Kendle International Expands Global Clinical Development Capabilities Through Acquisition Of Latin America CRO IC-Research

CINCINNATI, March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Kendle , a leading global full-service clinical research organization (CRO), today announced it has entered into agreements to acquire Latin America CRO International Clinical Research Limited (the company) and related companies, further strengthening its global clinical development capabilities in the Phase II-IV arena through new operations in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Chile. Kendle's global clinical development business is organized in five regions -- North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, Latin America and Africa -- to meet customer needs. The move supports Kendle's strategic business expansion in high-growth regions to deliver global trials for its biopharmaceutical customers, and builds on existing capabilities in Mexico and Peru to position it as a leading drug development partner in Latin America. The acquisition is the culmination of an ongoing successful relationship between Kendle and IC-Research, in which the two companies have worked together in recent years on drug development programs in Latin America.

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"We are thrilled to be able to offer our customers the benefit of expanded reach and expertise in Latin America for their global clinical trials," said Candace Kendle, PharmD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "This acquisition builds on our thriving operations in the region and positions Kendle to drive future growth in our global clinical development business."

Kendle will acquire the company for an undisclosed cash amount. Specific terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions. It is expected to be modestly accretive to earnings in 2006. The acquired operations will operate under the Kendle name and will report to Dennis Hurley, DrSc, Vice President, Global Clinical Development - Latin America.

Founded in 2002 by Raul Bozzo, MD, the company has approximately 25 clinical associates offering extensive CRO and biopharmaceutical industry experience in Phase II-IV clinical development, with significant therapeutic strengths in cardiovascular, oncology, central nervous system, endocrinology, infectious disease and pain/inflammation. Upon completion of the acquisition, Bozzo will assume the role of Medical Director, Latin America and Country Manager for Argentina and Chile. Mariagabriela Alterio, M.S., and Alcione Braga will serve as country managers for the new operations in Colombia and Brazil, respectively.

"We are excited to join Kendle," said Dr. Bozzo, "We believe this merger will provide great benefit to our customers, to our associates, and to the development of clinical research in Latin America. Joining a global organization opens a world of opportunity for us. Kendle's reach will bring a wider variety of trials to the region, and our highly specialized staff and country-specific expertise will add value to Kendle's Latin America operations."

About Kendle

Kendle International Inc. is among the world's leading global clinical research organizations. We deliver innovative and robust clinical development solutions -- from first-in-human studies through market launch and surveillance -- to help the world's biopharmaceutical companies maximize product life cycles and grow market share. With the expertise of our nearly 2,000 associates worldwide, Kendle has conducted clinical trials or provided regulatory, pharmacovigilance and validation services in 70 countries. Kendle was the 10th best-performing stock on the Nasdaq for 2005. Additional information and investor kits are available upon request from Kendle, 1200 Carew Tower, 441 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, or from our corporate Web site at www.kendle.com.

Information provided herein, which is not historical information, such as statements about prospective earnings, revenue and earnings growth, are forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such forward-looking statements, including the statements contained herein regarding anticipated trends in Kendle's business, are based largely on management's expectations and are subject to and qualified by risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, competitive factors and industry consolidation, outsourcing trends in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, the Company's ability to manage growth and to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel, the Company's ability to complete additional acquisitions and to integrate newly acquired businesses, the Company's ability to penetrate new markets, the fixed price nature of contracts or the loss of large contracts, cancellation or delay of contracts, the progress of ongoing contracts, the ability to maintain existing customer relationships or enter into new ones, cost overruns, the Company's sales cycle, the effects of exchange rate fluctuations, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the Annual Report on Form 10-K. All information in this release is current as of March 9, 2006. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.

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CONTACT: Patty Frank, Investors, +1-513-763-1992, or Lori Dorer, Media,+1-513-345-1685, both of Kendle International Inc.

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