Charles River Laboratories has acquired KWS BioTest, a contract research organization (CRO) specializing in in vitro and in vivo discovery testing services for immuno-oncology and inflammatory and infectious diseases, for roughly $20 million.

KWS enhances Charles River’s discovery expertise, with complementary offerings that provide our clients with additional tools in the active therapeutic research areas of oncology and immunology.

“The addition of KWS strategically expands Charles River’s existing discovery capabilities in the field of immunology, which is critical given the importance of new therapies which harness the human immune system,” said James Foster, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Charles River. “In addition to enhancing our position as the premier single-source provider for a broad portfolio of discovery services, KWS increases our ability to support clients’ early-stage drug research in critical therapeutic areas, and expands our geographic footprint in the UK.”