--- ticker: CRL company: CRL filing_type: 10-K year_current: 2025 year_prior: 2024 risks_added: 6 risks_removed: 4 risks_modified: 28 risks_unchanged: 26 source: SEC EDGAR url: https://riskdiff.com/crl/2025-vs-2024/ markdown_url: https://riskdiff.com/crl/2025-vs-2024/index.md generated: 2026-06-01 --- # CRL: 10-K Risk Factor Changes 2025 vs 2024 > Source: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR) > Generated: 2026-06-01 > All data extracted directly from official filings. No hallucinated content. ## Summary | Status | Count | |--------|-------| | New risks added | 6 | | Risks removed | 4 | | Risks modified | 28 | | Unchanged | 26 | --- ## New in Current Filing: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## New in Current Filing: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## New in Current Filing: Failure to successfully realize cost savings from our restructuring initiatives would adversely impact our growth and profitability. As discussed in the section above entitled "Our Strategy," we are taking decisive action to manage the Company through the current demand environment, including appropriately right-sizing our infrastructure, optimizing operations, and driving efficiency with a goal to protect operating margin. We are committed to initiatives to generate more revenue, contain costs, and protect shareholder value through enhanced commercial initiatives, restructuring and efficiency actions to drive cost savings, as well as a balanced approach to capital deployment; these initiatives include reducing staffing levels to align with the pace of demand and site closures. While we drive these initiatives to result in significant profit opportunities and savings throughout our organization, our estimated profits and savings are based on assumptions that may prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, there can be no assurance that we will realize these profits and cost savings or that, if realized, these profits and cost savings will be sustained. Failure to achieve or delays in achieving projected levels of efficiencies and cost savings from such measures, or unanticipated inefficiencies resulting from manufacturing and administrative reorganization actions in progress or contemplated, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and harm our reputation. --- ## New in Current Filing: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## New in Current Filing: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## New in Current Filing: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## No Match in Current: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. *This section from the 2024 filing does not have a high-confidence textual match in 2025. It may have been removed, merged, or substantially reworded.* section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. --- ## No Match in Current: Negative attention from special interest groups may impair our business. *This section from the 2024 filing does not have a high-confidence textual match in 2025. It may have been removed, merged, or substantially reworded.* The products and services that we provide our clients are essential to the drug discovery, development and manufacturing processes, and a significant amount are mandated by law. Notwithstanding, certain special interest groups categorically object 22 22 22 --- ## No Match in Current: Contaminations in our animal populations can damage our inventory, harm our reputation for contaminant-free production, result in decreased sales and cause us to incur additional costs. *This section from the 2024 filing does not have a high-confidence textual match in 2025. It may have been removed, merged, or substantially reworded.* Both small and large animal research models must be free of certain infectious agents, such as certain viruses, parasites, and bacteria, because the presence of these contaminants can distort or compromise the quality of research results and/or could adversely impact human or animal health. The presence of these infectious agents in our animal production facilities and certain service operations could impact the quality of our contaminant-free research model as well as our animal services businesses, including GEMS, harm our reputation for contaminant-free production and result in decreased sales. There also exists a risk that contaminations from models that we produce may affect our client's facilities, with similar impact to them for which we could be liable for damages. In some cases, we may produce or import animals carrying infectious agents capable of causing disease in humans; and in the case of such a contamination or undiagnosed infection, there could be a possible risk of human exposure and infection and liability for damages to infected persons. 26 26 26 --- ## No Match in Current: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. *This section from the 2024 filing does not have a high-confidence textual match in 2025. It may have been removed, merged, or substantially reworded.* section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. --- ## Modified: Impairment of long-lived tangible assets and intangible assets (such as goodwill and other intangible assets) may adversely impact future results of operations. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "As of December 28, 2024, the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangibles on our consolidated balance sheet was $3.6 billion, property, plant and equipment was $1.6 billion, and operating lease right-of-use assets was $412.5 million." **Prior (2024):** We have intangible assets, including goodwill, on our balance sheet due to our acquisitions of businesses. The initial identification and valuation of these intangible assets and the determination of the estimated useful lives at the time of acquisition involve use of management judgments and estimates. These estimates are based on, among other factors, projections of cash flows that arise from identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses and discount rates based on an analysis of our weighted average cost of capital, adjusted for specific risks associated with the assets. Disruptions in global financial markets and deterioration of economic conditions could, among other things, impact the discount rate. Other assumptions used in the valuations and actual cash flows arising from a particular intangible asset could vary from projected cash flows, which could imply different carrying values from those established at the dates of acquisition and which could result in impairment of such assets. If the future growth and operating results of our business are not as strong as anticipated, overall macroeconomic or industry conditions deteriorate and/or our market capitalization declines, this could impact the assumptions used in establishing the carrying value of goodwill or other intangible assets, as well as long-lived tangible assets, such as property, plant and equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets. Should disruption in the global financial markets and deterioration of economic conditions have a prolonged impact on our industry, triggering events may arise resulting in long-lived tangible asset, intangible asset, or goodwill impairments. To the extent long-lived tangible assets, intangible assets, or goodwill are impaired, their carrying value will be written down to their implied fair values and a charge will be made to our net income. Such an impairment charge could materially and adversely affect our operating results. As of December 30, 2023, the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangibles on our consolidated balance sheet was $4.0 billion, property, plant and equipment was $1.6 billion, and operating lease right-of-use assets was $394.0 million. **Current (2025):** We have intangible assets, including goodwill, on our balance sheet due to our acquisitions of businesses. The initial identification and valuation of these intangible assets and the determination