About This Deal

CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. acquired Vital River for ~$27M, a transaction completed in January 2013, structured as Cash purchase of a 75% majority ownership interest.

Vital River operates in Research Models and Services (RMS), is based in China. Charles River acquired a 75% majority ownership stake in Vital River, described as the premier commercial provider of research models and related services in China. The deal gave Charles River a direct presence in the fast-growing Chinese market for drug discovery and development, supplying high-quality research models and associated services to local pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic clients.

Establish a direct commercial presence in the emerging China market and provide high-quality research models and related services to support drug discovery and development there.

Deal Terms

Acquirer
CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Target
Vital River
Value
~$27M
Date
January 2013
Type
Acquisition
Status
Official-source — no SEC filing

Transaction Details

Target HQ
China
Segment
Research Models and Services (RMS)
Structure
Cash purchase of a 75% majority ownership interest
Announced
October 30, 2012
Closed
January 7, 2013

Advisors

Advisory firms were not disclosed for this transaction.

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Sources: Press release ↗ · Last updated July 16, 2026

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