CINCINNATI, Nov. 23--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest Kendle International Inc. (Nasdaq: KNDL), a leading, global full-service clinical research organization, today announced the appointment of Ric DeGaris, PhD, as Country Manager, Australia, effective Jan. 1, 2005. DeGaris replaces George Mihaly, PhD, who is retiring. In his new role, DeGaris will be responsible for Kendle's clinical operations in Australia, including business development, financial performance, clinical project management, human resources and facilities management. He currently serves as Director, Business Development for Kendle's Australian operations, a position he has held since February 2002. Before that, he worked for Kendle as a contract consultant on a variety of clinical research, regulatory and health outcomes projects. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030429/KNDLLOGO ) "Ric possesses a wealth of clinical research and pharmaceutical industry experience," said Alan Boyce, Vice President, Europe. "He has proven to be a strong leader and an accomplished business development professional. We look forward to his continued contributions and thank George for his years of service in establishing Kendle as a leading CRO in the Asia/Pacific region." DeGaris was a Founding Director of SYNERmedica Pty. Ltd., an Australian-based CRO acquired by Kendle in 2000. Before that, he worked for the Australian subsidiary of pharmaceutical company Farmitalia Carlo Erba (later acquired by Pharmacia) in a variety of clinical research, medical affairs and quality assurance positions. In all, DeGaris possesses more than 20 years of experience within the Australian biopharmaceutical industry. DeGaris earned his doctorate in pharmacology and his bachelor of science (Hons), First Class, from Monash University, Australia. He is a member of the Association of Regulatory and Clinical Scientists, Australian Society for Reproductive Biology, Australian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists and Australian Physiological and Pharmacological Society. Mihaly founded SYNERmedica in 1994 and under his leadership it became the largest local clinical research organization in Australia with offices in both Melbourne and Sydney. He assumed the role of Country Manager upon Kendle's acquisition of the company. Today, Kendle's Australian operations include more than 60 associates in Melbourne and Sydney. About Kendle International Inc. Kendle International Inc. (Nasdaq: KNDL) is among the world's leading global clinical research organizations. We deliver innovative and robust clinical development solutions -- from first-in-man studies through market launch and surveillance -- to help the world's biopharmaceutical companies maximize product life cycles and grow market share. With headquarters in Cincinnati and more than 1,700 associates worldwide, Kendle has conducted clinical trials or provided regulatory and validation services in more than 60 countries. Investor kits are available upon request from Kendle International Inc., 1200 Carew Tower, 441 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, or from the company's Web site at http://www.kendle.com . SOURCE Kendle International Inc. CONTACT: Investors, Buzz Brenkert, +1-513-345-1525, or Media, Lori Dorer, +1-513-345-1685, both of Kendle International Inc. FCMN Contact: [email protected] Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030429/KNDLLOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, [email protected] Web site: http://www.kendle.com --Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--