of the estimated useful lives at the time of acquisition involve use of management judgments and estimates. These estimates are based on, among other factors, projections of cash flows that arise from identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses and discount rates based on an analysis of our weighted average cost of capital, adjusted for specific risks associated with the assets. Disruptions in global financial markets and deterioration of economic conditions could, among other things, impact the discount rate. Other assumptions used in the valuations and actual cash flows arising from a particular intangible asset could vary from projected cash flows, which could imply different carrying values from those established at the dates of acquisition and which could result in impairment of such assets. If the future growth and operating results of our business are not as strong as anticipated, overall macroeconomic or industry conditions deteriorate and/or our market capitalization declines, this could impact the assumptions used in establishing the carrying value of goodwill or other intangible assets, as well as long-lived tangible assets, such as property, plant and equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets. Should disruption in the global financial markets and deterioration of economic conditions have a prolonged impact on our industry, triggering events may arise resulting in long-lived tangible asset, intangible asset, or goodwill impairments. To the extent long-lived tangible assets, intangible assets, or goodwill are impaired, their carrying value will be written down to their implied fair values and a charge will be made to our net income. Such an impairment charge could materially and adversely affect our operating results. As of December 28, 2024, the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangibles on our consolidated balance sheet was $3.6 billion, property, plant and equipment was $1.6 billion, and operating lease right-of-use assets was $412.5 million. During the fourth quarter ended December 28, 2024, a triggering event was identified for the Biologics Solutions reporting unit. This resulted from a loss of key customers, ultimately resulting in a reduction in Biologics Solutions' long range financial outlook. In response, we conducted a quantitative impairment test for goodwill to determine if the goodwill in the Biologics Solutions reporting unit was impaired. Upon completion of a quantitative impairment test, it was determined that the fair value of the reporting unit was below its carrying value, resulting in a goodwill impairment of approximately $215.0 million. We will continue to closely monitor future performance and any potential impacts on the value of the reporting unit. For additional discussion on this topic, see section herein titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Goodwill and Intangible Assets." --- ## Modified: A reduction or delay in government funding of R&D may adversely affect our business. **Key changes:** - Added sentence: "For example, the NIH announced on February 7, 2025, a policy significantly reducing research grants by limiting payments for indirect overhead." - Added sentence: "While, as of the date of this filing, the order has been temporarily stayed, there can be no assurance that it will not take effect or that other adverse actions will not be taken." **Prior (2024):** A portion of revenue, predominantly in our RMS segment, is derived from clients at academic institutions and research laboratories whose funding is partially dependent on both the level and timing of funding from government sources such as the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and similar domestic and international agencies, which can be difficult to forecast. We also sell directly to the NIH and these other agencies. Government funding of R&D is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable. Our revenue may be adversely affected if our clients delay purchases as a result of uncertainties surrounding the approval of government budget proposals, included reduced allocations to government agencies that fund R&D activities. Government proposals to reduce or eliminate budgetary deficits have sometimes included reduced allocations to the NIH and other government agencies that fund R&D activities, or NIH funding may not be directed towards projects and studies that require the use of our products and services, both of which could adversely affect our business and our financial results. **Current (2025):** A portion of revenue, predominantly in our RMS segment, is derived from clients at academic institutions and research laboratories whose funding is partially dependent on both the level and timing of funding from government sources such as the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and similar domestic and international agencies, which can be difficult to forecast. We also sell directly to the NIH and these other agencies. Government funding of R&D is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable. For example, the NIH announced on February 7, 2025, a policy significantly reducing research grants by limiting payments for indirect overhead. While, as of the date of this filing, the order has been temporarily stayed, there can be no assurance that it will not take effect or that other adverse actions will not be taken. Our revenue may be adversely affected if our clients delay purchases as a result of uncertainties surrounding the approval of government budget proposals, included reduced allocations to government agencies that fund R&D activities. Government proposals to reduce or eliminate budgetary deficits have sometimes included reduced allocations to the NIH and other government agencies that fund R&D activities, or NIH funding may not be directed towards projects and studies that require the use of our products and services, both of which could adversely affect our business and our financial results. --- ## Modified: Our by-laws designate the state courts located in the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain actions, including derivative actions, which could limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company and its directors, officers, other employees, or the Company's stockholders and may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company's stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Company's certificate of incorporation 33 33 33" **Prior (2024):** Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company's stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Company's certificate of incorporation or the Company's by-laws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time), or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be a state court located within the state of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware). However, this exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought under the federal securities laws for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. If a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our by-laws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business and financial condition. Furthermore, although we believe the exclusive forum provision benefits us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law for the specified types of actions and proceedings, this provision may limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company and its directors, officers, or other employees and may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. 32 32 32 **Current (2025):** Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company's stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Company's certificate of incorporation 33 33 33 --- ## Modified: The outsourcing trend in non-clinical and clinical stages of drug discovery and development may decrease, which could impair our growth. