CINCINNATI, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kendle (Nasdaq: KNDL), a leading, global full-service clinical research organization (CRO), today announced Martha R. Feller, PhD, has rejoined the Company as Vice President and Global Head, Study Start-up, effective immediately. Dr. Feller brings to Kendle more than 30 years of senior operations leadership in the clinical development industry, including broad therapeutic expertise and vast experience in managing large-scale, multimillion-dollar global development programs. In her new role Dr. Feller will provide leadership for the Company's global Study Start-up function - including Study Start-up Management, Site Identification, Site Start-up, Clinical Trial Regulatory, Investigator Contracts and Essential Document Collection - and will focus on fostering strong site relationships to optimize timelines and deliver rapid study start-up for global clinical trials.

"Timely and efficient study start-up on global projects is essential to our business success and ability to deliver best-in-class clinical development solutions to our customers," said Stephen Cutler, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "The appointment of an experienced industry veteran to lead this important function demonstrates our commitment to delivery of site selection and start-up strategies that provide valuable time-saving results for our customers."

Dr. Feller rejoins Kendle following two years with i3 Research where she served as Executive Vice President, Global Operations responsible for Phase I-III clinical programs. From 2004 to 2009 Dr. Feller held leadership roles in Kendle's Phase II-III clinical development operations, serving most recently as Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Development. Prior to joining Kendle, she spent 24 years with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals where she held several senior-level positions, including Associate Director, New Drug Development, responsible for leading the company's global development and regulatory approval efforts for a new female testosterone patch therapy and Associate Director, Worldwide Regulatory and Medical Affairs, OTC. Dr. Feller earned a Doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and mathematics from Edgecliff College (now part of Xavier University).

About Kendle

Kendle International Inc. (Nasdaq: KNDL) is a leading global clinical research organization providing the full range of early- to late-stage clinical development services for the world's biopharmaceutical industry. Our focus is on innovative solutions that reduce cycle times for our customers and accelerate the delivery of life-enhancing products to market for the benefit of patients worldwide. As one of the world's largest global providers of Phase I-IV services, we offer experience spanning more than 100 countries, along with industry-leading patient access and retention capabilities and broad therapeutic expertise, to meet our customers' clinical development challenges.

Additional information and investor kits are available upon request from Kendle, 441 Vine Street, Suite 500, Cincinnati, OH 45202 or from the Company's website at www.kendle.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and information contained in this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Kendle intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. All such forward-looking statements, including the statements contained herein regarding anticipated study start-up efficiencies, 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 those risks as detailed from time to time in Kendle's Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as periodic reports filed with the SEC. All information in this press release is current as of Feb. 28, 2011. 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.

SOURCE Kendle International Inc.