Fortrea

{{Infobox company

| name = Fortrea Holdings Inc.

| logo =

| type = Public company

| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list|{{NASDAQ|FTRE}}|S&P 600 component|Russell 1000 component}}

| industry = Pharmaceutical industry

| foundation = 1968 as Environmental Sciences Corporation
1996 as Covance
{{start date and age|2023|01|31}} as Fortrea

| location = Durham, North Carolina, U.S.; operations in over 90 countries

| key_people = {{unbulleted list |Thomas Pike, President, CEO, Chairman
Jill McConnell, CFO }}

| services = Contract research organization

| revenue = {{ubl|{{nowrap|{{increase}} US$3.109 billion (2023)}}}}

| operating_income = {{ubl|{{nowrap|{{decrease}} US$63 million (2023)}}}}

| net_income = {{ubl|{{nowrap|{{decrease}} -US$3 million (2023)}}}}

| assets = {{ubl|{{nowrap|{{increase}} US$4.357 billion (2023)}}}}

| equity = {{ubl|{{nowrap|{{decrease}} US$1.738 billion (2023)}}}}

| num_employees = Approximately 18,000 (2023)

| homepage = {{URL|fortrea.com}}

| footnotes = {{cite web | url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1965040/000196504024000010/ftre-20231231.htm | title=Fortrea Holdings Inc. Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023 | publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | date=March 13, 2024}}{{Cite web | url=https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/ecorp/entitysearch/NameSearch.aspx | title=General Information Name Search | publisher=Delaware}}

}}

Fortrea Holdings Inc. is a contract research organization organized in Delaware and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina with operations in 90 countries. Its customers are primarily in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries.

Its primary business is handling all aspects of clinical trials including phase I through IV clinical trial management, clinical pharmacology, and post-approval services. It handles regulatory affairs, protocol design, operational planning, study and site start-up, patient recruitment, project management, monitoring, data management and biostatistics, pharmacovigilance, medical writing, and mobile clinical services. It focuses on oncology, central nervous system and neurodegenerative, rare diseases, and cell and gene therapies. In the five years ending in 2023, it conducted more than 5,850 clinical trials involving over 1 million subjects. It also conducted over 600 studies for medical device companies.

The company is one of the largest participants in the international primate trade and has been criticized for its animal testing practices, most specifically animal testing on non-human primates.

The company traces its roots to Environmental Sciences Corporation, formed in 1968. It was known as Hazleton from 1972 to 1990, Corning Lab Services from 1990 to 1996, Covance from 1996 to 2021, and Labcorp Drug Development from 2021 to 2023.

History

=1968–1999=

In 1968, Environmental Sciences Corporation was established in Seattle, Washington, manufacturing equipment related to laboratory animals.{{Cite encyclopedia | url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/covance-inc | title=Covance Inc. | encyclopedia=Encyclopedia.com}} In 1972, it acquired and took the name of Hazleton Laboratories, a contract laboratory that conducted toxicology testing. In 1977, Corning Inc. purchased a stake in Hazleton and in 1987, it acquired the remainder of the company for $115 million.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/03/business/company-news-corning-hazleton.html | title=COMPANY NEWS; Corning-Hazleton | agency=Reuters | work=The New York Times | date=January 3, 1987 | url-access=limited}} By 1982, Hazleton was the largest independent biological testing company and life sciences laboratory in the U.S. and the largest laboratory equipment manufacturer worldwide. The company carried out animal toxicology tests of drugs, cosmetics, pesticides, and industrial chemicals, and bred rhesus monkeys and beagles for its own labs, as well as for chemical and drug companies, hospitals, universities and government agencies. It offered chemical analysis of new compound products for various industries, tested chemicals for gene mutations, and carried out research with monoclonal antibodies. It sold the equipment manufacturing unit in the mid-1980s.

In 1989, Corning Glass Works acquired G.H. Besselaar Associates, which conducted clinical trials for drug approvals.{{Cite news | url=https://www.joc.com/article/corning-glass-to-acquire-gh-besselaar-associates-5592712 | title=CORNING GLASS TO ACQUIRE G.H. BESSELAAR ASSOCIATES | work=The Journal of Commerce | date=December 26, 1988}} In 1990, Hazleton acquired Microtest, a molecular toxicology center in York, England. Corning Glass Works changed its name to Corning, and folded Besselaar and Hazelton into a new subsidiary, Corning Lab Services. In 1991, Corning Lab Services acquired SciCor.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/30/business/briefs-215091.html | title=Briefs | work=The New York Times | date=March 30, 1991 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306235526/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/30/business/briefs-215091.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm | archive-date=March 6, 2016 | url-status=live}}

In 1992, it acquired Philadelphia Association of Clinical Trials. In 1993, Hazleton, Besselaar, and SciCor were combined into Corning Pharmaceutical Services, then Corning Life Sciences.

