Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. is a leading global contract research organization (CRO) that provides essential preclinical and clinical laboratory services to the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. The company’s core offerings encompass discovery and safety assessment programs, including in vitro and in vivo studies, along with bioanalytical, pathology, and translational support designed to accelerate the development of new therapeutics. Charles River also supplies research models and associated services to facilitate basic and applied research across a broad range of therapeutic areas.
Founded in 1947 in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Charles River began as a small supplier of laboratory rabbits and soon expanded its capabilities to address evolving scientific and regulatory demands. Over the decades, the company has grown through strategic acquisitions and investments in cutting-edge platforms, enabling it to offer a fully integrated suite of services from target identification and lead optimization through manufacturing support for advanced therapies.
Today, Charles River’s product portfolio includes custom animal models, genetic engineering services, microbiological solutions, cell therapy tools and viral vector manufacturing. Its safety assessment services span toxicology, pathology and pharmacology, while its discovery services encompass medicinal chemistry, biology and compound profiling. The company places particular emphasis on emerging modalities such as gene therapy, cell therapy and antibody-drug conjugates, leveraging its global network of laboratories and research sites to deliver comprehensive data packages to clients.
Operating in more than 20 countries across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, Charles River serves a diverse client base ranging from small biotech firms to multinational pharmaceutical companies. The organization is led by President and Chief Executive Officer Margo P. Chatwell, whose experience in the life sciences sector underscores the firm’s commitment to scientific innovation, regulatory compliance and high-quality client service.
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