To support the growing demand from multinational pharmaceutical clients for outsourced drug development services, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc announced the opening of its 60,000 square foot preclinical facility in Shanghai. The new China facility positions Charles River as the strategic partner of choice to fully support clients' global drug development needs.

"As our clients make their initial forays into China, we are creating a center of excellence that embodies global best practices alongside them," said James C Foster, president, chairman and chief executive officer of Charles River. "Our clients have come to appreciate and rely on the expertise Charles River brings to their drug development efforts, and the convenience of our facilities in close proximity. The same high standards of research, safety, humane care and good laboratory practices that globally distinguish Charles River are replicated in our Shanghai facility. Expanding into this arena is a marathon ? not a sprint ? and this facility marks the first step in our journey."

As China continues to evolve as a center of innovation in research and development, the new facility will help foster this culture by helping multinationals as well as local biopharmaceutical organizations accelerate their drug development programmes. The new facility is expected to provide Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) services in the first quarter of 2009.

In addition, Charles River's China facility will provide a wide range of services that are compliant with leading regulatory agencies including:

Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"The rapidly growing economy and native science talent position China as an emerging powerhouse in the life sciences industry. Charles River is making a key strategic investment in local resources and staff to support the drug development programs of both multinational and native biopharmaceutical organizations in China," said Kewen Jin, general manager, Charles River Shanghai.

An international group gathered to celebrate the opening of the facility including: academic leaders, senior government officials from China, and executives from multinational pharmaceutical companies and local biopharmaceutical organizations. The ceremony commenced with remarks from Charles River executives sharing ideas, plans and insights on the critical role China plays in drug development.

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.