Charles River Laboratories acquires Blue Stream Laboratories
Deal creates a leading provider with the ability to support biologic and biosimilar development from characterisation to clinical testing and commercialisation
Charles River Laboratories has purchased Blue Stream Laboratories for an undisclosed sum.
Combining Blue Stream with Charles River’s existing discovery, safety assessment and biologics capabilities creates a 'leading provider with the ability to support biologic and biosimilar development from characterisation to clinical testing and commercialisation', the firm said.
Blue Stream is an analytical contract research organisation (CRO) supporting the development of complex biologics and biosimilars. Located in Woburn, Massachusetts, US, the firm is recognised for its expertise in structural and functional protein characterisation programmes, and the development and validation of assays for current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) lot release and stability programmes. Protein characterisation is the key element for development and registration of biologic and biosimilar entities.
Charles River's Chairman, President and Chief Executive, James C. Foster, said the firm's continued investment in expanding its biologics portfolio, to the development of new assays and capabilities, has enabled it to provide a broader testing solution for clients.
'This investment is particularly important now, when the number of biologic and biosimilar drugs in development is increasing,' he said.
'The acquisition of Blue Stream will meaningfully enhance the ability of our Biologic Testing Solutions business to compete effectively in this high-growth market segment.'