Princeton company expands in Arizona

Princeton drug-testing company Covance Inc. is building a $100 million facility in Chandler, Ariz.

The company, one of the world's largest drug-testers, has nearly 9,000 workers in more than 20 countries. The Arizona site will serve West Coast clients.

Covance was founded in 1997 as a spinoff of Corning Inc., the glass and ceramics maker.

The company plans to test chemicals and potential drugs on mice, rats, dogs and monkeys at the new facility. Human clinical trials of drugs could follow if Covance expands on its 77-acre site.

Animal-rights groups critical of Covance protested the planned expansion and had hoped to prevent the Chandler facility from being built.

Economic development officials in Arizona hope the new facility will bring $1.8 million annually to the area's economy.

-AP