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Over the past decade, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have generally increased their outsourcing of non-clinical and clinical research support activities, such as discovery and safety assessment." **Prior (2024):** Over the past decade, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have generally increased their outsourcing of non-clinical research support activities, such as discovery and safety assessment. While many industry analysts expect the outsourcing trend to continue to increase for the next several years (although with different growth rates for different phases of drug discovery and development), decreases in such outsourcing may result in a diminished growth rate in the sales of any one or more of our service lines and may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. For additional discussion of the factors that we believe have recently influenced outsourcing demand from our clients, please see the section entitled "Our Strategy" above. **Current (2025):** Over the past decade, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have generally increased their outsourcing of non-clinical and clinical research support activities, such as discovery and safety assessment. While many industry analysts expect the outsourcing trend to continue to increase for the next several years (although with different growth rates for different phases of drug discovery and development), decreases in such outsourcing may result in a diminished growth rate in the sales of any one or more of our service lines and may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. For additional discussion of the factors that we believe have recently influenced outsourcing demand from our clients, please see the section entitled "Our Strategy" above. --- ## Modified: The industries in which we operate are highly competitive. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "We compete on a variety of factors, including: •reputation for on-time quality performance; •reputation for regulatory compliance; •reputation for responsive client service and support; •expertise and experience in multiple specialized areas; •scope and breadth of service and product offerings across the drug discovery and development spectrum; •scope and breadth of service and product offerings across the manufacturing support spectrum; 28 28 28" **Prior (2024):** The industries in which we operate are highly competitive. We compete for business with other non-clinical drug development partners and blood product and therapeutic services companies, other CDMOs, as well as internal discovery and development departments within our larger clients, who may have greater resources than ours. We also compete with universities and teaching hospitals for outsourced services. We compete on a variety of factors, including: •reputation for on-time quality performance; •reputation for regulatory compliance; •reputation for responsive client service and support; •expertise and experience in multiple specialized areas; •scope and breadth of service and product offerings across the drug discovery and development spectrum; •scope and breadth of service and product offerings across the manufacturing support spectrum; •ability to provide flexible and customized solutions to support our clients' drug discovery, non-clinical development, and manufacturing support needs; •broad geographic availability (with consistent quality); •price/value, spend and flexibility; •technological and scientific expertise and efficient drug development processes; •quality of facilities; •financial stability; •size; •ability to acquire, process, analyze and report data in an accurate manner; 27 27 27 **Current (2025):** The industries in which we operate are highly competitive. We compete for business with other non-clinical drug development partners and blood product and therapeutic services companies, other CDMOs, as well as internal discovery and development departments within our larger clients, who may have greater resources than ours. We also compete with universities and teaching hospitals for outsourced services. We compete on a variety of factors, including: •reputation for on-time quality performance; •reputation for regulatory compliance; •reputation for responsive client service and support; •expertise and experience in multiple specialized areas; •scope and breadth of service and product offerings across the drug discovery and development spectrum; •scope and breadth of service and product offerings across the manufacturing support spectrum; 28 28 28 --- ## Modified: We have in the past experienced and in the future could experience unauthorized access into our information systems. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Like other companies, we have on occasion experienced, and will continue to experience, threats and incursions to our data and systems, including malicious software and viruses, phishing, business email compromise and social engineering attacks, network intrusions, or other cyber-attacks." - Reworded sentence: "These threats also may be further enhanced in frequency or effectiveness through threat actors' use of artificial intelligence technologies, which are becoming more widely adopted and increasingly sophisticated." - Added sentence: "Additionally, the rapid ongoing evolution and increased adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning may make it more difficult to anticipate and implement protective measures to recognize, detect, and prevent the occurrence of any of the cyber events described above." **Prior (2024):** We operate large and complex information systems that contain significant amounts of client data. As a routine element of our business, we collect, analyze and retain substantial amounts of data pertaining to the non-clinical studies we conduct for our clients. Unauthorized third parties could attempt to gain entry to such information systems to steal data or disrupt the systems or for financial gain. Like other companies, we have on occasion experienced, and will continue to experience, threats and incursions to our data and systems, including malicious software and viruses, phishing, business email compromise and social engineering attacks or other cyber-attacks. The number and complexity of these threats continue to increase over time. In March 2019, we detected evidence that an unauthorized third party, who we believe was well resourced and highly sophisticated, accessed certain of our information systems and copied data. We worked with a leading cyber security firm to assist in our investigation and coordinated with law enforcement authorities. Our investigation indicated that the affected information included client information. By the end of 2019, we disclosed that we had completed our remediation of the identified incident. As of the date of this filing, to our knowledge, we have not experienced an information security breach or material cybersecurity incident since that event. While we have implemented additional security safeguards since that event and continue to enhance existing safeguards, such efforts may not be successful, in which case we could suffer significant harm. Further, we are at risk of being targeted, and we have in the past been victim to, business email compromise fraud, which results in payments being made to illegitimate bank accounts. Although these instances have not resulted in our incurring material losses, if similar instances occur in the future, we may incur such losses. Our contracts with our clients typically contain provisions that require us to keep confidential the information generated from the studies we conduct. In the event the confidentiality of such information is compromised, whether by unauthorized access or other breaches, we could be exposed to significant harm, including termination of customer contracts, damage to our customer relationships, damage to our reputation and potential legal claims from customers, employees and other parties. In addition, we may face investigations by government regulators