Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. is a leading provider of research models and preclinical and clinical support services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The company’s core offerings include discovery, safety assessment, toxicology, and pathology services, as well as supply of laboratory animals and related diagnostics. Services extend across in vivo and in vitro testing, biologics testing, and support for advanced therapies, helping clients accelerate drug development from early discovery through regulatory submission.
Founded in 1947 in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Charles River has grown through strategic investments and acquisitions to establish a broad portfolio of capabilities. Over the decades the company has expanded its expertise in genetics, microbiology and laboratory animal medicine, integrating new technologies such as genomics, imaging and biomarker analysis to enhance study design and data generation. This history of innovation has positioned Charles River as a partner of choice for organizations seeking to de-risk novel compounds and streamline development timelines.
Today, Charles River operates in more than 20 countries across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, with research centers, laboratories and breeding facilities designed to meet international standards of quality and compliance. The company serves a diverse customer base that includes global pharmaceutical firms, emerging biotech companies, academic institutions and government agencies. Under the leadership of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James C. Foster, Charles River continues to invest in new platforms and geographic expansion to address evolving needs in drug discovery and development.