AstraZeneca selects Charles River Laboratories for outsourcing deal

AstraZeneca has selected Charles River Laboratories International as its preferred strategic partner for a number of outsourced functions.

Under the terms of the three-year agreement, AstraZeneca will be delegating regulated safety assessment and development drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) operations to Charles River.

The transfer process commenced earlier this year and will be completed in early 2013, with the alliance itself extending until 2015.

By agreeing this deal, AstraZeneca will be able to take advantage of Charles River's scientific expertise, streamline its operational structure and increase its resource flexibility.

Stefan Platz, vice-president for global safety assessment at AstraZeneca, said: "Our organisations will work hand-in-hand to deliver toxicology, safety pharmacology and development DMPK studies in support of our efforts to deliver safe and effective new treatments to patients more efficiently."

This comes in the same week that AstraZeneca announced a new drug development alliance with Pharmaron that will deliver further efficiency benefits.