[FONT="Verdana"][SIZE="2"]SFBC International Inc., a contract research firm for the drug industry, said Thursday a circuit court has granted the company's request to delay the demolition of its troubled Miami facility.

The company is trying to reverse an order to demolish the building by the Miami-Dade County Unsafe Structures Board. The Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial District did not say when hearings on the request would begin, but the delay will be in effect until the appeal is resolved.

SFBC International wants to shut down the facility, which faces allegations of patient mishandling, in an orderly fashion and sell it, said Jeffrey P. McMullen, president and chief executive officer.[/SIZE][/FONT]