Charles River Partners with Bit Bio for Human Cell Suite Expansion

Charles River Laboratories announced on Dec. 10, 2019 that it has entered into a discovery and safety partnership with Bit Bio, a cell coding company based in the United Kingdom.

Through the collaboration, Charles River plans to expand its suite of authentic human cells by utilizing Bit Bio’s target discovery, validation, and screening services to further the development of therapies with a higher chance of success in patients, according to a Bit Bio press release. The partnership will also help Charles River with the development and validation of novel cell lines.

“Bit Bio’s unique method of reprogramming human stem cells will have a significant impact on our ability to ensure we are discovering and developing therapies that are effective and safe in patients,” said Birgit Girshick, corporate executive vice president, Discovery and Safety Assessment, Biologics Testing Solutions, and Avian Vaccine Services at Charles River, in the press release. “We are excited to offer this next-generation technology as part of our comprehensive portfolio of drug discovery and development tools.”

“We believe that the next generation of medicine hinges on widespread access to human cells,” added Bit Bio Chief Business Officer Paul Morrill, PhD, in the press release. “We are excited to be partnering with Charles River Laboratories, a leader in drug development, to put our cells within a context to drive human translational experiments at the earliest stages of drug discovery and safety assessment.”

Source: Bit Bio