Charles River Laboratories

The company is headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, and is led by chair, president and chief executive James C. Foster. 

Charles River organizes its business across three segments: Research Models and Services, Discovery and Safety Assessment, and Manufacturing Solutions. The model is built around recurring demand for research models and related services, integrated discovery and toxicology capabilities, and a set of manufacturing and quality offerings that include biologics testing and microbial solutions. 

The company’s strategic value proposition to pharma and biotech customers is breadth and continuity across the development chain. In practical terms, that spans laboratory animal models and services used in preclinical research, discovery chemistry and biology support, GLP and non-GLP safety assessment, and a range of laboratory services that can support IND-enabling and later-stage work. 

In 2024, Charles River began a restructuring effort in response to softer demand across parts of early research services, including workforce reduction and consolidation of smaller sites. Public reporting around the program referenced reductions of roughly 1,300 roles and closure or consolidation of more than a dozen sites as part of cost-reset efforts. 

In May 2025, the company announced a comprehensive strategic review and board changes, alongside a cooperation agreement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. Company disclosures linked the review to evaluating business positioning and alternatives to enhance long-term stockholder value amid pressure on growth and evolving regulatory and customer dynamics. 

By 2025, management communications also emphasized a more selective investment posture and continued operational actions, alongside financial updates that discussed segment-specific headwinds, including regulatory and supply-chain scrutiny affecting non-human primate availability in its safety assessment business.