2.4.0.81040 - Disclosure - Equity Investmentstruefalsefalse1false falsefalseD2013Q2YTDhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0001023131duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:001true 1cvd_EquityInvestmentsDisclosureAbstractcvd_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Equity Investments2false 2cvd_EquityInvestmentsTextBlockcvd_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times New Roman;"> 4.  Equity Investments   In March 2013, Covance sold its entire investment in BioClinica, Inc. (“BIOC”) for cash proceeds of $17.1 million.  The cost basis in the investment was $1.4 million, resulting in a realized gain on the sale of approximately $15.7 million. The carrying value of Covance’s investment in BIOC as of December 31, 2012 was $13.5 million, as determined based on quoted prices in an active market. The investment was reflected in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The $3.6 million increase in the carrying value prior to the date of sale resulted in a $2.8 million increase in the unrealized gain on investment, net of tax. The unrealized gain on the investment at December 31, 2012 was $12.1 million, or $7.4 million, net of tax, and was included within accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheet.   On January 31, 2013, Covance terminated its long-standing inventory supply agreement with Noveprim Limited (“Noveprim”) and surrendered its entire 47% minority equity position in Noveprim. During the second quarter of 2012, the investment was determined to be impaired due to a decline in demand for the research products supplied by Noveprim.  As a result, Covance recorded a $7.4 million impairment charge to write off the full carrying value of the investment as of June 30, 2012. The fair value of the investment was measured with an income approach using internally developed estimates of future cash flows, which are Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy. The Company then suspended equity accounting for this investment as the carrying value of its investment was zero.  During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2012, Covance recognized a loss of $0.1 million and income of $17 thousand, respectively, representing its share of Noveprim’s (losses) earnings.   In July 2012, Covance sold 100% of its investment in Caprion Proteomics (“Caprion”), a privately held company headquartered in Montreal, Canada, for cash proceeds of approximately $4.7 million and recognized a gain on the sale of approximately $1.5 million. In June 2013, Covance received an additional $0.7 million in contingent consideration in connection with the Caprion sale, upon the release of funds held in escrow, which was recorded as an additional gain on the sale. </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaThis element represents the required disclosures for investments, including those accounted for under the cost method and the equity method, and available-for-sale securities.No definition available.false0Equity InvestmentsfalseEquity InvestmentsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.covance.com/role/DisclosureEquityInvestments12