and agencies as a result of a breach. For information regarding our processes and practices related to information and cybersecurity, please see Section 1C of this report, "Cybersecurity". **Current (2025):** We operate large and complex information systems that contain significant amounts of client data. As a routine element of our business, we collect, analyze and retain substantial amounts of data pertaining to the non-clinical studies we conduct for our clients. Unauthorized third parties could attempt to gain entry to such information systems to steal data or disrupt the systems or for financial gain. Like other companies, we have on occasion experienced, and will continue to experience, threats and incursions to our data and systems, including malicious software and viruses, phishing, business email compromise and social engineering attacks, network intrusions, or other cyber-attacks. The number and complexity of these threats continue to increase over time. These threats also may be further enhanced in frequency or effectiveness through threat actors' use of artificial intelligence technologies, which are becoming more widely adopted and increasingly sophisticated. As of the date of this filing, to our knowledge, we have not experienced an information security breach or material cybersecurity incident since an event in 2019. While we have implemented additional security safeguards since that event and continue to enhance existing safeguards, such efforts may not be successful, in which case we could suffer significant harm. Further, we are at risk of being targeted, and we have in the past been victim to, business email compromise fraud, which results in payments being made to illegitimate bank accounts. Although these instances have not resulted in our incurring material losses, if similar instances occur in the future, we may incur such losses. Our contracts with our clients typically contain provisions that require us to keep confidential the information generated from the studies we conduct. In the event the confidentiality of such information is compromised, whether by unauthorized access or other breaches, we could be exposed to significant harm, including termination of customer contracts, damage to our customer relationships, damage to our reputation and potential legal claims from customers, employees and other parties. In addition, we may face investigations by government regulators and agencies as a result of a breach. Additionally, the rapid ongoing evolution and increased adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning may make it more difficult to anticipate and implement protective measures to recognize, detect, and prevent the occurrence of any of the cyber events described above. For information regarding our processes and practices related to information and cybersecurity, please see Section 1C of this report, "Cybersecurity". --- ## Modified: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Additionally, we have businesses that depend on our supply of large research models to clients." - Reworded sentence: "Increasing demand could harm relationships with clients if we are unable to alter production capacity, or purchase products from other suppliers, to fill orders adequately." - Reworded sentence: "We also operate businesses which depend upon the regulatory approval of the products they manufacture for their CDMO clients." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## Modified: We may not be able to successfully develop and market new services and products. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Our ability to gain access to such technologies depends, in part, on our ability to convince innovators that we can successfully 29 29 29" **Prior (2024):** We continue to seek opportunities to develop and market new services and products that complement or expand our existing business or service offerings. We believe our ability to innovate through internal research and development efforts and license or acquire new technologies from third parties are both critical to our ability to continue to meet the needs of our clients. Our ability to gain access to such technologies depends, in part, on our ability to convince innovators that we can successfully develop and commercialize their inventions. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to identify new technologies of interest to our clients. Even if we are able to identify these opportunities, negotiating license agreements on commercially acceptable terms may prove difficult. In addition, our ongoing internal research and development efforts may not always yield offerings that meet client demand. If we are unable to develop new services and products and/or create demand for those newly developed services and products, our future business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected. **Current (2025):** We continue to seek opportunities to develop and market new services and products that complement or expand our existing business or service offerings. We believe our ability to innovate through internal research and development efforts and license or acquire new technologies from third parties are both critical to our ability to continue to meet the needs of our clients. Our ability to gain access to such technologies depends, in part, on our ability to convince innovators that we can successfully 29 29 29 --- ## Modified: Changes in government regulation or in practices relating to the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries, including potential healthcare reform, could decrease the need for the services we provide. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "For example, in December 2022, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was passed, which clarifies methods manufacturers and sponsors can use to investigate the safety and efficacy of a drug." - Reworded sentence: "While we are committed to working with the industry to support development and to provide the best translational models to supplement or replace traditional models as part of our 3Rs initiative, the use of animals in research is highly regulated and proposed changes to current regulations will need to be carefully evaluated to ensure that they do not compromise the safety and efficacy of new drugs and medical treatments." **Prior (2024):** Governmental agencies throughout the world strictly regulate the drug development process. Our business involves helping our customers navigate these regulatory processes. Accordingly, many regulations, and often new regulations, are expected to result in higher regulatory standards and often additional revenues for companies that service these industries. However, some changes in regulations, such as a relaxation in regulatory requirements or the introduction of streamlined or expedited drug approval procedures, or an increase in regulatory requirements that we have difficulty satisfying or that make our services less competitive, could eliminate or substantially reduce the demand for our services. For example, in December 2022, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was passed, which requires the FDA to develop and implement a strategy to reduce the use of animals in testing while maintaining the safety and effectiveness of medical products and to explore the use of non-animal alternatives to animal testing. Eliminating the use of animals in research may have material adverse effects on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. While there have been significant advancements in the development of alternative methods, the complete elimination of animals in research will be a gradual process that may take many years to achieve. While we are committed to working with the industry to support development and to provide the best translational models to supplement or replace traditional models as part of our 4Rs initiative, the use of animals in research is highly regulated and proposed changes to current regulations will need to be carefully