Charles River Laboratories International 10-Q 2021-09-25

Filed 2021-11-03. 7 sections, 263K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON

Cover and table of contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
☑QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED September 25, 2021

OR
☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

Commission File No. 001-15943

crl-20210925_g1.jpg

CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware06-1397316
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
251 Ballardvale StreetWilmingtonMassachusetts01887
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code): (781) 222-6000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTicker symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par valueCRLNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer☑Accelerated filer☐
Non-accelerated filer☐Smaller reporting company☐
Emerging growth company☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by a check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

As of October 22, 2021, there were 50,464,399 shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding.

CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ItemPage
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 20203
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 20203
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of September 25, 2021 and December 26, 20205
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the nine months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 20206
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 20207
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements9
2Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations38
3Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk51
4Controls and Procedures51
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
1Legal Proceedings52
1ARisk Factors52
2Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds55
6Exhibits56
Signatures57

Special Note on Factors Affecting Future Results

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future results of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. that are based on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “goal,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “will,” “likely,” “may,” “designed,” “would,” “future,” “can,” “could,” and other similar expressions which are predictions of, indicate future events and trends or which do not relate to historical matters, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.

For example, we may use forward-looking statements when addressing topics such as: the COVID-19 pandemic, its duration, its impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, use of our borrowings, business practices, operations, suppliers, third party service providers, customers, employees, industry, ability to meet future performance obligations, ability to efficiently implement advisable safety precautions, and internal controls over financial reporting; the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on demand, the global economy and financial markets; changes and uncertainties in the global economy; future demand for drug discovery and development products and services, including the outsourcing of these services; our expectations regarding stock repurchases, including the number of shares to be repurchased, expected timing and duration, the amount of capital that may be expended and the treatment of repurchased shares; the impact of unauthorized access into our information systems, including the timing and effectiveness of any enhanced security and monitoring; present spending trends and other cost reduction activities by our clients; future actions by our management; the outcome of contingencies; changes in our business strategy, business practices and methods of generating revenue; the development and performance of our services and products; market and industry conditions, including competitive and pricing trends; our strategic relationships with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, venture capital investments, and opportunities for future similar arrangements; our cost structure; the impact of acquisitions and divestitures; our expectations with respect to revenue growth and operating synergies (including the impact of specific actions intended to cause related improvements); the impact of specific actions intended to improve overall operating efficiencies and profitability (and our ability to accommodate future demand with our infrastructure), including gains and losses attributable to businesses we plan to close, consolidate, divest or repurpose; changes in our expectations regarding future stock option, restricted stock, performance share units, and other equity grants to employees and directors; expectations with respect to foreign currency exchange; assessing (or changing our assessment of) our tax positions for financial statement purposes; and our liquidity. In addition, these statements include the impact of economic and market conditions on us and our clients; the effects of our cost saving actions and the steps to optimize returns to shareholders on an effective and timely basis; and our ability to withstand the current market conditions.

Forward-looking statements are predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document, or in the case of statements incorporated by reference, on the date of the document incorporated by reference.

Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2020, under the sections entitled “Our Strategy,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, under the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors,” in our press releases, and other financial filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We have no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or risks. New information, future events, or risks may cause the forward-looking events we discuss in this report not to occur.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 25, 2021September 26, 2020September 25, 2021September 26, 2020
Service revenue$703,859$580,774$2,045,760$1,677,927
Product revenue192,078162,526589,350455,016
Total revenue895,937743,3002,635,1102,132,943
Costs and expenses:
Cost of services provided (excluding amortization of intangible assets)468,659377,2261,369,3961,124,988
Cost of products sold (excluding amortization of intangible assets)90,05176,800278,188234,382
Selling, general and administrative148,573128,289475,807385,902
Amortization of intangible assets32,85228,23294,66483,869
Operating income155,802132,753417,055303,802
Other income (expense):
Interest income137179343771
Interest expense(16,455)(18,867)(62,364)(53,286)
Other (expense) income, net(16,214)21,211(37,966)23,400
Income before income taxes123,270135,276317,068274,687
Provision for income taxes18,11132,66558,05853,571
Net income105,159102,611259,010221,116
Less: Net income (expense) attributable to noncontrolling interests1,733(298)5,6063
Net income attributable to common shareholders$103,426$102,909$253,404$221,113
Earnings per common share
Net income attributable to common shareholders:
Basic$2.05$2.07$5.04$4.47
Diluted$2.01$2.03$4.93$4.39
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic50,42549,70350,23449,482
Diluted51,55850,70251,36050,371
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 25, 2021September 26, 2020September 25, 2021September 26, 2020
Net income$105,159$102,611$259,010$221,116
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment(28,909)20,1121,747(17,993)
Amortization of net loss and prior service benefit included in net periodic cost for pension and other post-retirement benefit plans9911,4112,9724,150
Comprehensive income, before income taxes related to items of other comprehensive income77,241124,134263,729207,273
Less: Income tax (benefit) expense related to items of other comprehensive income(3,140)3,201(1,716)3,024
Comprehensive income, net of income taxes80,381120,933265,445204,249
Less: Comprehensive income related to noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes1,7135915,946399
Comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders, net of income taxes$78,668$120,342$259,499$203,850
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

September 25, 2021December 26, 2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$212,539$228,424
Trade receivables and contract assets, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $7,024 and $6,702, respectively660,452617,740
Inventories181,694185,695
Prepaid assets77,52796,712
Other current assets246,82872,560
Total current assets1,379,0401,201,131
Property, plant and equipment, net1,175,9111,124,358

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ significantly from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause future results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” included elsewhere within this Form 10-Q. Certain percentage changes may not recalculate due to rounding.

Overview

We are a full service, early-stage contract research organization (CRO). For over 70 years, we have been in the business of providing the research models required in research and development of new drugs, devices, and therapies. Over this time, we have built upon our original core competency of laboratory animal medicine and science (research model technologies) to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, that enable us to support our clients from target identification through non-clinical development. We also provide a suite of products and services to support our clients’ manufacturing activities. Utilizing our broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness, and increases speed to market.

Our client base includes all major global biopharmaceutical companies, many biotechnology companies, CROs, agricultural and industrial chemical companies, life science companies, veterinary medicine companies, contract manufacturing companies, medical device companies, and diagnostic and other commercial entities, as well as leading hospitals, academic institutions, and government agencies around the world.

Segment Reporting

Our three reportable segments are Research Models and Services (RMS), Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA), and Manufacturing Solutions (Manufacturing). Our RMS reportable segment includes the Research Models, Research Model Services, and Research Products businesses. Research Models includes the commercial production and sale of small research models, as well as the supply of large research models. Research Model Services includes: Genetically Engineered Models and Services (GEMS), which performs contract breeding and other services associated with genetically engineered models; Research Animal Diagnostic Services (RADS), which provides health monitoring and diagnostics services related to research models; and Insourcing Solutions (IS), which provides colony management of our clients’ research operations (including recruitment, training, staffing, and management services). Research Products supplies controlled, consistent, customized primary cells and blood components derived from normal and mobilized peripheral blood, bone marrow, and cord blood. Our DSA reportable segment includes services required to take a drug through the early development process including discovery services, which are non-regulated services to assist clients with the identification, screening, and selection of a lead compound for drug development, and regulated and non-regulated (GLP and non-GLP) safety assessment services. Our Manufacturing reportable segment includes Microbial Solutions, which provides in vitro (non-animal) lot-release testing products, microbial detection products, and species identification services; Biologics Solutions (Biologics), which performs specialized testing of biologics as well as contract development and manufacturing; and Avian Vaccine Services (Avian), which supplies specific-pathogen-free chicken eggs and chickens.

