QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP
S-3, 1996-12-30
COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
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<PAGE>   1
 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 30, 1996
 
                                                 REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                             ---------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
                NORTH CAROLINA                                  56-1714315
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
               or organization)
</TABLE>
 
                             4709 CREEKSTONE DRIVE
                         RIVERBIRCH BUILDING, SUITE 300
                       DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA 27703-8411
                                 (919) 941-2000
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                           DENNIS B. GILLINGS, PH.D.
                      CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.
                             4709 CREEKSTONE DRIVE
                         RIVERBIRCH BUILDING, SUITE 300
                       DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA 27703-8411
                                 (919) 941-2000
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                             ---------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
                             GERALD F. ROACH, ESQ.
                              AMY J. MEYERS, ESQ.
                            SMITH, ANDERSON, BLOUNT,
                      DORSETT, MITCHELL & JERNIGAN, L.L.P.
                        2500 FIRST UNION CAPITOL CENTER
                         RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27601
                                 (919) 821-1220
                             ---------------------
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
    If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  [ ]
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [X]
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
                             ---------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           PROPOSED         PROPOSED
                                          AMOUNT            MAXIMUM          MAXIMUM         AMOUNT OF
       TITLE OF EACH CLASS                 TO BE        OFFERING PRICE      AGGREGATE      REGISTRATION
 OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED         REGISTERED      PER SECURITY(1) OFFERING PRICE(1)        FEE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                <C>              <C>              <C>
4.25% Convertible Subordinated
  Notes Due May 31, 2000.........       $75,990,000          100%          $75,990,000      $23,024.97
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value.....       918,282(2)            N/A              N/A            N/A(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457(i). Exclusive of accrued interest, if any.
(2) Represents the number of shares of Common Stock presently issuable upon
    conversion of the Notes being registered hereunder, together with an
    additional indeterminate number of shares as may become issuable upon
    conversion by reason of adjustments in the conversion price. If issued, such
    shares of Common Stock will be issued for no additional consideration and
    therefore no registration fee is required.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 457(i), no registration fee is required for the shares of
    Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes as such shares will be
    issued for no additional consideration.
                             ---------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
PROSPECTUS (SUBJECT TO COMPLETION)
 
DATED             , 1996
 
                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.
                                  $75,990,000
 
             4.25% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE MAY 31, 2000
                  (INTEREST PAYABLE ON MAY 31 AND NOVEMBER 30)
 
                                      AND
 
           918,282 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE,
     ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF SUCH 4.25% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES
                             ---------------------
 
    This Prospectus relates to the offer for resale from time to time for the
accounts of holders of Notes named herein (the "Selling Holders") of up to
$75,990,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes
due May 31, 2000 (the "Notes") of Quintiles Transnational Corp., a North
Carolina corporation ("Quintiles" or the "Company"), and the 918,282 shares of
the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, (the "Common Stock") that
are issuable upon conversion of the Notes at the initial conversion rate of
12.0846 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (equivalent to a conversion
price of $82.75 per share), subject to adjustment in certain events (the
"Conversion Shares", together with the Notes, the "Offered Securities"). The
Registration Statement (of which this Prospectus is a part) does not cover the
issuance of the Conversion Shares upon conversion of the Notes into shares of
Common Stock. See "Selling Holders" and "Plan of Distribution." None of the
Notes have been converted into Conversion Shares as of the date hereof.
Information concerning the Selling Holders may change from time to time and, to
the extent required, will be set forth in supplements to this Prospectus.
 
    The Notes are convertible at any time on or after August 21, 1996 and prior
to the close of business on the maturity date, unless previously redeemed or
repurchased, at a conversion rate of 12.0846 shares per $1,000 principal amount
of Notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $82.75 per share), subject to
adjustment in certain events. See, "Description of Notes -- Conversion Rights."
 
    Interest on the Notes is payable on May 31 and November 30 of each year,
commencing on November 30, 1996. Principal and interest payments will be made
without any deduction for U.S. withholding taxes, except to the extent described
under "Description of Notes -- Payment of Additional Amounts". The Notes are
redeemable (a) in the event of certain developments involving U.S. withholding
taxes or certification requirements (as described under "Description of
Notes -- Redemption -- Redemption for Taxation Reasons"), at a redemption price
of 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued
interest to the redemption date, and (b) at the option of the Company, on or
after the close of business on May 31, 1999, in whole or in part, at the
redemption price set forth herein, plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
See "Description of Notes -- Redemption." The Notes are not entitled to any
sinking fund. The Notes will mature on May 31, 2000.
 
    In the event of a Change in Control (as defined), each holder of Notes may
require the Company to repurchase its Notes, in whole or in part, for cash or,
at the Company's option but subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions on
the part of the Company, Common Stock (valued at 95% of the average closing
prices for the five trading days immediately preceding and including the third
trading day prior to the repurchase date), at a repurchase price of 100% of the
principal amount of Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued interest to the
repurchase date. See "Description of Notes -- Repurchase at Option of Holders
Upon a Change in Control."
 
    The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company subordinated in right of
payment to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined) of the
Company and are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all indebtedness
and other liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries. As of         , 1996, the
aggregate amount of outstanding senior indebtedness of the Company was
approximately $        and subsidiaries of the Company had outstanding
approximately $        of indebtedness (other than indebtedness to the Company)
and other liabilities. The Indenture will not restrict the Company or its
subsidiaries from incurring additional Senior Indebtedness or other
indebtedness. See "Description of Notes -- Subordination."
 
    The Notes were issued and sold in a private placement on May 23, 1996 (the
"Original Offering") pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), provided by
Section 4(2) thereof and were resold by the initial purchasers thereof to
qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act
and institutional accredited investors as defined in Rule 501 under the
Securities Act. There is no public market for the Notes. See "Risk Factors." The
Notes issued and sold in reliance on Rule 144A currently are eligible for
trading through the Private Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automatic
Linkages ("PORTAL") System of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. Notes sold pursuant to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part are not expected to remain eligible for trading on the PORTAL System.
The Company does not intend to apply for listing of the Notes on any securities
exchange or for inclusion of the Notes on any automated quotation system. The
Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market System ("Nasdaq/NMS") under
the symbol "QTRN." The Conversion Shares will be authorized for listing on
Nasdaq/NMS upon official notice of issuance. On December 27, 1996, the last
reported sale price of the Common Stock on Nasdaq/NMS was $62.50.
 
    The Company has been advised by the Selling Holders that the Selling
Holders, acting as principals for their own account, directly, through agents
designated from time to time, or through brokers, dealers, or underwriters also
to be designated, may sell all or a portion of the Notes or Conversion Shares
which may be offered hereby by them from time to time on terms to be determined
at the time of sale. See "Plan of Distribution." The aggregate proceeds to the
Selling Holders from the sale of Notes and Conversion Shares which may be
offered hereby by the Selling Holders will be the purchase price of such Notes
or Conversion Shares less underwriting discounts and commissions, if any. The
Company is responsible for payment of all other expenses incident to the offer
and sale of the Notes and the Conversion Shares. The Company will not receive
any proceeds from the offering of the Notes or the Conversion Shares.
 
    The Selling Holders and any brokers, dealers, agents or underwriters that
participate with the Selling Holders in the distribution of the Notes or
Conversion Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act, in which event any commissions received by such brokers,
dealers, agents or underwriters and any commissions received by such brokers,
dealers, agents or underwriters and any profit on the resale of the Notes or
Conversion Shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions
or discounts under the Securities Act. For information concerning
indemnification arrangements between the Company and the Selling Holders, see,
"Plan of Distribution."
 
    The Company intends that the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part will remain effective until three years after the latest date of
original issuance of the Notes or such earlier date as of which such
Registration Statement is no longer required for the transfer of the subject
securities. See "Description of Notes -- Registration Rights."
                             ---------------------
 
    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED
HEREBY.
                             ---------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
 AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
   ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
     CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>   3
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1995, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March
31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996, the Company's current reports on
Form 8-K dated April 16, 1996, October 6, 1996 and November 22, 1996 filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the description of
the Company's Common Stock contained in its Registration Statement on Form 8-A
as filed with the Commission on April 11, 1994 are hereby incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus except as superseded or modified herein. In
addition, the financial statements of BRI International, Inc. ("BRI"), included
in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-12573) as
pages F-18 through F-72, as filed with the Commission on September 24, 1996 and
amended on October 15, 1996, are incorporated herein by reference. All documents
filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), after the date
of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering shall be deemed
to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in any
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Prospectus except as
so modified or superseded.
 
     THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED
HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. COPIES OF ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS, OTHER THAN EXHIBITS
TO SUCH DOCUMENTS, ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY
BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM THIS PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL
REQUEST TO CORPORATE SECRETARY, QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP., 4709 CREEKSTONE
DRIVE, RIVERBIRCH BUILDING, SUITE 300, DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA 27703-8411, OR BY
TELEPHONE AT (919) 941-2000.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act, and in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other
information filed by the Company may be inspected and copied at the Public
Reference Facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's
following regional offices: New York Regional Office, 7 World Trade Center, New
York, New York 10048; and Chicago Regional Office, Citicorp Center, 500 W.
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such
material may also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference
Branch of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington,
D.C. 20549-1004. The Commission maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission, including
the Company. Quotations relating to the Company's Common Stock appear on the
Nasdaq National Market and such reports and other information concerning the
Company can also be inspected at the offices of the Nasdaq Stock Market, 1735 K
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006-1506.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3, (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Notes and the Common Stock offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain portions
of which have been omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the
Commission. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any
contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete; and with
respect to each such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, reference is made to such exhibit for a more complete
description of the matters involved, each such statement being qualified in all
respects by such reference. For further information with respect to the Company,
the Notes and the Common Stock, reference is made to the Registration Statement
and exhibits thereto. The information so omitted, including exhibits, may be
obtained from the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C. upon
payment of the prescribed fees, or may be inspected without charge at the Public
Reference Facilities of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary
Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549-1004.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
     The following summary information is qualified in its entirety by the more
detailed information and financial statements (including the notes thereto)
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated by reference herein.
 
     Information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate,"
"estimate," or "continue" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or
comparable terminology. See "Forward-Looking Statements." The matters set forth
under the caption "Risk Factors" in this Prospectus constitute cautionary
statements identifying important factors with respect to such forward-looking
statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to vary materially.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Quintiles Transnational Corp. (the "Company" or "Quintiles") is a North
Carolina corporation which provides drug development, pharmaceutical sales and
marketing and healthcare consulting services to a range of public and private
sector clients around the world. The Company complements the research and
development departments of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies by
offering services designed to assure a high quality product for the sponsor
company and reduce drug development time and cost. In addition, the Company's
integrated services and extensive information technology capabilities furnish
clients with broad experience and expertise in global drug development and
provide clients with an outsourced variable-cost alternative to the fixed costs
associated with internal drug development. The Company's core competencies
include clinical research and data management, pharmaceutical sales and
marketing, and consulting on healthcare policy, disease management and
regulatory issues. Quintiles maintains its principal executive office at 4709
Creekstone Drive, Riverbirch Building, Suite 300, Durham, North Carolina,
27703-8411 and its telephone number is (919) 941-2000.
 
     In November 1996, the Company acquired BRI International, Inc. ("BRI"), a
global contract research organization based in Arlington, Virginia, in a merger
transaction in which BRI merged with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company (the "BRI Merger"). The BRI Merger was accounted for as a pooling of
interests. The Company issued approximately 1,615,000 shares of its Common Stock
in the BRI Merger to the shareholders of BRI and assumed options exercisable for
338,693 shares of Common Stock. Among its other services, BRI offers outsourcing
capability to the medical device industry.
 
     Also in November 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of Innovex
Limited ("Innovex"), an international contract pharmaceutical organization based
in Marlow, United Kingdom, through a share exchange accounted for as a pooling
of interests. The Company acquired all of the outstanding Innovex shares in
exchange for approximately 9,200,000 shares of Common Stock and options to
purchase approximately 800,000 shares of Common Stock. In connection with the
transaction, the Company retired approximately $60 million of Innovex
obligations. Innovex's core competencies focus on supplementing the sales and
marketing of drugs for many of the leading 25 pharmaceutical companies on a
global basis. Innovex's clinical research and contract-selling activities are
concentrated during the perimarketing phase of two years pre- and two years
post-regulatory approval to market a product.
 
     Additional information regarding the November 1996 acquisitions is
contained in the Company's Form 8-K dated October 11, 1996, Form 10-Q for the
period ended September 30, 1996 and Form 8-K dated November 22, 1996 as filed
with the Commission and incorporated by reference herein and the financial
statements of BRI incorporated by reference herein from the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-4, as filed with the Commission on September
24, 1996 and amended on October 15, 1996. See "Incorporation of Certain
Documents by Reference."
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
Securities Offered.........  $75,990,000 principal amount of 4.25% Convertible
                             Subordinated Notes due May 31, 2000 (the "Notes"),
                             with interest payable on May 31 and November 30 of
                             each year, commencing on November 30, 1996. This
                             Prospectus also relates to the 918,282 shares of
                             Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes
                             at the initial conversion rate of 12.0846 shares
                             per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, subject to
                             adjustment in certain circumstances (the
                             "Conversion Shares," together with the Notes, the
                             "Offered Securities").
 
Issuer.....................  Quintiles Transnational Corp., a North Carolina
                             corporation.
 
Conversion Rate............  A conversion rate of 12.0846 shares per U.S.$1,000
                             principal amount of Notes (equivalent to U.S.$82.75
                             per share), subject to adjustment. See "Description
                             of Notes -- Conversion Rights".
 
Form and Denomination......  Upon a transfer in a transaction registered under
                             the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration
                             Rights Agreement (as defined herein), except as
                             otherwise provided in the Indenture, the Notes
                             offered hereby will be represented by a global note
                             in definitive, fully registered form and will be
                             deposited with a custodian for and registered in
                             the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust
                             Company ("DTC") or, upon the request of a Selling
                             Holder of Notes in certificated form, in
                             certificated form registered in the names
                             requested. See "Description of Notes -- Form and
                             Denomination."
 
Convertibility.............  The Notes will be convertible into shares of Common
                             Stock of the Company at any time prior to the close
                             of business on the maturity date, unless previously
                             redeemed or repurchased, at the conversion rate set
                             forth above. Holders of Notes called for redemption
                             will be entitled to convert the Notes to and
                             including, but not after, the date fixed for
                             redemption. The right to convert a Note delivered
                             for repurchase will terminate on the close of
                             business on the repurchase date. See "Description
                             of Notes -- Conversion Rights".
 
Optional Redemption........  Redeemable (a) as described immediately below under
                             "Additional Amounts and Redemption for Taxation
                             Reasons" and (b) at the option of the Company, on
                             or after the close of business on May 31, 1999, at
                             the redemption price set forth herein, plus accrued
                             interest to the redemption date. See "Description
                             of Notes -- Redemption -- Optional Redemption".
 
Additional Amounts and
  Redemption for Taxation
  Reasons..................  The Company will pay Additional Amounts (as defined
                             in "Description of Notes -- Payment of Additional
                             Amounts"), subject to certain exceptions in order
                             that Holders of Notes that are United States Aliens
                             (as defined) receive the full amount of the
                             principal, premium, if any, and interest specified
                             therein (including any amount payable upon a
                             repurchase of the Notes as described immediately
                             below under "Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon
                             Change in Control") without deduction for or on
                             account of U.S. withholding taxes. In the event
                             that the Company must pay such Additional Amounts
                             as a result of a change in law, the Tax Affected
                             Notes (as defined) will be redeemable at the option
                             of the Company, as a whole but not in part,
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                             at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus any
                             accrued interest to the redemption date (but
                             without reduction for U.S. withholding taxes). The
                             Company shall not be obligated to pay Additional
                             Amounts in respect of payments becoming due on the
                             Notes more than 15 days after the redemption date
                             for such a redemption, except to the extent that
                             the Company's obligation to pay such Additional
                             Amounts does not arise from the change in law that
                             resulted in such redemption.
 
Repurchase at Option of
  Holders Upon Change in
  Control..................  Repurchasable by the Company at the option of the
                             holder upon a Change in Control (as defined under
                             "Description of Notes -- Repurchase at Option of
                             Holders Upon a Change in Control") at 100% of the
                             principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to
                             the repurchase date. The repurchase price is
                             payable in cash or, at the option of the Company
                             but subject to the satisfaction of certain
                             conditions on the part of the Company, in Common
                             Stock (valued at 95% of the average closing prices
                             of the Common Stock for the five trading days
                             preceding and including the third trading day prior
                             to the repurchase date).
 
Subordination..............  Subordinated to present and future Senior
                             Indebtedness (as defined) of the Company. The Notes
                             are also effectively subordinated in right of
                             payment to all indebtedness and other liabilities
                             of the Company's subsidiaries. As of           ,
                             1996, the aggregate amount of outstanding Senior
                             Indebtedness was approximately $          and
                             subsidiaries of the Company had approximately
                             $          of indebtedness outstanding (other than
                             indebtedness to the Company) and other liabilities.
                             The Indenture will not restrict the incurrence of
                             Senior Indebtedness or other indebtedness by the
                             Company or any of its subsidiaries. See
                             "Description of Notes -- Subordination".
 
Events of Default..........  Include: (a) failure to pay principal of or
                             premium, if any, on any Note when due, whether or
                             not such payment is prohibited by the subordination
                             provisions of the Notes and the Indenture; (b)
                             failure to pay any interest (including any
                             Additional Amount) on any Note or coupon when due,
                             continuing for 30 days; (c) failure to provide a
                             Company Notice (as defined); (d) failure to perform
                             any other covenant of the Company in the Indenture,
                             continuing for 60 days after written notice as
                             provided in the Indenture; (e) default in respect
                             of any indebtedness for money borrowed by the
                             Company that results in acceleration of the
                             maturity of an amount in excess of $10,000,000 of
                             indebtedness if such indebtedness is not
                             discharged, or such acceleration is not annulled,
                             within 30 days after written notice as provided in
                             the Indenture, and (f) certain events of
                             bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. See
                             "Description of Notes -- Events of Default".
 
Use of Proceeds............  The Company will not receive any proceeds from the
                             sale by the Selling Holders of the Offered
                             Securities. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
Listing....................  The Notes are currently eligible for trading on the
                             PORTAL System of the National Association of
                             Securities Dealers, Inc. Notes sold pursuant to the
                             Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus
                             forms a part, are not expected to remain eligible
                             for trading on the PORTAL system. The Company's
                             Common Stock is listed on the Nasdaq National
                             Market ("Nasdaq/NMS") under the symbol "QTRN," and
                             the Conversion Shares will be authorized for
                             listing on Nasdaq/NMS upon official notice of
                             issuance.
 
Governing Law..............  The laws of the State of New York, United States of
                             America.
 
Indenture..................  Dated as of May 17, 1996, between the Company and
                             Marine Midland Bank, as trustee.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     The following factors should be considered, together with the other
information contained in this Prospectus, in evaluating the Company and before
purchasing the Notes. See also "Forward Looking Statements."
 
DEPENDENCE ON CERTAIN INDUSTRIES AND CLIENTS
 
     The Company's revenues are highly dependent on research and development
expenditures by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The Company has
benefited to date from the growing tendency of pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies to engage independent outside organizations to conduct large clinical
research projects. The Company's operations could be materially and adversely
affected by a general economic decline in these industries or by any reduction
in the outsourcing of research and development expenditures. The Company has in
the past derived, and may in the future derive, a significant portion of its net
revenue from a relatively limited number of major projects or clients.
Concentrations of business in the contract research organization ("CRO")
industry are not uncommon and are increasing as large pharmaceutical companies
are outsourcing larger clinical trial projects to fewer full-service CROs. The
Company is likely to experience such concentration in 1997 and in future years.
The loss of any such client could materially adversely affect the Company's net
revenue.
 
LOSS OF LARGE CONTRACTS
 
     Most of the Company's contracts are terminable upon 15-90 days' notice by
the client. Although the contracts typically permit payment of certain fees for
winding down the study and, in some cases, a termination fee, the loss of a
large contract or the loss of multiple contracts could materially and adversely
affect the Company's future revenue and profitability. Contracts may be
terminated for a variety of reasons, including the failure of products to
satisfy safety requirements, unexpected or undesired results of the product, the
client's decision to forego a particular study, or insufficient patient
enrollment or investigator recruitment. The Company undertakes to recruit large
numbers of patients in many of its studies. There can be no assurance that the
Company will always be able to satisfy recruitment targets, particularly in
large studies for which there is little precedent. In addition, potential
conflicts of interest may arise from services or potential services to be
performed by the Company for different clients. There can be no assurance that
such conflicts, if any, will be resolved and that the involved clients will be
retained. The Company's business may be materially and adversely affected if any
such conflicts cannot be resolved.
 
FIXED PRICE NATURE OF CONTRACTS
 
     Most of the Company's contracts for the provision of its services are fixed
price or fee-for-service subject to a cap. Since the Company's contracts are
predominantly structured in this manner, the Company bears the risk of cost
overruns. Underpricing of contracts or significant cost overruns could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.
 
COMPETITION; INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION
 
     The market for the Company's contract research services is extremely
competitive. The Company competes against other CROs and the in-house research
and development departments of pharmaceutical companies, as well as universities
and teaching hospitals. In sales and marketing services, the Company competes
against the in-house sales and marketing departments of pharmaceutical companies
and small local contract sales organizations in each country in which it
operates. Some of these competitors have greater capital, technical and other
resources than the Company. The CRO industry also has attracted the attention of
the investment community which could lead to increased competition by increasing
the availability of financial resources for CROs. Expansion by these competitors
into other areas in which the Company operates could affect the Company's
competitive position. Increased competition may lead to price and other forms of
competition that may affect the Company's margins.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
     The CRO industry consists of several hundred small, limited service
providers, several medium-sized CROs, and a few full-service global drug
development companies. The CRO industry is consolidating and, in recent years,
several large, full-service competitors have emerged. This trend of industry
consolidation may result in greater competition among the larger CROs for
clients and acquisition candidates. In addition, consolidation within the
pharmaceutical industry, as well as a trend by pharmaceutical companies to limit
outsourcing to fewer organizations, has led to heightened competition in the CRO
industry.
 
ACQUISITION RISKS
 
     Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the
assimilation of the operations and products of the acquired companies, the
expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition and subsequent assimilation
of operations and products, the diversion of management's attention from other
business concerns, and the potential loss of key employees of the acquired
company. Acquisitions of foreign companies also may involve the additional risks
of assimilating differences in foreign business practices and overcoming
language barriers. The Company recently has completed a number of acquisitions,
both within the United States and internationally. There can be no assurance
that the Company's past and any future acquisitions will be successfully
integrated into the Company's operations. The Company reviews many acquisition
candidates in the ordinary course of business and, in addition to acquisitions
already made, the Company continually is evaluating new acquisition
opportunities. In view of the CRO industry consolidation which is occurring
(see, "-- Competition; Industry Consolidation), the Company expects to compete
for suitable acquisition candidates. There can be no assurance that the Company
will complete any future acquisitions, nor that acquisitions, if completed, will
contribute favorably to the Company's operations and future financial condition.
Although the Company performs due diligence investigations on each company or
business it seeks to acquire, there may be liabilities which the Company fails
or is unable to discover for which the Company, as a successor owner, may be
liable. The Company generally seeks to minimize its exposure to such liabilities
by obtaining indemnification from each seller, which may be supported by
deferring payment of a portion of the purchase price. However, there is no
assurance that such indemnifications, even if obtainable, enforceable and
collectible (as to which there also is no assurance), will be sufficient in
amount, scope or duration to fully offset the potential liabilities arising from
the acquisitions.
 
MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH
 
     The Company has experienced rapid growth over the past 10 years. The
Company believes that sustained growth places a strain on operational, human and
financial resources. In order to manage its growth, the Company must continue to
improve its operating and administrative systems and to attract and retain
qualified management and professional, scientific and technical operating
personnel. Foreign operations also may involve the additional risks of
assimilating differences in foreign business practices, hiring and retaining
qualified personnel, and overcoming language barriers. The Company has a
transnational organizational structure, comprised of independent international
business units performing complementary functions with a holding company
performing management functions. While this structure has successfully supported
the Company's growth to date, the Company recently has completed a number of
acquisitions and there can be no assurance that it will continue to be effective
if the scale of the Company's business changes. Failure to manage growth
effectively could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
 
DEPENDENCE ON PERSONNEL
 
     The Company relies on a number of key executives, including Dennis B.
Gillings, Ph.D., its Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer. The Company maintains key man life insurance on Dr. Gillings in the
amount of $3 million. The Company's performance depends on its ability to
attract and retain qualified management and professional, scientific and
technical operating staff. The loss of the services of any of the Company's key
executives could have a material and adverse effect on the
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
Company. There can be no assurance the Company will be able to continue to
attract and retain qualified staff.
 