In 1995, Corning Pharmaceutical Services acquired National Packaging Systems, an Allentown, Pennsylvania-based clinical trial packaging company.

In 1997, Corning completed the corporate spin-off of its laboratory testing business as Quest Diagnostics and its pharmaceutical services business as Covance.{{Cite press release | url=https://ir.questdiagnostics.com/press-releases/press-release-details/1997/Corning-Incorporated-Completes-Spin-off-of-Quest-Diagnostics-and-Covance-to-Shareholders/default.aspx | title=Corning Incorporated Completes Spin-off of Quest Diagnostics and Covance to Shareholders | publisher=Quest Diagnostics | date=January 2, 1997}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/28/business/corning-to-spin-off-2-subsidiaries-to-shareholders.html | title=Corning to Spin Off 2 Subsidiaries to Shareholders | agency=Reuters | work=The New York Times |date=November 28, 1996 | url-access=subscription | issn=0362-4331}}

In the fourth quarter of 1998, the company acquired GDXI, which undertakes the capture and interpretation of electrocardiograms, and Berkeley Antibody Company, which provides contract services in custom antibody production, applied immunology, and custom animal testing to support the medical device industry and preclinical evaluations, for a total of $26 million in cash.{{cite web | url=http://getfilings.com/o0000950146-99-000442.html | title=Covance Inc. FORM 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1998 | publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | date=March 4, 1999}}

=2000-present=

In 2000, the company opened a central laboratory in Singapore, building on clinical-development services formed in Singapore in 1996.{{cite web | url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1023131/000091205701007596/a2040379z10-k405.htm | title=Covance Inc. FORM 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2000 | publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | date=March 13, 2001}}{{Cite press release | url=https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/the-opening-of-covance-(asia)-pte-ltd's-expanded-central-laboratory | title=The opening of Covance (Asia) Pte Ltd's expanded central laboratory | publisher=Ministry of Health | date=7 April 2006}} In 2013, it expanded the capacity of the laboratory by 50%.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/covance-expands-singapore-central-laboratory-by-50-percent-to-meet-clients-increased-asia-pacific-focus-203138061.html | title=Covance Expands Singapore Central Laboratory by 50 Percent to Meet Clients' Increased Asia Pacific Focus | publisher=PR Newswire | date=April 16, 2013}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/cro/covance-expands-singapore-central-laboratory-by-50-percent-to-meet-clients-increased-asia | title=Covance Expands Singapore Central Laboratory by 50 Percent to Meet Clients' Increased Asia Pacific Focus | first=Damian | last=Garde | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=April 16, 2013}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.asianscientist.com/2013/04/pharma/cro-covance-expands-laboratory-singapore-2013/ | title=CRO Covance Expands Laboratory In Singapore | work=Asian Scientist | date=April 22, 2013}}

In March 2001, the company sold Covance Pharmaceutical Packaging Services to Fisher Scientific for $137.5 million.{{cite news | url=https://manufacturingchemist.com/fisher-completes-covance-deal-32159 | title=Fisher completes Covance deal | work=Manufacturing Chemist | date=March 2, 2001}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/12/27/business/company-news-fisher-scientific-to-buy-packaging-unit-of-covance.html | title=COMPANY NEWS; FISHER SCIENTIFIC TO BUY PACKAGING UNIT OF COVANCE | agency=Reuters | work=The New York Times | date=December 27, 2000 | url-access=limited}}{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB977842262953830896 | title=Fisher Scientific to Acquire Packaging Unit of Covance | work=The Wall Street Journal | date=December 26, 2000 | url-access=subscription}}

In August 2005, it acquired GFI Clinical Services, an 80-bed clinical pharmacology business, from West Pharmaceutical Services for $5.7 million.{{Cite news | url=https://www.14news.com/story/3756032/west-pharmaceutical-sells-evansville-gfi-assets/ | title=West Pharmaceutical Sells Evansville GFI Assets | work=WFIE | date=August 23, 2005}}

