Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. is a prominent global contract research organization (CRO) based in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Founded in 1947, the company has grown significantly and now employs over 20,000 people across more than 20 countries. It is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CRL. Charles River provides essential products and services that support the discovery, development, and safe manufacturing of drugs, vaccines, therapeutics, and medical devices.
The company offers a wide range of services, including research models and animal services, safety assessment and toxicology, biologics testing and manufacturing, and discovery and development services. Its expertise spans the entire drug development continuum, from basic research to commercial release. Charles River emphasizes ethical research practices and animal welfare, adhering to the principles of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) and adopting new methodologies to enhance research outcomes. Recent digital transformation initiatives have further improved client experiences and accelerated drug development processes.