Charles River Acquires MIR Preclinical Services

Charles River Labs has acquired Molecular Imaging Research, Inc. (MIR Preclinical Services) for approximately $12.5 million in cash. MIR, based in Ann Arbor, MI, provides discovery services using extensive in vivo imaging capabilities to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients.
   
MIR offers non-GLP preclinical efficacy testing services with expertise in the therapeutic areas of oncology and inflammation, employing a variety of in vivo imaging techniques. MIR applies a wide array of high-throughput and efficient imaging technologies, including preclinical positron emission tomography (PET), preclinical micro-computed tomography (CT), anatomical and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bioluminescence and fluorescence biophotonic imaging. These imaging services allow for noninvasive and quantitative analysis of both efficacy and mechanism of action, with the goal of accelerating the drug discovery process. The company also offers other in vivo, in vitro and analytical services. MIR will join Charles River Discovery Services to evaluate the efficacy of compounds.
   
James C. Foster, Chairman, president and chief executive officer of Charles River, said, “As pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies increasingly seek the means to accelerate their drug development efforts, in vivo imaging is becoming a key tool in making more effective and informed ‘go/no-go’ decisions early in the drug development process. The addition of MIR’s oncology and inflammation therapeutic expertise and state-of-the-art in vivo imaging capabilities allows Charles River Discovery Services to offer a broader portfolio of efficacy testing services to better support our clients’ needs. We welcome MIR Preclinical Services to the Charles River family.”
   
Dr. W.R. “Dick” Leopold, president and chief executive officer of MIR, commented, “At MIR, we have dedicated ourselves to improving the drug development process by building a leading preclinical imaging business with drug discovery expertise in key therapeutic areas. By joining with Charles River, we will be able to extend our joint reach and aide our clients in finding treatments for cancer and other devastating diseases.”