In April 2006, the company acquired eight early phase clinical pharmacology sites from Radiant Research for $65 million.{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/covance-buys-eight-trial-sites-for-65m | title=Covance buys eight trial sites for $65M | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=April 20, 2006}}{{Cite press release | url=https://www.chron.com/news/article/prn-covance-to-increase-phase-i-iia-capacity-1869976.php | title=Covance to Increase Phase I/IIa Capacity With Acquisition of Eight Early Clinical Development Sites From Radiant Research | publisher=PR Newswire | date=April 20, 2006}}{{Cite press release | url=https://www.biospace.com/radiant-research-completes-sale-of-clinical-pharmacology-business-unit-for-approximately-65-million | title=Radiant Research Completes Sale Of Clinical Pharmacology Business Unit For Approximately $65 Million | publisher=Business Wire | date=June 1, 2006}}

In June 2006, it acquired Signet Laboratories, a provider of monoclonal antibodies used in the research of cancer, infectious disease, and neurodegenerative disease, for $8.95 million.{{cite press release | url=https://www.biospace.com/covance-inc-expands-its-antibody-products-and-services-with-the-acquisition-of-signet-laboratories-inc-for-8-95-million | title=Covance Inc. Expands Its Antibody Products And Services With The Acquisition Of Signet Laboratories, Inc. For $8.95 Million | publisher=PR Newswire | date=June 1, 2006}}

In 2007, the company opened a laboratory in Shanghai, China.{{cite press release | url=https://www.biospace.com/covance-inc-central-laboratory-receives-cap-accreditation-in-china | title=Covance Inc. Central Laboratory Receives CAP Accreditation in China | publisher=PR Newswire | date=April 6, 2009}} In 2019, it opened a research and development center in Shanghai.{{Cite press release | url=https://ir.labcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/covance-unveils-new-rd-center-shanghai | title=Covance Unveils New R&D Center in Shanghai | publisher=Labcorp | date=September 10, 2019}}

In August 2008, the company acquired a campus in Greenfield, Indiana from Eli Lilly and Company and executed a 10-year service drug development service agreement with Lilly.{{Cite press release | url=https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lilly-sells-its-greenfield-indiana-operations-covance-expands | title=Lilly Sells its Greenfield, Indiana, Operations to Covance; Expands Existing Collaboration Between the Two Companies | publisher=Eli Lilly & Company | date=August 6, 2008}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/covance-and-eli-lilly-and-company-execute-10-year-1-6-billion-services-contract-covance-to | title=Covance and Eli Lilly and Company Execute 10-Year, $1.6 Billion Services Contract; Covance to Acquire Lilly's Greenfield, Indian | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=August 6, 2008}}

In December 2008, the company acquired a minority equity stake in Caprion Proteomics, a provider of proteomics-based services to the pharmaceutical industry.{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/covance-purchases-equity-stake-caprion-proteomics | title=Covance Purchases Equity Stake in Caprion Proteomics | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=December 16, 2008}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.genengnews.com/news/covance-purchases-equity-stake-in-caprion-proteomics/ | title=Covance Purchases Equity Stake in Caprion Proteomics | work=Mary Ann Liebert | date=December 17, 2008}} The company was acquired by Chicago Growth Partners in July 2012.{{Cite web | url=https://www.mccarthy.ca/en/work/cases/chicago-caprion-proteomics-completes-sale-chicago-growth-partners | title=Chicago Caprion Proteomics completes sale to Chicago Growth Partners | publisher=McCarthy Tétrault}}

In 2009, the company acquired the Gene Expression Laboratory from Merck & Co. and entered into a five-year, $145 million contract to provide Merck with genomic analysis services.{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/covance-to-acquire-seattle-based-gene-expression-laboratory-from-merck-co-inc | title=Covance to Acquire Seattle-Based Gene Expression Laboratory from Merck & Co., Inc. | first=Calisha | last=Myers | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=August 10, 2009}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/covance-purchases-equity-stake-caprion-proteomics | title=Covance Purchases Equity Stake in Caprion Proteomics | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=December 16, 2008}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.genengnews.com/topics/omics/covance-takes-over-merck-co-s-gene-expression-lab-and-gains-145m-contract/ | title=Covance Takes Over Merck & Co.'s Gene-Expression Lab and Gains $145M Contract | work=Mary Ann Liebert | date=July 30, 2009}}

