James Foster on M&A strategy
From Charles River Laboratories International Inc ($CRL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call · · Castify Earnings Call
“In January, we announced the planned acquisitions of the assets of KF Cambodia and Pathquest. Both of these acquisitions are squarely aligned with our core competencies and are the result of lengthy successful partnerships. KF, the acquisition of which has already closed, has been our longtime NHP supplier in Cambodia and will further strengthen and secure our DSA supply chain.”
On , James Foster, Chief Executive Officer, President & Chairman at Charles River Lbrtrs ntrntl Inc, spoke about M&A strategy during Charles River Laboratories International Inc ($CRL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call on Castify Earnings Call.
About James Foster
James Foster, Chairman, President, and CEO of Charles River Laboratories, marked his 50th anniversary with the company in April 2026 by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. He is set to retire as CEO in May 2026 but will remain on the board of directors. In interviews, Foster described his tenure as a "great run" and said he is most proud of the company's scientific depth, portfolio sophistication, and its "familial" and "team oriented" culture. He stated that Charles River works on over 80% of drugs approved by the FDA in the last five years. On the company's Q4 2025 earnings call in February 2026, Foster reported that 2025 financial results were at the upper ends of previously provided revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share ranges. He noted a stabilization of the biopharma demand environment and "substantial improvements" in Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA) net bookings. Foster announced the planned acquisitions of KF Cambodia and Pathquest, stating they align with core competencies and are expected to generate operating margin improvement through cost savings on non-human primate (NHP) sourcing. He expressed cautious optimism that favorable DSA demand trends will continue in 2026, with a return to organic revenue growth expected in the second half of the year.