Charles River Labs Opens Preclinical Facility

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. has opened its new, state-of-the-art, 450,000 sq.-ft. preclinical facility in Shrewsbury, MA. Custom-designed for optimal workflow, this new facility will enable flexible and more rapid study starts for both discovery and development programs, according to the company.

Dr. Craig Mello, 2006 Nobel Prize Laureate and a Shrewsbury resident gave a keynote address at the new facility on RNA interference, a natural process that allows a cell to turn its genes on and off according to its needs. “By understanding this process, researchers can switch off genes in human cells, providing a way to study what genes do and creating the possibility of a new class of drugs that could shut down known genetic culprits. RNA interference has revolutionized our understanding of gene function and opens an entirely new field in biology,” said Dr. Mello.

The company began operations in the new facility in January of this year. Construction of a similar lab to support its West Coast customers is underway. The first is expected to open in this summer.