In 2010, the company and Sanofi-Aventis created an outsourcing partnership, which, at the time was considered the largest between a contract research organization and a pharmaceutical company. Covance also acquired sites from Sanofi-Aventis in Porcheville, France and Alnwick, United Kingdom.{{cite news | url=https://www.ft.com/content/096318ca-ccc1-11df-a1eb-00144feab49a | title=Sanofi-Aventis in $2.2bn deal with Covance | first=Andrew | last=Jack | work=Financial Times | date=October 1, 2010}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/sanofi-ejects-two-r-d-sites-forges-2-2b-pact-covance | title=Sanofi ejects two R&D sites, forges $2.2B pact with Covance | first=John | last=Carroll | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=September 30, 2010}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/sanofi-aventis-sells-two-cmc-sites-to-covance-for-25m-in-1-2b-services-deal/ | title=Sanofi-Aventis Sells Two CMC Sites to Covance for $25M in $1–2B Services Deal | work=Mary Ann Liebert | date=September 30, 2010}}

In 2014, the company acquired Medaxial, a London-based value communication consultancy.{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/cro/covance-acquires-medaxial | title=Covance Acquires Medaxial | first=Damian | last=Garde | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=May 19, 2014}}

In February 2015, Labcorp acquired Covance for $6.1 billion in cash and stock.{{Cite press release | url=https://ir.labcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/labcorp-completes-acquisition-covance | title=LabCorp Completes Acquisition of Covance | publisher=Labcorp | date=February 19, 2015}}{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2015/02/19/covance-purchase-a-done-deal-for-labcorp.html | title=Covance purchase a done deal for LabCorp | first=Owen | last=Covington | work=American City Business Journals | date=February 19, 2015 | url-access=subscription}}

In 2016, the company entered into a strategic alliance with Global Specimen Solutions, in which the company offered GSS products GlobalCODE and snapTRACK to its clients.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/global_specimen_solutions_inc_announces_5_year_strategic_alliance_with_covance/prweb13762383.htm | title=Global Specimen Solutions, Inc. Announces 5-Year Strategic Alliance with Covance | publisher=PR Web | date=October 13, 2016}} In December 2017, Covance acquired the company.{{cite web | url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/920148/000092014818000024/lh10-k2017.htm | title=LABORATORY CORPORATION OF AMERICA HOLDINGS FORM 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017 | publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | date=February 22, 2018}}

In September 2017, the company acquired Chiltern, a specialty contract research organization, for $1.2 billion in cash.{{Cite press release | url=https://ir.labcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/labcorp-completes-acquisition-chiltern | title=LabCorp Completes Acquisition of Chiltern | publisher=Labcorp | date=September 1, 2017}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/cro/labcorp-snaps-up-chiltern-1-2b-cash-buy | title=LabCorp snaps up Chiltern in $1.2B cash buy | first=Ben | last=Adams | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=July 31, 2017}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/labcorp-acquires-chiltern-evotec-buys-aptuit-as-cros-consolidate-further/ | title=LabCorp Acquires Chiltern, Evotec Buys Aptuit as CROs Consolidate Further | work=Mary Ann Liebert | date=July 31, 2017}}

In June 2018, the company acquired Sciformix Corporation, a scientific process outsourcing company focused on pharmacovigilance and regulatory issues for biopharmaceutical and medical devices clients.{{Cite press release | url=https://ir.labcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/labcorp-expands-drug-development-solutions-acquisition-sciformix | title=LabCorp Expands Drug Development Solutions with Acquisition of Sciformix | publisher=Labcorp | date=June 11, 2018}}{{cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/cro/labcorp-acquires-sciformix-to-add-postmarket-services-to-covance-s-portfolio | title=LabCorp acquires Sciformix to add postmarket services to Covance's portfolio | first=Conor | last=Hale | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=June 11, 2018}}{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2018/06/11/labcorp-makes-another-acquisition-to-expand-its.html | title=LabCorp makes another acquisition to expand its drug development services | first=Jessica | last=Seaman | work=American City Business Journals | date=June 11, 2018 | url-access=subscription}}

