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Charles River Labs expanding operations

Staff Report //December 20, 2018//

Charles River Labs expanding operations

Staff Report //December 20, 2018//

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Charles River Laboratories International Inc., a full-service drug discovery and early stage development company headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., is expanding its Charleston County operations, according to a news release.

The company is investing $10.9 million to add a new administrative building to its current operations in West Ashley. The expansion is expected to create approximately 180 new jobs.

“South Carolina is a hub of innovation due to the state’s commitment to research and development and strong partnerships with universities,” Foster Jordan, corporate senior vice president for Charles River Labs, said in the news release. “South Carolina provides an excellent climate and highly skilled workforce, and we are pleased to expand our presence here.”

Charles River Labs, which established its Charleston operations in 1987, provides products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and academic institutions with research and drug development efforts.

The company’s microbial solutions division has experienced particular growth recently, according to the news release, leading to the new administrative office building at 1023 Wappoo Road in Charleston to allow for increased manufacturing and staff.

“The success of Charles River Labs in West Ashley highlights the biomedical industry growth in Charleston,” Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg said in a statement. “We are proud that they’ve chosen to invest in our community.”

Hiring for new positions is underway. The S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits for this project.

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