POTENTIAL LIABILITY
 
     The Company contracts with physicians, to serve as investigators, to
conduct clinical trials to test new drugs on human volunteers. Such testing
creates risk of liability for personal injury or death to volunteers,
particularly to volunteers with life-threatening illnesses, resulting from
adverse reactions to the drugs administered. Although the Company does not
believe it is legally accountable for the medical care rendered by third party
investigators, it is possible that the Company could be held liable for the
claims and expenses arising from any professional malpractice of the
investigators with which it contracts or in the event of personal injury or
death of persons participating in clinical trials. The Company also could be
held liable for errors or omissions in connection with the services it performs.
In addition, as a result of the Company's Phase I clinical trials facilities,
the Company could be liable for the general risks associated with a Phase I
facility including, but not limited to, adverse events resulting from the
administration of drugs to clinical trial participants or the professional
malpractice of Phase I medical care providers. The Company believes that its
risks are reduced by contractual indemnification provisions with clients and
investigators (the scope of which varies from client to client and the
performances of which are not secured), insurance maintained by clients and
investigators and by the Company, various regulatory requirements, including the
use of institutional review boards and the procurement of each volunteer's
informed consent to participate in the study. The contractual indemnifications
generally do not protect the Company against certain of its own actions such as
negligence. The contractual arrangements are subject to negotiation with clients
and the terms and scope of such indemnification vary from client to client and
from trial to trial. The financial performance of these indemnities is not
secured. Therefore, the Company bears the risk that the indemnifying party may
not have the financial ability to fulfill its indemnification obligations. The
Company maintains professional liability insurance that covers worldwide
territories in which the Company currently does business and includes drug
safety issues as well as data processing errors and omissions. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to maintain such insurance coverage on
terms acceptable to the Company. The Company could be materially and adversely
affected if it were required to pay damages or bear the costs of defending any
claim outside the scope of or in excess of a contractual indemnification
provision or beyond the level of insurance coverage or in the event that an
indemnifying party does not fulfill its indemnification obligations.
 
UNCERTAINTY IN HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY AND PROPOSED HEALTH CARE REFORM
 
     The health care industry is subject to changing political, economic and
regulatory influences that may affect the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and
medical device industries. Numerous governments have recently undertaken efforts
to control growing healthcare costs through legislation, regulation and
voluntary agreements with medical care providers and pharmaceutical companies.
During 1994, several comprehensive health care reform proposals were introduced
in the U.S. Congress. The intent of the proposals was, generally, to expand
health care coverage for the uninsured and reduce the growth of total health
care expenditures. While none of the proposals was adopted, health care reform
may again be addressed by the U.S. Congress. Similar reform movements have
occurred in Europe and Asia. Implementation of government health care reform may
adversely affect research and development expenditures by pharmaceutical,
biotechnology and medical device companies which could decrease the business
opportunities available to the Company. Management is unable to predict the
likelihood of such or similar legislation being enacted into law or the effects
such legislation would have on the Company.
 
EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS
 
     The Company's operations and financial results could be significantly
affected by factors associated with international operations such as changes in
foreign currency exchange rates and uncertainties relative to regional economic
circumstances, as well as by other risks sometimes associated with international
operations. Since the revenue and expenses of the Company's foreign operations
are
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
generally denominated in local currencies, exchange rate fluctuations between
such local currencies and the United States dollar will subject the Company to
currency translation risk with respect to the reported results of its foreign
operations as well as to risks sometimes associated with international
operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will not experience
fluctuations in revenues from its operations outside the United States.
 
DEPENDENCE ON GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     The Company's business has benefited from the extensive governmental
regulation of the drug development process. In the United States, the general
trend has been in the direction of continued or increased substantive
regulation. In Europe, the general trend has been toward establishing common
standards for clinical testing of new drugs, leading to changes in the various
requirements currently imposed by each country. The level of regulation is
generally less burdensome outside the United States. A relaxation in the scope
of regulatory requirements or the introduction of simplified drug approval
procedures could decrease the business opportunities available to the Company.
In addition, the failure on the part of the Company to comply with applicable
regulations could result in the termination of ongoing research or the
disqualification of data for submission to regulatory authorities. Furthermore,
the issuance of a notice of finding by the Food and Drug Administration to
either the Company or its clients based upon a material violation by the Company
of Good Clinical Practices, Good Laboratory Practices or Current Good
Manufacturing Practices requirements could have a material adverse effect on the
Company.
 
VARIATION IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
     The Company's results of operations can be expected to be subject to
quarterly fluctuations. Quarterly results can fluctuate as a result of a number
of factors, including the timing of start-up expenses for new offices,
acquisitions, the completion or commencement of significant contracts, changes
in the mix of services offered and foreign exchange fluctuations. The Company
believes that quarterly comparisons of its financial results should not be
relied upon as an indication of future performance.
 
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
     The market price of the Company's Common Stock has been and may continue to
be subject to wide fluctuations in response to variations in operating results
from quarter to quarter, changes in earnings estimates by analysts and market
conditions in the industry and general economic conditions. Furthermore, the
stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations unrelated
to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations
may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Company's Common Stock.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     The obligations of the Company under the Notes are subordinate to all
present and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company and pari passu with
obligations to, or rights of, the Company's general unsecured creditors. As a
result, upon any acceleration of the Notes or payment or distribution of the
assets of the Company to creditors upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation
or reorganization, marshalling of assets, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar
proceedings of the Company, all principal, premium, if any, and interest or
other amounts due on all Senior Indebtedness must be paid in full before the
holders of Notes are entitled to receive any payment, and there may not be
sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all of the Notes then
outstanding. The Notes are also effectively subordinated in right of payment to
all indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries. As of
          , 1996, the aggregate amount of outstanding Senior Indebtedness was
approximately $          and subsidiaries of the Company had approximately
$          of indebtedness outstanding (other than indebtedness to the Company)
and
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
other liabilities. The Indenture does not limit the Company's or its
subsidiaries' ability to incur Senior Indebtedness or any other indebtedness.
See "Description of Notes -- Subordination."
 
ABSENCE OF TRADING MARKET FOR NOTES
 
     Prior to this offering, there has been no trading market for the Notes
other than through the PORTAL System. There can be no assurance as to the
liquidity of any such market that may develop, the ability of the holders of
Notes to sell such securities, the price at which the holders of Notes would be
able to sell such securities or whether a trading market, if it develops, will
continue. If such a market were to exist, the Notes could trade at prices higher
or lower than their principal amount, depending on many factors, including
prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and the operating
results of the Company. In addition, Notes sold pursuant to the Registration
Statement, of which this Prospectus forms a part, are not expected to remain
eligible for trading on the PORTAL system.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table sets forth the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed
charges for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 1995
and for the nine month period ended September 30, 1996. Earnings used in
computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges have been calculated by adding
fixed charges to income (loss) before taxes. Fixed charges consist of interest
costs, whether expensed or capitalized, the estimated interest component of
rental expenses, and amortization of debt discounts and issue costs.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     NINE MONTHS
                                                    FISCAL YEAR                         ENDED
                                  -----------------------------------------------   SEPTEMBER 30,
                                   1991      1992      1993      1994      1995         1996
                                  -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------------
<S>                               <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Ratio of Earnings to
  Fixed Charges.................
                                  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Quintiles Transnational Corp. (the "Company" or "Quintiles") is a North
Carolina corporation which provides drug development, pharmaceutical sales and
marketing and healthcare consulting services to a range of public and private
sector clients around the world. The Company complements the research and
development departments of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies by
offering services designed to assure a high quality product for the sponsor
company and reduce drug development time and cost. In addition, the Company's
integrated services and extensive information technology capabilities furnish
clients with broad experience and expertise in global drug development and
provide clients with an outsourced variable-cost alternative to the fixed costs
associated with internal drug development. The Company's core competencies
include clinical research and data management, pharmaceutical sales and
consulting on healthcare policy, disease management and regulatory issues.
Quintiles maintains its principal executive office at 4709 Creekstone Drive,
Riverbirch Building, Suite 300, Durham, North Carolina, 27703-8411 and its
telephone number is (919) 941-2000.
 
     In November 1996, the Company acquired BRI International, Inc. ("BRI"), a
global contract research organization based in Arlington, Virginia, in a merger
transaction in which BRI merged with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company (the "BRI Merger"). The BRI Merger was accounted for as a pooling of
interests. The Company issued approximately 1,615,000 shares of its Common Stock
in the BRI Merger to the shareholders of BRI and assumed options exercisable for
338,693 shares of Common Stock. Among its other services, BRI offers outsourcing
capability to the medical device industry.
 
     Also in November 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of Innovex
Limited ("Innovex"), an international contract pharmaceutical organization based
in Marlow, United Kingdom, through a share exchange accounted for as a pooling
of interests. The Company acquired all of the outstanding Innovex shares in
exchange for approximately 9,200,000 shares of its Common Stock and options to
purchase approximately 800,000 shares of Common Stock. In connection with the
transaction, the Company retired approximately $60 million of Innovex
obligations. Innovex's core competencies focus on supplementing the sales and
marketing of drugs for many of the leading 25 pharmaceutical companies on a
global basis. Innovex's clinical research and contract-selling activities are
concentrated during the perimarketing phase of two years pre- and two years
post-regulatory approval to market a product.
 
     Additional information regarding the November 1996 acquisitions is
contained in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
September 30, 1996 and current reports on Form 8-K dated October 11, 1996 and
November 22, 1996 as filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference
herein and the financial statements of BRI incorporated by reference herein from
pages F-18 through F-72 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4
(File No. 333-12573), as filed with the Commission on September 24, 1996 and
amended on October 15, 1996. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference."
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The Selling Holders will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of the
Offered Securities. The Company will receive no proceeds from such sales.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                                SELLING HOLDERS
 
     The Notes and Conversion Shares that may be offered pursuant to this
Prospectus will be offered by the Holders listed in the table below or their
transferees identified in supplements to this Prospectus (the "Selling
Holders"). The following table sets forth information with respect to the
Selling Holders and the principal amount of Notes and number of shares of Common
Stock beneficially owned and that may be offered by each such Selling Holder
pursuant to this Prospectus, all as of December 20, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            PRINCIPAL       COMMON
                                              PRINCIPAL     AMOUNT OF        STOCK        COMMON
                                                AMOUNT        NOTES          OWNED         STOCK
                                               OF NOTES      OFFERED       PRIOR TO       OFFERED
               SELLING HOLDER                   OWNED         HEREBY      OFFERING(1)    HEREBY(2)
- --------------------------------------------  ----------    ----------    -----------    ---------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
AIM Balanced Fund...........................   1,200,000     1,200,000       14,501        14,501
AIM Charter Fund............................  12,000,000    12,000,000      145,015       145,015
AIM V.I. Growth & Income Fund...............     500,000       500,000        6,042         6,042
Allstate Insurance Company..................   2,000,000     2,000,000       24,169        24,169
Bancroft Convertible Fund, Inc. ............     500,000       500,000        6,042         6,042
Capital World Growth and Income Fund,
  Inc. .....................................  10,000,000    10,000,000      120,846       120,846
Catholic Mutual Series......................     350,000       350,000        4,229         4,229
CFW-C, L.P. ................................   1,500,000     1,500,000       18,126        18,126
Cincinnati Bell Telephone Convertible Value
  Fund......................................     530,000       530,000        6,404         6,404
Colonial Penn Insurance.....................     100,000       100,000        1,208         1,208
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Co. ...........     100,000       100,000        1,208         1,208
Columbia/HCA Hospital Corporation...........     510,000       510,000        6,163         6,163
David Lipscomb University...................      60,000        60,000          725           725
Declaration of Trust for the Defined Benefit
  Plan of ICI American Holdings, Inc. ......     410,000       410,000        4,954         4,954
Declaration of Trust for the Defined Benefit
  Plans of ZENECA Holdings, Inc. ...........     270,000       270,000        3,262         3,262
Delaware State Employees' Retirement Fund...   1,340,000     1,340,000       16,193        16,193
Delta Airlines Master Trust.................   1,175,000     1,175,000       14,199        14,199
Ellsworth Convertible Growth and Income
  Fund, Inc. ...............................     500,000       500,000        6,042         6,042
Equitable Life Assurance Separate Account --
  Balanced..................................     115,000       115,000        1,389         1,389
Equitable Life Assurance Separate Account --
  Convertibles..............................   1,600,000     1,600,000       19,335        19,335
First Hawaiian Bank Custodian Hotel
  Industry -- ILWU Pension Plan.............      80,000        80,000          966           966
First Hawaiian Bank Custodian Hotel Union
  Pension Trust Fund........................     220,000       220,000        2,658         2,658
General Motors Employees Domestic Group
  Trust.....................................   3,600,000     3,600,000       43,504        43,504
General Motors Salaried Employees
  Convertible Fund..........................   4,730,000     4,730,000       57,160        57,160
Gershow Partners............................     325,000       325,000        3,927         3,927
Glen Eagles Fund............................     325,000       325,000        3,927         3,927
The HCA Foundation..........................     175,000       175,000        2,114         2,114
Highbridge Capital Corporation..............   3,500,000     3,500,000       42,296        42,296
Hillside Capital Incorporated Corporate
  Account...................................     120,000       120,000        1,450         1,450
Hudson River Trust Balanced Portfolio.......     790,000       790,000        9,546         9,546
Hudson River Trust Growth & Income..........     390,000       390,000        4,712         4,712
Hudson River Trust Growth Investors.........     690,000       690,000        8,338         8,338
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            PRINCIPAL       COMMON
                                              PRINCIPAL     AMOUNT OF        STOCK        COMMON
                                                AMOUNT        NOTES          OWNED         STOCK
                                               OF NOTES      OFFERED       PRIOR TO       OFFERED
               SELLING HOLDER                   OWNED         HEREBY      OFFERING(1)    HEREBY(2)
- --------------------------------------------  ----------    ----------      -------       -------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
Hughes Aircraft Company Master Retirement
  Trust.....................................     690,000       690,000        8,338         8,338
Mainstay Convertible Fund...................   1,800,000     1,800,000       21,752        21,752
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance
  Company...................................     450,000       450,000        5,438         5,438
Medical Malpractice Insurance Association...     110,000       110,000        1,329         1,329
Memphis Light, Gas & Water..................     675,000       675,000        8,157         8,157
NB Convertible Arbitrage Partners, L.P. ....   3,000,000     3,000,000       36,253        36,253
New York Life Separate Account No. 7........     500,000       500,000        6,042         6,042
North Dakota State Land Department..........     270,000       270,000        3,262         3,262
OCM Convertible Limited Partnership.........      75,000        75,000          906           906
OCM Convertible Trust.......................   1,680,000     1,680,000       20,302        20,302
Palladin Partners...........................     325,000       325,000        3,927         3,927
Paloma Securities L.L.C. ...................   2,000,000     2,000,000       24,169        24,169
Ramius Fund.................................     825,000       825,000        9,969         9,969
Sage Capital................................   1,600,000     1,600,000       19,335        19,335
Societe Generale Securities Corp. ..........   1,250,000     1,250,000       15,105        15,105
State of Connecticut Combined Investment
  Funds.....................................   1,480,000     1,480,000       17,885        17,885
State of Michigan Employees Retirement
  Fund......................................   1,215,000     1,215,000       14,682        14,682
TCW Convertible Securities Fund.............   2,750,000     2,750,000       33,232        33,232
TCW Convertible Strategy Fund...............     910,000       910,000       10,996        10,996
TCW Convertible Value Fund..................     995,000       995,000       12,024        12,024
TCW Convertible Value L.P. .................     320,000       320,000        3,867         3,867
TCW/DW Income & Growth Fund.................     305,000       305,000        3,685         3,685
Teepak, Inc. Master Retirement Trust........      40,000        40,000          483           483
ThermoElectron Balanced Investment Fund.....     220,000       220,000        2,658         2,658
Van Kampen American Capital Harbor Fund.....   2,500,000     2,500,000       30,211        30,211
ZaZove Convertible Fund, L.P. ..............     300,000       300,000        3,625         3,625
                                              ----------    ----------      -------       -------
     Total..................................  75,990,000    75,990,000      918,282       918,282(3)
                                              ==========    ==========      =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Includes the shares of Common Stock into which the full amount of Notes held
     by the Selling Holder are convertible at the initial conversion rate. The
     Conversion Rate and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
     conversion of the Notes are subject to adjustment under certain
     circumstances. See "Description of Notes -- Conversion Rights."
     Accordingly, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion
     of the Notes may vary from time to time.
(2) Assumes conversion into Common Stock at the initial conversion rate of the
     Notes held by the Selling Holder and offered hereby. The Conversion Rate
     and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
     Notes is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. See
     "Description of Notes -- Conversion Rights." Accordingly, the number of
     shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes may vary from
     time to time. Fractional shares will not be issued upon conversion of the
     Notes; cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares, if any.
(3) Due to rounding, the total of this column may not exactly equal the
     aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
     Notes at the initial conversion rate.
 
     The preceding table was prepared based on information furnished to the
Company by the Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), Marine Midland Bank, trustee
under the Indenture, and by or on behalf of the Selling Holders.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
     Other than as a result of the ownership of Notes, none of the Selling
Holders listed above had any material relationship with the Company within the
three year period ending on the date of this Prospectus.
 
     Because the Selling Holders may offer all or some of the Notes that they
hold and/or Conversion Shares pursuant to the offering contemplated by this
Prospectus, and because there are currently no agreements, arrangements or
understandings with respect to the sale of any of the Notes or Conversion Shares
offered hereby by the Selling Holders, it is not possible to provide an estimate
of the principal amount of Notes or Common Stock that will be held by the
Selling Holders after completion of this offering. In addition, the Selling
Holders identified above may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all
or a portion of their Offered Securities in transactions exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Offered Securities are being registered to permit public secondary
trading of the Notes, and the Conversion Shares upon conversion thereof, by the
holders thereof from time to time after the date of this Prospectus. The Company
has agreed, among other things, to bear all expenses other than underwriting
discounts and selling commissions and fees in connection with the registration
and sale of the Offered Securities.
 
     The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering. The
Offered Securities may be sold from time to time by or for the account of any of
the Selling Holders or by their pledgees, donees, transferees or other
successors in interest. The Offered Securities may be sold directly to
purchasers in negotiated transactions; by or through brokers or dealers in
ordinary brokerage transactions or in transactions in which the broker solicits
purchasers; in block trades in which the broker or dealer will attempt to sell
the Offered Securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the
block as principal; or in transactions in which a broker or dealer purchases as
principal for resale for its own account. Offers and sales of the Offered
Securities may not occur through an underwritten offering unless the Company, in
its discretion, consents in advance. Sales may be effected in one or more
transactions (i) on the Nasdaq National Market, in other over-the counter
markets, or on any stock exchange on which the Offered Securities may be listed
or quoted at the time of sale; (ii) in transactions otherwise than on such
exchanges or over-the-counter markets; (iii) through the writing of options
(whether such options are listed on a stock exchange or otherwise) on, or
settlement of short sells of, Common Stock; (iv) by means of a combination of
the above; or (v) otherwise. Any of such transactions may be effected at market
prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing
market prices, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated
or fixed prices, in each case as determined by the Selling Holder.
 
     Any brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents may receive compensation in
the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the Selling Holder or
from the purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent, which
discounts, concessions or commissions may be in excess of those customary in the
types of transactions involved. Such brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents,
as the case may be, and the Selling Holders may be deemed to be "underwriters"
within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales, and any
profit on the sale of the Offered Securities and any discounts, concessions or
commissions received by such broker, dealer, underwriter or agent may be deemed
to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
 
     To the extent required, the aggregate principal amount of Notes and number
of shares of Common Stock to be sold hereby, the name of the Selling Holder, the
purchase price, the name of any such agent, dealer or underwriter and any
applicable commissions, discounts or other terms constituting compensation with
respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     Under the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange
Act, any person engaged in the distribution of the Notes or shares of Common
Stock offered hereby may not
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
simultaneously engage in market making activities for either the Notes or the
Common Stock for a period of nine business days (in the case of the Notes) or
two business days (in the case of the Common Stock) prior to the commencement of
such distribution. In addition, each Selling Holder and any other person who
participates in a distribution of the Notes or shares of Common Stock will be
subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, including Rules 10b-2, 10b-6 and 10b-7, which provisions
may limit the timing of purchases and sales of Notes or shares of Common Stock
by the Selling Holders. The applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder may affect the marketability of the Notes and
shares of Common Stock and the ability of any person to engage in market making
activities for the Notes or shares of Common Stock.
 
     To the Company's knowledge, there currently are no plans, arrangements or
understandings between any Selling Holder and any broker, dealer or underwriter
regarding the sale of the Offered Securities by the Selling Holders. There can
be no assurance that any Selling Holder will sell any or all of the Offered
Securities hereunder or that any Selling Holder will not transfer, devise or
give such Offered Securities by other means not described herein.
 
     The outstanding Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq/NMS, and
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes will be
authorized for listing on the Nasdaq/NMS upon official notice of issuance. The
Notes currently are eligible for trading in the PORTAL market of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Notes sold pursuant to the Registration
Statement, of which this Prospectus forms a part, are not expected to remain
eligible for trading in the PORTAL System. The Company does not intend to apply
for listing of the Notes on any securities exchange or for inclusion of the
Notes on any automated quotation system. There is no assurance as to the
development or liquidity of any trading market that may develop for the Notes.
 
     The Company and the Selling Holders have agreed to indemnify each other
against certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
 
                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
     The Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as of May 17, 1996 (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee (the
"Trustee"), filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus forms a part. Wherever particular defined terms of the Indenture
(including the Notes and the various forms thereof) are referred to, such
defined terms are incorporated herein by reference (the Notes and various terms
relating to the Notes being referred to in the Indenture as "Securities").
References in this section to the "Company" are solely to Quintiles
Transnational Corp. and not its subsidiaries. The following summaries of certain
provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be complete and are subject to,
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the detailed provisions of
the Notes and the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms.
Section references below are references to Sections of the Indenture.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Notes are unsecured subordinated obligations of the Company, are
limited to U.S.$143,750,000 aggregate principal amount, of which $75,990,000
principal amount are being registered hereunder, will mature on May 31, 2000 and
be payable at a price of 100% of the principal amount thereof. The Notes bear
interest at the rate of 4.25% per annum from May 23, 1996, payable semiannually
on May 31 and November 30 of each year, commencing on November 30, 1996.
Interest payable per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for the period from May
23, 1996 to November 30, 1996 was U.S.$22.19. (sec.sec. 3.1 and 3.7)
 
     The Notes are convertible into Common Stock initially at the conversion
rate of 12.0846 shares per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (equivalent to a
conversion price of $82.75 per share), subject to adjustment upon the occurrence
of certain events described under "-- Conversion Rights", at any time
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
prior to the close of business on the maturity date, unless previously redeemed
or repurchased. (sec. 12.1) None of the Notes have been converted into
Conversion Shares as of the date hereof.
 
     The Notes are redeemable (a) in the event of certain developments involving
U.S. withholding taxes or certification requirements as described below under
"-- Redemption -- Redemption for Taxation Reasons", at a redemption price of
100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued interest
to the redemption date and (b) at the option of the Company, on or after the
close of business on May 31, 1999, in whole or in part, at the redemption price
set forth below under "-- Redemption -- Optional Redemption", plus accrued
interest to the redemption date. (sec. 2.2)
 
     The Company issued and sold $143,750,000 principal amount of the Notes on
May 23, 1996 to Goldman Sachs International and Smith Barney Inc. (together, the
"Initial Purchasers") in a private placement exempt from the registration
provisions of the Securities Act (the "Original Offering"). The Initial
Purchasers have advised the Company that they resold the Notes in transactions
exempt from the registration provisions of the Securities Act to Qualified
Institutional Buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule
144A Notes"), in transactions in reliance on Regulation S ("Regulation S Notes")
and to a limited number of Institutional Accredited Investors (as defined) in
transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act not made in
reliance on Rule 144A or Regulation S ("Regulation D Notes"). Pursuant to a
Registration Rights Agreement entered by and among the Company and the Initial
Purchasers at the time of the Original Offering (the "Registration Rights
Agreement"), Notes sold in compliance with Regulation S are not eligible for
inclusion in the Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus forms a part.
See "-- Registration Rights."
 
FORM AND DENOMINATION
 
     Upon a transfer in a transaction registered under the Securities Act
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Notes offered hereby will be
represented by (i) a global Note (the "Unrestricted Global Note") in definitive,
fully registered form, without interest coupons, and which will, as of the date
hereof, be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the
name of a nominee of DTC or (ii) upon the request of a Selling Holder of Notes
in certificated (i.e. non-global) form, in certificated form registered in the
names requested.
 
     Upon each sale by a Selling Holder of Notes or the Conversion Shares, as
the case may be, offered hereby, such Selling Holder will be required to deliver
a Notice (the "Notice") of such sale to the Trustee and the Company. The Notice
will, among other things, identify the sale as a sale pursuant to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, certify that the
prospectus delivery requirements, if any, of the Securities Act have been
satisfied, and certify that the Selling Holder and the aggregate principal
amount of Notes or the number of Conversion Shares owned by such holder are
identified in the Prospectus in accordance with the applicable rules and
regulations under the Securities Act. A copy of the form of Notice is included
herein in Appendix A. Additional copies are available upon request to Corporate
Secretary, Quintiles Transnational Corp., 4709 Creekstone Drive, Riverbirch
Building, Suite 300, Durham, North Carolina 27703-8411, telephone (919)
941-2000.
 
     Upon receipt by the Trustee of the Notice relating to a sale of the Notes,
an appropriate adjustment will be made to reflect a decrease in the principal
amount of the Restricted Global Note (as defined below) or the cancellation of a
Note in certificated form upon the transfer thereof, and a corresponding
increase in the principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note (or upon the
request of a Selling Holder of Notes in certificated form, the authentication
and delivery of a Note in certificated form).
 
     The provisions below describe the form and denomination of the Notes
offered hereby in connection with their original offering in a transaction or
transactions not required to be registered under the Securities Act.
 
     Rule 144A Notes are represented by a Note in registered global form without
interest coupons (the "Restricted Global Note", where the context requires,
together with the Unrestricted Global Note, the
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
"Global Notes") which has been deposited with the Trustee as custodian for DTC
and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC.
 
     Owners of beneficial interests in any Global Note will hold such interests
pursuant to the procedures and practices of DTC and must exercise any rights in
respect of their interests (including any right to convert, exchange or require
repurchase of their interests) in accordance with those procedures and
practices. Such beneficial owners will not be Holders, and will not be entitled
to any rights under any Note or the Indenture, with respect to any Global Note,
and the Company and the Trustee, and any of their respective agents, may treat
DTC as the Holder and owner of any Global Note. See "-- Depository Procedures
with Respect to Global Notes".
 
     Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole
and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its
nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for Notes
in certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below. See
" -- Transfer, Exchange and Withdrawal -- Exchange of Interests in Global Notes
for Certificated Notes".
 
     Regulation D Notes were initially issued in the form of Notes in
certificated (i.e. non-global) form. Regulation D Notes were issued in minimum
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Regulation D Notes
initially issued in certificated form may not be exchanged for beneficial
interests in any Global Note, except in limited circumstances.
 
     Rule 144A Notes (including beneficial interests in the Restricted Global
Note) and Regulation D Notes are subject to certain restrictions on transfer and
bear a restrictive legend. In addition, transfer of beneficial interests in the
Global Notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the DTC
and its Participants (as defined below) or Indirect Participants (as defined
below), which may change from time to time.
 
     For a description of the depository procedures with respect to the Global
Notes, see "-- Depository Procedures with Respect to Global Notes".
 
CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
     The Holder of any Note will have the right, at the Holder's option, to
convert any portion of the principal amount of any Note that is an integral
multiple of $1,000 into shares of Common Stock at any time prior to the close of
business on the maturity date, unless previously redeemed or repurchased, at a
conversion rate of 12.0846 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of
Notes (the "Conversion Rate") (equivalent to a conversion price of $82.75 per
share of Common Stock) subject to adjustment as described below. The right to
convert a Note called for redemption or delivered for repurchase will terminate
at the close of business on the Redemption Date for such Note or the Repurchase
Date, as the case may be. (sec. 12.1)
 
     The right of conversion attaching to any Note may be exercised by the
Holder by delivering the Note at the specified office of a Conversion Agent,
accompanied by a duly signed and completed notice of conversion. Such notice of
conversion can be obtained at the office of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust
Offices in New York City and the Conversion Agent in Luxembourg and London. The
conversion date will be the date on which the Note and the duly signed and
completed notice of conversion are so delivered. As promptly as practicable on
or after the conversion date, the Company will issue and deliver to the Trustee
a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion, together with payment in lieu of any fraction of a
share; such certificate will be sent by the Trustee to the appropriate
Conversion Agent for delivery to the Holder. Such shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion of the Notes, in accordance with the provisions of the
Indenture, will be fully paid and nonassessable and will rank pari passu with
the other shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding from time to time.
Any Note surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business
on any Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the
opening of business on such Interest Payment Date (except Notes (or portions
thereof) called for redemption on a
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
Redemption Date or which are repurchasable on a Repurchase Date occurring, in
either case, within such period) must be accompanied by payment of an amount
equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal
amount of Notes being surrendered for conversion. The interest so payable on
such Interest Payment Date with respect to any Note (or portion thereof, if
applicable) which has been called for redemption on a Redemption Date, or which
may be repurchased on a Repurchase Date, occurring, in either case, during the
period from the close of business on any Record Date next preceding any Interest
Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date, which
Note (or portion thereof, if applicable) is surrendered for conversion during
such period, shall be paid to the Holder of such Note being converted in an
amount equal to the interest that would have been payable on such Note if such
Note had been converted as of the close of business on such Interest Payment
Date. The interest so payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of any
Note (or portion thereof, as the case may be) which has not been called for
redemption on a Redemption Date, or is not eligible for repurchase on a
Repurchase Date, occurring, in either case, during the period from the close of
business on any Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the
opening of business on such Interest Payment Date, which Note (or portion
thereof, as the case may be) is surrendered for conversion during such period,
shall be paid to the Holder of such Note as of such Regular Record Date.
Interest payable in respect of any Note surrendered for conversion or repurchase
on or after an Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Holder of such Note as
of the next preceding Regular Record Date, notwithstanding the exercise of the
right of conversion. As a result of the foregoing provisions, except as provided
above, Holders that surrender Notes for conversion on a date that is not an
Interest Payment Date will not receive any interest for the period from the
Interest Payment Date next preceding the date of conversion to the date of
conversion or for any later period, even if the Notes are surrendered after a
notice of redemption (except for the payment of interest on Notes called for
redemption on a Redemption Date or repurchasable on a Repurchase Date between a
Regular Record Date and the Interest Payment Date to which it relates, as
provided above). No other payment or adjustment for interest, or for any
dividends in respect of Common Stock, will be made upon conversion. Holders of
Common Stock issued upon conversion will not be entitled to receive any
dividends payable to holders of Common Stock as of any record time or date
before the close of business on the conversion date. No fractional shares will
be issued upon conversion but, in lieu thereof, an appropriate amount will be
paid in cash by the Company based on the market price of Common Stock at the
close of business on the day of conversion. (sec.sec. 2.2, 3.7, 12.2 and 12.3)
 
     A Holder delivering a Note for conversion will not be required to pay any
taxes or duties in respect of the issue or delivery of Common Stock on
conversion but will be required to pay any tax or duty which may be payable in
respect of any transfer involved in the issue or delivery of the Common Stock in
a name other than that of the Holder of the Note. Certificates representing
shares of Common Stock will not be issued or delivered unless all taxes and
duties, if any, payable by the Holder have been paid. (sec.sec. 12.2 and 12.8)
 
     The Conversion Rate is subject to adjustment in certain events, including,
without duplication: (a) dividends (and other distributions) payable in Common
Stock, (b) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of rights, options or
warrants entitling them to subscribe for or purchase Common Stock at less than
the then Current Market Price of such Common Stock (determined as provided in
the Indenture) as of the record date for shareholders entitled to receive such
rights, options or warrants, (c) subdivisions, combinations and
reclassifications of Common Stock, (d) distributions to all holders of Common
Stock of evidences of indebtedness of the Company, shares of capital stock, cash
or assets (including securities, but excluding those dividends, rights, options,
warrants and distributions referred to above, dividends and distributions paid
exclusively in cash and in mergers and consolidations to which the next
succeeding paragraph applies), (e) distributions consisting exclusively of cash
(excluding any cash portion of distributions referred to in (d) above, or cash
distributed upon a merger or consolidation to which the next succeeding
paragraph applies) to all holders of Common Stock in an aggregate amount that,
combined together with (i) other such all-cash distributions made within the
preceding 12 months in respect of which no adjustment has been made and (ii) any
cash and the fair market value of other consideration payable in respect of any
tender offer by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
Common Stock concluded within the preceding 12 months in respect of which no
adjustment has been made, exceeds 12.5% of the Company's market capitalization
(being the product of the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock on
the record date for such distribution times the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding) on such date, and (f) the successful completion of a tender offer
made by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for Common Stock which involves
an aggregate consideration that, together with (i) any cash and other
consideration payable in a tender offer by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries for Common Stock expiring within the 12 months preceding the
expiration of such tender offer in respect of which no adjustment has been made
and (ii) the aggregate amount of any such all-cash distributions referred to in
(e) above to all holders of Common Stock within the 12 months preceding the
expiration of such tender offer in respect of which no adjustments have been
made, exceeds 10% of the Company's market capitalization on the expiration of
such tender offer. The Company reserves the right to make such reductions in the
Conversion Rate in addition to those required in the foregoing provisions as it
considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for United States
federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights will not be
taxable to the recipients. No adjustment of the Conversion Rate will be required
to be made until the cumulative adjustments amount to 1.0% or more of the
Conversion Rate. (sec. 12.4) The Company shall compute any adjustments to the
Conversion Rate pursuant to this paragraph and will give notices of any
adjustments by mail to Holders of Notes. (sec. 12.5)
 
     In case of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another
Person or any merger of another Person into the Company (other than a merger
which does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or
cancellation of the Common Stock), or in case of any sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, each Note then outstanding will,
without the consent of the Holder of any Note, become convertible only into the
kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock into which such Note was convertible immediately prior thereto
(assuming such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election
and that such Note was then convertible). (sec. 12.11)
 
     If at any time the Company makes a distribution of property to its
stockholders which would be taxable to such stockholders as a dividend for
United States federal income tax purposes (e.g., distributions of evidences of
indebtedness or assets of the Company, but generally not stock dividends on
common stock or rights to subscribe for common stock) and, pursuant to the
anti-dilution provisions of the Indenture, the number of shares into which Notes
are convertible is increased, such increase may be deemed for federal income tax
purposes to be the payment of a taxable dividend to Holders of Notes. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Dividends".
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
(including any Additional Amounts and any amounts payable upon the redemption or
the repurchase of the Notes permitted by the Indenture) will be subordinated in
right of payment to the extent set forth in the Indenture to the prior payment
in full of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and other amounts in
respect of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company. The principal amount of
outstanding Senior Indebtedness was approximately $          at           ,
1996. Senior Indebtedness is defined in the Indenture to mean the principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest (including all interest accruing subsequent
to the commencement of any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not a
claim for post-petition interest is allowable as a claim in any such proceeding)
on, and all fees and other amounts payable in connection with, the following,
whether absolute or contingent, secured or unsecured, due or to become due,
outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or
assumed: (a) indebtedness of the Company to banks, insurance companies and other
financial institutions evidenced by credit or loan agreements, notes or other
written obligations, (b) all other indebtedness of the Company (including
indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company) other than the Notes, whether
outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or
assumed, which is (i) for money borrowed or
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
(ii) evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the
acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind, (c) obligations
of the Company as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance
sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles, (d)
obligations of the Company under interest rate and currency swaps, caps, floors,
collars or similar agreements or arrangements intended to protect the Company
against fluctuations in interest or currency exchange rates and (e) renewals,
extensions, modifications, restatements and refundings of, or any indebtedness
or obligation issued in exchange for, any such indebtedness or obligation
described in clauses (a) through (e) of this paragraph; provided, however, that
Senior Indebtedness shall not include any such indebtedness or obligation (a) if
the terms of such indebtedness or obligation (or the terms of the instrument
under which, or pursuant to which, it is issued) provides that such indebtedness
or obligation is not superior in right of payment to the Notes, (b) if such
indebtedness or obligation is non-recourse to the Company or (c) any conditional
sale contract or any account payable or any other indebtedness created or
assumed by the Company in the ordinary course of business in connection with the
obtaining of materials, inventories or services. (sec.sec. 1.1, 13.1 and 13.2)
 
     No payment on account of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the
Notes (including any Additional Amounts and any amounts payable upon the
redemption or the repurchase of the Notes permitted by the Indenture) may be
made by the Company if there is a default in the payment of principal, premium,
if any, or interest (including a default under any repurchase or redemption
obligation) with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or if any other event of
default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness, permitting the holders thereof
to accelerate the maturity thereof, shall have occurred and shall not have been
cured or waived or shall not have ceased to exist after written notice to the
Company and the Trustee by any holder of Senior Indebtedness. Upon any
acceleration of the principal due on the Notes or payment or distribution of
assets of the Company to creditors upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation
or reorganization, whether voluntary or involuntary, marshalling of assets,
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other similar proceedings of the Company, all principal,
premium, if any, and interest or other amounts due on all Senior Indebtedness
must be paid in full before the Holders of the Notes are entitled to receive any
payment. By reason of such subordination, in the event of insolvency, creditors
of the Company who are holders of Senior Indebtedness are likely to recover
more, ratably, than the Holders of the Notes, and such subordination may result
in a reduction or elimination of payments to the Holders of the Notes.
(sec. 13.2)
 
     In addition, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to all
indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables and lease
obligations) of the Company's subsidiaries, as any right of the Company to
receive any assets of its subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization
(and the consequent right of the Holders of the Notes to participate in those
assets) will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's
creditors (including trade creditors), except to the extent that the Company
itself is recognized as a creditor of such subsidiary, in which case the claims
of the Company would still be subordinate to any security interest in the assets
of such subsidiary and any indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held
by the Company. As of           , 1996, there was outstanding approximately
$          of indebtedness of subsidiaries of the Company (excluding
intercompany indebtedness); this amount has been included in the principal
amount of the Company's outstanding Senior Indebtedness at           , 1996, as
set forth above.
 
     The Indenture does not limit the Company's or its subsidiaries' ability to
incur Senior Indebtedness or any other indebtedness.
 
REDEMPTION
 
  Optional Redemption
 
     Subject to the discussion under " -- Redemption for Taxation Reasons"
below, the Notes may not be redeemed prior to the close of business on May 31,
1999. Thereafter, the Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option
of the Company, at the redemption price specified below, upon not less than 30
nor more than 60 days' prior notice as provided under " -- Notices" below.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
     The redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) for
the 12-month period beginning as of the close of business on May 31, 1999 is
101.0625% together with accrued interest to the date of redemption.
(sec.sec. 2.2, 11.1, 11.5, 11.7)
 
     No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.
 
  Redemption for Taxation Reasons
 
     If the Company has or will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts (as
described below under " -- Payment of Additional Amounts") as a result of any
change in, or amendment to, the laws (including any regulations or rulings
promulgated thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, or any change in, or
amendment to, the application or official interpretation of such laws,
regulations or rulings (any such change or amendment being herein referred to as
a "Tax Law Change"), and such obligation cannot be avoided by the Company taking
reasonable measures available to it, the Tax Affected Notes (as hereinafter
defined) may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, in whole but not in
part. With respect to any Tax Law Change, "Tax Affected Notes" shall include any
Note that, on or before the 30th day after the date on which the Company
publishes a notice of redemption pursuant to this paragraph, is delivered to the
Trustee together with a written statement from or on behalf of the beneficial
owner of such Note to the effect that such beneficial owner has or will become
entitled to receive Additional Amounts as a result of such Tax Law Change. Such
redemption shall be upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice as
provided under " -- Notices" below, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued interest to the redemption date and
any Additional Amounts then payable; provided, however, that (1) no such notice
of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on
which the Company would be obligated to pay any such Additional Amounts were a
payment in respect of the Notes then due and (2) at the time such notice of
redemption is given, the obligation to pay such Additional Amounts remains in
effect. Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this
paragraph, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee (a) a certificate stating
that the Company is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a
statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the right of the
Company so to redeem have occurred and (b) an opinion of independent counsel of
recognized standing, to the effect that the Company has or will become obligated
to pay such Additional Amounts as a result of a Tax Law Change.
 
PAYMENT AND CONVERSION
 
     The principal of Notes will be payable in U.S. dollars, against surrender
thereof at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, or, subject to any applicable laws and
regulations, at the office of any Paying Agent, by dollar check drawn on, or by
transfer to a dollar account (such transfer to be made only to Holders of an
aggregate principal amount of Notes in excess of $2,000,000) maintained by the
Holder with a bank in New York City. Payment of any installment of interest on
Notes will be made to the Person in whose name such Notes (or any predecessor
Note) is registered at the close of business on the May 15 or the November 15
(whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding the relevant Interest
Payment Date (a "Regular Record Date"). Payments of such interest will be made
by a dollar check drawn on a bank in New York City mailed to the Holder at such
Holder's registered address or, upon application by the Holder thereof to the
Trustee not later than the applicable Regular Record Date, by transfer to a
dollar account (such transfer to be made only to Holders of an aggregate
principal amount of Notes in excess of $2,000,000) maintained by the Holder with
a bank in New York City. No transfer to a dollar account will be made unless the
Trustee has received written wire instructions not less than 15 days prior to
the relevant payment date. (sec. 2.2)
 
     Payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on any Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable
by the Trustee to DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the registered holder
under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company and the
Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the Notes, including the Global
Notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such
payments and for any and all other
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the Company, the Trustee nor any
agent of the Company or the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or
liability for (i) any aspect of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect
Participant's records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Notes, or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any of DTC's records or any Participant's or Indirect Participant's
records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes, or
(ii) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its
Participants or Indirect Participants.
 
     Any payment on the Notes due on any day which is not a Business Day need
not be made on such day, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day
with the same force and effect as if made on such due date, and no interest
shall accrue on such payment for the period from and after such date. "Business
Day", when used with respect to any place of payment, place of conversion or any
other place, as the case may be, means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in such place of
payment, place of conversion or other place, as the case may be, are authorized
or obligated by law or executive order to close; provided, however, that a day
on which banking institutions in New York, New York or London, England are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close shall not be a
Business Day for certain purposes. (sec.sec. 1.1 and 2.2)
 
     Notes may be surrendered for conversion at the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Notes surrendered
for conversion must be accompanied by appropriate notices, and any payments in
respect of interest or taxes, as applicable, as described above under
"-- Conversion Rights". (sec.sec. 2.2 and 12.2)
 
     The Company may at any time terminate the appointment of any Paying Agent
or Conversion Agent and appoint additional or other Paying Agents and Conversion
Agents, provided that until the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation, or moneys sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on the Notes have been made available for payment and either paid or
returned to the Company as provided in the Indenture, it will maintain an office
or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for surrender of
Notes for conversion, and in a Western European city for payments with respect
to the Notes and for the surrender of Notes for conversion. Notice of any such
termination or appointment and of any change in the office through which any
Paying Agent or Conversion Agent will act will be given in accordance with
"-- Notices" below. (sec. 10.2)
 
     Interest payable on Notes on any redemption date or repurchase date that is
an Interest Payment Date will be paid to the Holders of record as of the
immediately preceding Regular Record Date. (sec.sec. 11.7, 14.1 and 14.2)
 
     All moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company, in trust for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on any Notes which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such
payment has become due and payable will be repaid to the Company, and the Holder
of such Note will thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof.
(sec. 10.3)
 
PAYMENT OF ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS
 
     The Company will pay to the Holder of any Note who is a United States Alien
such additional amounts ("Additional Amounts") as may be necessary in order that
every net payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such
Note (including any payment of the Repurchase Price in respect of such Note),
after deduction or withholding for or on account of any present or future tax,
assessment or governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of such payment by
the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein, will not be less than the amount provided for in such Note to be then
due and payable; provided, however, that the foregoing obligation to pay
Additional Amounts will not apply to:
 
          (a) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not
     have been so imposed but for (i) the existence of any present or former
     connection between such Holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor,
     beneficiary, member, shareholder of or possessor of a power over such
     Holder, if
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
     such Holder is an estate, a trust, a partnership or a corporation) and the
     United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
     therein, including, without limitation, such Holder (or such fiduciary,
     settlor, beneficiary, member, shareholder or possessor) being or having
     been a citizen or resident of the United States or treated as a resident
     thereof, or being or having been engaged in trade or business or present
     therein, or having or having had a permanent establishment therein, or (ii)
     such Holder's present or former status as a personal holding company, a
     foreign personal holding company with respect to the United States, or a
     foreign private foundation or foreign tax exempt entity for United States
     tax purposes, or a corporation which accumulates earnings to avoid United
     States federal income tax;
 
          (b) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not
     have been so imposed but for the presentation by the Holder of such Note
     for payment on a date more than 15 days after the date on which such
     payment became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly
     provided for, whichever occurs later;
 
          (c) any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, personal property
     or similar tax, assessment or governmental charge;
 
          (d) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not
     have been imposed but for the failure to comply with any certification,
     identification or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality,
     residence, identity or connection with the United States of the Holder or
     beneficial owner of such Note, if compliance is required by statute or by
     regulation of the United States as a precondition to relief or exemption
     from such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;
 
          (e) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which is payable
     otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments of principal of,
     premium, if any, or interest on such Note;
 
          (f) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed on a
     holder that actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the total
     combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled to
     vote or that is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Company
     through stock ownership;
 
          (g) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be
     withheld by any Paying Agent from any payment of the principal of, premium,
     if any, or interest on any Note, if such payment can be made without such
     withholding by any other Paying Agent in Western Europe;
 
          (h) any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed on a
     Holder that is a partnership or a fiduciary or other than the sole
     beneficial owner of such payment, but only to the extent that any
     beneficial owner or member of the partnership or beneficiary or settlor
     with respect to the fiduciary would not have been entitled to the payment
     of Additional Amounts had the beneficial owner, member, beneficiary or
     settlor directly been the Holder of the Note; or
 
          (i) any combination of items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and
     (h). (sec. 2.2)
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to pay
Additional Amounts in respect of payments becoming due on the Notes more than 15
days after the redemption date for a redemption described in the first paragraph
under "-- Redemption -- Redemption for Taxation Reasons", except to the extent
that the Company's obligation to pay such Additional Amounts does not arise from
the Tax Law Change that resulted in such redemption.
 
     For purposes of this Prospectus, "United States" means the United States of
America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories,
its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction and a "United States
Alien" is any person who, for United States federal income tax purposes, is a
foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual, a nonresident alien
fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of
the members of which is for United States federal income tax purposes, a foreign
corporation, a nonresident alien individual or a nonresident alien fiduciary of
a foreign estate or trust. (sec. 2.2)
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDERS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL
 
     If a Change in Control (as defined) occurs, each Holder of Notes shall have
the right, at the Holder's option, to require the Company to repurchase all of
such Holder's Notes, or any portion of a Note, that is $5,000 or an integral
multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, on the date (the "Repurchase Date") that
is 45 days after the date of the Company Notice (as defined), at a price equal
to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased together with
interest accrued to the Repurchase Date (the "Repurchase Price"). (sec. 14.1)
 
     The Company may, at its option, in lieu of paying the Repurchase Price in
cash, pay the Repurchase Price in Common Stock valued at 95% of the average of
the closing prices of the Common Stock for the five trading days ending on and
including the third trading day preceding the Repurchase Date; provided that
payment may not be made in Common Stock unless the Company satisfies certain
conditions with respect to such payment as provided in the Indenture.
(sec.sec. 14.1 and 14.2)
 
     Within 30 days after the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company is
obligated to give to all Holders of the Notes notice, as provided in the
Indenture (the "Company Notice"), of the occurrence of such Change in Control
and of the repurchase right arising as a result thereof, or, at the request of
the Company on or before the 15th day after such occurrence, the Trustee shall
give the Company Notice. The Company must also deliver a copy of the Company
Notice to the Trustee and to the office of each Paying Agent. To exercise the
repurchase right, a Holder of Notes must deliver on or before the 30th day after
the date of the Company Notice irrevocable written notice to the Trustee or any
Paying Agent of the Holder's exercise of such right, together with the Notes
with respect to which the right is being exercised. (sec. 14.3)
 
     A Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time after the
original issuance of the Notes as there shall occur:
 
          (i) the acquisition by any Person (including any syndicate or group
     deemed to be a "person" under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of
     beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or
     other acquisition transaction or series of transactions, of shares of
     capital stock of the Company entitling such Person to exercise 50% or more
     of the total voting power of all shares of capital stock of the Company
     entitled to vote generally in elections of directors, other than any such
     acquisition by the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any employee
     benefit plan of the Company; or
 
          (ii) any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into, any
     other Person, any merger of another Person into the Company, or any
     conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the
     assets of the Company to another Person (other than (a) any such
     transaction (x) which does not result in any reclassification, conversion,
     exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of Common Stock and (y)
     pursuant to which holders of Common Stock immediately prior to such
     transaction have the entitlement to exercise, directly or indirectly, 50%
     or more of the total voting power of all shares of capital stock entitled
     to vote generally in the election of directors of the continuing or
     surviving person immediately after such transaction and (b) any merger
     which is effected solely to change the jurisdiction of incorporation of the
     Company and results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of
     outstanding shares of Common Stock into solely shares of common stock);
 
provided, however, that a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred
if the closing price per share of the Common Stock for any five trading days
within the period of 10 consecutive trading days ending immediately after the
later of the Change in Control or the public announcement of the Change in
Control (in the case of a Change in Control under clause (i) above) or ending
immediately before the Change in Control (in the case of a Change in Control
under clause (ii) above) shall equal or exceed 105% of the Conversion Price of
the Notes in effect on each such trading day. The "Conversion Price" is equal to
$1,000 divided by the Conversion Rate. "Beneficial Owner" shall be determined in
accordance
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
with Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange Act, as in
effect on the date of execution of the Indenture. (sec. 14.4)
 
     The Company may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at any time
purchase Notes in the open market or by tender at any price or by private
agreement. Any Note so purchased by the Company may, to the extent permitted by
applicable law and subject to restrictions contained in the Underwriting
Agreement entered by and among the Company and the Initial Purchasers in
connection with the Original Offering, be re-issued or resold or may, at the
Company's option, be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. Any Notes
surrendered as aforesaid may not be re-issued or resold and will be cancelled
promptly.
 
