Charles River launches UK incubator program

Contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) Charles River Laboratories (CRL) said the program provides developers with access to vast scientific knowledge and a broad ecosystem of discovery, advancement, and manufacturing capabilities.

“Based out of the Company’s CDMO located in the Alderley Park campus, the UK’s largest, single-site life science ecosystem, the Global Innovation center of excellence is geared to foster and accelerate life sciences innovation, with enhanced access to life sciences and biotechnology experts. Important to highlight that incubators will have access to global network of facilities and expertise at CRL – hence this is not limited to Alderley Park campus alone,” a spokesperson for CRL told BioXconomy.

Alderley park is located in Cheshire, UK and used to be home to Pharma giant AstraZeneca until it sold the site in March 2014 to Manchester Science Parks (MSP) for an undisclosed amount. CRL gained ownership of the facility through its $875 million all-cash acquisition of Cognate BioServices and Cobra Biologics in February 2021.

CRL opened its doors to the 16,000 square foot facility in October 2022 to meet the increasing demand for CGTs. 

Strong foundation

The firm said it has launched CIP off the back of the success from CRL’s Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Accelerator Program (CAP). The differences between the CIP and CAP are listed below:

The spokesperson told us the CIP is focused on the discovery and development of advanced modalities and CGTs.

“The CIP focuses on nurturing innovative start-up and early-stage biotechnology companies. The objective of the CIP is to form a strong foundation for commercial viability as its participants gain momentum with the goal of imparting cost-effective, consultative regulatory and quality expertise, personnel training initiatives, and enabling access to laboratory space and equipment,” they said.