PRA International Adds Dr. Susan Stansfield as Executive Vice President

RESTON, Va., Sept. 5  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PRA International (NASDAQ:PRAI), a leading clinical research organization, today announced the appointment of Dr. Susan C. Stansfield as Executive Vice President, with responsibility for Product Registration activities in Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific.  David Dockhorn, Executive Vice President, will continue to have responsibility for Product Registration activities for the Americas.

"We are very pleased to continue the process of strengthening our management team with the addition of Dr. Susan Stansfield," said Terrance J. Bieker, chief executive officer of PRA International.  "The appointment of an executive dedicated to Product Registration activities in Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific reflects the growing scale of our international operations and the additional opportunities we have to continue growing this part of our business.  Dr. Stansfield has built an exceptional track record for managing world-class clinical research organizations and delivering results that increase repeat business and attract new relationships.  Dr. Stansfield shares the client-centric focus that is a core value of PRA, and we believe she is well suited to take our international operations to the next level."

Dr. Stansfield has more than 20 years of experience in the clinical research industry.  She joins PRA International from Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. (PPD), where she most recently served as Senior Vice President, Project Management and Clinical Operations, Europe.  In her six years at PPD, Dr. Stansfield built her organization from 250 people to more than 1,750 people operating in 50 countries, while directing the successful execution of client projects and developing new business opportunities.  Under Dr. Stansfield's management, the European operations achieved substantial increases in revenue, gross profit and operating margin.

Dr. Stansfield has also held senior management positions at Quintiles and Innovex, where she was responsible for business process improvement and managing full-service clinical research projects.  Dr. Stansfield began her career in clinical research in various positions with the Wellcome Research Foundation, the Janssen Research Foundation, and Parke Davis.

Dr. Stansfield has a BSc in Physiology and Biochemistry from Nottingham University and a PhD in Neuropharmacology from Reading University.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to PRA International's future financial and business performance, as well as any other predictive statements that depend on future events or conditions, or that include words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "may," "will," "estimate" or similar expressions of futurity.  You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which represent the company's statements only as of the date of this news release and are not intended to give any assurance as to actual future events.  Factors that might cause future events to differ include: operational and personnel challenges that could result from management changes; the ability to execute our strategy during management transitions; the ongoing need for early and late phase drug development services; project cancellations and timing issues; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to continue providing our services effectively, including the quality or accuracy of the data or reports provided and our ability to meet agreed-upon schedules; the ability and willingness of our clients to continue to spend on research and development at rates comparable to or greater than historical levels; trends or events affecting the CRO industry and the demand for CRO services; government regulation, including regulatory standards applicable to CRO services; evolving industry standards and technological changes; and general business and economic conditions. Events relating to PRA International could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Although these statements are based upon assumptions company management believes to be reasonable based upon available information, they are subject to the foregoing risks and uncertainties as well as those described more fully in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of our annual report on Form 10-K.  This document can be accessed in the SEC's EDGAR database found at http://www.sec.gov/.  Please note that PRA International assumes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this release, except as required by applicable securities laws.

About PRA International

PRA International is one of the world's leading global clinical development organizations, with over 2,700 employees working from offices in North America, Europe, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. PRA delivers services to its clients through a unique approach called Project Assurance(R), which represents the company's commitment to reliable service delivery, program-level therapeutic expertise, easy, global access to knowledge, and involved senior management.

To learn more about PRA International, please visit http://www.prainternational.com/ or call our World Headquarters at [phone]. 

DATASOURCE: PRA International



CONTACT:  John Lewis, Director-Marketing and Public Relations of PRA

International, [phone]; or Kathy Waller of Financial Relations Board,

[phone], for PRA International



Web site: http://www.prainternational.com/ 

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