COVID-19

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a strain of novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is dynamic, and its ultimate scope, duration and effects are uncertain. This pandemic has had and may continue to result in direct and indirect adverse effects on our industry and customers, which in turn has impacted our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic may also affect our operating and financial results in ways that are and are not presently known to us, or that we currently do not expect to present significant risks to our operations or financial results but which may in fact turn out to negatively affect us to a magnitude greater than anticipated. Refer to Item 1A, Risk Factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2020 for risk factors reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, refer to Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2020 for our assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced during fiscal 2020 regarding our business continuity plans and actions taken; supply chain; financial condition and results of global operations; liquidity, capital and financial resources; recoverability and/or impairment of assets; and internal controls over financial reporting in a remote work environment. There have been no material changes to our assessment of the COVID-19 pandemic during the nine months ended September 25, 2021 and how it may continue to affect us in subsequent periods.

Recent Acquisitions

Our strategy is to augment internal growth of existing businesses with complementary acquisitions. Our recent acquisitions are described below.

On June 28, 2021 (third fiscal quarter of 2021), we acquired Vigene Biosciences, Inc. (Vigene), a gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), providing viral vector-based gene delivery solutions. The acquisition enables clients to seamlessly conduct analytical testing, process development, and manufacturing for advanced modalities with the same scientific partner. The preliminary purchase price of Vigene was $326.1 million, net of $2.7 million in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments, and includes $34.5 million of contingent consideration (maximum contingent payments of up to $57.5 million based on future performance). The acquisition was funded through a combination of available cash and proceeds from our Credit Facility. This business is reported as part of our Manufacturing reportable segment.

On March 30, 2021, we acquired Retrogenix Limited (Retrogenix), an early-stage CRO providing specialized bioanalytical services utilizing its proprietary cell microarray technology. The acquisition of Retrogenix enhances our scientific expertise with additional large molecule and cell therapy discovery capabilities. The purchase price of Retrogenix was $53.9 million, net of $8.5 million in cash. Included in the purchase price are additional payments up to $6.9 million, which are contingent on future performance. The acquisition was funded through a combination of available cash and proceeds from our Credit Facility. This business is reported as part of our DSA reportable segment.

On March 29, 2021, we acquired Cognate BioServices, Inc. (Cognate), a cell and gene therapy CDMO offering comprehensive manufacturing solutions for cell therapies, as well as for the production of plasmid DNA and other inputs in the CDMO value chain. The acquisition of Cognate establishes us as a scientific partner for cell and gene therapy development, testing, and manufacturing, providing clients with an integrated solution from basic research and discovery through cGMP production. The preliminary purchase price of Cognate was $876.1 million, net of $70.5 million in cash, subject to certain post-cl

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates, which could affect our future results of operations and financial condition. We manage our exposure to these risks through our regular operating and financing activities.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to changes in interest rates while conducting normal business operations as a result of ongoing financing activities. As of September 25, 2021, our debt portfolio was comprised primarily of floating interest rate borrowings. A 100-basis point increase in interest rates would increase our annual pre-tax interest expense by $13.9 million.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We operate on a global basis and have exposure to some foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

While the financial results of our global activities are reported in U.S. dollars, our foreign subsidiaries typically conduct their operations in their respective local currency. The principal functional currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are the Euro, British Pound and Canadian Dollar. During the nine months ended September 25, 2021, the most significant drivers of foreign currency translation adjustment the Company recorded as part of Other comprehensive income (loss) were the Canadian Dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, Hungarian Forint, and British Pound.

Fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates of the countries in which we do business will affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. As the U.S. dollar strengthens against other currencies, the value of our non-U.S. revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and cash flows will generally decline when reported in U.S. dollars. The impact to net income as a result of a U.S. dollar strengthening will be partially mitigated by the value of non-U.S. expenses, which will decline when reported in U.S. dollars. As the U.S. dollar weakens versus other currencies, the value of the non-U.S. revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and cash flows will generally increase when reported in U.S. dollars. For the nine months ended September 25, 2021, our revenue would have increased by $91.6 million and our operating income would have increased by $4.1 million, if the U.S. dollar exchange rate had strengthened by 10%, with all other variables held constant.