evaluated to ensure that they do not compromise the safety and efficacy of new drugs and medical treatments. Although we believe we are currently in compliance in all material respects with applicable national, regional and local laws, as well as other accepted guidance used by oversight bodies (including the USDA, the standards set by the International Air 25 25 25 **Current (2025):** Governmental agencies throughout the world strictly regulate the drug development process. Our business involves helping our customers navigate these regulatory processes. Accordingly, many regulations, and often new regulations, are expected to result in higher regulatory standards and often additional revenues for companies that service these industries. However, some changes in regulations, such as a relaxation in regulatory requirements or the introduction of streamlined or expedited drug approval procedures, or an increase in regulatory requirements that we have difficulty satisfying or that make our services less competitive, could eliminate or substantially reduce the demand for our services. For example, in December 2022, the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was passed, which clarifies methods manufacturers and sponsors can use to investigate the safety and efficacy of a drug. Eliminating the use of animals in research may have material adverse effects on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. While there have been significant advancements in the development of alternative methods, the complete elimination of animals in research will be a gradual process that may take many years to achieve. While we are committed to working with the industry to support development and to provide the best translational models to supplement or replace traditional models as part of our 3Rs initiative, the use of animals in research is highly regulated and proposed changes to current regulations will need to be carefully evaluated to ensure that they do not compromise the safety and efficacy of new drugs and medical treatments. Although we believe we are currently in compliance in all material respects with applicable national, regional and local laws, as well as other accepted guidance used by oversight bodies (including the USDA, the standards set by the International Air Transport Association, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, USFWS, The Centers for Disease Control, the Department of Transportation, the Department of State, the office of Laboratory Animal Welfare of NIH, the Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as numerous other oversight agencies in the jurisdictions in which we operate), failure to comply could subject us to denial of the right to conduct business, fines, criminal penalties and other enforcement actions. For additional discussion of the factors specifically affecting our non-human primates including related oversight trade compliance agencies, please see the sections entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Industry Risk Factors - Several of our product and service offerings, including our non-human primate supply, are dependent on a limited source of supply that, 26 26 26 --- ## Modified: Failure to execute our business strategy could adversely impact our growth and profitability. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "In 2024, we experienced such a lower-than-expected demand growth in a number of businesses, including the businesses that comprise our DSA reporting segment." - Reworded sentence: "Factors such as insufficient capital, inflation, supply chain interruptions, inadequate forecasting, increases in construction material costs, or labor shortages 21 21 21" **Prior (2024):** Our strategy is to deliver a comprehensive and integrated portfolio of drug discovery and non-clinical development products, services and solutions to support our clients' discovery and early-stage drug research, process development, scale up and manufacturing efforts, and enable them to bring new and improved therapies to market faster and more cost effectively. Separately, through our various Manufacturing segment businesses, we aim to be the premier provider of products and services that ensure our clients produce and release their products safely. If we are unable to successfully execute on this strategy, this could negatively impact our future results of operations and market capitalization. Any decline or lower than expected growth in our served markets could diminish demand for our products and services, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. To address this issue, we typically pursue a number of strategies designed to improve our internal growth, including strengthening our presence in selected geographic markets through organic growth and strategic acquisitions and expanding our service offerings, including our expansion into the CDMO business. We may not be able to successfully implement these strategies, and these strategies may not result in the expected growth of our business. Furthermore, our strategy assumes a certain degree of capital and capacity growth development. Factors such as insufficient capital, inflation, supply chain interruptions, inadequate forecasting, increases in construction material costs, or labor shortages could interfere with the successful execution of our strategy and our ability to timely build infrastructure to satisfy capacity needs and support business growth. For additional discussion of our business strategy, please see the section above entitled "Our Strategy." **Current (2025):** Our strategy is to deliver a comprehensive and integrated portfolio of drug discovery and non-clinical development products, services and solutions to support our clients' discovery and early-stage drug research, process development, scale up and manufacturing efforts, and enable them to bring new and improved therapies to market faster and more cost effectively. Separately, through our various Manufacturing segment businesses, we aim to be the premier provider of products and services that ensure our clients produce and release their products safely. If we are unable to successfully execute on this strategy, this could negatively impact our future results of operations and market capitalization. Any decline or lower than expected growth in our served markets could diminish demand for our products and services, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In 2024, we experienced such a lower-than-expected demand growth in a number of businesses, including the businesses that comprise our DSA reporting segment. To address this issue generally, we typically pursue a number of strategies designed to improve our internal growth, including strengthening our presence in selected geographic markets through organic growth and strategic acquisitions and expanding our service offerings. In addition, we have implemented a number of restructuring actions, including to optimize our global operational footprint and reduce staffing levels, and other initiatives to drive operating efficiencies to help offset the lower-than-expected demand growth and protect the operating margin. We may not be able to successfully implement these strategies, and these strategies may not result in the expected growth or improved profitability of our business. Furthermore, our strategy assumes a certain degree of capital and capacity growth development. Factors such as insufficient capital, inflation, supply chain interruptions, inadequate forecasting, increases in construction material costs, or labor shortages 21 21 21 --- ## Modified: Risk Factor Summary **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "The summary below is not exhaustive and is qualified by reference to the full set of risk factors set forth in this "Risk Factors" section." **Prior (2024):** As noted above, we are subject to a number of risks that if realized could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated herein. Some of the more significant risks and uncertainties we face include those summarized below. The summary below is not exhaustive and is qualified by reference to the full set of risk factors set forth in this "Risk Factors" 17 17 17 **Current (2025):** As noted above, we are subject to a number of risks that if realized could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated herein. Some of the more significant risks and uncertainties we face include those summarized below. The summary below is not exhaustive and is qualified by reference to the full set of risk factors set forth in this "Risk Factors" section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. --- ## Modified: If we are unable to attract, hire or retain key team members or a highly skilled global workforce with various backgrounds and experiences, it could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Because of the specialized scientific nature of our business, we are highly dependent upon attracting and retaining qualified scientific, technical and managerial personnel." **Prior (2024):** Because of the specialized scientific nature of our business, we are highly dependent upon attracting and retaining qualified scientific, technical and managerial personnel, while also ensuring an inclusive and diverse culture. We have a strong record of employee retention, and we strive to reduce the impact of the potential loss of existing employees by having an established organizational talent review process that identifies successors and potential talent needs. However, there is still significant competition for qualified personnel in the veterinary, pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields. Failure to retain qualified existing personnel and recruit additional key scientific, technical, and managerial personnel in a timely manner, could harm our business. **Current (2025):** Because of the specialized scientific nature of our business, we are highly dependent upon attracting and retaining qualified scientific, technical and managerial personnel. We have a strong record of employee retention, and we strive to reduce the impact of the potential loss of existing employees by having an established organizational talent review process that identifies successors and potential talent needs. However, there is still significant competition for qualified personnel in the veterinary, pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields. Failure to retain qualified existing personnel and recruit additional key scientific, technical, and managerial personnel in a timely manner, could harm our business. --- ## Modified: Our business is subject to risks relating to operating internationally, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "are prepared using the local currency as the functional currency." **Prior (2024):** A significant part of our revenue is derived from operations outside the U.S. We expect that international revenue will continue to account for a significant percentage of our total revenue for the foreseeable future. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could materially adversely impact our results. Foreign currencies we receive for sales and in which we record expenses outside the U.S. could be subject to unfavorable exchange rates with the U.S. dollar, resulting in a reduction in the amount of revenue and cash flow (and an increase in the amount of expenses) that we recognize and causing fluctuations in reported financial results. We also carry foreign currency exposure associated with differences between where we conduct business. For example, certain contracts are frequently denominated in currencies other than the currency in which we incur expenses related to those contracts. Where expenses are incurred in currencies other than those in which contracts are priced, fluctuations in the relative value of those currencies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations results from the currency translation exposure associated with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, as well as from the exposure associated with transactions of our subsidiaries that are denominated in a currency other than the respective subsidiary's functional currency. While our financial results are reported in U.S. Dollars, the financial statements of many of our subsidiaries outside the U.S. are prepared using the 21 21 21 **Current (2025):** A significant part of our revenue is derived from operations outside the U.S. We expect that international revenue will continue to account for a significant percentage of our total revenue for the foreseeable future. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could materially adversely impact our results. Foreign currencies we receive for sales and in which we record expenses outside the U.S. could be subject to unfavorable exchange rates with the U.S. dollar, resulting in a reduction in the amount of revenue and cash flow (and an increase in the amount of expenses) that we recognize and causing fluctuations in reported financial results. We also carry foreign currency exposure associated with differences between where we conduct business. For example, certain contracts are frequently denominated in currencies other than the currency in which we incur expenses related to those contracts. Where expenses are incurred in currencies other than those in which contracts are priced, fluctuations in the relative value of those currencies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations results from the currency translation exposure associated with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, as well as from the exposure associated with transactions of our subsidiaries that are denominated in a currency other than the respective subsidiary's functional currency. While our financial results are reported in U.S. Dollars, the financial statements of many of our subsidiaries outside the U.S. are prepared using the local currency as the functional currency. During consolidation, these results are translated into U.S. Dollars by applying appropriate exchange rates. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar relative to the local currencies in which our foreign subsidiaries report could cause significant fluctuations in our reported results. Moreover, as exchange rates vary, revenue and other operating results may differ materially from our expectations. Adjustments resulting from financial statement translations are included as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Other risks associated with our international business include: •general economic and political conditions in the markets in which we operate; •potentially negative consequences from changes in U.S. and/or foreign laws, including changes that may bar us from engaging in business transactions with certain clients, and changes in tax laws, or interpretations and enforcement thereof, notably tax regulations issued and to-be-issued with respect to the potential adoption of global minimum taxation requirements and potential changes to existing tax law by the current U.S. Presidential administration and Congress; •ongoing uncertainties as a result of instability or changes in geopolitical conditions, including terrorist acts or military or political conflicts, such as those caused by the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine or Israel and Hamas (the potential escalation or geographic expansion of which could heighten other risks identified in this report); •exchange controls, adverse tax consequences and legal restrictions on the repatriation of funds into the U.S.; •difficulties and costs associated with staffing and managing foreign operations, including risks of work stoppages and/or strikes, as well as violations of local laws or anti-bribery laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the U.K. Bribery Act and the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions; 22 22 22 --- ## Modified: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "when interrupted, adversely affects our business", and "Item 3." - Reworded sentence: "Implementation of healthcare reform legislation, such as certain provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, may have certain benefits, but also may contain costs that could limit the profits that can be made from the development of new drugs." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## Modified: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "•difficulties and expenses incurred in assimilating and integrating operations, services, products, information technology platforms, technologies or pre-existing relationships with our clients, distributors and suppliers; •challenges with developing and operating new businesses, including those that are materially different from our existing businesses, which may require the development or acquisition of new internal capabilities and expertise; •potential losses resulting from operational weaknesses or undiscovered liabilities of acquired companies that are not covered by the indemnifications we may obtain from sellers or any insurance we may acquire in connection with transactions; •loss of key employees; •loss of key customers; •the presence or absence of adequate internal controls and/or significant fraud in the financial systems of acquired companies; •diversion of management's attention from other business concerns; •a more expansive regulatory environment; •dilution to earnings, or in the event of acquisitions made through the issuance of our common stock to the shareholders of the acquired company, dilution to the percentage of ownership of our existing shareholders; •differences in foreign business practices, customs and importation regulations, language and other cultural barriers in connection with the acquisition of foreign companies; •new technologies and products may be developed that cause businesses or assets we acquire to become less valuable; and •disagreements or disputes with prior owners of an acquired business, technology, service or product that may result in legal settlements, litigation expenses and diversion of our management's attention." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## Modified: Upgrading and integrating our business systems could result in implementation issues and business disruptions. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Continued expansion and ongoing implementation of operational systems may occur at a future date based on value to the business." **Prior (2024):** In recent years, we have been updating and consolidating platforms and automating processes in many parts of our business with a variety of systems, including in connection with the integration of acquired businesses. The expansion and ongoing implementation of operational systems may occur at a future date based on value to the business. In general, the process of planning and preparing for these types of integrated, wide-scale implementations is extremely complex and we are required to address a number of challenges, including information security assessment and remediation, regulatory requirements, data conversion, associated regulatory compliance, network and system cutover, user training, and integration with existing 19 19 19 **Current (2025):** In recent years, we have been updating and consolidating platforms and automating processes in many parts of our business with a variety of systems, including in connection with the integration of acquired businesses. Continued expansion and ongoing implementation of operational systems may occur at a future date based on value to the business. In general, the process of planning and preparing for these types of integrated, wide-scale implementations is extremely complex and we are required to address a number of challenges, including information security assessment and remediation, regulatory requirements, data conversion, associated regulatory compliance, network and system cutover, user training, data residency, high availability, disaster recovery, latency, backups, archiving, cloud offerings, and integration with existing processes or systems. As we build out IT infrastructure to support regulatory requirements for applications and data systems, we are doing so utilizing contemporary validation practices. As with all work conducted in our regulatory sites, these too are subject to government inspections. Incongruities in any of these areas could cause operational problems during implementation including inconsistent practices, delayed report and/or data shipments, missed sales, animal management/welfare issues, data loss issues that require re-doing certain studies, personally identifiable information and data privacy issues, billing errors and accounting errors. --- ## Modified: Non-clinical and clinical contract research services create a risk of liability. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "As a global drug development partner, we face a range of potential liabilities, which may include: •risks associated with errors or omissions in reporting of study detail in non-clinical studies that may lead to inaccurate reports, which may undermine the usefulness of a study or data from the study, or which may potentially advance studies absent the necessary support or inhibit studies from proceeding to the next level of testing; •risks associated with our possible failure to properly care for our clients' property, such as research models and samples, study compounds, records, work in progress, other archived materials or goods and materials in transit, while in our possession; •risks that models in our breeding facilities or in facilities that we manage may be infected with diseases that may be harmful to them or humans, despite preventive measures for the quarantine and handling of imported animals; •risks that we may have errors and omissions and/or product liabilities related to our products designed to conduct lot release testing of medical devices, injectable drugs, food, beverages, and home and beauty products (primarily through our Microbial Solutions business), or in the testing of biologics and other services performed by our Biologics Solutions business, which could result in us or our clients failing to identify unsafe or contaminated materials; 32 32 32" **Prior (2024):** As a global drug development partner, we face a range of potential liabilities, which may include: •risks associated with errors or omissions in reporting of study detail in non-clinical studies that may lead to inaccurate reports, which may undermine the usefulness of a study or data from the study, or which may potentially advance studies absent the necessary support or inhibit studies from proceeding to the next level of testing; •risks associated with our possible failure to properly care for our clients' property, such as research models and samples, study compounds, records, work in progress, other archived materials or goods and materials in transit, while in our possession; •risks that models in our breeding facilities or in facilities that we manage may be infected with diseases that may be harmful and even lethal to them or humans, despite preventive measures for the quarantine and handling of imported animals; •risks that we may have errors and omissions and/or product liabilities related to our products designed to conduct lot release testing of medical devices, injectable drugs, food, beverages, and home and beauty products (primarily through our Microbial Solutions business), or in the testing of biologics and other services performed by our Biologics Solutions business, which could result in us or our clients failing to identify unsafe or contaminated materials; •risk of transmitting dangerous infectious diseases, as a result of the failure of our screening and testing processes, or new pathogens that may be undetected by such processes; and •recent acquisitions have expanded our business into the CDMO market, which entails additional risks of liability, including potential product liability claims, errors and omissions claims in connection with our services and potential liability under indemnification agreements between us and our officers and directors. While we attempt to mitigate these risks through a variety of methods, it is impossible to completely eradicate such risks. In our RMS business, we mitigate these risks to the best of our abilities through our regimen of animal testing, quarantine procedures and veterinary staff vigilance, through which we seek to control the exposure of animal related disease or infections. In our Cell Solutions, DSA, and Manufacturing businesses, we attempt to reduce these risks through the negotiation of contractual risk transfer provisions, such as indemnification provisions, limitations of liability, and client insurance requirements. 