As part of the alliance, Charles River will continue to provide Genentech with various early discovery services, including medicinal chemistry, in vitro and in vivo biology, structural biology, and computer-aided drug design
According to the CRO, the program began with a single project involving medicinal chemistry in 2005.
“After working together for more than a decade, the Charles River and Genentech teams have developed an excellent working relationship,” John Montana, Executive Director, Integrated Drug Discovery at Charles River, told Outsourcing-Pharma.com.
“It is built on mutual respect for each other’s experience in progressing complex drug discovery programs and a track record of joint successes. We’re excited for the next phase in our alliance, and look forward to continuing our work together,” he added.
Accumulating early-stage offerings
Last month Charles River acquired Worcester, MA-based CRO Agilux Laboratories, adding to the company’s early-stage services.
James C. Foster, chairman, president, and CEO of Charles River, explained that the acquisition supports the company’s strategy to offer services from the early stages of drug research though the nonclinical development process.
The acquisition was company’s most recent in a series of M&A, after it completed its acquisition of WIL Research in April of this year, and Blue Stream Laboratories in June.