Representatives from leading contract research organizations (CROs) weigh in on key challenges tied to the biopharmaceutical R&D, including issues regarding bioequivalence, platform technologies, process analytics, and more. Charles River’s Nancy Gillett, PhD, corporate executive vice-president and president of Global Preclinical Services, participated in this roundtable.

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) today reported its results for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2011. For the quarter, net sales from continuing operations were $291.0 million, an increase of 3.3% from $281.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. On a segment basis, sales increased in the Research Models and Services (RMS) segment, but declined in the Preclinical Services (PCS) segment. The addition of a 53rd week at the end of 2011, which is periodically required to true up to a December 31st fiscal year end, contributed approximately 4.5% to reported fourth-quarter sales. At a 0.2% benefit, the impact of foreign currency translation on reported fourth-quarter sales was negligible.