Collaboration stands to advance novel therapeutic applications across multiple neurologic conditions

WILMINGTON, Mass. & MIAMI & HAIFA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 4, 2024-- Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) and Insightec, a global healthcare company dedicated to using focused ultrasound to transform patient care, today announced the launch of a five-year strategic collaboration to provide Charles River’s clients access to a comprehensive global service and technology platform for the application of focused ultrasound (FUS) for drug discovery and preclinical development of therapeutics in neuroscience. Insightec’s novel low-frequency ultrasound platform non-invasively disrupts the blood-brain barrier, enabling drugs to be delivered to targeted brain areas. The procedure has generated positive clinical evidence across several neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and oncology indications, and holds promise for increasing efficacy of neurological drugs, to impact better health and outcomes for patients in the future.

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“Our collaboration with Insightec represents a significant step forward in advancing neuroscience research,” said Professor Julie Frearson, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Charles River. “As we look toward the future of drug discovery, we recognize that technology will be a cornerstone of innovation. The integration of focused ultrasound technology into our preclinical services will enhance the precision and effectiveness of therapeutic delivery strategies, allowing us to refine our use of research models and support the discovery of novel medicines.”

Collaboration in Neuroscience

Designed to meet the increasing demand to quickly advance therapeutic development and delivery of genetic medicines, biologics, and immunotherapies in multiple Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) preclinical models in neuroscience, the collaboration provides powerful CNS drug delivery for multiple drug types. Insightec’s low-intensity focused ultrasound along with microbubble resonators noninvasively modulate the blood-brain barrier, allowing precise therapeutic delivery of a variety of drugs, including delivery to deep brain structures. Insightec’s technology has the potential to revolutionize central nervous system (CNS) delivery for genetic medicines, biologics, and immunotherapies across a variety of tough-to-treat CNS diseases, including ones associated with neurodegeneration, neurodevelopment, and neuro-oncology.

“This partnership will not only expand the application of our low-frequency focused ultrasound technology, but also accelerate the development of groundbreaking therapies for neurological conditions,” said Arjun Desai, M.D., Chief Strategic Innovation Officer of Insightec. “By combining our expertise, we aim to revolutionize the way next generation therapeutics are delivered and actuated in the brain, ultimately improving the lives of millions globally.”

About Insightec

Insightec is a global healthcare company creating the next generation of patient care by realizing the therapeutic power of focused ultrasound. The company’s Exablate Neuro platform focuses sound waves, safely guided by MRI, to provide tremor treatment to patients with medication-refractory essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. Both clinical and pre-clinical research for future applications in the neuroscience space is underway in partnership with leading academic and medical institutions. Insightec is headquartered in Haifa, Israel, and Miami, with offices in Dallas, Shanghai, and Tokyo.

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 www.criver.com.

Forward-looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “would,” “may,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project,” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements also include statements regarding expectations with respect to the efficacy, effectiveness and precision of drug products. of Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to Insightec and/or Charles River as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Insightec and/or Charles River are qualified by this caution. Insightec and/or Charles River does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in Insightec’s and/or Charles River’s expectations.

“Exablate,” and “Exablate Neuro,” as well as the “Insightec” logo, whether standing alone or in connection with the word “Insightec,” are protected trademarks of Insightec.

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Insightec Media Contact:
G&S Business Communications for Insightec
Marjani Williams
mwilliams@gscommunications.com
(312) 648-6700, ext.2108

Charles River Investor Contact:
Todd Spencer
Corporate Vice President,
Investor Relations
781.222.6455
todd.spencer@crl.com

Charles River Media Contact:
Amy Cianciaruso
Corporate Vice President,
Chief Communications Officer
781.222.6168
amy.cianciaruso@crl.com

Source: Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.