Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) announced on December 12 2025 that it is launching the second cohort of its Cell & Gene Therapy Incubator Program (CIP). The program itself was launched in December 2024, and the inaugural cohort was announced in April 2025; the new cohort expands the initiative to six companies.
The cohort includes six early‑stage developers: four advanced‑therapy companies—CureAge Therapeutics, InterAct Therapeutics, Jaan Biotherapeutics, and Kopra Bio—and two enabling‑technology firms—W.R. Grace & Co. and HTLab AG’s Biowerkli. Each participant will receive access to CRL’s discovery, safety assessment, and manufacturing capabilities, as well as mentorship, regulatory guidance, and preferential access to the company’s global network of facilities.
CRL’s strategy is to deepen its footprint in the rapidly growing cell and gene therapy market, a high‑margin sector that complements its existing preclinical contract research organization (CRO) services. By providing early‑stage companies with the resources they need to progress from concept to commercialization, CRL aims to create new revenue streams and strengthen its competitive advantage in advanced therapies.
Financially, CRL reported full‑year 2024 revenue of $4.05 billion, a 1.9% decline from $4.12 billion in 2023. Q3 2025 revenue was $1.00 billion, down 0.5% from $1.01 billion in Q3 2024, while Q4 2024 revenue was $1.00 billion, a 1.1% drop from $1.02 billion in Q4 2023. Non‑GAAP diluted EPS for Q4 2024 was $2.66, up 8.1% from $2.46 in Q4 2023, but full‑year 2024 EPS fell 3.3% to $10.32 from $10.60 in 2023. GAAP operating margin contracted to 5.6% in Q4 2024 from 14.9% in 2023, while non‑GAAP operating margin slipped to 19.9% from 20.3% in the prior year.
The CIP is positioned to offset some of the margin compression CRL has experienced by creating a pipeline of high‑potential clients that can generate future service revenue. The program’s model—providing expertise and facilities without taking equity—differentiates CRL from other incubators and aligns with the company’s focus on high‑margin, scalable services.
Kerstin Dolph, Corporate Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing, said the program “is helping participants advance life‑saving therapeutics and transform innovative ideas into real‑world impact.” Her comments underscore CRL’s confidence that the incubator will strengthen its long‑term growth prospects.
In summary, CRL’s launch of a second cohort of the CIP signals a continued commitment to the cell and gene therapy space and a strategic effort to build a sustainable pipeline of future revenue opportunities in a high‑growth, high‑margin market.
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