CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL Business Summary

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) operates as a premier global contract research organization (CRO), generating revenue through a combination of fee-for-service contracts, long-term service agreements, and the direct sale of specialized research models. The company’s operations are divided into three primary segments: Research Models and Services (RMS), which is the world’s largest supplier of standardized animal models; Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA), providing critical preclinical toxicology and drug discovery services; and Manufacturing Solutions, which encompasses microbial testing, biologics quality control, and CDMO services. CRL maintains a dominant market position as the foundational partner for approximately 80% of FDA-approved drugs, competing directly with major industry players such as IQVIA, Icon plc, WuXi AppTec, and Bio-Techne. While its competitors often focus on late-stage clinical trials, CRL distinguishes itself through its unparalleled vertical integration in the early-stage preclinical and laboratory supply chain. Founded in 1947 by veterinarian Dr. Henry Foster, the company is currently led by Chairman and CEO James C. Foster, who has overseen its expansion for over three decades and is slated to retire in May 2026. The leadership transition is well underway, with long-time executive Birgit Girshick serving as Chief Operating Officer and CEO-elect. The executive bench was recently bolstered by the appointments of Glenn G. Coleman as incoming CFO (effective April 2026) and Kerry Dailey as Chief Legal Officer (effective March 2026), alongside Dr. Namandjé Bumpus, the former FDA Chief Scientist who joined in late 2025 as Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer. Mark Mintz serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, leading the firm’s digital transformation. The company’s strategic direction is further influenced by a notable board that includes Lead Independent Director Dr. Martin Mackay (incoming Chair) and Steven Barg of Elliott Investment Management, reflecting significant institutional backing from major shareholders like Vanguard and BlackRock.