(Wilmington, N.C.) PPD, Inc. (Nasdaq: PPDI) reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

PPD recorded net revenue of $369.9 million for the second quarter of 2010, compared to $354.6 million for the second quarter of 2009. Second quarter 2010 operating income was $40.1 million, compared to $58.3 million for the same period in 2009. Operating income for the second quarter of 2010 was lower than the same period last year due primarily to operating and integration expenses related to PPD’s recent acquisitions and an increase in business development expenses. Second quarter 2010 operating income was also impacted by increased compound partnering research and development expenses prior to the spin-off and general and administrative costs related to the spin-off. These costs will not continue since the spin-off was completed in mid-June.

Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2010 were $0.18, compared to $0.49 for the second quarter of 2009. Second quarter 2009 diluted earnings per share included the after-tax gain on the sale of Piedmont Research Center of $0.16 per share. Second quarter 2010 diluted earnings per share included a charge for income taxes of $3.8 million, or $0.03 per share, related to the spin-off of PPD’s compound partnering business and a loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, of $2.6 million, or $0.02 per share, resulting from the closing of the company’s dermatology business unit. The dermatology business unit was part of PPD’s discovery sciences segment, and the financial results for this business unit have been reported in discontinued operations.

“We were pleased to continue the momentum from the first quarter necessary to achieve our 2010 goals,” said David Grange, chief executive officer of PPD. “During the second quarter, we delivered strong gross authorizations, cancellations and adjustments were lower than historic levels, and development segment operating margin expanded on a sequential basis. We continue to focus on building value for the future through strategic investments and customer expansion and penetration, and we remain committed to providing innovative, high-quality services to create value for our clients and shareholders.”

Segment Performance

Development segment net revenue for the second quarter of 2010 was $333.8 million, compared to $330.2 million for the second quarter of 2009. Development segment income from operations for the second quarter of 2010 was $43.1 million, compared to $58.9 million for the second quarter of 2009.

As previously announced, PPD completed the spin-off of Furiex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on June 14, 2010. Discovery sciences segment net revenue for the second quarter of 2010 was $7.7 million, compared to $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2009. Second quarter 2010 net revenue for this segment included a $7.5 million milestone payment from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited triggered by regulatory and pricing approvals for NESINA® (alogliptin) in Japan. Discovery sciences segment loss from operations for the second quarter of 2010 was $3.0 million, compared to a loss from operations of $0.7 million for the same period in 2009.

Other Financial Information

Gross authorizations for the second quarter of 2010 totaled $610.5 million. Backlog at June 30, 2010, was $3.23 billion. Contract cancellations and adjustments for the quarter were $145.3 million.

Year-to-date days sales outstanding at June 30, 2010, were 22.6 days, compared to 31.3 days at December 31, 2009. Cash flow from operations for the second quarter of 2010 was $59.5 million. At June 30, 2010, PPD had $575.1 million in cash and investments, after giving effect to the payment of the company’s second quarter dividend and the transfer of $100.0 million in cash to Furiex.

The effective tax rate for continuing operations in the second quarter of 2010 was 42.6 percent. The tax rate was higher than prior periods due primarily to an income tax charge of $3.8 million related to the spin-off of the company’s compound partnering business.

“Our performance for the second quarter highlights our client focus and operational and financial discipline to drive long-term value for our shareholders,” said Fred Eshelman, executive chairman of PPD. “We continue to differentiate PPD through innovative leadership and scientific and medical excellence, and believe PPD is solidly positioned to execute its global business strategy in 2010.”

PPD will conduct a live conference call and webcast July 28, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss its second quarter 2010 results. A Q&A session will follow. All interested parties can access the webcast through the Presentations & Events link in the Investors section of the PPD Web site at www.ppdi.com. The webcast will be archived shortly after the call for on-demand replay.

PPD is a leading global contract research organization, celebrating 25 years of providing drug discovery, development and lifecycle management services. Our clients and partners include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic and government organizations. With offices in 41 countries and more than 10,500 professionals worldwide, PPD applies innovative technologies, therapeutic expertise and a commitment to quality to help clients and partners accelerate the delivery of safe and effective therapeutics and maximize the returns on their R&D investments. For more information, visit www.ppdi.com.