Covance Inc. is a drug development services company providing a range of early-stage and late-stage product development services on a worldwide basis primarily to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Company also provides laboratory testing services to the chemical, agrochemical and food industries. Covance maintains offices in more than 20 countries. The services it provides constitute two segments: early development services, which include preclinical services and clinical pharmacology services, and late-stage development services, which include central laboratory, clinical development, periapproval and market access services. It provides product development services on a global basis to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company served in excess of 300 biopharmaceutical companies. In March 2009, it acquired Swiss Pharma Contract, a 50-bed clinical research company based in Switzerland.