We attempt to minimize this exposure by using certain financial instruments in accordance with our overall risk management and our hedge policy. We do not enter into speculative derivative agreements.

During the nine months ended September 25, 2021, we entered into foreign exchange forward contracts to limit our foreign currency exposure related to a U.S. dollar denominated loan borrowed by a non-U.S. Euro functional currency entity under our Credit Facility. Refer to Note 14, “Foreign Currency Contracts” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding this type of forward contracts.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on their evaluation, required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, promulgated by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act), the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act, are effective, at a reasonable assurance level, as of September 25, 2021, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurances of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in designing and evaluating the controls and procedures.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

The Company continued to execute a plan to centralize certain accounting transaction processing functions to internal shared service centers during the three months ended September 25, 2021. There were no other material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the quarter ended September 25, 2021 that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Please refer to Note 17, “Commitments and Contingencies” in our notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, and/or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results. There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020, except as disclosed below.

The COVID-19 pandemic is dynamic and expanding. The continuation of this outbreak may have, and the emergence of other epidemic or pandemic crises could have, material adverse effects on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a strain of novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is dynamic and expanding, and its ultimate scope, duration and effects are uncertain. This pandemic has and continues to result in, and any future epidemic or pandemic crises may potentially result in, direct and indirect adverse effects on our industry and customers, which in turn has (with respect to COVID-19) and may (with respect to future epidemics or crises) impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic may also affect our operating and financial results in a manner that is not presently known to us. Effects of the current pandemic have included, or may in the future include, among others:

  • deterioration of worldwide, regional or national economic conditions and activity, which adversely affects global demand for our products and services;

  • disruptions to our operations as a result of the potential health impact on our employees and crew, and on the workforces of our customers and business partners;

  • temporary and/or partial closures of our facilities or the facilities of our customers (including academic institutions, government laboratories and private foundations) and third-party service providers;

  • interruption of the operations of global supply chains and those of our suppliers;

  • disruptions to our business from, or additional costs related to, new regulations, directives or practices implemented in response to the pandemic, such as travel restrictions, shelter in place/stay in place/work from home orders, increased inspection regimes, hygiene measures (such as quarantining and physical distancing) or increased implementation of remote working arrangements;

  • reduced cash flows and financial condition, including potential liquidity constraints;

  • reduced access to capital, including the ability to refinance any existing obligations, as a result of any credit tightening generally or due to declines in global financial markets, including to the prices of publicly-traded equity securities of us, our peers and of listed companies generally;

  • deterioration in the financial condition and prospects of our customers or attempts by customers, suppliers or service providers to invoke force majeure contractual clauses, or the legal doctrines of impossibility or impracticability (or other similar doctrines) as a result of delays or other disruptions;

  • delays in the commencement of, or the suspension or cancellation of, client studies; and

  • the effects described elsewhere in these Risk Factors.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to modify our business practices, including but not limited to health management of employees, customers and suppliers, management of production inventory, supply chain risk management, compensation practices and capital expenditure planning. We have formed a tiered structure of designated COVID-19 crisis management teams throughout our organization to identify, implement and monitor such actions as required by the dynamic exigencies

arising from the pandemic. Such measures and others may not be sufficient to mitigate all the risks posed by COVID-19, and our ability to perform critical functions could be materially adversely affected.

We are considered a federal contractor of the U.S. government and are therefore subject to recently announced U.S. federal regulations regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Our U.S.-based employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 8, 2021, unless a medical or religious exemption applies. It is not currently possible to predict with any certainty the impact this requirement could have on our Company, our workforce population, our subcontractors, and potential disruptions to our operations.

Although disruption and effects from the COVID-19 pandemic may be temporary, given the dynamic nature of these circumstances and the worldwide nature of our business and operations, the duration of any business disruption and the related financial impact to us cannot be reasonably estimated at this time but could materially affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Contract development and manufacturing services create a risk of liability.

