IQVIA Holdings has signed a definitive agreement to acquire select drug discovery assets from Charles River Laboratories for $155 million[1]. The purchase price consists of $145 million in cash with the option of additional payments of up to $10 million[1]. The acquisition includes five sites specializing in in vitro drug discovery services, including laboratory methods and an AI-based platform for small molecules[2]. These assets are backed by more than 20 years of collected scientific and operational data and have enabled more than 100 molecules to enter clinical trials, some of which have become commercially approved drugs[2]. The acquisition will expand IQVIA Laboratories' drug discovery capabilities to a complete platform covering target identification, optimization and early safety assessment[2]. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026[1].