Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. has announced two strategic partnerships aimed at advancing oncology research and accelerating the development of novel cancer therapies. The collaborations leverage Charles River’s expertise in cell and gene therapy (C>) manufacturing and preclinical drug development to support cutting-edge cancer treatments.
The first partnership is a strategic alliance with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI), a leading research consortium dedicated to speeding up the delivery of cancer immunotherapies. Under the agreement, PICI members and their affiliated companies will gain access to Charles River’s comprehensive portfolio of drug discovery and development services, spanning early-stage research to manufacturing. This integrated approach aims to streamline drug development, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance knowledge sharing across oncology programs.
Kerstin Dolph, Corporate Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing at Charles River, emphasized the alignment between the two organizations. “PICI’s mission-focused alliance closely aligns with Charles River’s goal of creating healthier lives. Our extensive work in cell and gene therapy manufacturing and end-to-end development expertise will help accelerate safe and effective oncology treatments to patients.”
In a second collaboration, Charles River will support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) by providing manufacturing services for materials needed in a Phase I clinical trial focused on treating pediatric solid tumors. CHLA recently secured a $6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to develop innovative stem cell therapies for children and adolescents with recurrent tumors.
“We’ve partnered closely with CHLA to develop streamlined manufacturing programs for their Phase I trial,” said Dolph. “Our experience will help accelerate the availability of effective treatments for young patients.”
Charles River has significantly expanded its cell and gene therapy manufacturing capabilities in recent years through acquisitions and facility enhancements, establishing itself as a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with end-to-end “concept-to-cure” solutions. These collaborations underscore the company’s commitment to supporting innovative oncology research and improving patient outcomes worldwide.