Charles River buys MIR Preclinical Services for $12.5M

Charles River Laboratories International has acquired Molecular Imaging Research (MIR) Preclinical Services for approximately $12.5 million in cash.

The Ann Arbor, Michigan-based MIR provides discovery services supported by in vivo imaging capabilities and pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients, as well as non-GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) preclinical efficacy testing services with a focus on the therapeutic areas of oncology and inflammation, according to the Wilmington, Mass.-based Charles River.

With the addition of MIR, the company said that it now offers expertise in four therapeutic areas, including metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, oncology and inflammation, complemented by expanded in vivo imaging capabilities.

"As pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies increasingly seek the means to accelerate their drug development efforts, in vivo imaging is becoming a key tool in making more effective and informed ‘go/no-go’ decisions early in the drug development process,” said James C. Foster, chairman, president and CEO of Charles River.

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