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Companies · CRL

CRL Reported this cycle

Charles River Laboratories

Wilmington, MA Founded 1947 Life Science Tools & CRO

AI-generated · informational only · not investment advice · verify before relying.

Latest analysis

Updated Aug 5, 2026

Charles River raises 2026 guidance as DSA book-to-bill hits 4-year high and divestitures drive 420bp sequential margin expansion

Charles River delivered Q2 2026 results above its own prior-quarter outlook, with DSA organic revenue turning positive for the first time since Q3 2023, a net book-to-bill of 1.19x — the highest in nearly four years — and sequential non-GAAP operating margin expansion of 420 basis points to 20.5%. The company raised full-year organic revenue guidance by 150 basis points to flat-to-plus-1% and lifted non-GAAP EPS guidance to $11.15–$11.45, with the Manufacturing segment's margin approaching 40% after the CDMO divestiture. The combination of strengthening DSA demand KPIs, NHP supply chain integration, and a more focused post-divestiture portfolio positions CRL for accelerating organic growth in the second half of 2026 and into 2027.

Tone: bullish

Revenue

$4B

CRL 10-K · FY 2025

Employees

19,700

Revenue FY2024

$4B

Founded

1947

Profile

CRL 10-K Item 1 · Feb 18, 2026

Charles River Laboratories is a leading full-service, non-clinical global drug development partner offering research models, discovery and safety assessment services, and manufacturing quality-control solutions. The company serves major pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients across the entire non-clinical drug development continuum, from target identification through regulatory submission. With operations in over 120 sites across more than 20 countries, Charles River positions itself as a one-stop outsourcing partner for early-stage drug research.

Read filing description ↓

We are a leading, full service, non-clinical global drug development partner with a mission to create healthier lives. We have built upon our original core competency of laboratory animal medicine and science (research model technologies) to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, that supports our clients from target identification through non-clinical development. We also provide a suite of products and services to support our clients' manufacturing activities. Utilizing our broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more efficient and flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness, and increases speed to market. Our client base includes major global pharmaceutical companies, many biotechnology companies; agricultural and industrial chemical, life science, veterinary medicine, medical device, diagnostic and consumer product companies; contract research and contract manufacturing organizations; and other commercial entities, as well as leading hospitals, academic institutions, and government agencies around the world. We currently operate in over 120 sites and in over 20 countries worldwide (excluding certain Insourcing Solutions sites). We are the largest provider of outsourced drug discovery, non-clinical development and regulated safety testing services worldwide. We have three reportable segments: Research Models and Services (RMS), Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA) and Manufacturing Solutions (Manufacturing). In 2025, our total revenue was $4.0 billion. As part of our efforts to manage the Company through the current demand environment, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of our global footprint and expect to close or consolidate approximately 12 additional sites over the next two years.

Primary products

  • Research Models (purpose-bred rodents and large research models including non-human primates)
  • Insourcing Solutions (CRADL™)
  • Genetically Engineered Models and Services (GEMS)
  • Research Animal Diagnostic Services (RADS)
  • Cell Solutions
  • Discovery Services

Business segments

Research Models and Services (RMS) Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA) Manufacturing Solutions

End markets

Major global pharmaceutical companies Biotechnology companies Agricultural and industrial chemical companies Life science companies Veterinary medicine companies Medical device companies Diagnostic companies Consumer product companies Contract research organizations Contract manufacturing organizations Hospitals Academic institutions Government agencies Non-governmental organizations

Geographies

North America Europe Asia Asia Pacific Canada Brazil Israel Mauritius

Named customers

Eli Lilly (TuneLab collaboration) Arovella Therapeutics (NGS collaboration) Global biopharmaceutical clients (all named as a segment) Small and midsized biotechnology clients

During 2025, no single client accounted for more than 4% of our total revenue and no single client accounted for more than 8% of the revenue of any of our three business segments.

Named competitors

Chinese CROs (unnamed, referenced as regulated-work competitive threat) Western CRO competitors (unnamed, referenced as capacity-constrained in NHP studies)
“We are the largest provider of outsourced drug discovery, non-clinical development and regulated safety testing services worldwide.” Competitive position, as stated in the filing

Revenue commentary · FY 2025

Total revenue declined modestly in fiscal year 2025, driven primarily by lower study volumes in DSA from both large biopharmaceutical and small and mid-sized biotechnology clients, partially offset by higher RMS revenue from large research models and pricing gains.

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Analysis, signals, diligence answers, M&A activity and every quote, each citing the filing it came from.

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