The acquisitions of Cognate and Vigene in 2021 have expanded Charles River’s business into the contract development and manufacturing organization (“CDMO”) market, which entails additional risks of liability, including potential product liability claims, errors and omissions claims in connection with Charles River’s services and potential liability under indemnification agreements between Charles River and its officers and directors.

Charles River customers’ failure to receive or maintain regulatory approval for their product candidates could negatively impact Charles River’s revenue and profitability.

Charles River will have significant business which will materially depend upon the regulatory approval of the products it will manufacture for its CDMO customers. As such, if these customers experience a delay in, or failure to receive, approval for any of their product candidates or fail to maintain regulatory approval of their products that Charles River develops or manufactures, Charles River’s revenue and profitability could be materially adversely affected. Additionally, if the Food and Drug Administration or a comparable foreign regulatory authority does not approve of Charles River’s facilities for the manufacture of a customer product, observes significant deficiencies or violations at its facilities or withdraws such approval in the future, Charles River’s customers may choose to identify alternative manufacturing facilities and/or relationships, which could significantly impact Charles River’s CDMO capacity and capabilities and results of operations therefrom.

Charles River’s CDMO business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected if the products Charles River manufactures for its customers do not gain market acceptance.

If the products Charles River manufactures for its customers do not gain market acceptance or production volumes of key products that Charles River manufactures for its customers decline, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. For Charles River’s CDMO business, Charles River will depend on, and have no control over, market acceptance for the products that Charles River will manufacture for its customers. Consumer demand for these products could be adversely affected by, among other things, delays in securing regulatory approvals, the emergence of competing or alternative products, including generic drugs, the emergence of new safety data for such products, the loss of patent and other intellectual property rights protection, reductions in private and government payment product subsidies or changing product marketing strategies.

Charles River has various competitors in the CDMO market which could result in a decrease in the fees paid for Charles River’s services and may adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.

Charles River’s competition in the CDMO market includes full-service contract manufacturers and large pharmaceutical companies offering third-party manufacturing services to fill their excess capacity. Also, large pharmaceutical companies have been seeking to divest portions of their manufacturing capacity, and any such divested businesses may compete with Charles River in the future. Furthermore, many of Charles River’s CDMO competitors may have substantially greater financial, marketing, technical or other resources than Charles River does. Moreover, additional competition may emerge, particularly in lower-cost jurisdictions such as India and China, which could, among other things, result in a decrease in the fees paid for Charles River’s services, which may adversely affect Charles River’s results of operations and financial condition.

Manufacturing services are highly complex and failure to provide quality and timely services to Charles River’s CDMO customers, could adversely impact its business.

The CDMO services Charles River offers can be highly complex, due in part to strict regulatory requirements. A failure of its quality control systems in its facilities could cause problems in connection with facility operations for a variety of reasons, including equipment malfunction, viral contamination, failure to follow specific manufacturing instructions, protocols and standard operating procedures, problems with raw materials or environmental factors. Such issues could affect production of a single manufacturing run or manufacturing campaigns, requiring the destruction of products, or could halt manufacturing operations altogether. In addition, any failure to meet required quality standards may result in Charles River’s failure to timely

deliver products to its customers which, in turn, could damage Charles River’s reputation for quality and service. Any such incident could, among other things, lead to increased costs, lost revenue, reimbursement to customers for lost drug substances, damage to and possibly termination of customer relationships, time and expense spent investigating and remediating the cause and, depending on the cause, similar losses with respect to other manufacturing runs. In addition, such issues could subject Charles River to litigation, the cost of which could be significant.

CDMO operations are dependent upon the supply of necessary raw materials and supplies from third parties, and any inability to obtain such raw materials or supplies could adversely impact Charles River’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Charles River’s CDMO operations will require various raw materials supplied primarily by third parties. Charles River or its customers will specify the raw materials and other items required to manufacture their product and, in some cases, the customers will specify the suppliers from whom Charles River must purchase these raw materials. In certain instances, the raw materials and other items may only be supplied by a limited number of suppliers or in limited quantities. If third-party suppliers do not supply raw materials or other items on a timely basis, it may cause a manufacturing run to be delayed or canceled which could materially adversely affect Charles River’s results of operations and financial condition.