     The foregoing provisions would not necessarily afford Holders of the Notes
protection in the event of highly leveraged or other transactions involving the
Company that may adversely affect Holders.
 
MERGERS AND SALES OF ASSETS BY THE COMPANY
 
     The Company shall not consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or
convey, transfer, sell or lease its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit any Person to
consolidate or merge with or into the Company or convey, transfer, sell or lease
such Person's properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Company
unless (a) the Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the
Company is merged or the Person to which the properties and assets of the
Company are so conveyed, transferred, sold or leased shall be a corporation,
limited liability company, partnership or trust organized and existing under the
laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and
shall expressly assume the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on the Notes and the performance of the other covenants of the Company
under the Indenture, and (b) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, no Event of Default, and no event that, after notice or lapse of
time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be
continuing. (sec. 7.1)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The following will be Events of Default under the Indenture: (a) failure to
pay principal of or premium, if any, on any Note when due, whether or not such
payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Notes and the
Indenture; (b) failure to pay any interest (including any Additional Amount) on
any Note or coupon when due, continuing for 30 days; (c) failure to provide a
Company Notice; (d) failure to perform any other covenant of the Company in the
Indenture, continuing for 60 days after written notice as provided in the
Indenture; (e) default in respect of any indebtedness for money borrowed by the
Company that results in acceleration of the maturity of an amount in excess of
$10,000,000 of indebtedness if such indebtedness is not discharged, or such
acceleration is not annulled, within 30 days after written notice as provided in
the Indenture; and (f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization. (sec. 5.1) Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating
to the duties of the Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the
Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable
indemnity. (sec. 6.3) Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the
Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. (sec. 5.12)
 
     If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or
the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Notes may
accelerate the maturity of all Notes; provided, however, that after such
acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes may, under
certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of
Default, other than the non-payment of principal of the Notes which have become
due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
provided in the Indenture. (sec. 5.2) For information as to waiver of defaults,
see "-- Meetings, Modification and Waiver".
 
     No Holder of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding with
respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall
have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of
Default and the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Notes shall have made written request, and offered reasonable
indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the
Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent with such
request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days.
(sec. 5.7) However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a
Holder of a Note for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, or interest on such Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in
such Note or of the right to convert such Note in accordance with the Indenture.
(sec. 5.8)
 
     The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
as to the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations under the
Indenture and as to any default in such performance. (sec. 10.9)
 
MEETINGS, MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
     The Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders of
Notes to consider matters affecting their interests. (Article Nine)
 
     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made, and certain past
defaults by the Company may be waived, either (i) with the written consent of
the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes at the time Outstanding or (ii) by the adoption of a resolution, at a
meeting of Holders of the Notes at which a quorum is present, by the Holders of
at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented at such
meeting. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of
the Holder of each Outstanding Note or coupon affected thereby, (a) change the
Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Note
or coupon, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or the premium, if any, or
interest on, any Note or coupon, (c) reduce the amount payable upon a redemption
or mandatory repurchase, (d) modify the provisions with respect to the
repurchase right of the Holders in a manner adverse to the Holders, (e) change
the obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to the
Indenture in a manner adverse to the Holders, (f) change the place or currency
of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note (including
any payment of the Repurchase Price in respect of such Note) or coupon, (g)
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with
respect to any Note or coupon, (h) modify the obligation of the Company to
maintain an office or agency in New York City and in a Western European city,
(i) except as otherwise permitted or contemplated by provisions concerning
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease of all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, adversely affect
the right of Holders to convert any of the Notes or to require the Company to
repurchase any Note other than as provided in the Indenture, (j) modify the
subordination provisions in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes, (k)
reduce the above-stated percentage of Outstanding Notes necessary to modify or
amend the Indenture, (l) reduce the percentage of aggregate principal amount of
Outstanding Notes necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of
the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults, (m) reduce the percentage in
aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes required for the adoption of a
resolution or the quorum required at any meeting of Holders of Notes at which a
resolution is adopted, or (n) modify the obligation of the Company to deliver
information required under Rule 144A to permit resales of Notes and Common Stock
issuable upon conversion thereof in the event the Company ceases to be subject
to certain reporting requirements under the United States securities laws
(sec.sec. 8.2 and 5.13). The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution
will be persons holding or representing a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Notes at the time Outstanding and, at any reconvened meeting adjourned
for lack of a quorum, 25% of such aggregate principal amount. (sec. 9.4)
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Notes may waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions of
the Indenture by written consent. (sec. 10.13) The Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes also may waive any past
default under the Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest, by written consent. (sec. 5.13)
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
     The Selling Holders are entitled to the benefits of a registration rights
agreement dated as of May 17, 1996, between the Company and the Initial
Purchasers entered in connection with the Original Offering (the "Registration
Rights Agreement"). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company
has, at its own expense, filed with the Commission a shelf registration
statement of which this Prospectus forms a part (the "Shelf Registration
Statement") covering resales by the holders of Notes in registered form (and the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes) which cannot be
resold in the United States except pursuant to a registration statement under
the Securities Act or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act
(collectively, the "Registrable Securities") and were not acquired in a
transaction in reliance on Regulation S. The Company will use reasonable efforts
to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as
practicable and keep such Shelf Registration Statement effective until such date
that is three years after the latest date of original issuance of the Notes or,
if earlier, until all of the Registrable Securities (i) have been sold in a
manner contemplated by the Shelf Registration Statement, (ii) have been
transferred in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or are
transferable pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, (iii) have been
sold in compliance with Regulation S (and do not constitute part of the unsold
allotment of a "distributor" within the meaning of Regulation S), or (iv) have
otherwise been transferred and a new security not subject to transfer
restrictions under the Securities Act has been delivered by or on behalf of the
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will be permitted, in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, to suspend the use of any
Prospectus that is a part of the Shelf Registration Statement during the
existence of a state of facts or the happening of an event (including without
limitation pending negotiations relating to, or the consummation of, a
transaction or the occurrence of any event which in the opinion of the Company
might require additional disclosure of material, non-public information by the
Company in the Shelf Registration Statement as to which the Company believes it
has a bona fide business purpose for preserving confidentiality or which renders
the Company unable to comply with the rules and regulations under the Securities
Act) which in the opinion of outside counsel to the Company might reasonably
result in the Shelf Registration Statement, or any amendment or post-effective
amendment thereto, or the Prospectus or any supplement thereto, or any document
incorporated therein by reference containing an untrue statement of material
fact or omitting to state a material fact.
 
     This summary of certain provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety
by reference to, all the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus forms a
part.
 
TRANSFER, EXCHANGE AND WITHDRAWAL
 
     At the option of the Holder upon request confirmed in writing, and subject
to the terms of the Indenture, any Note in registered form will be exchangeable
at any time into an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes in registered form
of different authorized denominations. (sec. 3.5)
 
     Notes in registered form may be presented for registration of transfer
(with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) or exchange, at the
office of any transfer agent or at the office of the security registrar, without
service charge but, in the case of a transfer, upon payment of any taxes and
other governmental charges as described in the Indenture. Any registration of
transfer or exchange will be effected upon the transfer agent or the security
registrar, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and
identity of the person making the request, and subject to such reasonable
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
regulations as the Company may from time to time agree upon with the transfer
agents and the security registrar, all as described in the Indenture. Notes may
be transferred in whole or in part in authorized denominations. Upon surrender
for registration of transfer of any such Notes, one or more new Notes will be
deliverable, in accordance with the Indenture, at the office of any transfer
agent. (sec. 3.5)
 
     The Company has initially appointed the Trustee as security registrar and
transfer agent, acting through its Corporate Trust Offices in New York City. The
Company reserves the right to vary or terminate the appointment of the security
registrar or of any transfer agent or to appoint additional or other transfer
agents or to approve any change in the office through which any security
registrar or any transfer agent acts, provided that there will at all times be a
security registrar and a transfer agent in a Western European city.
(sec.sec. 3.5 and 10.2)
 
     In the event of a redemption of less than all of the Notes (other than, a
redemption for any of the reasons described under "-- Redemption -- Redemption
for Taxation Reasons") for any of the reasons set forth below under
"-- Redemption", the Company will not be required (a) to register the transfer
or exchange of Notes for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the date
notice is given identifying the serial numbers of the Notes called for such
redemption or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note, or portion
thereof, called for redemption. (sec. 3.5)
 
     Exchange of Interests in the Restricted Global Note and Regulation D Notes
for Interests in Unrestricted Global Note.  Upon each sale by a Selling Holder
of Notes or Conversion Shares, as the case may be, offered hereby, such Selling
Holder will be required to deliver a Notice (the "Notice") of such sale to the
Trustee and the Company. The Notice will among other things, identify the sale
as a sale pursuant to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms
a part, certify that the prospectus delivery requirements, if any, of the
Securities Act have been satisfied, and certify that the Selling Holder and the
aggregate principal amount of Notes or the number of Conversion Shares owned by
such holder are identified in the Prospectus in accordance with the applicable
rules and regulations under the Securities Act. A copy of the Notice is attached
hereto as Appendix A. Additional copies are available upon request to Corporate
Secretary, Quintiles Transnational Corp., 4709 Creekstone Drive, Riverbirch
Building, Suite 300, Durham, North Carolina 27703-8411, telephone (919)
941-2000.
 
     Upon receipt by the Trustee of the Notice relating to a sale of Notes, an
appropriate adjustment will be made to reflect a decrease in the principal
amount of the Restricted Global Note or the cancellation of a Note in
certificated form upon the transfer thereof, and a corresponding increase in the
principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note (or upon the request of a
Selling Holder of Notes in certificated form, the authentication and delivery of
a Note in certificated form).
 
     Any beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note that is transferred
to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the Unrestricted
Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in the Restricted
Global Note and will become an interest in the Unrestricted Global Note and,
accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all procedures applicable to the
Unrestricted Global Note for so long as it remains such an interest.
 
     Exchange of Interests in Global Notes for Certificated Notes.  As long as
DTC, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a Global Note, DTC or such
nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and Holder of the
Notes represented by such Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture and
the Notes. Unless DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as depository for a Global Note, or ceases to be a "Clearing Agency"
registered under the Exchange Act, or announces an intention permanently to
cease business or does in fact do so, or an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing with respect to a Global Note, owners of beneficial interests in a
Global Note will not be entitled to have any portions of such Global Note
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of Notes in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or
Holders of the Global Note (or any Notes represented thereby) under the
Indenture or the Notes. In addition, no beneficial owner of an interest in a
Global Note will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with
DTC's applicable procedures (in addition to those under the Indenture referred
to herein). In the event that owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note
become entitled to receive Notes in certificated
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
form, such Notes will be issued only as Notes in certificated form in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
 
     Transfers involving an exchange of a beneficial interest in the Restricted
Global Note for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note or vice
versa will be effected in DTC by means of an instruction originated by the
Trustee through the DTC/Deposit Withdraw at Custodian (DWAC) System.
Accordingly, appropriate adjustments will be made to reflect a decrease in the
principal amount of the Restricted Global Note and a corresponding increase in
the principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note or vice versa, as
applicable.
 
TITLE
 
     The Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent and any Conversion Agent may
treat the registered owner (as reflected in the Security Register) of any Note
as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not such Note shall be overdue) for
the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. (sec. 2.2)
 
NOTICES
 
     Notices to Holders of Notes will be given by mail to the addresses of such
Holders as they appear in the Security Register. Such notices will be deemed to
have been given on the date of such mailing. (sec.sec. 1.1 and 1.6)
 
     Notice of a redemption of Notes will be given at least once not less than
30 nor more than 60 days (and in the case of the redemption described in the
second paragraph under "-- Redemption -- Redemption for Taxation Reasons", at
least 75 days) prior to the redemption date (which notice shall be published in
accordance with the procedures described in the preceding paragraph, but shall
be irrevocable except as otherwise provided in the second paragraph under
"-- Redemption -- Redemption for Taxation Reasons") and will specify the
redemption date.
 
REPLACEMENT OF NOTES
 
     Notes that become mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost will be replaced by
the Company at the expense of the Holder upon delivery to the Trustee of the
mutilated Notes or evidence of the loss, theft or destruction thereof
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee. In the case of a lost, stolen or
destroyed Note, indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company may be
required at the expense of the Holder of such Note before a replacement Note
will be issued. (sec. 3.6)
 
PAYMENT OF STAMP AND OTHER TAXES
 
     The Company will pay all stamp and other duties, if any, which may be
imposed by the United States or any political subdivision thereof or taxing
authority thereof or therein with respect to the issuance of the Notes. Except
as described under "--Payment of Additional Amounts", the Company will not be
required to make any payment with respect to any other tax, assessment or
governmental charge imposed by any government or any political subdivision
thereof or taxing authority thereof or therein.
 
DEPOSITORY PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO GLOBAL NOTES
 
     With respect to the Global Notes, DTC has advised the Company as follows:
DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of
New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation"
within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended, and a "Clearing
Agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange
Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participating organizations
(collectively, the "Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and
settlement of transactions in those securities between Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its Participants. The Participants
include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC's system is also
available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with
a Participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the "Indirect
Participants"). Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the Indirect
Participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest of each
actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on
the records of the Participants and Indirect Participants.
 
     DTC has also advised the Company that pursuant to procedures established by
it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC credits the accounts of designated
Participants with portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes and (ii)
ownership of such interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the
transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained
by DTC (with respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the
Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in
the Global Notes).
 
     Investors in the Global Notes may hold their interests therein directly
through DTC, if they are Participants in such system, or indirectly through
organizations which are Participants in such system. All interests in a Global
Note may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC.
 
     The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery
in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to
transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such persons may be limited to
that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of its Participants, which in
turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a
person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to
persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take
actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical
certificate evidencing such interests.
 
     EXCEPT AS DESCRIBED ABOVE UNDER "-- FORM, DENOMINATION AND WITHDRAWAL",
OWNERS OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTES WILL NOT HAVE NOTES REGISTERED IN THEIR
NAMES, WILL NOT RECEIVE PHYSICAL DELIVERY OF NOTES IN CERTIFICATED FORM AND WILL
NOT BE CONSIDERED THE REGISTERED OWNERS OR HOLDERS THEREOF UNDER THE INDENTURE
FOR ANY PURPOSE.
 
     DTC has advised the Company that its current practice, upon receipt of any
payment in respect of interests in securities such as the Global Notes
(including principal and interest) held by it or its nominee, is to credit the
accounts of the relevant Participants with the payment on the payment date, in
amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of
beneficial interests in the relevant security such as the Global Notes as shown
on the records of DTC unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive
payment on such payment date. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect
Participants to the beneficial owners of Notes will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers registered in "street name". Such payments will be
the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not
be the responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or the Company. Neither the Company
nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its Participants
or Indirect Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes, and
the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in
relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee as the registered owner of the
Global Notes for all purposes.
 
     Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes between Participants
in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and such beneficial
interests will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System; and
consequently, secondary market trading activity in such interests will settle in
immediately available funds.
 
     DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a Holder of Notes only at the direction of one or more Participants to
whose account with DTC interests in the Global Notes are credited and only in
respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes as to
which such Participant or Participants has or have given such direction.
However, if there is an Event of
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
Default under the Notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for
legended Notes in certificated form, and to distribute such Notes to its
Participants.
 
     Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes among
Participants of DTC, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform
such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of
the Company, the Trustee nor any of their respective agents will have any
responsibility for the performance by DTC, its Participants or Indirect
Participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures
governing their operations, including maintaining, supervising or reviewing the
records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership
interests in Registered Global Notes.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture and the Notes are governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York, United States of America. (sec. 1.11)
 
THE TRUSTEE
 
     In case an Event of Default shall occur (and shall not be cured), the
Trustee will be required to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the
conduct of his own affairs in the exercise of its powers. Subject to such
provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any of the Holders of
Notes, unless they shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity. (sec.sec. 6.1 and 6.3)
 
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax
considerations relevant to purchasers of the Notes and the Conversion Shares,
but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax
considerations relating thereto. This summary is based on laws, regulations,
rulings and decisions now in effect (or, in the case of certain United States
Treasury Regulations ("Treasury Regulations"), now in proposed form), all of
which are subject to change. This summary deals only with holders that will hold
Notes and Common Stock into which Notes may be converted as "capital assets"
(within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code")) and does not address tax considerations applicable to
investors that may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks, tax-exempt
organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, persons
that will hold Notes as a position in a hedging transaction, "straddle" or
"conversion transaction" for tax purposes, or non-United States persons.
INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING
UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY
APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.
 
  Payment of Interest
 
     Interest on a Note generally will be includible in the income of a holder
as ordinary income at the time such interest is received or accrued, in
accordance with such holder's method of accounting for United States federal
income tax purposes.
 
  Sale, Exchange or Redemption of the Notes
 
     Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of a Note, a holder generally will
recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the amount of
cash proceeds and the fair market value of any property received on the sale,
exchange or redemption (except to the extent such amount is attributable to
accrued interest income, which is taxable as ordinary income) and (ii) such
holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. A holder's adjusted tax basis in a Note
generally will equal the cost of the Note to such
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
holder, less any principal payments received by such holder. Such capital gain
or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder's holding period in
the Note is more than one year at the time of sale, exchange or redemption.
 
  Conversion of the Notes
 
     A holder generally will not recognize any income, gain or loss upon
conversion of a Note into Common Stock except with respect to cash received in
lieu of a fractional Share of Common Stock. Such holder's tax basis in the
Common Stock received on conversion of a Note will be the same as such holder's
adjusted tax basis in the Note at the time of conversion (reduced by any basis
allocable to a fractional share interest), and the holding period for the Common
Stock received on conversion will generally include the holding period of the
Note converted.
 
     Cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock upon conversion
will be treated as a payment in exchange for the fractional share of Common
Stock. Accordingly, the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common
Stock generally will result in a capital gain or loss (measured by the
difference between the cash received for the fractional share and the holder's
adjusted tax basis in the fractional share).
 
  Dividends
 
     Dividends paid on the Common Stock generally will be includible in the
income of a holder as ordinary income to the extent of the Company's current or
accumulated earnings and profits.
 
     If at any time (i) the Company makes a distribution of cash or property to
its stockholders or purchases Common Stock and such distribution or purchase
would be taxable to such stockholders as a dividend for United States federal
income tax purposes (e.g., distributions of evidences of indebtedness or assets
of the Company, but generally not stock dividends or rights to subscribe for
Common Stock) and, pursuant to the antidilution provisions of the Indenture, the
conversion rate of the Notes is increased, or (ii) the conversion rate of the
Notes is increased at the discretion of the Company, such increase in conversion
rate may be deemed to be the payment of a taxable dividend to holders of Notes
(pursuant to Section 305 of the Code). Holders of Notes could therefore have
taxable income as a result of an event pursuant to which they received no cash
or property.
 
  Market Discount
 
     In general, if a holder purchases a Note after its original issuance at a
price which is less than the Note's stated redemption price at maturity by more
than a statutory de minimis amount, the Note will be treated as having market
discount equal to the difference between the purchase price and the stated
redemption price at maturity. Such market discount is treated as accruing
ratably (or, if the holder elects, on a constant interest rate basis) over the
period between the holder's purchase of the Note and the Note's maturity date.
The holder of a Note with market discount must generally include accrued market
discount in ordinary income when the Note is sold or otherwise disposed of. In
addition, the holder must treat any principal payments received on the Note as
ordinary income to the extent of accrued market discount not previously taken
into income. Alternatively, the holder may elect to accrue market discount on a
constant yield basis. Absent such an election, holders who have incurred or
continued indebtedness in connection with the acquisition or holding of a Note
with market discount may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion
of the interest on such indebtedness until the Note is disposed of in a taxable
transaction.
 
  Bond Premium
 
     In general, if a holder purchases a Note at a price in excess of the Note's
stated redemption price at maturity, the Note will be treated as having bond
premium equal to such excess. Bond premium with respect to a Note does not,
however, include any amount attributable to the conversion feature of the Note.
In general, a holder may elect to amortize bond premium with respect to a Note
using a constant
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
yield method over the Note's remaining life. The amount of bond premium
amortized by an electing holder during a year will generally reduce the amount
required to be included in income during the year with respect to interest on
the Note and will reduce the holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. An
election to amortize bond premium will apply to all taxable bonds held by the
holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies
or thereafter acquired by the holder, and is irrevocable without the consent of
the Internal Revenue Service.
 
  Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax
 
     In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of
principal, premium, if any, and of interest on a Note, payments of dividends on
Common Stock, payments of the proceeds of the sale of a Note and payments of the
proceeds of the sale of Common Stock to certain non-corporate holders, and a 31%
backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if the holder (i) fails to
furnish or certify his correct taxpayer identification number to the payor in
the manner required, (ii) is notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the
"IRS") that he has failed to report payments of interest and dividends properly,
or (iii) under certain circumstances, fails to certify that he has not been
notified by the IRS that he is subject to backup withholding for failure to
report interest and dividend payments. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules from a payment to a holder will be allowed as a credit against
such holder's United States federal income tax and may entitle the holder to a
refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     The Company has authorized 200 million shares of Common Stock, $.01 par
value per share. As of November 30, 1996, 32,883,906 shares of Common Stock were
issued and outstanding. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for
each share held on matters which are submitted to a vote of shareholders and are
not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Subject to any
preferential rights of holders of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock are
entitled to receive dividends, if any, as declared from time to time by the
Board of Directors out of assets legally available for such purpose. The Company
has never paid any cash dividends on Common Stock, and its existing domestic
credit facility prohibits the payment of dividends without the prior consent of
the lender. The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the
foreseeable future and intends to retain future earnings for the development and
expansion of its business. On liquidation, holders of Common Stock are entitled
to a pro rata portion of all assets available for distribution after payment of
creditors and the liquidation preference of any outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights or other rights to
subscribe for additional shares. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and
the Conversion Shares will be, upon issuance in accordance with the provisions
of the Indenture, duly authorized validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Notices to Holders of Common Stock will be given by the Company by mail to the
addresses of such Holders as they appear in the books and records of the
Company.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company has authorized 25 million shares of Preferred Stock, $.01 par
value per share. The Company may issue shares of Preferred Stock in one or more
series as may be determined by the Company's Board of Directors, who may
establish, from time to time, the number of shares to be included in each
series, may fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of
each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof,
and may increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series without any
further vote or action by the shareholders. Any Preferred Stock so issued by the
Board of Directors may rank senior to the Common Stock with respect to the
payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company, or both. In addition, any such shares of Preferred Stock may have class
or series voting rights. Under certain circumstances the
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
issuance of Preferred Stock or the existence of the unissued Preferred Stock may
tend to discourage or render more difficult a merger or other change in control
of the Company. No shares of Preferred Stock currently are outstanding, and the
Company has no current plans to issue Preferred Stock.
 
CERTAIN ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS PROVISIONS HAVING POTENTIAL
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS
 
  General
 
     A number of provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws address matters of corporate governance and the rights of shareholders.
The following summary of such provisions is not intended to be complete and is
qualified in all respects by the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Certain of these provisions, as well as the ability of the Board of Directors to
issue shares of Preferred Stock and to set the voting rights, preferences and
other terms thereof, may delay or prevent takeover attempts not first approved
by the Board of Directors (including takeovers which certain shareholders may
deem to be in their best interests). These provisions also could delay or
frustrate the removal of incumbent directors or the assumption of control by
shareholders.
 
  Classification of Board of Directors
 
     The Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board of Directors of the
Company is divided into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible. The
directors of each class elected after the expiration of the initial term of
office for such class will serve a term of three years. As a result of the
classification of the Board of Directors, approximately one-third of the members
of the Board of Directors will be elected each year, and, two annual meetings
will be required for the Company's shareholders to change a majority of the
members constituting the Board of Directors.
 
  Nomination and Removal of Directors; Filling Vacancies
 
     The Company's Bylaws provide that nominations to the Board of Directors may
only be made by the Board of Directors, a nominating committee of the Board or
by any shareholder entitled to vote in elections of directors who complies with
certain notice procedures. In addition, the Articles of Incorporation provide
that (i) a director may be removed by the shareholders only upon the affirmative
vote of the holders of two-thirds of the voting power of all shares of capital
stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, however if a
Director was elected by the holders of one class or series of capital stock, or
a group of such class or series, only members of that voting group may
participate in the vote to remove him, and (ii) vacancies on the Board of
Directors may be filled only by the Board of Directors. The purpose of this
provision is to prevent a majority shareholder from circumventing the classified
board system by removing directors and filling the vacancies with new
individuals selected by that shareholder. Accordingly, the provision may have
the effect of impeding efforts to gain control of the Board by anyone who
obtains a controlling interest in the Company's Common Stock.
 
  Amendment of Articles of Incorporation
 
     The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that amendments to the
Articles of Incorporation may be adopted only upon the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all shares of capital
stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon. However, if such amendment has
received the prior approval by an affirmative vote of a majority of
Disinterested Directors, as defined below, then the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all shares of capital
stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, or such greater percentage
approval as required by North Carolina law, is sufficient to adopt such
amendment. A Disinterested Director is defined as any member of the Board of
Directors who is unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, a Control Person, as
defined below, and was a member of the Board of Directors prior to the time a
Control Person became such, and any successor of a Disinterested Director who is
unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, a Control Person, who is recommended to
succeed a Disinterested Director by a majority of Disinterested Directors then
on the Board of Directors. A Control Person is defined as any corporation,
person, group,
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
or other entity, which together with its affiliates, prior to a Business
Combination, as defined below, beneficially owns 10% or more of the shares of
any class of equity or convertible securities of the Company, and any affiliate
of any such corporation, person, group, or other entity; provided, however, any
corporation, person, group or other entity which, together with its affiliates,
prior to January 1, 1994 beneficially owned 10% or more of the shares of any
class of equity or convertible securities of the Company, and any affiliate of
any such party is not considered to be a Control Person.
 
  Amendment of Bylaws
 
     Subject to certain restrictions described below, either the Board of
Directors or the shareholders of the Company may amend the Company's Bylaws. The
Board of Directors may amend the Bylaws and adopt new Bylaws except that: (i) a
bylaw adopted, amended, or repealed by the shareholders may not be readopted,
amended, or repealed by the Board of Directors if neither the Articles of
Incorporation or a bylaw adopted by the shareholders authorizes the Board of
Directors to adopt, amend, or repeal that particular bylaw or the Bylaws
generally; (ii) a bylaw that fixes a greater quorum or voting requirement for
the Board of Directors may not be adopted by the Board of Directors by a vote of
less than a majority of the directors then in office and may not itself be
amended by a quorum or vote of directors less than the quorum or vote therein
prescribed or prescribed by a bylaw adopted or amended by the shareholders; and
(iii) if a bylaw fixing a greater quorum or voting requirement for the Board of
Directors is originally adopted by the shareholders, it may be amended or
repealed only by the shareholders, unless the Bylaws permit amendment or repeal
by the Board of Directors. The shareholders of the Company generally may adopt,
amend, or repeal the Bylaws upon the affirmative vote of the holders of
two-thirds of the voting power of all shares of capital stock entitled to vote
thereon.
 
  Supermajority Vote Requirement
 
     The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that, unless otherwise
more restrictively required by applicable law, any Business Combination, as
defined below, must be approved by a majority of a quorum of the Board of
Directors and must receive the level of shareholder approval, if any, as
follows: (i) to the extent shareholder approval is otherwise required by law, by
an affirmative vote of the shareholders holding at least a majority of the
shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, provided that
such Business Combination has been approved by an affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of the full Board of Directors before such Business Combination is
submitted for approval to the shareholders or (ii) by an affirmative vote of the
shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares of capital stock of the
Company entitled to vote thereon, provided that such Business Combination has
been approved by an affirmative vote of at least a majority of a quorum of the
Board of Directors (but less than two-thirds of the full Board of Directors). In
addition, if the Business Combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the
shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares of Common Stock entitled
to vote and by a majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors but less than
two-thirds of the full Board of Directors, the Business Combination must grant
to shareholders not voting to approve the Business Combination certain "fair
price" rights.
 
     The Company's Articles of Incorporation define a Business Combination as
(i) any merger or consolidation of the Company into any other corporation,
person, group, or other entity where the Company is not the surviving or
resulting entity; (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
any Control Person or with any corporation, person, group or other entity where
the merger or consolidation is proposed by or on behalf of a Control Person;
(iii) any sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company; (iv) any sale, lease, exchange, or other
disposition of more than 10% of the total assets of the Company to a Control
Person; (v) the issuance of any securities of the Company to a Control Person;
(vi) the acquisition by the Company of any securities of a Control Person unless
such acquisition begins prior to the person becoming a Control Person or is an
attempt to prevent the Control Person from obtaining greater control of the
Company; (vii) the acquisition by the Company of all or substantially all of the
assets of any Control Person or any entity where the acquisition is proposed by
or on behalf of a Control Person; (viii) the adoption of any plan or
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company which is proposed by
or on behalf of a Control Person; (ix) any reclassification of securities or
recapitalization of the Company which has the effect of increasing the
proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or
convertible securities of the Company which is beneficially owned or controlled
by a Control Person; (x) any of the above transactions which are between the
Company and any of its subsidiaries and which are proposed by or on behalf of
any Control Person; or (xi) any agreement, plan, contract, or other arrangement
providing for any of the above transactions.
 
     The requirement of a supermajority vote of shareholders to approve certain
business transactions, as described above, may discourage a change in control of
the Company by allowing shareholders holding less than a majority of the shares
of Common Stock to prevent a transaction favored by shareholders holding a
majority of such shares. Also, in some circumstances, the Board of Directors
could cause a two-thirds vote to be required to approve a transaction thereby
enabling management to retain control over the affairs of the Company and their
positions with the Company.
 
  Fair Price Provision
 
     The "fair price" provision of the Company's Articles of Incorporation
applies to Business Combinations which have received the approval of two-thirds
of the shareholders entitled to vote but have not received the approval of
two-thirds of the full Board of Directors and only to shareholders who vote
against such Business Combinations and who elect to sell their shares to the
Company for cash at their fair price. This "fair price" provision requires that
the consideration for such shares be paid in cash by the Company and that the
price per share be at least equal to the greater of the following:
 
          (i) The highest price per share paid for the Company's Common Stock
     during the four years immediately preceding the Business Combination vote
     by any shareholder who beneficially owned five percent or more of the
     Company's Common Stock and who votes in favor of the Business Combination;
 
          (ii) The cash value of the highest price per share previously offered
     pursuant to a tender offer to the shareholders of the Company within the
     four years immediately preceding the Business Combination vote; or
 
          (iii) The highest price per share, including commissions and fees,
     paid by a Control Person in acquiring any of its holdings of the Company's
     Common Stock.
 
     The fair price provision is intended to prevent some of the potential
inequities of two-step takeover attempts by encouraging negotiations with the
Company. However, some shareholders may find the fair price provision
disadvantageous to the extent it discourages changes in control in which
shareholders might receive for at least some of their shares a substantial
premium above the market price at the time an acquisition transaction is made.
 
     The Company is not aware of any pending or threatened effort to acquire
control of the Company or to change management. The Board of Directors does not
presently intend to propose any additional anti-takeover provisions.
 
  Constituencies
 
     The Company's Articles of Incorporation expressly authorize the Board of
Directors of the Company, any committee of the Board of Directors, or any
individual director in determining what is in the best interest of the Company
and its shareholders, to consider, in addition to the long-term and short-term
interests of the shareholders, the social and economic effects of the matter to
be considered on the Company and its subsidiaries, their employees, clients,
creditors, and the communities in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate
or are located. When evaluating a business combination or a proposal by another
person to make a business combination or a tender offer or any other proposal
relating to a potential change in control of the Company, the Board of Directors
may consider such matters as the business and financial condition and earnings
prospects of the acquiring person, and the
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
possible effect of such condition upon the Company and its subsidiaries and the
communities in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate, the competence,
experience, and integrity of the acquiring person and its management and the
prospects for successful conclusion of the business combination, offer or
proposal. The consideration of any of the above factors is completely
discretionary with the Company's Board of Directors. The constituency provision
of the Company's Articles of Incorporation may discourage or make more difficult
certain acquisition proposals or business combinations and therefore, may
adversely affect the ability of shareholders to benefit from certain
transactions opposed by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
  Special Meetings of Shareholders
 
     The Company's Bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders may be
called only by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President
or holders of 25% or more of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the
Company. As a result, this provision would prevent shareholders owning less than
25% of the voting power of the outstanding Common Stock from compelling
shareholder consideration of any proposal (such as a proposal for a Business
Combination) over the opposition of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
  Shareholder Proposals
 
     The Company's Bylaws provide that shareholders who desire to bring any
business before a meeting of shareholders must follow specified procedures,
including advance written notice to the Company. The shareholder proposal
provision may make it more difficult for shareholder proposals to be considered
at shareholder meetings.
 
  Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
     The Company's transfer agent and registrar for its Common Stock is First
Union National Bank of North Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Notes and of the Common Stock issuable upon conversion
thereof offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Smith, Anderson,
Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P., Raleigh, North Carolina.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for the three years in the period ended December
31, 1995 appearing in the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 incorporated herein by reference
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in
their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. The
financial statements of Lewin-VHI as of and for the year ended December 31, 1995
included in the Company's current report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 1996 have
been audited by Ernst & Young, LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
     The consolidated financial statements of BRI as of May 31, 1996 and for the
six month period ended May 31, 1996 included in the Registration Statement on
Form S-4, as filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (File No.
333-12573) on September 24, 1996 and amended on October 15, 1996 (the "BRI
Registration Statement"), when such registration statement became effective and
incorporated herein by reference, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and
incorporated herein by reference. The consolidated financial statements of BRI
as of November 30, 1995 and 1994 and for each of the two years in the period
ended November 30, 1995 included in the BRI Registration Statement when such
registration statement became effective and incorporated herein by reference
have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, as set
forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by
reference. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference
in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Innovex included in the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 6, 1996 and incorporated by reference
herein have been audited by KPMG, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such
financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     Information set forth in this Prospectus or incorporated by reference
herein contains various "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, which
statements represent the Company's reasonable judgment concerning the future and
are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual and
operating results and financial position to differ materially.
 
     The Company cautions that any such forward-looking statements are further
qualified by important factors that could cause the Company's actual operating
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements,
including, without limitation those set forth in this Prospectus under "Risk
Factors" and the following: possible loss of existing relationships in the
pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries and with specific
large clients in those industries; potential loss of large contracts; greater
than anticipated competition and CRO industry consolidation; possible volatility
of the price of the Common Stock; greater than anticipated costs of acquisitions
and managing growth of the Company; unexpected malpractice or similar
liabilities or an inability to maintain adequate liability insurance to cover
legal claims; reforms in the healthcare industry; decreases in government
regulatory requirements which lead companies to engage CROs; and dependence on
key personnel; and other cautionary language included in documents incorporated
herein by reference. See "Risk Factors".
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
                                                                      APPENDIX A
 
             NOTICE OF TRANSFER PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee
Quintiles Transnational Corp.
c/o Marine Midland Bank
140 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Corporate Trust Services -- Quintiles
 
          Re: Quintiles Transnational Corp. (the "Company") 4.25% Convertible
              Subordinated Notes due May 31, 2000 (the "Notes")
 
Dear Sirs:
 
     Please be advised that                                         has
transferred $          aggregate principal amount of the above-referenced Notes,
or           number of shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Common Stock"), issued upon conversion of the Notes, pursuant to an
effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-          ) filed by
the Company.
 
     We hereby certify that the prospectus delivery requirements, if any, of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, have been satisfied and that the above-named
beneficial owner of the Notes or Common Stock is named as a "Selling Holder" in
the Prospectus dated             , 1996 or in supplements thereto, and that the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes or shares of Common Stock transferred
are (or are included in) the Notes or shares of Common Stock listed in such
Prospectus opposite such owner's name.
 
Dated:
 
                                            Very truly yours,
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            (Name)
 
                                        By: ------------------------------------
                                            (Authorized Signature)
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
 
  NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE REGISTERED
SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES BY ANY PERSON IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO
ITS DATE.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................     2
Available Information.................     2
Summary...............................     3
Risk Factors..........................     7
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges....    11
The Company...........................    12
Use of Proceeds.......................    12
Selling Holders.......................    13
Plan of Distribution..................    15
Description of Notes..................    16
Certain Federal Income Tax
  Considerations......................    32
Description of Capital Stock..........    34
Legal Matters.........................    38
Experts...............................    39
Forward-Looking Statements............    39
Appendix A............................    40
</TABLE>
 
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
                             ---------------------
                                           , 1996
             ------------------------------------------------------
             ------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   43
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following table sets forth an itemized statement of all estimated
expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities
being registered.
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                         <C>
    SEC Registration Fee......................................................  $23,025
    Nasdaq Listing Fee........................................................  $17,500*
    Legal Fees and Expenses...................................................  $
    Accounting Fees and Expenses..............................................  $
    Printing and Engraving Expenses...........................................  $
    Miscellaneous Expenses....................................................  $
                                                                                -------
              Total...........................................................  $
                                                                                =======
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* Payable upon official notice of the first conversion.
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Sections 55-8-50 through 55-8-58 of the North Carolina Business Corporation
Act permit a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or
agents under either or both a statutory or non-statutory scheme of
indemnification. Under the statutory scheme, a corporation may, with certain
exceptions, indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
who was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or
completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative, because of the fact that such person was a
director, officer, agent or employee of the corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation or enterprise. This indemnity may include the obligation to
pay any judgment, settlement, penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed
with respect to an employee benefit plan) and reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with the proceeding (including counsel fees), but no such
indemnification may be granted unless such director, officer, agent or employee
(i) conducted himself in good faith, (ii) reasonably believed (1) that any
action taken in his official capacity with the corporation was in the best
interest of the corporation or (2) that in all other cases his conduct at least
was not opposed to the corporation's best interest, and (iii) in the case of any
criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. Whether a director has met the requisite standard of conduct for the
type of indemnification set forth above is determined by the board of directors,
a committee of directors, special legal counsel or the shareholders in
accordance with Section 55-8-55. A corporation may not indemnify a director
under the statutory scheme in connection with the proceeding by or in the right
of the corporation in which the director was adjudged liable to the corporation
or in connection with the proceeding in which a director was adjudged liable on
the basis of having received an improper personal benefit.
 
     In addition to, and separate and apart from the indemnification described
above under the statutory scheme, Section 55-8-57 of the North Carolina Business
Corporation Act permits a corporation to indemnify or agree to indemnify any of
its directors, officers, employees or agents against liability and expenses
(including attorneys fees) in any proceeding (including proceedings brought by
or on behalf of the corporation) arising out of their status as such or their
activities in such capacities, except for any liabilities or expenses incurred
on account of activities that were, at the time taken, known or believed by the
person to be clearly in conflict with the best interests of the corporation. The
Company's bylaws provide for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted
under the North Carolina Business Corporation Act, provided, however, that the
Company will indemnify any person seeking indemnification in connection with a
proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by
the
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   44
 
Board of Directors of the Company. Accordingly, the Company may indemnify its
directors, officers, and employees in accordance with either the statutory or
non-statutory standard.
 
     Sections 55-8-52 and 55-8-56 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act
require a corporation, unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise,
to indemnify a director or officer who has been wholly successful, on the merits
or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which such director or officer
was a party. Unless prohibited by the articles of incorporation, a director or
officer also may make application and obtain court-ordered indemnification if
the court determines that such director or officer is fairly and reasonably
entitled to such indemnification as provided in Sections 55-8-54 and 55-8-56.
 
     Finally, Section 55-8-57 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act
provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an
individual who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation against certain liabilities incurred by such persons, whether or not
the corporation is otherwise authorized by the North Carolina Business
Corporation Act to indemnify such party. The Company's directors and officers
are currently covered under directors' and officers' insurance policies
maintained by the Company.
 
     As permitted by North Carolina law, Article XI of the Company's Articles of
Incorporation limits the personal liability of directors for monetary damages
for breaches of duty as a director provided that such limitation will not apply
to (i) acts or omissions that the director at the time of the breach knew or
believed were clearly in conflict with the best interests of the Company, (ii)
any liability for unlawful distributions under N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 55-8-33,
(iii) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit or (iv) acts or omissions occurring prior to the date the provision
became effective.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   45
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS
 
     The following documents (unless indicated) are filed herewith and made a
part of this Registration Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
  NO.                                            DESCRIPTION
- -------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>           <S>
  4.01(1)     Specimen Common Stock Certificate
  4.02        Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
  4.03(2)     Amended and Restated Bylaws
  4.04(3)     Indenture, dated as of May 17, 1996, between the Company and Marine Midland Bank,
              as Trustee, with respect to the Company's 4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes
              due May 31, 2000
  4.05        Form of the Company's 4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes in Unrestricted Global
              Form
  4.06        Form of the Company's 4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes in Certificated Form
  5.01        Opinion of Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P.
 12.01        Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges*
 23.01        Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP
 23.02        Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 23.03        Consent of KPMG
 23.04        Consent of Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P.
              (included in Exhibit 5.01 hereto)
 24.01        Powers of Attorney (see Page II-6)
 25.01        Statement of Eligibility of Trustee
 99.01(3)     Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 17, 1996, by and among the
              Company, Goldman Sachs International and Smith Barney Inc.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 *  To be provided by amendment.
(1) Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed with
     the Securities and Exchange Commission (Registration No. 33-75766)
     effective April 20, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 1996 and incorporated
     herein by reference.
(3) Exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 1996 and incorporated
     herein by reference.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   46
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file during, any period in which offers and sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of the prospectus
        filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate,
        the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in
        the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
        or any material change to such information in the registration
        statement.
 
     Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) of this section do
     not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form
     F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective
     amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with
     or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or
     section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated
     by reference in the registration statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   47
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Durham, State of North
Carolina, on December 30, 1996.
 
                                          QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.
 
                                          By: /s/ RACHEL R. SELISKER
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Rachel R. Selisker
                                              Chief Financial Officer and
                                              Vice President Finance
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   48
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Dennis B. Gillings and Rachel R. Selisker and
each of them, each with full power to act without the other, his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons as of
December 30, 1996 in the capacities indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                         TITLE
- ---------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------------
<C>                                             <S>
 
           /s/ DENNIS B. GILLINGS               Chairman of the Board of Directors, President
- ---------------------------------------------     and Chief Executive Officer
             Dennis B. Gillings
 
             /s/ SANTO J. COSTA                 President, Chief Operating Officer and
- ---------------------------------------------     Director
               Santo J. Costa
 
           /s/ RACHEL R. SELISKER               Chief Financial Officer, Vice President
- ---------------------------------------------     Finance, Treasurer and Director (Principal
             Rachel R. Selisker                   Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
             /s/ SARA B. CREAGH                 Director
- ---------------------------------------------
               Sara B. Creagh
 
          /s/ WILLIAM A. SOLLECITO              Director
- ---------------------------------------------
            William A. Sollecito
 
            /s/ LUDO J. REYNDERS                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              Ludo J. Reynders
 
             /s/ ERIC J. SOUETRE                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
               Eric J. Souetre
 
           /s/ RICHARD H. THOMPSON              Director
- ---------------------------------------------
             Richard H. Thompson
 
           /s/ CHESTER W. DOUGLASS              Director
- ---------------------------------------------
             Chester W. Douglass
 
              /s/ JOHN G. FRYER                 Director
- ---------------------------------------------
                John G. Fryer
 
            /s/ ARTHUR M. PAPPAS                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              Arthur M. Pappas
 
            /s/ ROBERT C. BISHOP                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
              Robert C. Bishop
 
                                                Director
- ---------------------------------------------
               Lawrence Lewin
         *By: /s/ RACHEL R. SELISKER                       By: /s/ DENNIS B. GILLINGS
- ---------------------------------------------     --------------------------------------------
   Rachel R. Selisker as Attorney-in-Fact            Dennis B. Gillings as Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   49
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                     DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- -------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>           <S>
  4.01(1)     Specimen Common Stock Certificate
  4.02        Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
  4.03(2)     Amended and Restated Bylaws
  4.04(3)     Indenture, dated as of May 17, 1996, between the Company and Marine Midland Bank,
              as Trustee, with respect to the Company's 4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes
              due May 31, 2000
  4.05        Form of the Company's 4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes in Unrestricted Global
              Form
  4.06        Form of the Company's 4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes in Certificated Form
  5.01        Opinion of Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P.
 12.01        Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges*
 23.01        Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP
 23.02        Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 23.03        Consent of KPMG
 23.04        Consent of Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P.
              (included in Exhibit 5.01 hereto)
 24.01        Powers of Attorney (see Page II-6)
 25.01        Statement of Eligibility of Trustee
 99.01(3)     Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 17, 1996, by and among the
              Company, Goldman Sachs International and Smith Barney Inc.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 *  To be provided by amendment.
(1) Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed with
     the Securities and Exchange Commission (Registration No. 33-75766)
     effective April 20, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 1996 and incorporated
     herein by reference.
(3) Exhibit to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 1996 and incorporated
     herein by reference.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 4.02

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL, CORP.

                                   ARTICLE I

       The name of the Corporation is QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL, CORP.

                                   ARTICLE II

       The period of duration of the Corporation is perpetual.

                                  ARTICLE III

       The purpose for which the Corporation is organized is to engage in any
lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under Chapter 55
of the General Statutes of North Carolina.

                                   ARTICLE IV

       Section 4.1. Total Number of Shares of Stock.  The total number of shares
of capital stock of all classes that the Corporation shall have the authority to
issue is 75,000,000 shares.  The authorized capital stock is divided into
25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, having $.01 par value (the "Preferred
Stock"), and 50,000,000 shares of common stock, having $.01 par value (the
"Common Stock").

       Section 4.2.  Preferred Stock.  (a) The shares of Preferred Stock of the
Corporation may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, 
the shares of each class or series to have such voting powers, full or limited,
or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and rights (or
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof) as are stated in the
<PAGE>   2
resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such class or series
adopted by the Board of Directors as provided in Section 4.2(b).

       (b)  Authority is granted to the Board of Directors of the Corporation,
subject to the provisions of this Article IV and to the limitations prescribed
by the North Carolina Business Corporation Act, to authorize the issuance of one
or more classes, or series within a class, of Preferred Stock and with respect
to each such class or series to fix by resolution or resolutions the voting
powers, full or limited, if any, of the shares of such class or series and the
designations, preferences and rights (or qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof).

       Section 4.3.  Common Stock.  The shares of Common Stock of the
Corporation shall be one and the same class.  Subject to the rights of the
Preferred Stock provided for by resolution or resolutions of the Board of
Directors pursuant to this Article IV or by the North Carolina Business
Corporation Act, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have one vote per
share on all matters on which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to
vote.  The holders of shares of Common Stock shall receive the net assets of the
Corporation upon dissolution.

                                   ARTICLE V

       The shareholders of the Corporation shall have no right to cumulate their
votes for the election of directors.


                                       2

<PAGE>   3
                                   ARTICLE VI

       The shareholders of the Corporation shall have no preemptive right to
acquire additional shares of the Corporation.

                                  ARTICLE VII

       The address of the current registered office of the Corporation in the
State of North Carolina is 1007 Slater Road, Morrisville, Wake County, North
Carolina, and the name of its current registered agent at such address is Dennis
B. Gillings, Ph.D.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

       Section 8.1.  Number of Directors.  The number of directors constituting
the Board of Directors shall be not less than nine (9) nor more than fifteen
(15), as specified in the Corporation's Bylaws.  The number of directors
constituting the Board of Directors following the effectiveness of these Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation shall be nine (9), divided into three
classes as described in Section 8.2.

       Section 8.2.  Classified Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors
shall be divided into three (3) classes, Class I, Class II, and Class III, which
shall be as nearly equal in number as possible.  The term of office of each
Director in Class I shall expire at the first annual meeting of shareholders of
the Corporation following the effectiveness of these Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation.  The term of office of each Director in Class II 
shall expire at the second annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation 
following the effectiveness of

                                       3



<PAGE>   4
these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.  The term of office of
each Director in Class III shall expire at the third annual meeting of
shareholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of these Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation.  Each Director shall serve until the
election and qualification of a successor or until such Director's earlier
resignation, death, or removal from office.  Upon the expiration of the term of
office for each class of Directors, the Directors of such class shall be
elected for a term of three (3) years, to serve until the election and the
qualification of their successors or until their earlier resignation, death, or
removal from office.

        Section 8.3.  Directors.  The names and classes of those persons who
are to serve as the Directors of the Corporation following the effectiveness of
these Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are set forth below.  The
address for each such director is 1007 Slater Road, Morrisville, North 
Carolina 27560.

                                   CLASS I

                      S. Epes Robinson 
                      Vacancy to be filled by Board of Directors 
                      Vacancy to be filled by Board of Directors 
 

                                   CLASS II

                      David H. Smith, M.D.
                      Paul A. Stark, Ph.D.
                      John G. Fryer, Ph.D.

                                   CLASS III

                      Richard H. Thompson 
                      Chester W. Douglass, Ph.D.
                      Dennis B. Gillings, Ph.D.



                                      4
<PAGE>   5
        Section 8.4.  Removal of Directors.  Any Director, or the entire Board
of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause,
but only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-
thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all of the shares of capital
stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of
Directors.  If a Director was elected by the holders of the class or series of
capital stock, or of a group of such classes or series, only members of that
voting group may participate in the vote to remove him.

        Section 8.5.  Vacancies.  Any vacancy occurring in the Board of
Directors, including, without limitation, a vacancy resulting from an increase
in the number of Directors or from the failure by the shareholders to elect
the full authorized number of Directors, shall be filled only by the Board of
Directors or, if the Directors remaining in office constitute fewer than quorum
of the Board, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors
or by the sole remaining Director.  If the vacant office was held by a Director 
elected by holders of one class or series of capital stock, or of a group of
such classes or series, only the remaining Director or Directors elected by
that voting group are entitled to fill the vacancy.

        Section 8.6.  Factors to be Considered by the Directors.  In connection
with the exercise of its or his judgement in determining what is in the best
interests of the Corporation and its shareholders, the Board of Directors of
the Corporation, any


                                      5





<PAGE>   6
committee of the Board of Directors, or any individual director may, but shall
not be required to, in addition to considering the long-term and short-term
interests of the shareholders, consider any of the following factors and any
other factors and any other factors which it or he deems relevant:  (i) the
social and economic effects of the matter to be considered on the Corporation
and its subsidiaries, its and their employees, clients, and creditors, and the
communities in which the Corporation and its subsidiaries operate or are
located; and (ii) when evaluating a business combination or a proposal by
another Person or Persons to make a business combination or a tender or
exchange offer or any other proposal relating to a potential change of control
of the Corporation (x) the business and financial condition and earnings
prospects of the acquiring Person or Persons, including, but not limited to,
debt service and other existing financial obligations, financial obligations to
be incurred in connection with the acquisition, and other likely financial
obligations of the acquiring Person or Persons, and the possible effect of such
conditions upon the Corporation and its subsidiaries and the communities in
which the Corporation and its subsidiaries operate or are located, (y) the
competence, experience, and integrity of the acquiring Person or Persons and
its or their management, and (z) the prospects for successful conclusion of the
business combination, offer or proposal.  The provisions of this Section shall
be deemed solely to grant discretionary authority to the directors and shall
not be deemed to provide to any constituency the right to be considered.  As
used in  



                                      6

<PAGE>   7
this Section, the term "Person" means any individual, partnership, firm,
corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated
organization or other entity; when two or more Persons act as a partnership,
limited partnership, syndicate, or other group acting in concert for the purpose
of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of securities of the Corporation,
such partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or group shall also be deemed a
"Person" for purposes of this Section.

                                   ARTICLE IX

       Section 9.1.  Approval of Business Combinations.  With regard to any
Business Combination (as defined in Section 9.5(b)) between the Corporation and
any other corporation, person, or other entity, excluding its Subsidiaries (as
defined in Section 9.5(g)) except as provided in section 9.5(b), such Business
Combination must be approved only as follows unless otherwise more restrictively
required by applicable North Carolina law:

       (a)  The Business Combination must be approved by resolution adopted by
affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors;

       (b)  In addition to the Board approval specified in section 9.1(a), the
Business Combination must receive one of the following levels of shareholder
approval:

              (1)  To the extent a shareholder's vote is required by law, at a
special or annual meeting of shareholders by an affirmative vote of the
shareholders holding at least a majority of the shares of capital stock of the
Corporation issued and

                                       7

<PAGE>   8
outstanding and entitled to vote thereon if such Business Combination has
received the prior approval by resolution adopted by an affirmative vote of at
least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the full Board of Directors
before such Business Combination is submitted for approval to the shareholders;
or

              (2)  At a special or annual meeting of shareholders by an
affirmative vote of the shareholders holding at least sixty-six and two-thirds
percent (66-2/3%) of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereon if such Business Combination has
received the prior approval by resolution adopted by an affirmative vote of a
majority of a quorum (but less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%))
of the Board of Directors; and

       (c)  If the Business Combination is to be approved pursuant to Section
9.1(b)(2), the Business Combination as approved must grant to shareholders not
voting to approve the Business Combination the rights set forth in Section 9.2.

       Section 9.2.  Fair Price.  When any Business Combination above is
approved pursuant Section 9.1(b)(2), any shareholder not voting to approve the
Business Combination may elect to sell his shares for cash to the Corporation at
their "Fair Price" (as defined in Section 9.5(f)), upon so notifying the
Corporation in writing within twenty (20) days after receiving written
notification of his rights hereunder and that the Business Combination was
approved by the Corporation's shareholders.  The Corporation shall have ten (10)
days after receipt of the

                                       8

<PAGE>   9
shareholder's tender of shares to make payment in cash.  Tender of shares may be
made simultaneously with, or after, the shareholder's written notification that
he is electing to be paid the Fair Price of his shares.  The Business
Combination shall not be consummated until all shareholders electing to sell
their shares for cash to the Corporation at their Fair Price pursuant to this
Article IX have been paid in full by the Corporation.

       Section 9.3  Certain Restrictions on Business Combinations.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX, prior to the
consummation of any Business Combination between the Corporation and a Control
Person (as defined in Section 9.5(c)):

       (a)  such Control Person shall not have received the benefit, directly or
indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder), of any loans, advances,
guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance tax credits provided by the
Corporation; and

       (b)  there shall have been no increase or reduction in the annual rate of
dividends paid on the Corporation's common stock after the Control Person became
such (except as necessary to reflect any subdivision of the common stock),
unless such increase or reduction has been approved by a majority of
Disinterested Directors (as defined in Section 9.5(e)).

       Section 9.4.  Amendments to Articles of Incorporation.  Amendments to
these Articles of Incorporation shall be adopted only upon receiving the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66
2/3%) of all the shares of capital stock of the Corporation issued and
outstanding and

                                       9

<PAGE>   10
entitled to vote thereon; provided, however, that if such amendment shall have
received prior approval by resolution adopted by an affirmative vote of a
majority of Disinterested Directors, then the affirmative vote of the holders of
at least a majority of all the shares of capital stock of the Corporation issued
and outstanding and entitled to vote, or such greater percentage approval as
required by North Carolina law, shall be sufficient to amend these Articles of
Incorporation.

       Section 9.5.  Definitions.  As used in this Article IX, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:

       (a)  "Affiliate," as used in defining "Control Person," shall mean a
corporation, person, group, or other entity that directly or indirectly
controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Control Person.

       (b)  "Business Combination" shall mean (i) any merger or consolidation of
the Corporation into any other corporation, person, group or other entity where
the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity; (ii) any merger or
consolidation of the Corporation with or into any Control Person or with any
corporation, person, group or other entity where the merger or consolidation is
proposed by or on behalf of a Control Person; (iii) any sale, lease, exchange,
transfer, hypothecation or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Corporation: (iv) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer,
hypothecation or other disposition of a Substantial Part (as defined in Section
9.5(h)) of the assets of the Corporation to a

                                       10

<PAGE>   11
Control Person, whether in a single transaction or in related transactions; (v)
the issuance of any securities of the Corporation to a Control Person; (vi) the
acquisition by the Corporation of any securities of a Control Person unless
such acquisition commences prior to the person becoming a Control Person or is
an attempt to prevent the Control Person from obtaining greater control of the
Corporation; (vii) the acquisition by the Corporation of all or substantially
all of the assets of any Control Person or any corporation, person, group or
other entity where the acquisition is proposed by or on behalf of a Control
Person; (viii) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation which is proposed by or on behalf of a Control
Person; (ix) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
split), or recapitalization of the Corporation which has the effect, directly
or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares
of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation which is
beneficially owned or controlled by a Control Person; (x) any of the
transactions described in this definition of Business Combination which are
between the Corporation and any of its Subsidiaries and which are proposed by
or on behalf of any Control Person; or (xi) any agreement, plan, contract or
other arrangement providing for any of the transactions described in this
definition of Business Combination.

       (c)  "Control Person" shall mean and include any corporation, person,
group or other entity which, together with its Affiliates

                                       11

<PAGE>   12
prior to a Business Combination beneficially owns (as the term is defined by
federal securities law) ten percent (10%) or more of the shares of any class of
equity or convertible securities of the Corporation, and any Affiliate of any
such corporation, person, group or other entity; provided, however, any
corporation, person, group or other entity which, together with its Affiliates,
prior to January 1, 1994 beneficially owned (as the term is defined by federal
securities law) ten percent (10%) or more of the shares of any class of equity
or convertible securities of the Corporation, and any Affiliate of any such
corporation, person, group or other entity shall not be considered to be a
Control Person for the purposes hereof.

       (d)  "Corporation shall mean Quintiles Transnational, Corp. and its
Subsidiaries, or any one of them, and their successors.

       (e)  "Disinterested Director" shall mean any member of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation who is unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, a
Control Person and was a member of the Board of Directors prior to the time a
Control Person became such, and any successor of a Disinterested Director who is
unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, a Control Person and who is recommended
to succeed a Disinterested Director by a majority of Disinterested Directors
then on the Board of Directors.

       (f)  "Fair Price" shall mean the highest of the following: (i) the
highest price per share paid for the Corporation's shares during the four years
immediately preceding the Section 9.1(b)(2) vote of shareholders by any
shareholder who, at the time of the

                                       12
<PAGE>   13
Section 9.1 (b)(2) shareholder vote, beneficially owned five percent (5%) or
more of the Corporation's common stock and who, in whole or in part, votes
in favor of the Business Combination; (ii) the cash value of the highest price
per share previously offered pursuant to a tender offer to the shareholders of
the Corporation within the four years immediately preceding the Section
9.1(b)(2) shareholder vote; and (iii) the highest price per share (including
brokerage commissions, soliciting dealers' fees and dealer-management
compensation) paid by a Control Person in acquiring any of its holdings of the
Corporation's common stock.

        (g)  "Subsidiaries" shall mean any entity in which the Corporation
owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting interests.

        (h)  "Substantial Part" shall mean more than ten percent (10%) of the
total assets of the Corporation, as of the end of the Corporation's most
recent fiscal year prior to the time the determination is being made.

                                  ARTICLE X

        The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter,
change, and repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.  In addition to any
requirements of the Bylaws and the North Carolina Business Corporation Act as
in effect from time to time (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser
percentage may be specified by the Bylaws or the North Carolina Business
Corporation Act), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and
two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all the shares 




                                      13
<PAGE>   14
of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required
for the shareholders of the Corporation to adopt, amend, alter, change, or
repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation.

                                  ARTICLE XI

        Except to the extent that the North Carolina General Statutes prohibit
such limitation or elimination of liability of directors for breaches of duty,
no director of the Corporation shall have any personal liability arising out of
an action whether by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise for
monetary damages for breach of any duty as a director.  No amendment to or
repeal of this article shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or
alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect to any
acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. 
The provisions of this article shall not be deemed to limit or preclude
indemnification of a director by the Corporation for any liability that has not
been eliminated by the provisions of this article.

                                 ARTICLE XII

        Section 12.1.  Opt-Out of North Carolina Shareholder Protection Act. 
The provisions of the North Carolina Shareholder Protection Act, as amended
from time to time, shall not be applicable to the Corporation.

        Section 13.2.  Opt-Out of North Carolina Control Share Acquisition Act. 
The provisions of the North Carolina Control 





                                      14
<PAGE>   15
Share Acquisition Act, as amended from time to time, shall not be applicable to
the Corporation.

                                      15




<PAGE>   16
                            ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                                      OF
                        QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL, CORP.



        The undersigned corporation hereby submits these Articles of Amendment
for the purpose of amending its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation:

        1.  The name of the corporation is Quintiles Transnational, Corp.

        2.  The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the 
            corporation are hereby amended as follows:

            Article I is hereby amended so that the name of the corporation
            is QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.

        3.  The foregoing amendment was adopted on November 3, 1994 by the
            corporation's board of directors without shareholder action,
            which was not required because N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 55-10-02 
            permits a corporation's board of directors to make minor changes
            to the corporation's name.

This is the 7th day of March, 1995.


                                                QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL, CORP.



                                                By: /s/ Santo J. Costa
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                   Santo J. Costa
                                                   President
<PAGE>   17
                           State of North Carolina
                     Department of the Secretary of State

                            ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
                                    OF THE
                AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                      OF
                        QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.


        Pursuant to Section 55-10-06 of the General Statutes of North Carolina,
the undersigned corporation hereby submits the following Articles of Amendment
for the purpose of amending its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation.

        I.    The name of the corporation is Quintiles Transnational Corp.

        II.   The text of the amendment adopted is as follows:

              "Article IV, Section 4.1 of the Amended and Restated Articles
        of Incorporation of Quintiles Transnational Corp. should be amended
        and restated to read in full as follows:

                    Section 4.1.  Total Number of Shares of Stock.  The total
              number of shares of capital stock of all classes that the     
              Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 225,000,000  
              shares.  The authorized capital stock is divided into         
              25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, having $.01 par value   
              (the "Preferred Stock"), and 200,000,000 shares of common
              stock, having $.01 par value (the "Common Stock")."   

        III.  The foregoing amendment was adopted on the 24th day of October,
1996, by the board of directors of the corporation, and approved by the
shareholders of the corporation at a special meeting held on November 26, 1996,
as required by Section 55-10-03 of the General Statutes of North Carolina.

         IV.  These articles shall be effective upon filing.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the corporation has caused this instrument to be
duly executed as of the 9th day of December, 1996.

                                        QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.


                                        By: /s/ Gregory D. Porter
                                           -----------------------------
                                           Gregory D. Porter
                                           Vice President, General Counsel


<PAGE>   1
                                                                EXHIBIT 4.05

                               [FACE OF SECURITY]

                 THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE
INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE
DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY,
THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL
PURPOSES.

                 UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"),
TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OR TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT,
AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH
OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY
PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF
FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE
REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

                 UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR
REGISTERED SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM IN THE LIMITED
CIRCUMSTANCES REFERRED TO IN THE INDENTURE, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY
OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY
OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.

                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.

                      4.25% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTE
                                DUE MAY 31, 2000

No. ___                                                                 U.S.$0

CUSIP NO. _____________

                 QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP., a corporation duly organized
and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina (herein called the
"Company", which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture
referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay
to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of zero United States
Dollars (U.S.$0) (which
<PAGE>   2

principal amount may from time to time be increased or decreased to such other
principal amounts (which, taken together with the principal amounts of all
other Outstanding Securities, shall not exceed $143,750,000 in the aggregate at
any time) by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee hereinafter
referred to in accordance with the Indenture) on May 31, 2000 and to pay
interest thereon, from May 23, 1996, or from the most recent Interest Payment
Date (as defined below) to which interest has been paid or duly provided for,
semi-annually in arrears on May 31 and November 30 in each year (each, an
"Interest Payment Date"), commencing November 30, 1996, at the rate of 4.25%
per annum, until the principal hereof is due, and at the rate of 4.25% per
annum on any overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent
permitted by law, on any overdue interest.  The interest so payable, and
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as
provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the May 15 or
November 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding
such Interest Payment Date.  Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, any
such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease
to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid
to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Company, notice
whereof shall be given to Holders of Registered Securities not less than 10
days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other
lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange
on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.  Payments of
principal shall be made upon the surrender of this Security at the option of
the Holder at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or at such other
office or agency of the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the
United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for
the payment of public and private debts, or at such other offices or agencies
as the Company may designate, by United States Dollar check drawn on, or
transfer to, a United States Dollar account (such a transfer to be made only to
a Holder of an aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities in excess of
U.S. $2,000,000, and only if such Holder shall have furnished wire
instructions in writing to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the
relevant payment date) maintained by the payee with a bank in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York.  Payment of interest on this Security may be
made by United States Dollar check drawn on a bank in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as
such address shall appear in the Security Register, or, upon written
application by the Holder to the Security Registrar setting forth wire
instructions not later than the relevant Record Date, by transfer to a United
States Dollar account (such a transfer to

                                     -2-



<PAGE>   3

be made only to a Holder of an aggregate principal amount of Registered
Securities in excess of U.S.$2,000,000 and only if such Holder shall have
furnished wire instructions in writing to the Trustee no later than 15 days
prior to the relevant payment date) maintained by the payee with a bank in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.

                 The Company will pay to the Holder of this Security who is a
United States Alien (as defined below) such additional amounts ("Additional
Amounts") as may be necessary in order that every net payment of the principal
of, premium, if any, and interest on this Security (including payment on
redemption or repurchase (including any payment of the Repurchase Price), after
deduction or withholding for or on account of any present or future tax,
assessment or governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of such payment
by the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof
or therein, will not be less than the amount provided for in this Security to
be then due and payable; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
obligated to pay any Additional Amounts in respect of payments becoming due on
the Securities more than 15 days after the Redemption Date with respect to any
redemption of Tax Affected Securities pursuant to the third paragraph of the
reverse of this Security, except to the extent that the Company's obligation to
pay such Additional Amounts does not arise from the Tax Law Change that
resulted in such redemption; and provided further, that the foregoing
obligation to pay Additional Amounts will not apply to:

                 (a)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which
         would not have been so imposed but for (i) the existence of any
         present or former connection between such Holder (or between a
         fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member, shareholder of or possessor
         of a power over such Holder, if such Holder is an estate, a trust, a
         partnership or a corporation) and the United States or any political
         subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, including, without
         limitation, such Holder (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary,
         member, shareholder or possessor) being or having been a citizen or
         resident of the United States or treated as a resident thereof, or
         being or having been engaged in trade or business or present therein,
         or having or having had a permanent establishment therein, or (ii)
         such Holder's present or former status as a personal holding company,
         a foreign personal holding company with respect to the United States,
         or a foreign private foundation or foreign tax exempt entity for
         United States tax purposes, or a corporation which accumulates
         earnings to avoid United States Federal income tax;

                 (b)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which
         would not have been so imposed but for the presentation by the Holder
         of this Security for payment on a date more than 15 days after the
         date on which such payment





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

         became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly
         provided for, whichever occurs later;

                 (c)  any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, personal
         property or similar tax, assessment or governmental charge;

                 (d)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which
         would not have been imposed but for the failure to comply with any
         certification, identification or other reporting requirements
         concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the
         United States of the Holder or beneficial owner of this Security, if
         compliance is required by statute or by regulation of the United
         States as a precondition to relief or exemption from such tax,
         assessment or other governmental charge;

                 (e)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which is
         payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments of
         principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Security;

                 (f)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed
         as a result of a Holder that actually or constructively owns 10% or
         more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
         Company entitled to vote or that is a controlled foreign corporation
         related to the Company through stock ownership;

                 (g)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required
         to be withheld by any Paying Agent from any payment of the principal
         of, premium, if any, or interest on this Security, if such payment can
         be made without such withholding by any other Paying Agent in Western
         Europe;

                 (h)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed
         on a Holder that is a partnership or a fiduciary or other than the
         sole beneficial owner of such payment, but only to the extent that any
         beneficial owner or member of the partnership or beneficiary or
         settlor with respect to the fiduciary would not have been entitled to
         the payment of Additional Amounts had the beneficial owner, member,
         beneficiary or; or

                 (i)  any combination of items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), 
         (g) and (h).

                 For purposes of this Security, "United States" means the
United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia),
its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction
and a "United States Alien" is any person who, for United States federal income
tax purposes, is a foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual, a
nonresident alien fiduciary of a foreign





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of the members of which
is for United States federal income tax purposes, a foreign corporation, a
nonresident alien individual or a nonresident alien fiduciary of a foreign
estate or trust.

                 Except as specifically provided herein and in the Indenture,
the Company shall not be required to make any payment with respect to any tax,
assessment or other governmental charge imposed by any government or any
political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein.  Whenever in this
Security there is a reference, in any context, to the payment of the principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on, or in respect of, any Security such
mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts
payable as described in the second preceding paragraph to the extent that, in
such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect of
this Security pursuant to such paragraph and express mention of the payment of
Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions of this Security shall not
be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions of this
Security where such express mention is not made.

                 Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this
Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for
all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

                 Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been
executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof or an Authenticating
Agent by the manual signature of one of their respective authorized
signatories, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the
Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Security to be
duly executed under its corporate seal.

Dated:  _____________, 1996

                                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.
                                         
[Corporate Seal]                         
                                         
                                         By:_____________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:
                                         
Attest:


________________________
Name:
Title:

 This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:  _____________, 1996

                                         MARINE MIDLAND BANK,
                                           as Trustee
                                         
                                         
                                         By:___________________________
                                               Authorized Signatory





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

                             [REVERSE OF SECURITY]

                 This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities
of the Company designated as its "4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes due May
31, 2000" (herein called the "Securities"), limited in aggregate principal
amount to U.S.$143,750,000, issued and to be issued under an Indenture, dated
as of May 17, 1996 (herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and
Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term
includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of
the Company, the Trustee, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of
the Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and of the terms upon which
the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  The Securities
are issuable as Bearer Securities, with interest coupons attached, in the
denomination of U.S.$5,000, and as Registered Securities, without coupons, in
denominations of U.S.$1,000 and integral multiples of U.S.$1,000 in excess
thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, Registered Securities are exchangeable for a like aggregate
principal amount of Registered Securities of any authorized denominations as
requested by the Holder surrendering the same upon surrender of the Registered
Security or Registered Securities to be exchanged, at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee or at such other office or agency of the Company as may
be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate
(each a "Transfer Agent").  The Transfer Agent (if other than the Trustee) will
then forward such surrendered Registered Securities (together with any payment
surrendered therewith) to the Trustee.  The Trustee upon such surrender by the
Holder or receipt from the Transfer Agent will issue the new Registered
Securities in the requested denominations.  Bearer Securities may not be issued
in exchange for Registered Securities.

                 No sinking fund is provided for the Securities.  The
Securities are subject to redemption at the option of the Company on or after
the close of business on May 31, 1999, in whole or in part, upon not less than
30 nor more than 60 days' notice to the Holders prior to the Redemption Date at
a Redemption Price equal to 101.0625% of the principal amount if redeemed on or
prior to May 31, 2000 (the final Stated Maturity of the Securities), together
with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, and certain Securities held by
United States Aliens are also redeemable, in whole but not in part, under the
circumstances described in the next succeeding paragraph, at a Redemption Price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to the
Redemption Date; provided, however, that interest installments on Registered
Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be
payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant
Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.

                 If as a result of a Tax Law Change, the Company has or will
become obligated to pay to the Holder of any Security or coupon Additional
Amounts, as described in the second paragraph of the face of this Security, and
such obligation cannot be avoided by the Company taking reasonable measures
available to it, then the Company may, at its option, redeem the Tax Affected
Securities as a whole, but not in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' notice to the Holders prior to the Redemption Date, at a Redemption Price
equal to 100% of the principal amount plus interest accrued to the Redemption
Date, and any Additional Amounts then payable; provided, that (i) no such
notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest
date on which the Company would be obligated to pay any such Additional Amounts
were a payment in respect of the Tax Affected Securities then due and (ii) at
the time such notice of redemption is given, such obligation to pay such
Additional Amounts remains in effect; provided further, however, that such
redemption by the Company shall apply only to a Registered Security (or any
portion of a Registered Security that is a Global Security) the Holder of which
within 30 days of the publication of such notice of redemption provides a
written statement from or on behalf of the beneficial owner of such Registered
Security (or such portion, in the case of a Registered Security that is a
Global Security) to the Trustee or any Paying Agent to the effect that such
beneficial owner is entitled or will be entitled to receive Additional Amounts.
Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this
paragraph, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee (a) an Officers'
Certificate stating that the Company is entitled to effect such redemption and
setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the
right of the Company so to redeem have occurred and (b) an Opinion of Counsel
selected by the Company to the effect that the Company has or will become
obligated to pay such Additional Amounts as a result of such Tax Law Change.
The Company's right to redeem the Tax Affected Securities shall continue as
long as the Company is obligated to pay such Additional Amounts,
notwithstanding that the Company shall have made payments of Additional Amounts
specified in such second paragraph.

