Covance appoints new chief operating officer

Covance has announced that Wendel Barr has been appointed as its chief operating officer.

Mr Barr is currently president of early development in North America and will begin his new position on January 1st 2008.

As part of his new role he will assume responsibility for Covance’s business units worldwide.

In a further announcement, Covance revealed that Mike Lehmann, currently general manager of the preclinical laboratory facility in Madison, will become president of laboratories in North America.

Joe Herring, chairman and chief executive officer, said: "These moves reflect the depth and strength of our leadership talent that enables us to promote executives from within Covance."

"Wendel is a proven leader who has demonstrated exemplary management capabilities, a track record of accomplishment, and strong client focus, as reflected by the impressive growth and expansion of our Early Development North America operations."

He added that the new appointments will enable the company to focus upon strategies to continue growth and deliver value to clients and employees.

Covance is a worldwide drug development services company, with global operations in more than 20 countries.