Charles River Laboratories has acquired PathoQuest for an undisclosed amount. PathoQuest is a global Contract Research Organization (CRO) specializing in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based biosafety quality control. Its iDTECT® platform provides validated, GMP-compliant assays for rapid and animal-free viral safety and genetic characterization of biotherapies, including raw materials, cell and gene therapies, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines. PathoQuest operates testing facilities in Paris, France, and Wayne, Pennsylvania.
This acquisition strategically enhances Charles River Laboratories' comprehensive portfolio of biologics testing solutions, particularly in the rapidly expanding cell and gene therapy sector. PathoQuest's innovative iDTECT® platform, offering compliant, faster, and animal-free NGS-based biosafety quality control, directly addresses the increasing demand for advanced viral safety and genetic characterization in the development and release of new biotherapeutics.
The integration of PathoQuest's proprietary technology and specialized expertise is expected to create significant synergies. This will allow Charles River to offer an even more robust and efficient suite of biosafety testing services to its global client base. Clients will benefit from a streamlined process for the rapid and safe release of biotherapies, leveraging PathoQuest's validated GMP assays across various therapeutic modalities.
The combined entity is poised to become a leading provider in the critical field of biosafety quality control, particularly for novel biotherapeutics. This strategic move is anticipated to accelerate the development and ensure the safety of next-generation medicines, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide by facilitating the faster and safer delivery of innovative therapies.