AstraZeneca has selected Charles River Laboratories International as its preferred strategic partner for outsourced regulated safety assessment and development DMPK (drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics). The three-year agreement extends into 2015. AZ began the process of transferring programs to Charles River earlier this year. This process is expected to be completed by early 2013. Terms were not disclosed, but CRL reported that incremental sales under this agreement are expected to contribute approximately 1% to Charles River’s total net sales in 2013.

James C. Foster, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Charles River, commented, “We are extremely pleased that AstraZeneca selected Charles River as its strategic in vivo biology partner. Utilizing our capabilities will enable AstraZeneca to create a flexible research platform to deliver innovative health solutions. Our shared passion for scientific excellence is a strong foundation for this relationship, and we look forward to working with AstraZeneca’s scientists ‘on the same side of the table’ to achieve their drug development goals.”

Stefan Platz, vice president, Global Safety Assessment, AstraZeneca, added, “Tapping into the high-quality drug development services of a trusted strategic partner enables AstraZeneca to increase our resource flexibility while simplifying the way we work. We are pleased to partner with Charles River to utilize their scientific expertise, such as their customized in vivo biology program. Our organizations will work hand-in-hand to deliver toxicology, safety pharmacology and development DMPK studies in support of our efforts to deliver safe and effective new treatments to patients more efficiently.”