering the contract research organization industry will find few barriers to entry, thus further increasing possible competition. These competitive pressures may affect the attractiveness of our services and could adversely affect our financial results.

We may expand our business through acquisitions.

        We review many acquisition candidates and, in addition to acquisitions which we have already made, we are continually evaluating new acquisition opportunities. Factors which may affect our ability to grow successfully through acquisitions include:

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difficulties and expenses in connection with integrating the acquired company and achieving the expected benefits;

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diversion of management's attention from current operations;

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the possibility that we may be adversely affected by risk factors facing the acquired companies;

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acquisitions could be dilutive to earnings, or in the event of acquisitions made through the issuance of our common stock to the shareholders of the acquired company, dilutive to the percentage of ownership of our existing stockholders;

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potential losses resulting from undiscovered liabilities of acquired companies not covered by the indemnification we may obtain from the seller;

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risks of not being able to overcome differences in foreign business practices, language and other cultural barriers in connection with the acquisition of foreign companies; and

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loss of key employees of the acquired company.

We may be affected by potential health care reform.

        In recent years the United States Congress and state legislatures have considered various types of health care reform in order to control growing health care costs. We are unable to predict what legislative proposals will be adopted in the future, if any. Similar reform movements have occurred in Europe and Asia.

        Implementation of health care reform legislation that contain costs could limit the profits that can be made from the development of new drugs. This could adversely affect research and development expenditures by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies which could in turn decrease the business opportunities available to us both in the United States and abroad. In addition, new laws or regulations may create a risk of liability, increase our costs or limit our service offerings.

Our revenues and earnings are exposed to exchange rate fluctuations.

        We derive a large portion of our net revenues from international operations. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2003, we derived approximately 34% of our net revenues from outside the United States. Our financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars. As a result, factors associated with international operations, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates, could significantly affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

The loss of our key personnel could adversely affect our business.

        Our success depends to a significant extent upon the efforts of our senior management team and other key personnel. The loss of the services of such personnel could adversely affect our business. Also, because of the nature of our business, our success is dependent upon our ability to attract and retain technologically qualified personnel. There is substantial competition for qualified personnel, and an inability to recruit or retain qualified personnel, may impact our ability to grow our business and compete effectively in our industry.

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Contract research services create a risk of liability.

        In contracting to work on drug development trials, we face a range of potential liabilities. For example:

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errors or omissions that create harm during a trial to study volunteers or after a trial to consumers of the drug after regulatory approval of the drug;

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general risks associated with our Phase I facilities, including negative consequences from the administration of drugs to clinical trial participants or the professional malpractice of Phase I medical care providers;

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errors or omissions from tests conducted for the agrochemical and food industries;

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risks that animals in our breeding facilities may be infected with diseases that may be harmful and even lethal to themselves and humans despite preventive measures contained in our company policies for the quarantine and handling of imported animals; and

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errors and omissions during a trial that may undermine the usefulness of a trial or data from the trial.

        We contract with physicians, also referred to as investigators, to conduct the clinical trials to test new drugs on human volunteers. These tests can create a risk of liability for personal injury or death to volunteers, resulting from negative reactions to the drugs administered or from professional malpractice by third party investigators, particularly to volunteers with life-threatening illnesses. We believe that our risks in this area are generally reduced by the following:

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contract provisions entitling us to be indemnified or entitling us to a limitation of liability;

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insurance maintained by our clients, investigators, and by us; and

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various regulatory requirements we must follow in connection with our business.

        Contractual indemnifications generally do not protect us against liability arising from certain of our own actions, such as negligence or misconduct. We could be materially and adversely affected if we were required to pay damages or bear the costs of defending any claim which is not covered by a contractual indemnification provision or in the event that a party who must indemnify us does not fulfill its indemnification obligations or which is beyond the level of our insurance coverage. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain such insurance coverage on terms acceptable to us.

Reliance on air transportation.

        Our central laboratories and, to a lesser extent, our other businesses, are heavily reliant on air travel for transport of clinical trial kits and other material and people, and disruption to the air travel system could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Actions of animal rights extremists may affect our business.

        Our early development services utilize animals (predominantly rodents) in preclinical testing of the safety and efficacy of drugs and also breeds and sell animals for biomedical research. Acts of vandalism and other acts by animal rights extremists who object to the use of animals in drug development could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our animal populations may suffer diseases that can damage our inventory, harm our reputation and result in decreased sales of research products.

        It is important that our research products be free of diseases, including infectious diseases. The presence of diseases can distort or compromise the quality of research results, can cause loss of animals in our inventory or other losses. Such results could harm our reputation or have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

        Our $150.0 million credit facility is U.S. Dollar denominated and is not subject to transaction or translation exposure. Interest on all outstanding borrowings under this credit facility is based upon LIBOR plus a margin. We did not have any outstanding borrowings under our credit facility during any part of the nine month period ended September 30, 2003.

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, approximately 34% of our net revenues were derived from our operations outside the United States. We do not engage in derivative or hedging activities related to our potential foreign exchange exposures. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates—Foreign Currency Risks" for a more detailed discussion of our foreign currency risks and exposures.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

        Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered in this report. Based on that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's current disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in the other factors that significantly affect those controls.

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Part II. Other Information

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)    Exhibits

(b)    Reports on Form 8-K

        During the three month period ended September 30, 2003, one report on Form 8-K was filed. The report dated July 29, 2003, was filed reporting the issuance of a press release on July 23, 2003 announcing Covance's financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

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QuickLinks

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations