The program’s end on September 12, 2014 will be a setback for Charles River, which made between $11-$12m per year from the program. A Charles River spokesman previously told us that the company would try to work directly with NCI clients, though the institute said it may insource some of the rodent breeding. Layoffs may also be possible as 76 of Charles River’s 94 employees at its Frederick, Maryland site were involved with the NCI program.
Harlan, meanwhile, is making a big push to capture some of the NCI grantees by adopting a new pricing plan for grantees that transition out of the Charles River program.
Brad Booze, director of global marketing at Harlan, told us: “It is important to note that because of Harlan’s extensive network of production facilities, we may now be a facility’s local supplier. Harlan is able to offer alternate days of delivery via our Harlan-owned fleet of environmentally-controlled vehicles. Also, because Harlan offers models, services, diets, bedding and enrichment products, Harlan may be a facility’s one-stop shop for these research needs.”
“Harlan knows an unexpected change in the cost of doing your research causes concern. To support you, we are implementing a program specific to NCI Grantees,” the company says on its website. The push to attract new customers comes as Harlan recently was acquired by Huntingdon Life Sciences to form the third largest preclinical research organization.
Harlan’s offer includes:
- Matching NCI pricing on equivalent Harlan models and services for NCI Grantees through December 31, 2015; price includes freight and container;
- No extra fees for small orders (i.e., no $65 up charge on orders totaling less than $65);
- Air freight, if applicable, charged at our cost with no up-charge (i.e., no $150 up-charge); and
- Bridging study animals provided at no cost (subject to Harlan’s standard procedures).
In addition, for Harlan models not in its NCI grantee price list, the company is offering a 50% discount on standard list price on first orders.