                 In the event of a redemption of less than all of the
Securities (other than a redemption that by its terms is applicable solely to
Bearer Securities), the Company will not be required (a) to register the
transfer or exchange of Registered Securities or to exchange Bearer Securities
for Registered Securities for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the
date notice is given identifying the serial numbers of the Securities called
for such redemption, (b) to register the transfer or exchange of any Registered
Security, or portion thereof, called for redemption, or (c) to exchange any
Bearer Security called for redemption; provided, however, that a Bearer
Security called for redemption may be exchanged for a Registered Security which
is simultane-





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

ously surrendered to the Registrar or Transfer Agent making such exchange with
written instructions for conversion consistent with the provisions described in
Sections 2.5 and 12.2 of the Indenture.

                 Notice of redemption will be given by publication in
Authorized Newspapers in the City of London, England, and, so long as the
Securities are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of such
stock exchange shall so require, in Luxembourg, or, if not practicable in
either London, England, or Luxembourg, elsewhere in a Western European city,
and by mail to Holders of Registered Securities.  Notice to the Holders will be
given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date as
provided in the Indenture.

                 In any case where the due date for the payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest, including Additional Amounts and
Bearer Additional Amounts, on any Security or the last day on which a Holder of
a Security has a right to convert his Security shall be, at any Place of
Payment or Place of Conversion, as the case may be, a day on which banking
institutions at such Place of Payment or Place of Conversion are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close, then payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest, including Additional Amounts and Bearer
Additional Amounts, or delivery for conversion of such Security need not be
made on or by such date at such place but may be made on or by the next
succeeding day at such place which is not a day on which banking institutions
are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close, with the same
force and effect as if made on the date for such payment or the date fixed for
redemption or repurchase, or by such last day for conversion, and no interest
shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period after such date.

                 Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of the
Indenture, the Holder of this Security is entitled, at his option, at any time
on or after August 21, 1996, and on or before the close of business on May 31,
2000, or in case this Security or a portion hereof is called for redemption or
the Holder hereof has exercised his right to require the Company to repurchase
this Security or such portion hereof, then in respect of this Security until
and including, but (unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon
redemption or repurchase, as the case may be) not after, the close of business
on the Redemption Date or the Repurchase Date, as the case may be, to convert
this Security (or any portion of the principal amount hereof that is an
integral multiple of U.S.$1,000, provided that the unconverted portion of such
principal amount is U.S.$1,000 or any integral multiple of U.S.$1,000 in excess
thereof) into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the
Company at an initial Conversion Rate of 12.0846 for each share of Common Stock
(or at the current adjusted Conversion Rate if an adjustment has been made as
provided in the Indenture) by surrender of this Security, duly endorsed or
assigned to the Company or in blank and, in case such surrender shall be made
during





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10

the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date next preceding
any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment
Date (except if this Security has been called for redemption on a Redemption
Date or is repurchasable on a Repurchase Date occurring, in either case, during
such period and is surrendered for such conversion during such period), also
accompanied by payment in New York Clearing House or other funds acceptable to
the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment
Date on the principal amount of this Security then being converted (or, if this
Security was issued in exchange for a Bearer Security after the close of
business on such Regular Record Date, by surrender of one or more coupons
relating to such Interest Payment Date or by both payment in such funds and
surrender of such coupon or coupons, in either case, in an amount equal to the
interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of this
Security then being converted; provided that coupons may be so surrendered only
at an office or agency outside the United States designated pursuant to the
Indenture), and also the conversion notice hereon duly executed, to the Company
at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or at such other office or agency
of the Company, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and
subject to the right of the Company to terminate the appointment of any
Conversion Agent (as defined below) as may be designated by it for such purpose
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other offices or
agencies as the Company may designate (each a "Conversion Agent"), provided
further, that if this Security or portion hereof has been called for redemption
on a Redemption Date or is repurchasable on a Repurchase Date occurring, in
either case, during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record
Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on
such succeeding Interest Payment Date and is surrendered for conversion during
such period, then the Holder of this Security who converts this Security or a
portion hereof during such period will be entitled to receive the interest
accruing hereon from the Interest Payment Date next preceding the date of such
conversion to such succeeding Interest Payment Date and shall not be required
to pay such interest upon surrender of this Security for conversion.  Subject
to the provisions of the preceding sentence and, in the case of a conversion
after the close of business on the Regular Record Date next preceding any
Interest Payment Date and or before the close of business on such Interest
Payment Date, to the right of the Holder of this Security (or any Predecessor
Security of record as of such Regular Record Date) to receive the related
installment of interest to the extent and under the circumstances provided in
the Indenture, no cash payment or adjustment is to be made on conversion for
interest accrued hereon from the Interest Payment Date next preceding the day
of conversion, or for dividends on the Common Stock issued on conversion
hereof.  The Company shall thereafter deliver to the Holder the fixed number of
shares of Common Stock (together with any cash adjustment, as provided in the
Indenture) into which this Security is convertible and such delivery will be
deemed to satisfy the Company's obligation to pay the principal amount of this
Security.  No fractions of shares or scrip representing fractions of shares
will be issued on conversion, but





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

instead of any fractional interest (calculated to the nearest 1/100th of a
share) the Company shall pay a cash adjustment as provided in the Indenture.
The Conversion Rate is subject to adjustment as provided in the Indenture.  In
addition, the Indenture provides that in case of certain consolidations or
mergers to which the Company is a party or the conveyance, transfer, sale or
lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company,
the Indenture shall be amended, without the consent of any Holders of
Securities, so that this Security, if then Outstanding, will be convertible
thereafter, during the period this Security shall be convertible as specified
above, only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property
receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease
by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which
this Security could have been converted immediately prior to such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease (assuming such
holder of Common Stock is not a Constituent Person, failed to exercise any
rights of election and received per share the kind and amount received per
share by a plurality of Non-electing Shares and further assuming, if such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease occurs prior to the
later of August 21, 1996 and the receipt of Securities in definitive form (in
the case of Securities initially represented by a Temporary Global Bearer
Security), that the Security was convertible at the time of such occurrence at
the Conversion Rate specified above as adjusted from the issue date of such
Security to such time as provided in the Indenture).  No adjustment in the
Conversion Rate will be made until such adjustment would require an increase or
decrease of at least one percent of such rate, provided that any adjustment
that would otherwise be made will be carried forward and taken into account in
the computation of any subsequent adjustment.

                 Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, at any time
when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the United States
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, upon the request of a Holder of a
Restricted Security or the holder of shares of Common Stock issued upon
conversion thereof, the Company will promptly furnish or cause to be furnished
Rule 144A Information (as defined below) to such Holder of Restricted
Securities or such holder of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of
Restricted Securities, or to a prospective purchaser of any such security
designated by any such Holder or holder, as the case may be, to the extent
required to permit compliance by such Holder or holder with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), in connection with
the resale of any such security.  "Rule 144A Information" shall be such
information as is specified pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities
Act (or any successor provision thereto).

                 If this Security is a Registrable Security, then the Holder of
this Security and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion hereof is entitled
to the benefits of a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 17, 1996
(the





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12

"Registration Rights Agreement"), executed by the Company.  Pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed for the benefit of the
Holders from time to time of Registrable Securities (which term is defined to
include the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Securities), at the
Company's expense, (a) to use its best efforts to file within 90 days after the
first date of original issuance of the Securities, a shelf registration
statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement") with the Commission with respect
to resales of the Registrable Securities, (b) thereafter to use reasonable
efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by
the Commission as promptly as practicable, and (c) to use reasonable efforts to
maintain such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective under the
Securities Act until a period of the three years from the last date of original
issuance of the Securities or, if earlier, until there are no outstanding
Registrable Securities.

                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be
required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and will be permitted to
suspend the use of the prospectus that is a part of the Shelf Registration
Statement during the existence of a state of facts or the happening of an event
(including without limitation pending negotiations relating to, or the
consummation of, a transaction or the occurrence of any event which in the
opinion of the Company might require additional disclosure of material,
non-public information by the Company in the Shelf Registration Statement as to
which the Company believes it has a bona fide business purpose for preserving
confidentiality or which renders the Company unable to comply with the rules
and regulations under the Securities Act) which in the opinion of outside
counsel to the Company might reasonably result in the Shelf Registration
Statement, or any amendment or post-effective amendment thereto, or the
prospectus or any supplement thereto, or any document incorporated therein by
reference containing an untrue statement of material fact or omitting to state
a material fact.

                 If this Security is a Registrable Security and the Holder of
this Security  elects to sell this Security pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement then, by its acceptance hereof, such Holder of this Security agrees
to be bound by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the
Registrable Securities which are the subject of such election.

                 If a Change in Control occurs, the Holder of this Security, at
the Holder's option, shall have the right, in accordance with the provisions of
the Indenture, to require the Company to repurchase this Security (or any
portion of the principal amount hereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000,
provided that the portion of the principal amount of this Security to be
Outstanding after such repurchase is at least equal to U.S.$5,000) for cash at
a Repurchase Price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus interest
accrued to the Repurchase Date.  At the option of the Company, the Repurchase
Price may be paid in cash or, subject





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13

to the conditions provided in the Indenture, by delivery of shares of Common
Stock having a fair market value equal to the Repurchase Price.  For purposes
of this paragraph, the fair market value of shares of Common Stock shall be
determined by the Company and shall be equal to 95% of the average of the
Closing Prices Per Share for the five consecutive Trading Days ending on and
including the third Trading Day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date.
Whenever in this Security there is a reference, in any context, to the
principal of any Security as of any time, such reference shall be deemed to
include reference to the Repurchase Price payable in respect of such Security
to the extent that such Repurchase Price is, was or would be so payable at such
time, and express mention of the Repurchase Price in any provision of this
Security shall not be construed as excluding the Repurchase Price so payable in
those provisions of this Security when such express mention is not made;
provided, however, that, for the purposes of the third succeeding paragraph,
such reference shall be deemed to include reference to the Repurchase Price
only to the extent the Repurchase Price is payable in cash.

                 In the event of a deposit or withdrawal of an interest in this
Security, including an exchange, transfer, redemption, repurchase or conversion
of this Security in part only, the Trustee, as custodian of the Depositary,
shall make an adjustment on its records to reflect such deposit or withdrawal
in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.

                 The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent
and in the manner provided in the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right
of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, and this Security is issued subject to such provisions of the
Indenture with respect thereto.  Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the
same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and
directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the
Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

                 If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
principal of all the Securities, together with accrued interest to the date of
declaration, may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect
provided in the Indenture.  Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so
declared due and payable, together with accrued interest to the date of
declaration, and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue
interest, all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the
principal of and interest on the Securities shall terminate.

                 The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein
provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and
obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities and
coupons under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with
either (a) the written consent of the





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time
Outstanding, or (b) by the adoption of a resolution, at a meeting of Holders of
the Outstanding Securities at which a quorum is present, by the Holders of 66-
2/3% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities represented and entitled
to vote at such meeting.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the
Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities at the
time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities and coupons,
to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and
binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of
any Security issued in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security or such other
Security.

                 As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture,
the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver
or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have
previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default,
the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute
proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the
Trustee reasonable indemnity and the Trustee shall not have received from the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities Outstanding a
direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute
any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and
offer of indemnity.  The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by
the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal
hereof, premium, if any, or interest hereon (including any Additional Amounts
or additional interest) on or after the respective due dates expressed herein
or for the enforcement of the right to convert this Security as provided in the
Indenture.

                 No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium,
if any, and interest on (including Additional Amounts and additional interest,
as described herein) this Security at the times, places and rate, and in the
coin or currency, herein prescribed or to convert this Security as provided in
the Indenture.

                 As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities is
registrable on the Security Register upon surrender of a Registered Security
for registration of transfer (a) at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee
or at such other office or agency of the Company as may be designated by it for
such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or (b) subject
to any laws or regulations applicable thereto





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15

and to the right of the Company to terminate the appointment of any Transfer
Agent, at the offices of the Transfer Agents described herein or at such other
offices or agencies as the Company may designate, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Registered
Securities, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal
amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees by the
Registrar.  No service charge shall be made for any such registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to recover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.

                 Prior to due presentation of a Registered Security for
registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company
or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is
registered, as the owner thereof for all purposes, whether or not such Security
be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

                 THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA.

                 All terms used in this Security which are defined in the
Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16

                 ELECTION OF HOLDER TO REQUIRE REPURCHASE

                 1.  Pursuant to Section 14.1 of the Indenture, the undersigned
hereby elects to have this Security repurchased by the Company.

                 2.  The undersigned hereby directs the Trustee or the Company
to pay it or __________________ an amount in cash or, at the Company's
election, Common Stock valued as set forth in the Indenture, equal to 100% of
the principal amount to be repurchased (as set forth below), plus interest
accrued to the Repurchase Date, as provided in the Indenture.


                                          Dated:   _______________________
                                          
                                          
                                                   _______________________
                                                           Signature
                                          
                                          
                                                   _______________________
                                                   Signature Guaranteed

Principal amount to be repurchased
(an integral multiple of U.S.$1,000): ______________________

Remaining principal amount following such repurchase
(not less than U.S.$5,000): ______________________

NOTICE:  The signature to the foregoing Election must correspond to the Name as
written upon the face of this Security in every particular, without alteration
or any change whatsoever.





                                      -16-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.06



                               [FACE OF SECURITY]



                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.

                      4.25% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTE
                                DUE MAY 31, 2000

No. _____                                                       U.S.$___________

CUSIP NO. 748767AB6

     QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP., a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of North Carolina (herein called the "Company",
which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to on the
reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to ________________,
or registered assigns, the principal sum of ________________________ United
States Dollars (U.S.$________) on May 31, 2000 and to pay interest thereon, from
May 23, 1996, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date (as defined below)
to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears
on May 31 and November 30 in each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"),
commencing November 30, 1996, at the rate of 4.25% per annum, until the
principal hereof is due, and at the rate of 4.25% per annum on any overdue
principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent permitted by law, on any
overdue interest.  The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to
the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities)
is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such
interest, which shall be the May 15 or November 15 (whether or not a Business
Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.  Except as
otherwise provided in the Indenture, any such interest not so punctually paid or
duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such
Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this
Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of
business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to
be fixed by the Company, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Registered
Securities not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid
at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of
any securities exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such
notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the
Indenture.  Payments of principal shall be made upon the surrender of this
Security at the option of the Holder at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee, or at such other office or agency of the Company as may be designated
by it for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in
such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment
shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, or at such
other offices or agencies as the Company may designate, by United States Dollar
check drawn on, or transfer to, a United States Dollar account (such a transfer
to be made only to a Holder of an aggregate principal amount of Registered
Securities in excess of U.S. $2,000,000, and only if such Holder shall have
furnished wire instructions in writing to the Trustee no later than 15 days
prior to the relevant payment date) maintained

<PAGE>   2
by the payee with a bank in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.
Payment of interest on this Security may be made by United States Dollar check
drawn on a bank in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register, or, upon written application by the Holder to the Security
Registrar setting forth wire instructions not later than the relevant Record
Date, by transfer to a United States Dollar account (such a transfer to be made
only to a Holder of an aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities in
excess of U.S.$2,000,000 and only if such Holder shall have furnished wire
instructions in writing to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the
relevant payment date) maintained by the payee with a bank in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York.

     The Company will pay to the Holder of this Security who is a United States
Alien (as defined below) such additional amounts ("Additional Amounts") as may
be necessary in order that every net payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on this Security (including payment on redemption or
repurchase (including any payment of the Repurchase Price)), after deduction or
withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment or
governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of such payment by the United
States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein,
will not be less than the amount provided for in this Security to be then due
and payable; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to pay
any Additional Amounts in respect of payments becoming due on the Securities
more than 15 days after the Redemption Date with respect to any redemption of
Tax Affected Securities pursuant to the third paragraph of the reverse of this
Security, except to the extent that the Company's obligation to pay such
Additional Amounts does not arise from the Tax Law Change that resulted in such
redemption; and provided further, that the foregoing obligation to pay
Additional Amounts will not apply to:

           (a)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would
      not have been so imposed but for (i) the existence of any present or
      former connection between such Holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor,
      beneficiary, member, shareholder of or possessor of a power over such
      Holder, if such Holder is an estate, a trust, a partnership or a
      corporation) and the United States or any political subdivision or taxing
      authority thereof or therein, including, without limitation, such Holder
      (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member, shareholder or
      possessor) being or having been a citizen or resident of the United
      States or treated as a resident thereof, or being or having been engaged
      in trade or business or present therein, or having or having had a
      permanent establishment therein, or (ii) such Holder's present or former
      status as a personal holding company, a foreign personal holding company
      with respect to the United States, or a foreign private foundation or
      foreign tax exempt entity for United States tax purposes, or a
      corporation which accumulates earnings to avoid United States Federal
      income tax;

           (b)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would
      not have been so imposed but for the presentation by the Holder of this
      Security for payment on a date more than 15 days after the date on which
      such payment became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof
      is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;




                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
           (c)  any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, transfer, personal
      property or similar tax, assessment or governmental charge;

           (d)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which would not
      have been imposed but for the failure to comply with any certification,
      identification or other reporting requirements concerning the nationality,
      residence, identity or connection with the United States of the Holder or
      beneficial owner of this Security, if compliance is required by statute or
      by regulation of the United States as a precondition to relief or
      exemption from such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

           (e)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge which is
      payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments of
      principal of, premium, if any, or interest on this Security;

           (f)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed as a
      result of a Holder that actually or constructively owns 10% or more of
      the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company
      entitled to vote or that is a controlled foreign corporation related to
      the Company through stock ownership;

           (g)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge required to be
      withheld by any Paying Agent from any payment of the principal of,
      premium, if any, or interest on this Security, if such payment can be
      made without such withholding by any other Paying Agent in Western
      Europe;

           (h)  any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed on a
      Holder that is a partnership or a fiduciary or other than the sole
      beneficial owner of such payment, but only to the extent that any
      beneficial owner or member of the partnership or beneficiary or settlor
      with respect to the fiduciary would not have been entitled to the payment
      of Additional Amounts had the beneficial owner, member, beneficiary or;
      or

           (i)  any combination of items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and
      (h).

     For purposes of this Security, "United States" means the United States of
America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories,
its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction and a "United
States Alien" is any person who, for United States federal income tax purposes,
is a foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual, a nonresident alien
fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust, or a foreign partnership one or more of
the members of which is for United States federal income tax purposes, a
foreign corporation, a nonresident alien individual or a nonresident alien
fiduciary of a foreign estate or trust.

     Except as specifically provided herein and in the Indenture, the Company
shall not be required to make any payment with respect to any tax, assessment or
other governmental charge imposed by any government or any political subdivision
or taxing authority thereof or therein.  Whenever in this Security there is a
reference, in any context, to the

                                      -3-


<PAGE>   4


payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or in respect of,
any Security such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of
Additional Amounts payable as described in the second preceding paragraph to the
extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable
in respect of this Security pursuant to such paragraph and express mention of
the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions of this
Security shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those
provisions of this Security where such express mention is not made.

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

     Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof or an Authenticating Agent by the
manual signature of one of their respective authorized signatories, this
Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid
or obligatory for any purpose.



                                      -4-


<PAGE>   5

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Security to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.

Dated:  _________, 1996

                                          QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.

[Corporate Seal]

                                          By:_____________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

Attest:


________________________
Name:
Title:


     This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

Dated:  ______________, 1996

                                             MARINE MIDLAND BANK,
                                             as Trustee


                                             By:___________________________
                                                  Authorized Signatory






                                      -5-




<PAGE>   6


                             [REVERSE OF SECURITY]

     This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company designated as its "4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes due May 31,
2000" (herein called the "Securities"), limited in aggregate principal amount
to U.S.$143,750,000, issued and to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of
May 17, 1996 (herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and Marine
Midland Bank, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures
supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective
rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company,
the Trustee, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the
Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and of the terms upon which the
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  The Securities are
issuable as Bearer Securities, with interest coupons attached, in the
denomination of U.S.$5,000, and as Registered Securities, without coupons, in
denominations of U.S.$1,000 and integral multiples of U.S.$1,000 in excess
thereof.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, Registered Securities are exchangeable for a like aggregate
principal amount of Registered Securities of any authorized denominations as
requested by the Holder surrendering the same upon surrender of the Registered
Security or Registered Securities to be exchanged, at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee or at such other office or agency of the Company as may
be designated by it for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate
(each a "Transfer Agent").  The Transfer Agent (if other than the Trustee) will
then forward such surrendered Registered Securities (together with any payment
surrendered therewith) to the Trustee.  The Trustee upon such surrender by the
Holder or receipt from the Transfer Agent will issue the new Registered
Securities in the requested denominations.  Bearer Securities may not be issued
in exchange for Registered Securities.

     No sinking fund is provided for the Securities.  The Securities are
subject to redemption at the option of the Company on or after the close of
business on May 31, 1999, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days' notice to the Holders prior to the Redemption Date at a
Redemption Price equal to 101.0625% of the principal amount if redeemed on or
prior to May 31, 2000 (the final Stated Maturity of the Securities), together
with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, and certain Securities held by
United States Aliens are also redeemable, in whole but not in part, under the
circumstances described in the next succeeding paragraph, at a Redemption Price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to the
Redemption Date; provided, however, that interest installments on Registered
Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be
payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more





                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7

Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant
Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.

     If as a result of a Tax Law Change, the Company has or will become
obligated to pay to the Holder of any Security or coupon Additional Amounts, as
described in the second paragraph of the face of this Security, and such
obligation cannot be avoided by the Company taking reasonable measures
available to it, then the Company may, at its option, redeem the Tax Affected
Securities as a whole, but not in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' notice to the Holders prior to the Redemption Date, at a Redemption Price
equal to 100% of the principal amount plus interest accrued to the Redemption
Date, and any Additional Amounts then payable; provided, that (i) no such
notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest
date on which the Company would be obligated to pay any such Additional Amounts
were a payment in respect of the Tax Affected Securities then due and (ii) at
the time such notice of redemption is given, such obligation to pay such
Additional Amounts remains in effect; provided further, however, that such
redemption by the Company shall apply only to a Registered Security (or any
portion of a Registered Security that is a Global Security) the Holder of which
within 30 days of the publication of such notice of redemption provides a
written statement from or on behalf of the beneficial owner of such Registered
Security (or such portion, in the case of a Registered Security that is a
Global Security) to the Trustee or any Paying Agent to the effect that such
beneficial owner is entitled or will be entitled to receive Additional Amounts.
Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this
paragraph, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee (a) an Officers'
Certificate stating that the Company is entitled to effect such redemption and
setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the
right of the Company so to redeem have occurred and (b) an Opinion of Counsel
selected by the Company to the effect that the Company has or will become
obligated to pay such Additional Amounts as a result of such Tax Law Change.
The Company's right to redeem the Tax Affected Securities shall continue as
long as the Company is obligated to pay such Additional Amounts,
notwithstanding that the Company shall have made payments of Additional Amounts
specified in such second paragraph.

     In the event of a redemption of less than all of the Securities (other
than a redemption that by its terms is applicable solely to Bearer Securities),
the Company will not be required (a) to register the transfer or exchange of
Registered Securities or to exchange Bearer Securities for Registered
Securities for a period of 15 days immediately preceding the date notice is
given identifying the serial numbers of the Securities called for such
redemption, (b) to register the transfer or exchange of any Registered
Security, or portion thereof, called for redemption, or (c) to exchange any
Bearer Security called for redemption; provided, however, that a Bearer
Security called for redemption may be exchanged for a Registered Security which
is simultane-



                                      -7-


<PAGE>   8

ously surrendered to the Registrar or Transfer Agent making such exchange with
written instructions for conversion consistent with the provisions described in
Sections 2.5 and 12.2 of the Indenture.

     Notice of redemption will be given by publication in Authorized Newspapers
in the City of London, England, and, so long as the Securities are listed on
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of such stock exchange shall so
require, in Luxembourg, or, if not practicable in either London, England, or
Luxembourg, elsewhere in a Western European city, and by mail to Holders of
Registered Securities.  Notice to the Holders will be given not less than 30
nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date as provided in the
Indenture.

     In any case where the due date for the payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest, including Additional Amounts and Bearer
Additional Amounts, on any Security or the last day on which a Holder of a
Security has a right to convert his Security shall be, at any Place of Payment
or Place of Conversion, as the case may be, a day on which banking institutions
at such Place of Payment or Place of Conversion are authorized or obligated by
law or executive order to close, then payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest, including Additional Amounts and Bearer Additional Amounts, or
delivery for conversion of such Security need not be made on or by such date at
such place but may be made on or by the next succeeding day at such place which
is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close, with the same force and effect as if made on the
date for such payment or the date fixed for redemption or repurchase, or by
such last day for conversion, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so
payable for the period after such date.

     Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Security is entitled, at his option, at any time on or after
August 21, 1996, and on or before the close of business on May 31, 2000, or in
case this Security or a portion hereof is called for redemption or the Holder
hereof has exercised his right to require the Company to repurchase this
Security or such portion hereof, then in respect of this Security until and
including, but (unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon
redemption or repurchase, as the case may be) not after, the close of business
on the Redemption Date or the Repurchase Date, as the case may be, to convert
this Security (or any portion of the principal amount hereof that is an
integral multiple of U.S.$1,000, provided that the unconverted portion of such
principal amount is U.S.$1,000 or any integral multiple of U.S.$1,000 in excess
thereof) into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the
Company at an initial Conversion Rate of 12.0846 for each share of Common Stock
(or at the current adjusted Conversion Rate if an adjustment has been made as
provided in the Indenture) by surrender of this Security, duly endorsed or
assigned to the Company or in blank and, in case such surrender shall be made
during

                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9



the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date next preceding
any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment
Date (except if this Security has been called for redemption on a Redemption
Date or is repurchasable on a Repurchase Date occurring, in either case, during
such period and is surrendered for such conversion during such period), also
accompanied by payment in New York Clearing House or other funds acceptable to
the Company of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment
Date on the principal amount of this Security then being converted (or, if this
Security was issued in exchange for a Bearer Security after the close of
business on such Regular Record Date, by surrender of one or more coupons
relating to such Interest Payment Date or by both payment in such funds and
surrender of such coupon or coupons, in either case, in an amount equal to the
interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of this
Security then being converted; provided that coupons may be so surrendered only
at an office or agency outside the United States designated pursuant to the
Indenture), and also the conversion notice hereon duly executed, to the Company
at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, or at such other office or agency
of the Company, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and
subject to the right of the Company to terminate the appointment of any
Conversion Agent (as defined below) as may be designated by it for such purpose
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other offices or
agencies as the Company may designate (each a "Conversion Agent"), provided
further, that if this Security or portion hereof has been called for redemption
on a Redemption Date or is repurchasable on a Repurchase Date occurring, in
either case, during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record
Date next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such
succeeding Interest Payment Date and is surrendered for conversion during such
period, then the Holder of this Security who converts this Security or a portion
hereof during such period will be entitled to receive the interest accruing
hereon from the Interest Payment Date next preceding the date of such conversion
to such succeeding Interest Payment Date and shall not be required to pay such
interest upon surrender of this Security for conversion.  Subject to the
provisions of the preceding sentence and, in the case of a conversion after the
close of business on the Regular Record Date next preceding any Interest Payment
Date and or before the close of business on such Interest Payment Date, to the
right of the Holder of this Security (or any Predecessor Security of record as
of such Regular Record Date) to receive the related installment of interest to
the extent and under the circumstances provided in the Indenture, no cash
payment or adjustment is to be made on conversion for interest accrued hereon
from the Interest Payment Date next preceding the day of conversion, or for
dividends on the Common Stock issued on conversion hereof.  The Company shall
thereafter deliver to the Holder the fixed number of shares of Common Stock
(together with any cash adjustment, as provided in the Indenture) into which
this Security is convertible and such delivery will be deemed to satisfy the
Company's obligation to pay the principal amount of this Security.  No fractions
of shares or scrip representing fractions of shares will be issued on
conversion, but

                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10



instead of any fractional interest (calculated to the nearest 1/100th of a
share) the Company shall pay a cash adjustment as provided in the Indenture. The
Conversion Rate is subject to adjustment as provided in the Indenture.  In
addition, the Indenture provides that in case of certain consolidations or
mergers to which the Company is a party or the conveyance, transfer, sale or
lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, the
Indenture shall be amended, without the consent of any Holders of Securities, so
that this Security, if then Outstanding, will be convertible thereafter, during
the period this Security shall be convertible as specified above, only into the
kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease by a holder of the
number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which this Security could
have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer, sale or lease (assuming such holder of Common Stock is not a
Constituent Person, failed to exercise any rights of election and received per
share the kind and amount received per share by a plurality of Non-electing
Shares and further assuming, if such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer, sale or lease occurs prior to the later of August 21, 1996 and the
receipt of Securities in definitive form (in the case of Securities initially
represented by a Temporary Global Bearer Security), that the Security was
convertible at the time of such occurrence at the Conversion Rate specified
above as adjusted from the issue date of such Security to such time as provided
in the Indenture).  No adjustment in the Conversion Rate will be made until such
adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent of such
rate, provided that any adjustment that would otherwise be made will be carried
forward and taken into account in the computation of any subsequent adjustment.

     Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, at any time when the
Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, upon the request of a Holder of a Restricted
Security or the holder of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion
thereof, the Company will promptly furnish or cause to be furnished Rule 144A
Information (as defined below) to such Holder of Restricted Securities or such
holder of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Restricted
Securities, or to a prospective purchaser of any such security designated by
any such Holder or holder, as the case may be, to the extent required to permit
compliance by such Holder or holder with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), in connection with the resale of any
such security.  "Rule 144A Information" shall be such information as is
specified pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act (or any
successor provision thereto).

     If this Security is a Registrable Security, then the Holder of this
Security and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion hereof is entitled to
the benefits of a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 17, 1996 (the


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11


"Registration Rights Agreement"), executed by the Company.  Pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed for the benefit of the
Holders from time to time of Registrable Securities (which term is defined to
include the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Securities), at the
Company's expense, (a) to use its best efforts to file within 90 days after the
first date of original issuance of the Securities, a shelf registration
statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement") with the Commission with respect
to resales of the Registrable Securities, (b) thereafter to use reasonable
efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by
the Commission as promptly as practicable, and (c) to use reasonable efforts to
maintain such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective under the
Securities Act until a period of the three years from the last date of original
issuance of the Securities or, if earlier, until there are no outstanding
Registrable Securities.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to file a
Shelf Registration Statement and will be permitted to suspend the use of the
prospectus that is a part of the Shelf Registration Statement during the
existence of a state of facts or the happening of an event (including without
limitation pending negotiations relating to, or the consummation of, a
transaction or the occurrence of any event which in the opinion of the Company
might require additional disclosure of material, non-public information by the
Company in the Shelf Registration Statement as to which the Company believes it
has a bona fide business purpose for preserving confidentiality or which
renders the Company unable to comply with the rules and regulations under the
Securities Act) which in the opinion of outside counsel to the Company might
reasonably result in the Shelf Registration Statement, or any amendment or
post-effective amendment thereto, or the prospectus or any supplement thereto,
or any document incorporated therein by reference containing an untrue
statement of material fact or omitting to state a material fact.

     If this Security is a Registrable Security and the Holder of this Security
elects to sell this Security pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement
then, by its acceptance hereof, such Holder of this Security agrees to be bound
by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Registrable
Securities which are the subject of such election.

     If a Change in Control occurs, the Holder of this Security, at the
Holder's option, shall have the right, in accordance with the provisions of the
Indenture, to require the Company to repurchase this Security (or any portion
of the principal amount hereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000, provided
that the portion of the principal amount of this Security to be Outstanding
after such repurchase is at least equal to U.S.$5,000) for cash at a Repurchase
Price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to
the Repurchase Date.  At the option of the Company, the Repurchase Price may be
paid in cash or, subject


                                      -11-

<PAGE>   12


to the conditions provided in the Indenture, by delivery of shares of Common
Stock having a fair market value equal to the Repurchase Price.  For purposes of
this paragraph, the fair market value of shares of Common Stock shall be
determined by the Company and shall be equal to 95% of the average of the
Closing Prices Per Share for the five consecutive Trading Days ending on and
including the third Trading Day immediately preceding the Repurchase Date.
Whenever in this Security there is a reference, in any context, to the principal
of any Security as of any time, such reference shall be deemed to include
reference to the Repurchase Price payable in respect of such Security to the
extent that such Repurchase Price is, was or would be so payable at such time,
and express mention of the Repurchase Price in any provision of this Security
shall not be construed as excluding the Repurchase Price so payable in those
provisions of this Security when such express mention is not made; provided,
however, that, for the purposes of the third succeeding paragraph, such
reference shall be deemed to include reference to the Repurchase Price only to
the extent the Repurchase Price is payable in cash.

     In the event of redemption, repurchase or conversion of this Security in
part only, a new Registered Security or Registered Securities for the
unredeemed, unrepurchased or unconverted portion hereof will be issued in the
name of the Holder hereof.

     The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent and in the
manner provided in the Indenture, subordinate and subject in right of payment
to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and
this Security is issued subject to such provisions of the Indenture with
respect thereto.  Each Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a)
agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the
Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

     If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all
the Securities, together with accrued interest to the date of declaration, may
be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the
Indenture.  Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and
payable, together with accrued interest to the date of declaration, and (ii) of
interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest, all of the Company's
obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest on the
Securities shall terminate.

     The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities and coupons under the
Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with either (a) the
written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding, or


                                      -12-

<PAGE>   13


(b) by the adoption of a resolution, at a meeting of Holders of the Outstanding
Securities at which a quorum is present, by the Holders of 66-2/3% in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities represented and entitled to vote at such
meeting.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of
specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities at the time
Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities and coupons, to
waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and
certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such
consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and
binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of
any Security issued in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security or such other
Security.

     As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder
of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with
respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for
any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the
Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default, the Holders of not
less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall have made
written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such
Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity and
the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Securities Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such
request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days
after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity.  The foregoing
shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the
enforcement of any payment of principal hereof, premium, if any, or interest
hereon (including any Additional Amounts or additional interest) on or after
the respective due dates expressed herein or for the enforcement of the right
to convert this Security as provided in the Indenture.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on (including Additional Amounts and additional interest, as described
herein) this Security at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed or to convert this Security as provided in the
Indenture.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein
set forth, the transfer of Registered Securities is registrable on the Security
Register upon surrender of a Registered Security for registration of transfer
(a) at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at such other office or
agency of the Company as may be designated by it for such purpose in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or (b) subject to any laws or
regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Company to terminate the
appointment of any Transfer Agent,


                                      -13-

<PAGE>   14


at the offices of the Transfer Agents described herein or at such other offices
or agencies as the Company may designate, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Registered Securities, of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees by the Registrar.  No service
charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to recover any tax or other
governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     Prior to due presentation of a Registered Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered, as
the owner thereof for all purposes, whether or not such Security be overdue,
and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by
notice to the contrary.

     THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

     All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.



                                      -14-


<PAGE>   15


                    ELECTION OF HOLDER TO REQUIRE REPURCHASE

     1.  Pursuant to Section 14.1 of the Indenture, the undersigned hereby
elects to have this Security repurchased by the Company.

     2.  The undersigned hereby directs the Trustee or the Company to pay it or
__________________ an amount in cash or, at the Company's election, Common
Stock valued as set forth in the Indenture, equal to 100% of the principal
amount to be repurchased (as set forth below), plus interest accrued to the
Repurchase Date, as provided in the Indenture.


                                          Dated:
                                                 -----------------------


                                                 -----------------------
                                                        Signature


                                                 -----------------------
                                                 Signature Guaranteed

Principal amount to be repurchased
(an integral multiple of U.S.$1,000): ----------------------

Remaining principal amount following such repurchase
(not less than U.S.$5,000): ----------------------

NOTICE:  The signature to the foregoing Election must correspond to the Name as
written upon the face of this Security in every particular, without alteration
or any change whatsoever.




                                      -15-






<PAGE>   1

                                                                    Exhibit 5.01




                              December 30, 1996




                                                                  (919) 821-6668




Quintiles Transnational Corp
4709 Creekstone Drive
Riverbirch Building, Suite 300
Durham, North Carolina  27703

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As counsel for Quintiles Transnational Corp. (the "Company"), we furnish the
following opinion in connection with the preparation of a Registration
Statement on Format.3 ("Registration Statement") to be filed by the Company
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Act"), relating to the registration of (a) $75,990,000
principal amount of the Company's 4.25% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due May
31, 2000 (the "Notes") for the accounts of the holders named in the
Registration Statement and (b) 918,282 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share, that are issuable by the Company upon
conversion of the Notes.  The Notes have been issued pursuant to an Indenture
entered into between the Company and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee (the
"Indenture").  This opinion is furnished pursuant to the requirement of Item
601(b)(5) of Regulation S.K under the Act.

         We have examined the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation,
as amended, and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, the Indenture,
the Registration Statement, the minutes of meetings of the Company's Board of
Directors, and such other corporate records of the Company and other documents
<PAGE>   2

Quintiles Transnational Corp.
December 30, 1996
Page 2



and have made such examinations of law as we have deemed relevant for purposes
of this opinion.

         Based on and subject to the foregoing and to the additional
qualifications set forth below, it is our opinion that (a) the Notes that are
being offered pursuant to the Registration Statement have been legally issued
in accordance with the Indenture and, assuming due delivery against payment
therefor when the Notes were issued, are binding obligations  of the Company,
and (b) the Shares, when issued by the Company in accordance with the Company's
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and its Amended and
Restated Bylaws, will be legally issued and, assuming due delivery against
payment therefor when the Shares are issued upon the conversion of the Notes,
will be fully paid and nonassessable

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.  Such consent shall not be deemed to be an admission
that this firm is within the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Act or the regulations promulgated pursuant to the Act.

         This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of North Carolina and
no opinion is expressed as to the laws of any other jurisdiction, including
without limitation, with respect to the enforceability of the Indenture and 
the Notes under New York law.

         Our opinion is as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake to
advise you of matters which might come to our attention subsequent to the date
hereof which may affect our legal opinion expressed herein.

                                Sincerely yours,

                                        SMITH, ANDERSON, BLOUNT, DORSETT,
                                                  MITCHELL & JERNIGAN, L.L.P.



                                        By: /s/ Gerald F. Roach
                                            Gerald F. Roach
  

GFR/dto

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.01

              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Quintiles 
Transnational Corp. for the registration of $75,990,000 of its 4.25% 
Convertible Subordinated Notes Due May 31, 2000 and 918,282 shares of its
Common Stock and to the  incorporation by reference therein of (i) our report
dated January 30, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements
of Quintiles Transnational Corp. incorporated by reference in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, (ii) our report dated April
11, 1996 with respect to the financial statements of Lewin-VHI, a subsidiary of
Value Health, Inc., for the year ended December 31, 1995 incorporated by
reference from the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 16, 1996 and (iii)
our report dated August 2, 1996 with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of BRI International, Inc. for the six month period ended May 31,
1996 incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on Form S-4  (No. 333-12573) dated October 15, 1996 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.




Ernst & Young LLP
Raleigh, North Carolina
December 30, 1996






<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.02

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of 
Quintiles Transnational Corp. ("Quintiles") on Form S-3 (File No. 333-00000) of
our report dated May 15, 1996, on our audits of the consolidated financial
statements of BRI International, Inc. as of November 30, 1995 and 1994, and for
the years then ended, which report is included in Quintiles' Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-12573).  We also consent to the reference
to our firm under the caption "Experts."




Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Rockville, Maryland
December 30, 1996





<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.03

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Quintiles Transnational Corp. in respect
of 4.25% convertible subordinated notes due May 31, 2000 and to the
incorporation by reference of our report dated July 24, 1996, with respect to
the combined balance sheets of the Innovex Companies as at March 31, 1995 and
1996 and the related combined income statements and statements of cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 1996 included in the
Current Report on Form 8-K, dated October 6, 1996, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.





KPMG
Reading, England
December 30, 1996









<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 25.01


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   ----------

                                    FORM T-1
                    STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST
                     INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION
                          DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
                                  ----------
                      CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                      ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                               SECTION 305(b)(2)
                                  -----------
                              MARINE MIDLAND BANK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


           New York                                     16-1057879
           (Jurisdiction of incorporation            (I.R.S. Employer
           or organization if not a U.S.            Identification No.)
           national bank)

           140 Broadway, New York, N.Y.                 10005-1180
           (212) 658-1000                               (Zip Code)
           (Address of principal executive offices)



                                  Eric Parets
                             Senior Vice President
                              Marine Midland Bank
                                  140 Broadway
                         New York, New York 10005-1180
                              Tel: (212) 658-6560
           (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


             North Carolina                     56-1714315
             (State or other jurisdiction       (I.R.S. Employer
             of incorporation or organization)  Identification No.)

             4709 Creekstone Drive
             Riverbirch Building, Suite 300
             Durham, North Carolina                    27703-8411
             (919) 941-2000                           (Zip Code)
             (Address of principal executive offices)

           4.25% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE MAY 31, 2000
                       (Title of Indenture Securities)


<PAGE>   2


                                    General
Item 1. General Information.

             Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

        (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervisory
        authority to which it is subject.

             State of New York Banking Department.

             Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

             Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
             Washington, D.C.

        (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

                Yes.

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.

             If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe
             each such affiliation.

                None


<PAGE>   3



Item 16.  List of Exhibits.


Exhibit


<TABLE>
<S>                                        <C>
T1A(i)                          *    -     Copy of the Organization Certificate
                                           of Marine Midland Bank.

T1A(ii)                         *    -     Certificate of the State of New York
                                           Banking Department dated December
                                           31, 1993 as to the authority of
                                           Marine Midland Bank to commence
                                           business.

T1A(iii)                             -     Not applicable.

T1A(iv)                         *    -     Copy of the existing By-Laws of
                                           Marine Midland Bank as adopted on
                                           January 20, 1994.

T1A(v)                               -     Not applicable.

T1A(vi)                         *    -     Consent of Marine Midland Bank
                                           required by Section 321(b) of the
                                           Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

T1A(vii)                             -     Copy of the latest report of
                                           condition of the trustee (September
                                           30, 1996), published pursuant to law
                                           or the requirement of its
                                           supervisory or examining authority.

T1A(viii)                            -     Not applicable.

T1A(ix)                              -     Not applicable.
</TABLE>


     *    Exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange
          Commission with Registration No. 33-53693 and incorporated herein by
          reference thereto.


<PAGE>   4







                                   SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Trustee,
Marine Midland Bank, a banking corporation and trust company organized under
the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of
eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 18th day
of December 1996.



                                         MARINE MIDLAND BANK


                                         By: /s/ Frank J. Godino
                                            -----------------------
                                         Frank J. Godino
                                         Assistant Vice President


<PAGE>   5


                                                               EXHIBIT T1A (VII)


<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
                                                                Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
                                                                OMB Number: 7100-0036
                                                                Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
                                                                OMB Number: 3064-0052
                                                                Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
                                                                OMB Number: 1557-0081
FEDERAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS EXAMINATION COUNCIL              Expires March 31, 1999

This financial information has not been reviewed, or confirmed
for accuracy or relevance, by the Federal Reserve System.       Please refer to page 1,              [1]
                                                                Table of Contents, for
                                                                the required disclosure
                                                                of estimated burden.




CONSOLIDATED REPORTS OF CONDITION AND INCOME FOR
A BANK WITH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN OFFICES--FFIEC 031


                                                                 (9506230)
REPORT AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 30, 1996              -----------
                                                                 (RCRI9999)
                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  



This report is required by law; 12 U.S.C. Section 324 (State member banks); 12       This report form is to be filed by banks
U.S.C. Section  1817 (State nonmember banks); and 12 U.S.C. Section 161 (National    with branches and consolidated subsidiaries
banks).                                                                              in U.S. territories and possessions, Edge or
                                                                                     Agreement subsidiaries, foreign branches,
                                                                                     consolidated foreign subsidiaries, or
                                                                                     International Banking Facilities.


NOTE: The Reports of Condition and Income must be signed by an authorized officer    The Reports of Condition and Income are
and the Report of Condition must be attested to by not less than two directors       to be prepared in accordance with
(trustees) for State nonmember banks and three directors for State member and        Federal regulatory authority instructions.
National Banks.                                                                      NOTE: These instructions may in some cases
                                                                                     differ from generally accepted accounting 
                                                                                     principles.
                                                                                     

I, Gerald A. Ronning, Executive VP & Controller                                      We, the undersigned directors (trustees),
- ------------------------------------------------------                               attest to the correctness of this Report
  Name and Title of Officer Authorized to Sign Report                                of Condition (including the supporting
                                                                                     schedules) and declare that it has been
of the named bank do hereby declare that these Reports of Condition and Income       examined by us and to the best of our
(including the supporting schedules) have been prepared in conformance with the      knowledge and belief has been prepared in
instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true     conformance with the instructions issued by
to the best of my knowledge and believe.                                             the appropriate Federal regulatory authority
                                                                                     and is true and correct.

                                                                                        /s/ James H. Cleave
                                                                                     -------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Director (Trustee)

 /s/ Gerald A. Ronning                                                                  /s/ Bernard J. Kennedy
- ----------------------                                                               -------------------------------------------
Signature of Officer Authorized to Sign Report                                       Director (Trustee)

          10/28/96                                                                     /s/ Northrup R. Knox
- ------------------------------------                                                 -------------------------------------------
Date of Signature                                                                    Director (Trustee)

                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                  

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR BANKS SUBMITTING HARD COPY REPORT FORMS:

STATE MEMBER BANK: Return the original and one copy to the appropriate Federal       NATIONAL BANKS: Return the original only in
Reserve District Bank.                                                               the special return address envelope provided.
                                                                                     If express mail is used in lieu of the special
STATE NONMEMBER BANKS: Return the original only in the special return address        return address envelope, return the original
envelope provided.  If express mail is used in lieu of the special return address    only to the FDIC, c/o Quality Data Systems,
envelope, return the original only to the FDIC, c/o Quality Data Systems, 2127       2127 Espey Court, Suite 204, Crofton, MD
Espey Court, Suite 204, Crofton, MD 21114.                                           21114.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FDIC Certificate Number     0         0         5         8         9
                           ------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   6




     NOTICE
This form is intended to assist institutions with state publication
requirements. It has not been approved by any state banking
authorities. Refer to your appropriate state banking authorities
for your state publication requirements.



REPORT OF CONDITION

Consolidating domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the
Marine Midland Bank              of Buffalo
     Name of Bank                City

in the state of New York, at the close of business
September 30, 1996


ASSETS
                                                                  Thousands
                                                                  of dollars
Cash and balances due from depository
institutions:


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
  Noninterest-bearing balances
  currency and coin....................................                $  924,069
  Interest-bearing balances ...........................                 1,269,750
  Held-to-maturity securities..........................                         0
  Available-for-sale securities........................                 3,096,772

Federal Funds sold and securities purchased
under agreements to resell in domestic
offices of the bank and of its Edge and
Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:

  Federal funds sold...................................                   785,600
  Securities purchased under
  agreements to resell.................................                   306,969

Loans and lease financing receivables:

  Loans and leases net of unearned
  income...............................                    14,428,376
  LESS: Allowance for loan and lease
  losses...............................                       440,075
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve                             0

  Loans and lease, net of unearned
  income, allowance, and reserve.......................                13,988,301
  Trading assets.......................................                   791,225
  Premises and fixed assets (including
  capitalized leases)..................................                   180,892

Other real estate owned.................................                    5,104
Investments in unconsolidated
subsidiaries and associated companies...................                        0
Customers' liability to this bank on
acceptances outstanding.................................                   19,791
Intangible assets.......................................                  161,326


</TABLE>


<PAGE>   7

<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>
Other assets............................................                  459,739
Total assets............................................               21,989,538


LIABILITIES

Deposits:
  In domestic offices..................................                14,736,857

  Noninterest-bearing..................                     3,198,971
  Interest-bearing.....................                    11,537,886

In foreign offices, Edge, and Agreement
subsidiaries, and IBFs..................................                3,676,395

  Noninterest-bearing..................                             0
  Interest-bearing.....................                     3,676,395

Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase in domestic
offices of the bank and its Edge and
Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs:

  Federal funds purchased..............................                   385,430
  Securities sold under agreements to
  repurchase...........................................                   212,177
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury                                  300,000
Trading Liabilities......................................                 293,523

Other borrowed money:
  With original maturity of one year
  or less..............................................                    28,701
  With original maturity of more than
  one year.............................................                         0
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations
under capitalized leases................................                   33,613
Bank's liability on acceptances
executed and outstanding................................                   19,791
Subordinated notes and debentures.......................                  100,000
Other liabilities.......................................                  305,078
Total liabilities.......................................               20,091,565
Limited-life preferred stock and
related surplus.........................................                        0

EQUITY CAPITAL

Perpetual preferred stock and related
surplus.................................................                        0
Common Stock............................................                  185,000
Surplus.................................................                1,633,279
Undivided profits and capital reserves..................                   77,442
Net unrealized holding gains (losses)
on available-for-sale securities........................                    2,252
Cumulative foreign currency translation
adjustments.............................................                        0
Total equity capital....................................                1,897,973
Total liabilities, limited-life
preferred stock, and equity capital.....................               21,989,538




</TABLE>





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