Strategic partnership demonstrates Charles River’s commitment as a global partner

WILMINGTON, MA and SHANGHAI, January 14, 2021 – Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with JADE Biomedical, a provider of end-to-end quality management services for the biopharmaceutical industry. The partnership will expand Charles River’s biologics testing capabilities geographically and help to accommodate demand for biologics therapeutics, especially cell and gene therapies, reaffirming the company’s commitment as a global development partner. This strategic relationship will also enable JADE Biomedical to expand their current global cGMP product testing operations in Shanghai into a second facility in China and further build upon its current offering of comprehensive biologics quality management and testing services.

As the biologics therapeutics industry across the globe continues to grow at a rapid pace, so does the demand for a reliable, contract services partner. The recent growth in commercialization effort in the cell and gene therapy market requires both scientific and regulatory expertise to navigate the complex, global regulatory environment. JADE Biomedical’s deep understanding of the global trend and local environment, and its infrastructure designed to support clients of all sizes – from local start-ups to global organizations, makes it a highly valuable addition to Charles River’s network. The addition of a second testing facility, which will come online later this year, will provide additional capacity to better support clients’ growing needs. The new facility will offer Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) services to clients.

Approved Quotes

·      “Around the world, R&D efforts for cell and gene therapies are in high demand. Companies are seeking global partners who understand the complexities of this market, while also knowing how to navigate the nuanced regulatory environment in their region. Working with JADE Biomedical, we will be able to combine our expertise to provide localized knowledge with a deep scientific and regulatory network, positioning both organizations as go-to partners for clients in this competitive market.” – Birgit Girshick, Corporate Executive Vice President, Discovery and Safety Assessment, Biologics Testing Solutions, and Avian Vaccine Services, Charles River

·      “JADE Biomedical was founded with the purpose of serving the growing needs of the biopharmaceutical industry, not only in China, but internationally. JADE Biomedical’s contracted Biologics Quality Organization, Bio-CQO^®, where end-to-end quality and regulatory technical services are provided is an important addition to the biologics outsourced services industry, filling gaps in shortage of expertise and leadership in quality and compliance. We are extremely grateful to the conducive regulatory environment in recent years in China, and the trust of leading, global biopharmaceutical companies that have allowed us to form a unique service model and brand. To continue our growth in biologics therapeutics, especially in the gene and cell therapy space, we needed a partner with global reach. With an industry-leading portfolio of services and regulatory expertise, Charles River will help us support an increasing number of clients globally and locally.” – Claudia Lin, PhD, Founder and CEO, Jade Biomedical

About Charles River

Charles River provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. Our dedicated employees are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development, and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about our unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit http://criver.com/.

Investor Contact for Charles River:

Todd Spencer

Corporate Vice President, Investor Relations

781-222-6455

todd.spencer@crl.com

Media Contact for Charles River:

Amy Cianciaruso

Corporate Vice President, Public Relations

781-222-6168

amy.cianciaruso@crl.com

About Jade Biomedical (JADE)

Jade Biomedical provides expert Quality, Regulatory and Analytical Testing Services to the Biopharmaceutical companies worldwide. It is the world’s first registered Biologics Contract Quality Organization, Bio-CQO^®. JADE service portfolio includes Quality Assurance, Regulatory Submission, QC Method Validation and Testing, general CMC and Analytical Development, Facility Design and Qualification, Cold Chain Management, etc. JADE founder and leaders have extensive drug regulatory experience with agencies including NMPA, FDA, EMA, PMDA and PICS. Our growing team of experts provide custom-made flexible yet robust Quality and CMC systems and lead their implementation in support of clients’ clinical and commercial programs from pre-IND to post-launch. Jade Biomedical contract testing services offer a complete range of analytical testing services suitable for global regulatory filings in our state of the art, global cGMP compliant labs. Our expertise covers all therapeutics platforms including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug-conjugates, cell and gene therapies. To learn more about JADE and for current open positions, visit http://jade.bio/.

Investor Contact for JADE Biomedical:

Claudia Lin

Founder & CEO

Media Contact for JADE Biomedical:

James Vang

Business Development Director

jamesvang@jadebiomedical.com