Charles River Laboratories is launching its Alternative Methods Advancement Project (AMAP), an initiative to develop alternatives to reduce animal testing and to drive a new standard for drug discovery and development. The company’s initial investment was $200 million over the past four years and its five-year goal is to invest an additional $300 million. This investment spans a portfolio of technology innovations, partnerships, and advocacy efforts to reduce the use of animal testing.
 
AMAP is comprised of Charles River experts in animal welfare, science, technology, operations, and advocacy. Currently an internal initiative, AMAP plans to include partner organizations and funding to encourage collective efforts to innovate and bring best-in-class solutions to the forefront, industry-wide.
 
Grounded in the need to prove scientific efforts, AMAP initiatives include research projects confirming the safety and efficacy of alternatives.
 
AMAP focus is on three key pillars:
 
Products & Services: introducing new alternative modalities when they are proven. The recent launch of Endosafe Trillium™, the Company’s first rapid animal-free bacterial endotoxin test, offers a path to reducing reliance on horseshoe crab blood.
 
Strategic Investments & Partnerships: the strategy to partner with companies to co-develop solutions and continuing to identify externally-developed technologies to enhance client offerings.
 
Previous collaborative efforts include the launch of Logica that uses AI-solution for candidate nomination – with Valo, study validation of next-generation sequencing in viral safety assays with PathoQuest, and ongoing advancements in digital pathology with Deciphex.  
 
Advocacy: Transformation that requires regulatory bodies and government agencies to support industry-wide change. Charles River plans to work with these public entities to build the infrastructure needed to support the pursuit of alternatives and acceptance as a new standard.
 
“Advances in science and technology have brought our industry to an inflection point. Alternatives are the path to the next frontier of drug development, allowing us to responsibly drive progress for the patients and animals that depend on our work. With our long history in embracing innovation in biopharmaceutical research, Charles River is well-positioned in setting this new standard for drug development,” said James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charles River.