Furthermore, third-party suppliers may fail to provide Charles River with raw materials and other items that meet the qualifications and specifications required by Charles River or its customers. If third-party suppliers are not able to provide Charles River with raw materials that meet its or its customers’ specifications on a timely basis, Charles River may be unable to manufacture its product or it could prevent Charles River from delivering products to its customers within required time frames. Any such delay in delivering its products may create liability for Charles River to its customers for breach of contract or cause Charles River to experience order cancellations and loss of customers. In the event that Charles River manufactures products with components or raw materials that do not meet its qualifications and specifications or those of its customers or governmental or regulatory authorities, Charles River may become subject to product liability claims caused by defective raw materials or components from a third-party supplier or from a customer.

The failure to successfully obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights and defend against challenges to intellectual property rights could adversely affect us.

Many of our services, products and processes rely on intellectual property. In some cases, that intellectual property is owned by another party and licensed to us, sometimes exclusively. To protect our intellectual property rights, we primarily rely upon trade secret law, confidentiality agreements and policies, invention assignments and other contractual arrangements, along with patent, copyright and trademark laws. Existing laws of certain countries outside of the United States in which we operate offer only limited protection, and these are subject to change at any time. In addition, the agreements upon which we rely to protect our intellectual property might be breached, or might not be fully enforceable. Our intellectual property rights might not prevent our competitors from independently developing intellectual property that is similar to or duplicative of ours. Also, enforcing our intellectual property rights might also require substantial time, money and oversight, and we might not be successful in enforcing our rights. If we are unable to obtain or maintain the proprietary rights to our intellectual property, if we are unable to prevent attempted infringement against our intellectual property, or if we are unable to defend against claims that we are infringing on another party’s intellectual property, we could be adversely affected. These adverse effects could include us having to abandon, alter or delay the deployment of products, services or processes that rely on such intellectual property; having to procure and pay for licenses from the holders of intellectual property rights that we seek to use; and having to pay damages, fines, court costs and attorney's fees in connection with intellectual property litigation.

Similarly, the customers of Cognate and Vigene, which we acquired in the second quarter of 2021, also rely on intellectual property for the production of their products, the manufacture of which has been contracted to them. Failure by such customers to obtain, maintain and enforce such intellectual property rights and defend against challenges to their intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect, including reduced revenue as a result in a delay or cancellation of the manufacture of products that rely on such intellectual property, and having to pay legal expenses in connection with intellectual property litigation in which we are named as a party.

Further, the drug discovery and development industry has a history of patent and other intellectual property litigation and these lawsuits will likely continue. Legal proceedings relating to intellectual property are expensive, take significant time, and divert management’s attention from other business concerns, whether we win or lose. If we do not prevail in an infringement lawsuit brought against us, we may have to pay substantial damages, including treble damages, and we could be required to stop the infringing activity or obtain a license to use technology on unfavorable terms.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information relating to the purchases of shares of our common stock during the three months ended September 25, 2021.

Total Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or ProgramsApproximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
(in thousands)
June 27, 2021 to July 24, 2021341$370.65—$129,105
July 25, 2021 to August 21, 202134406.92—129,105
August 22, 2021 to September 25, 2021———129,105
Total375—

Our Board of Directors have authorized up to an aggregate amount of $1.3 billion for our stock repurchase program. During the three months ended September 25, 2021, we did not repurchase any shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program or in open market trading. As of September 25, 2021, we had $129.1 million remaining on the authorized stock repurchase program.

Additionally, our stock-based compensation plans permit the netting of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance share units in order to satisfy individual statutory tax withholding requirements.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a) ExhibitsDescription of Exhibits
31.1+Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2+Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1+Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) of 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act
101.INSeXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
+ Furnished herein.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
November 3, 2021/s/ JAMES C. FOSTER
James C. Foster Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
November 3, 2021/s/ DAVID R. SMITH
David R. Smith Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer