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Questions and Answers
Q: Who is
Covance and what does the company do?
Covance is one of the world's leading medical research companies. Covance
enables pharmaceutical and biotech companies to bring live-saving medicines
to patients quickly and safely as mandated by government regulations. We
have over 7,400 employees worldwide in over 20 countries.
Q: What
type of medicine is Covance working on?
Covance has made significant contributions to the development of life-saving
and life-enhancing medicines to treat diseases like breast cancer, heart
disease, deadly infections, diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis, multiple
sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and many other disabling diseases.
Q: Why
did Covance choose Chandler, AZ?
Arizona provides a very strong economic base and proximity
to the western U.S. pharmaceutical and biotech corridor.
We will also be able to provide opportunities for the strong
life-sciences talent pool in both the University of Arizona
and Arizona State University.
Q: Will
there be any special zoning for the property?
Zoning for the site will be consistent with Chandler's existing ordinances and policies.
Q: What
are the regulations governing animal testing?
Animal testing is highly regulated by federal agencies such
as the USDA and FDA under the U.S. Animal Welfare Act. Both
of these agencies conduct regular on-site inspections of
our facilities. They thoroughly review our practices, procedures,
the condition of our animals, and extensive internal documentation
of our activities. Covance's facilities are continually
subject to unannounced government inspections and are also
regularly inspected by the company's clients.
Q: PeTA
(People for the ethical Treatment of Animals) says Covance
abuses animals, is that true?
No, Covance takes very seriously our regulatory and ethical
responsibilities to treat research animals with the utmost
care and respect. The use of animals in scientific research
remains absolutely essential to developing safe and effective
new medicines to benefit people and our pets, and it is
required by law. Covance has a strong compliance record,
and has made significant contributions to the development
of life-saving and life-enhancing new medicines for HIV/AIDS,
breast cancer, heart disease, leukemia, diabetes, Alzheimer's,
and many other disabling diseases.
Q: Why
does PeTA have such an agenda against Covance?
PeTA's agenda is not solely against Covance but against
biomedical research and the development of live-saving medicines.
They have made it very clear that they oppose the use of
any animals for medical research even if it were to lead
to a cure for Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, HIV/AIDS,
breast cancer, leukemia, diabetes, and many other disabling
diseases. Their effort to block medical research that uses
animals ultimately comes at the expense of adults and children
eager for new life-saving treatment and cures.
Q: What
will the Chandler facility do?
It will be a state-of-the-art medical research lab offering
industry-leading services for the purpose of developing new
medicines to treat serious diseases. The primary work of this
facility will be to ensure promising new medicines are thoroughly
tested for safety before they are used with people.
Q: How
will Chandler benefit?
The Chandler facility will be a stable business providing
good paying jobs with good benefits and will help to diversify
the area's economy. It will offer at least 400 jobs in the
market, including study managers, directors, lab technicians,
pathologists and others. Covance's work for top pharmaceutical
and biotech clients will also help spur the growth of the
biomedical industry in the area.
Q: Does Covance conduct animal testing for cosmetics?
No. Covance does not conduct animal studies on any cosmetic products.
Q: Will the Chandler facility conduct other research besides animal testing?
Yes. The Chandler facility will conduct a wide range of chemical analysis which does not involve animals. This type of testing is done to help predict which compounds will have the greatest possibility of succeeding. Like animal research, chemical analysis is a regulatory requirement to assure the safety of new drugs before they are given to humans.
Q: Where does Covance get its animals?
Covance conducts research only on animals bred or colonized for research and obtains them from licensed providers.
Q: Are stolen or lost pets used for Covance research?
No. This is myth. Covance conducts research with animals specifically bred or colonized for research.
Q: What procedures does Covance employ to ensure public safety?
Covance has extensive physical security, veterinary supervision and staff training on the safe handling and housing of animals. We rigorously apply safety standards recommended by governing authorities in the US to protect neighboring communities and our own employees.
Q: Has Covance ever experienced an unintended release of animals?
No.
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