Charles River Laboratories Completes Acquisition of Vigene Biosciences

Rhea-AI Summary

Charles River Laboratories (NYSE: CRL) has completed its acquisition of Vigene Biosciences for $292.5 million in cash, with potential additional payments of $57.5 million based on future performance. Vigene is a gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization specializing in viral vector-based gene delivery solutions. This acquisition enhances Charles River's capabilities in cell and gene therapy, allowing clients to streamline analytical testing, process development, and manufacturing. CEO James C. Foster emphasizes that this positions Charles River as a premier partner in a high-growth market.

Positive

• Enhances Charles River's capabilities in cell and gene therapies.
• Potential for long-term revenue and earnings growth.
• Streamlines client processes by integrating analytical testing and manufacturing.

Negative

• Integration challenges may arise from the acquisition of Vigene.

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) announced today that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Vigene Biosciences, Inc. for $292.5 million in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments. In addition to the initial purchase price, the transaction includes additional payments of up to $57.5 million, contingent on future performance.

Based in Rockville, Maryland, Vigene Biosciences is a premier, gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), providing viral vector-based gene delivery solutions. Vigene’s primary area of expertise is CGMP viral vector manufacturing, which is used for gene therapies and gene-modified cell therapies. It also offers high-quality, research grade and CGMP plasmid DNA. The acquisition complements Charles River’s existing cell and gene therapy contract manufacturing capabilities and establishes an end-to-end, gene-modified cell therapy solution in the United States. In addition, the acquisition enables clients to seamlessly conduct analytical testing, process development, and manufacturing for advanced modalities with the same scientific partner, facilitating their goal of driving greater efficiency and accelerating their speed to market.

James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charles River Laboratories, commented, “The addition of Vigene Biosciences’ extensive gene therapy capabilities further enhances Charles River’s position as a premier scientific partner for cell and gene therapies. It also accelerates our long-term revenue and earnings growth potential by expanding our portfolio in this emerging, high-growth market sector. We intend to continue to differentiate Charles River by delivering the scientific expertise and customizable approach required to support the complex needs of cell and gene therapy developers and innovators worldwide. Our goal is to become our clients’ scientific partner of choice for advanced drug modalities from discovery and non-clinical development to CGMP manufacturing.”

“We are pleased to welcome the exceptional team at Vigene to the Charles River family, and believe that together, we offer a compelling value proposition for clients and shareholders,” Mr. Foster concluded.

Vigene has become part of Charles River’s Manufacturing Solutions segment, which was renamed from Manufacturing Support to reflect the segment’s broader scientific capabilities with the addition of the Cell and Gene Therapy CDMO business.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “may,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements include statements in this news release regarding the acquisition of Vigene Biosciences, Inc., Charles River’s expectations with respect to the impact of Vigene on the Company, its product and service offerings, client perception, revenue, revenue growth rates, and earnings per share; Charles River’s projected future performance including revenue and earnings per share; as well as Charles River’s future growth in the area of cell and gene therapy CDMO services. Forward-looking statements are based on Charles River’s current expectations and beliefs, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by the forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully integrate Vigene, and risks and uncertainties associated with Vigene’s products and services. A further description of these risks, uncertainties, and other matters can be found in the Risk Factors detailed in Charles River's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on February 17, 2021, and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed on May 4, 2021, as well as other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results and events may differ materially from results and events currently expected by Charles River, and Charles River assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update information contained in this news release except as required by law.

About Charles River

Charles River provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. Our dedicated employees are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about our unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit www.criver.com.

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FAQ

What is the value of Charles River's acquisition of Vigene Biosciences?

The acquisition of Vigene Biosciences was completed for $292.5 million in cash, with additional payments of up to $57.5 million based on future performance.

What advantages does the acquisition of Vigene provide for Charles River?

The acquisition enhances Charles River's capabilities in cell and gene therapy, allowing for streamlined processes in analytical testing, process development, and manufacturing.

How will Charles River integrate Vigene Biosciences into its operations?

Vigene will be part of Charles River's Manufacturing Solutions segment, which has been renamed to reflect its broader capabilities in cell and gene therapy.

What is the strategic significance of acquiring Vigene for Charles River?

Acquiring Vigene positions Charles River as a leading scientific partner in the high-growth market of cell and gene therapies, aiming to accelerate revenue and earnings growth.