<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT 3.01

                              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
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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.


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<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

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<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.



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<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


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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

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<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

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<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

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<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

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<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

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<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

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<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




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<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





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

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<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>   18
                           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:

              "RESOLVED, that Article IV, Section 4.1 of the Amended and
        Restated Articles of Incorporation of Quintiles Transnational Corp.
        should be amended 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 525,000,000
              shares.  The authorized capital stock is divided into
              25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, having $.01 par value
              (the "Preferred Stock"), and 500,000,000 shares of common
              stock, having $.01 par value (the "Common Stock")."

        III.  The foregoing amendment was adopted on February 4, 1999, by the
board of directors of the corporation, and approved by the shareholders of the
corporation at a special meeting held on March 30, 1999, 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 20th day of April, 1999.

                                        QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.


                                        By: /s/ Gregory D. Porter
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Gregory D. Porter
                                           Executive Vice President, Chief
                                           Administrative and Legal Officer


<PAGE>   19

                             State of North Carolina

                      Department of the Secretary of State

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

Pursuant to Section 55-10-06 and Section 55-6-02 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 to fix the preferences, limitations, and relative
rights of a series of its shares:

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

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

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

         Article IV of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is
amended by inserting the following new Section 4.4 at the end of the existing
provisions of Article IV:

         Section 4.4. Series A Preferred Stock. A series of Preferred Stock of
the Corporation is hereby created and the designation and amount thereof and the
preferences, relative rights, and powers of the shares of such series, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, are fixed, determined and
set forth as follows:

         Section 4.4.1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall
be designated as "Series A Preferred Stock," $.01 par value per share, and the
number of shares constituting such series shall be one million (1,000,000). Such
number of shares may be increased or decreased by action of the Board of
Directors; provided that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Series
A Preferred Stock to a number less than the number of shares then outstanding
plus the number of shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding
options, rights or warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities
issued by the Corporation convertible into Series A Preferred Stock.

         Section 4.4.2. Dividends and Distributions.

                  (A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any
series of Preferred Stock (or any similar stock) ranking prior and superior to
the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common Stock and of
any other junior stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and


<PAGE>   20

if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the
purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first day of March, June,
September and December in each year (each such date being referred to herein as
a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of
Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent)
equal to the greater of (a) $10 or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment
hereinafter set forth, one thousand (1,000) times the aggregate per share amount
of all cash dividends, and one thousand (1,000) times the aggregate per share
amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions, other
than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared
on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the
first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock.
In the event the Corporation shall declare or pay any dividend on the Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination
or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification
or otherwise than payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a
greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the
amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled
immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall
be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event,
and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.

                  (B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution
on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) of this Section
immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock
(other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the
event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock
during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $10 per share on the
Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

                  (C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the date of
issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to
accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the
determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to
receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in
either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative
from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall
not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in
an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and
payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis
among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a
record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred


<PAGE>   21

Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared
thereon, which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to the
date fixed for the payment thereof.

         Section 4.4.3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

                  (A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof
to one thousand (1,000) votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the
shareholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time
declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common
Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than a
payment of dividend in shares of Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of
shares of Common Stock), then in each such case the number of votes per share to
which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately
prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event, and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

                  (B) Except as otherwise provided herein, in any articles of
amendment to articles of incorporation of the Corporation, or by law, the
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of
Common Stock and any other capital stock of the Corporation having general
voting rights shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a
vote of shareholders of the Corporation.

                  (C) Except as set forth herein, or as otherwise provided by
law, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and
their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to
vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate
action.

         Section 4.4.4. Certain Restrictions.

                  (A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or
distributions payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section
4.4.2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and
distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock
outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

                           (i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other
distributions, on any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock;

                           (ii) declare or pay dividends, or make any other
distributions, on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to
dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A
Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A



<PAGE>   22

Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in
arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such
shares are then entitled;

                           (iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock,
provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise
acquire shares of any such junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of
the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution,
liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock; or

                           (iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise  acquire for
consideration any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock
ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, except in accordance with
a purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board
of Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of
Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other
relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall
determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the
respective series or classes.

                  (B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (A) of
this Section 4.4.4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and
in such manner.

         Section 4.4.5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred
Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner
whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition
thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but
unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series
of Preferred Stock, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set
forth herein, in articles of amendment of articles of incorporation of the
Corporation, or as otherwise required by law.

         Section 4.4.6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.

                  (A) Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, no distribution shall be made (i) to the holders of shares of stock
ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have received $100 per share, plus
an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon,
whether or not declared, to the date of such payment, provided that the holders
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive an aggregate
amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
equal to one thousand (1,000) times the aggregate amount to be distributed per
share to holders of shares of Common Stock or (ii) to the holders of shares of
stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except
distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity
stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares
are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In the event the



<PAGE>   23

Corporation shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or
consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a
greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the
aggregate amount to which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were
entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (i) of the preceding
sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event, and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

         Section 4.4.7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation
shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination, share exchange or other
transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed
into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such
case each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly
exchanged or changed into an amount per share (subject to the provision for
adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to one thousand (1,000) times the
aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable
in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock
is changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time declare
or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or
effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than payment of a dividend in
shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common
Stock, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence
with respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event, and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

         Section 4.4.8. No Redemption. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall not be redeemable.

         Section 4.4.9. Rank. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank junior to
all other series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as to the payment of
dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any such series
shall provide otherwise.

         Section 4.4.10. Amendment. The Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation shall not be further amended in any manner
which would materially alter or change the preferences, rights or powers of the
Series A Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) or more of the outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single class.

         Section 4.4.11. Fractional Shares. Series A Preferred Stock may be
issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to
such holder's fractional shares, to exercise


<PAGE>   24

voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the
benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Participating Preferred
Stock.

         III.     The foregoing amendment was duly adopted and approved on the
4th day of November 1999, by the board of directors without shareholder action,
which was not required because the amendment only fixes the preferences,
limitations and relative rights of a series of the corporation's preferred stock
pursuant to authority granted to the directors by the corporation's Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation and Section 55-6-02 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 5th day of November, 1999.


                                         QUINTILES TRANSNATIONAL CORP.


                                         By:  /s/ Rachel R. Selisker
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Name:  Rachel R. Selisker
                                              Title: Chief Executive Officer and
                                                     Executive V.P. Finance