In August 2018, Covance Food Solutions was sold to Eurofins Scientific for $670 million.{{cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2018/08/02/labcorp-completes-670m-sale-of-covance-food.html | title=LabCorp completes $670M sale of Covance Food Solutions | first=John | last=Joyce | work=American City Business Journals | date=August 2, 2018 | url-access=subscription}}{{Cite press release | url=https://www.eurofinsus.com/food-testing/resources/eurofins-announces-the-acquisition-of-covance-food-solutions/ | title=Eurofins Announces the Acquisition of Covance Food Solutions | publisher=Eurofins Scientific | date=August 2, 2018}}{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180429005111/en/LabCorp-Enters-Definitive-Agreement-Sell-Covance-Food | title=Labcorp Enters into Definitive Agreement to Sell Covance Food Solutions to Eurofins for $670 Million | publisher=Business Wire | date=April 30, 2018}}

In June 2019, the company acquired the nonclinical contract research services business of Envigo (now Inotiv), which acquired the research products business of the company.{{Cite press release | url=https://ir.labcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/labcorp-and-envigo-complete-innovative-transactions | title=LabCorp and Envigo Complete Innovative Transactions | publisher=Labcorp | date=June 3, 2019}}{{cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/cro/labcorp-splashes-485m-as-its-cro-unit-snaps-up-envigo-s-nonclinical-biz | title=LabCorp spends $485M as its CRO unit snaps up Envigo's nonclinical business | first=Ben | last=Adams | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=April 25, 2019}}

In the first quarter of 2019, the company spent $47 million to acquire MI Bioresearch, a provider of preclinical capabilities in cell and gene therapy and oncology testing, and Regulatory and Clinical Research Institute (RCRI), a device-focused contract research organization.{{Cite news | url=https://www.lincolninternational.com/transactions/mi-bioresearch-has-been-sold-to-covance-a-subsidiary-of-labcorp/ | title=MI Bioresearch has been sold to Covance, a subsidiary of LabCorp | work=Lincoln International | date=2019}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/cro/labcorp-s-cro-unit-covance-doubles-down-cell-and-gene-therapy-offering | title=LabCorp's CRO unit Covance doubles down on cell, gene therapy offerings | first=Ben | last=Adams | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=January 21, 2020}}

In October 2020, the company acquired GlobalCare, a mobile nursing and ambulant care company with operations in more than 65 countries, and snapIoT, a company that provides a digitized clinical platform that supports remote participation in clinical trials.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201020005645/en/LabCorp-Transforms-the-Clinical-Trial-Experience-And-Streamlines-the-Drug-Development-Process | title=LabCorp Transforms the Clinical Trial Experience And Streamlines the Drug Development Process | publisher=Business Wire | date=October 20, 2020}}

In June 2021, the company changed its name to Labcorp Drug Development.{{Cite news | url=https://www.pharmiweb.jobs/article/covance-will-soon-be-labcorp-drug-development | title=Covance will soon be Labcorp Drug Development | first=Nola | last=Cadman | website=Pharmiweb.jobs | date=June 8, 2021}}

In February 2023, the company was renamed Fortrea Holdings.{{Cite news | url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/cro/labcorps-spin-cro-business-gets-name-fortrea | title=Labcorp's spinoff CRO business gets a name—Fortrea | first=Joseph | last=Keenan | website=Fierce Biotech | publisher=MidOcean Partners | date=February 16, 2023}} In July 2023, Labcorp completed the corporate spin-off of the company.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/labcorp-completes-spin-off-of-fortrea-301868854.html | title=Labcorp Completes Spin-off of Fortrea | publisher=PR Newswire | date=July 3, 2023}}

In June 2024, the company sold its Endpoint Clinical and Fortrea Patient Access businesses to Arsenal Capital Partners.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/06/04/2892913/0/en/Fortrea-Completes-Divestiture-of-Endpoint-Clinical-and-Patient-Access-Businesses-to-Arsenal-Capital-Partners.html | title=Fortrea Completes Divestiture of Endpoint Clinical and Patient Access Businesses to Arsenal Capital Partners | publisher=Globe Newswire | date=June 4, 2024}}

Controversies

=Reston virus: monkeys with ebola virus brought to U.S.=

In December 1989, several crab-eating macaques with the Zaire ebolavirus were imported from Mindanao in the Philippines to the company's facility in Reston, Virginia.{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/03/us/deadly-virus-discovered-in-laboratory-monkeys.html | title=Deadly Virus Discovered in Laboratory Monkeys | agency=Associated Press | work=The New York Times | date=December 3, 1989 | url-access=limited}}{{Cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/12/01/deadly-ebola-virus-found-in-va-laboratory-monkey/d6d94b90-b44e-4fa6-a9d0-d67cc0970aca/ | title=Deadly Ebola Virus Found In Va. Laboratory Monkey;Animals Sent to Reston From Philippines | last=Cohn | first=D'Vera | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=December 1, 1989 | url-access=registration}} The strain of the virus became known as the Reston virus. It was the first ebola virus that emerged outside of Africa and was also the first known natural infection of ebola virus in nonhuman primates.{{Cite journal | url=https://academic.oup.com/jid/article-abstract/204/suppl_3/S757/2192225 | title=Reston ebolavirus in Humans and Animals in the Philippines: A Review | first1=Mary Elizabeth G. | last1=Miranda | first2=Noel Lee J. | last2=Miranda | journal=The Journal of Infectious Diseases | volume=204 | date=November 1, 2011| pages=S757-60 | doi=10.1093/infdis/jir296 | pmid=21987747 | url-access=subscription }} The facility was abandoned and torn down and the variant turned out to be non-lethal to humans.{{Cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/25-years-ago-in-virginia-a-very-different-ebola-outbreak/ | title=25 years ago in Virginia, a very different Ebola outbreak | agency=Associated Press | work=CBS News | date=August 10, 2014}} The incident was an inspiration for The Hot Zone, a book by Richard Preston published in 1994.{{Cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-23-mn-61751-story.html | title=MEDICINE : Texas Ebola Scare Is Over, but Coast Isn't Completely Clear | first=LIANNE | last=HART | work=Los Angeles Times | date=April 23, 1996}}

In March 1996, two macaques that had been shipped to the company's facility in Alice, Texas, tested positive for the Ebola virus from a group of 100 obtained from the same supplier. The virus strain was the same non-lethal Reston virus as in the earlier incident.

=Animal welfare issues=

==Reports from investigative journalists==

In 2003, a German investigative journalist sponsored by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) filmed 40 hours of undercover footage at the company's primate-testing facility in Münster.{{Cite news | last=Schiermeier | first=Quirin | url=https://www.nature.com/articles/427004a | title=Primate lab faces closure threat over mistreatment charge | work=Nature | date=January 1, 2004 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906182014/http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v427/n6969/full/427004a.html | archive-date=September 6, 2008 | url-status=live}} Two films were produced, which were shown on German public television in December 2003. The footage showed animal keepers dancing with half-anaesthetized monkeys, making their heads move to the rhythm of the music. It also showed rough treatment of the monkeys by the staff. The monkeys were seen living isolated in small wire cages with little or no natural light and no environmental enrichment, with high noise levels caused by staff shouting and playing the radio, and undergoing surgery with no post-operative care. In response, the company maintained that clips showing different technicians working in different buildings had been edited together, resulting in a sequence of events that did not take place. The company also said there was group housing and pair housing for some monkeys that was not shown. In the films, the treatment of the monkeys was criticized by Jane Goodall. The environment minister for North Rhine-Westphalia asked the public prosecutor to investigate, and said that if the allegations were borne out, the company would lose its licence to keep primates.{{Cite AV media | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMRgy3vOafc | title=Primate Abuse at Covance in Germany - Undercover TV | work=Alliance for Animals and the Environment | via=YouTube | date=March 20, 2014}} The company gained an injunction against the video.{{Cite news | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/monkey-abuse-film-european-court-672462/ | title=European Court Won't Lift Ban on Monkey Abuse Film | first=Eriq | last=Gardner | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=January 20, 2014}}

From April 2004 to March 2005, an undercover technician, sponsored by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), filmed the treatment of monkeys in the company's lab in Vienna, Virginia. Incidents filmed included the punching of injured monkey, failure to give veterinary care and self-mutilation by monkeys because of "failure to provide psychological enrichment".{{Cite news | url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2005/05/18/Animal-rights-group-alleges-monkey-abuse/18211116434363/ | title=Animal-rights group alleges monkey abuse | work=United Press International | date=May 18, 2005}} The United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration investigated the claims and company agreed to a settlement of $8,720 and to fix the infractions.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/04/07/story3.html | title=Plan to lure animal testing firm Covance has PETA growling | first=Vandana | last=Sinha | work=American City Business Journals | date=April 7, 2008 | url-access=subscription}}{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/01/AR2008080103886.html | last=Buske | first=Jennifer | title=PETA Urges Withdrawal Of Support for Drug-Test Lab |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 3, 2008}} In June 2005, the company filed a lawsuit in the United States against PETA and the investigator for fraud, breach of employee contract, and conspiracy.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bioworld.com/articles/463804 | title=Court report: Covance files suit vs. PETA; Scrushy says 'no plea bargain' | work=Bioworld | date=June 8, 2005}} PETA agreed to hand over all video footage and written notes to the company, and agreed to a ban on conducting any infiltration of the company for five years.{{cite web | url=https://cei.org/opeds_articles/peta-cruel-and-unusual/ | title=PETA: Cruel and Unusual | first1=Iain | last1=Murray | first2=Ivan | last2=Osorio | work=Competitive Enterprise Institute | date=January 17, 2006}} The company then dropped the lawsuit. The company filed a parallel lawsuit in England in an attempt to stop PETA showing the tape; the British judge called the footage "highly disturbing", and ruled that there was a legitimate public interest in the material being shown. The case was settled with PETA allowed to continue to publish the video.{{Cite press release | url=https://www.peta.org.uk/media/news-releases/covance-drops-appeal-of-high-court-judgment-allowing-peta-europe-to-show-video-of-monkey-abuse-inside-its-lab/ | title=Covance Drops Appeal Of High Court Judgment, Allowing PETA Europe To Show Video Of Monkey Abuse Inside Its Lab | work=People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals | date=July 26, 2005}}

==Celebrity protests of business expansion==

In 2006, Paul McCartney protested a proposed $175 million animal testing laboratory by the company in Chandler, Arizona.{{Cite news | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/mccartney-protests-against-animal-testing-lab-1c9486223 | title=McCartney protests against animal testing lab | agency=Associated Press | work=Today | date=March 8, 2006}} However, the laboratory opened in 2009.{{Cite news | url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/covance-officially-opens-chandler-lab/article_2eb91ff8-121a-5b70-9563-e95ec4012b7d.html | title=Covance officially opens Chandler lab | work=East Valley Tribune}}

==Animal welfare citations by the United States Department of Agriculture==

In June 2011, a report showed that improper housing conditions led to frostbite on the tails of many monkeys.{{Cite web | url=https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Covance-June-9-2011-monkey-frostbite-protruding-wire-3-NCIs.pdf | title=Inspection Report | work=United States Department of Agriculture | date=June 9, 2011}}

In February 2012, the company was cited after a monkey died after being entangled by an enrichment device.{{Cite web | url=https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Covance-Insp-Report-2-14-12-1-NCI-death-of-entangled-primate.pdf | title=Inspection Report | work=United States Department of Agriculture | date=February 14, 2012}}

In March 2012, the company was cited for housing a monkey in isolation for almost eight months.{{Cite web | url=https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Covance-Insp-Report-3-02-12-monkey-housed-alone-for-8-months-1-NCI.pdf | title=Inspection Report | work=United States Department of Agriculture | date=March 2, 2012}}

==Deaths of lab monkeys due to hyperthermia==

The company was fined $31,500 for four violations of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 after 13 cynomolgus monkeys died from hyperthermia in overheated rooms in September and October 2014. In July 2014, the company had transported monkeys to the facility without providing water or proper care and ignoring signs of weakness and distress. The company said it would add electronic temperature monitoring and alerts.{{Cite news | url=https://apnews.com/2f1caadef4fc45ab8ae90d991e6d4d3f | title=Texas research facility fined for deaths of primates | work=Associated Press News | date=July 29, 2016}}

==Broken bone injuries in monkeys==

In November 2023, the company was fined $9,000 due to the injuries of six monkeys between 2018 and 2022, mostly broken bones due to poor handling. After the injuries, four monkeys were euthanized.{{Cite news | url=https://madison.com/news/local/business/health-care/animal-research-labcorp-usda-peta/article_8d535898-8248-11ee-a91f-a7ce2efc3a96.html | title=Labcorp fined after animal research violations in Madison | first=David | last=Wahlberg | work=Wisconsin State Journal | date=November 13, 2023 | url-access=subscription}}