31 31 31 **Current (2025):** As a global drug development partner, we face a range of potential liabilities, which may include: •risks associated with errors or omissions in reporting of study detail in non-clinical studies that may lead to inaccurate reports, which may undermine the usefulness of a study or data from the study, or which may potentially advance studies absent the necessary support or inhibit studies from proceeding to the next level of testing; •risks associated with our possible failure to properly care for our clients' property, such as research models and samples, study compounds, records, work in progress, other archived materials or goods and materials in transit, while in our possession; •risks that models in our breeding facilities or in facilities that we manage may be infected with diseases that may be harmful to them or humans, despite preventive measures for the quarantine and handling of imported animals; •risks that we may have errors and omissions and/or product liabilities related to our products designed to conduct lot release testing of medical devices, injectable drugs, food, beverages, and home and beauty products (primarily through our Microbial Solutions business), or in the testing of biologics and other services performed by our Biologics Solutions business, which could result in us or our clients failing to identify unsafe or contaminated materials; 32 32 32 --- ## Modified: Legal and Regulatory Risk Factors **Key changes:** - Removed sentence: "•Failure to comply with U.S., state, local or international environmental, health and safety laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties and loss of licensure and have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business." - Removed sentence: "and International Tax Law, results of tax audits, or material changes in our stock price could have a material adverse impact on our effective tax rate and financial results." - Removed sentence: "•Non-clinical contract research services create a risk of liability." - Removed sentence: "•The failure to successfully obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights and defend against assertions of third-parties to intellectual property rights could adversely affect us." **Prior (2024):** •Any failure by us to comply with applicable regulations and related guidance could harm our reputation and operating results, and compliance with new regulations and guidance may result in additional costs. •Failure to comply with applicable data privacy and security laws in various jurisdictions could subject us to denial of the right to conduct business, fines, criminal penalties and/or other enforcement actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business. •Failure to comply with U.S., state, local or international environmental, health and safety laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties and loss of licensure and have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business. •Changes in U.S. and International Tax Law, results of tax audits, or material changes in our stock price could have a material adverse impact on our effective tax rate and financial results. •Non-clinical contract research services create a risk of liability. •The failure to successfully obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights and defend against assertions of third-parties to intellectual property rights could adversely affect us. 18 18 18 **Current (2025):** •Any failure by us to comply with applicable regulations and related guidance could harm our reputation and operating results, and compliance with new regulations and guidance may result in additional costs. •Failure to comply with applicable data privacy and security laws in various jurisdictions could subject us to denial of the right to conduct business, fines, criminal penalties and/or other enforcement actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business. 18 18 18 --- ## Modified: Negative attention from special interest groups may impair our business. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "The products and services that we provide our clients are essential to the drug discovery, development and manufacturing processes, and a significant amount are mandated by law." - Added sentence: "In addition, these groups have on occasion petitioned to have certain species of research models (specifically NHPs) declared endangered by governmental and non-governmental organizations and have advocated for the governing bodies to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to restrict the exportation of certain NHP species from specific countries." - Reworded sentence: "Any negative attention, threats, acts of vandalism or legal action directed against our animal research or procurement activities (including species or research models), or our third-party service providers, such as our airline carriers or suppliers, or that restrict our or their ability to access protected or conservation areas, could impair our ability to operate our business efficiently." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** The products and services that we provide our clients are essential to the drug discovery, development and manufacturing processes, and a significant amount are mandated by law. Notwithstanding, certain special interest groups categorically object to the use of animals for valid research purposes. Historically, our core research model activities with rats, mice and other rodents have not been the subject of significant animal rights media attention. However, research activities involving animal models have been the subject of adverse attention, including shareholder proposals and attempts to disrupt carriers from transporting large research models and actions aimed at preventing expansion of operations . This has included periodic demonstrations near facilities operated by us and at our annual meetings, as well as shareholder proposals we received for some of our past Annual Meetings of Shareholders. In addition, these groups have on occasion petitioned to have certain species of research models (specifically NHPs) declared endangered by governmental and non-governmental organizations and have advocated for the governing bodies to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora to restrict the exportation of certain NHP species from specific countries. Furthermore, the habitat of certain animals used for research purposes may be located in or near certain environmentally protected areas or conservation areas. Activities conducted by us or any of our agents within these areas may be legally challenged and result in similar negative attention and action from environmental protection activists, including advocacy for the expansion of environmental restrictions applicable to such areas. Any negative attention, threats, acts of vandalism or legal action directed against our animal research or procurement activities (including species or research models), or our third-party service providers, such as our airline carriers or suppliers, or that restrict our or their ability to access protected or conservation areas, could impair our ability to operate our business efficiently. 23 23 23 --- ## Modified: We are required to comply with stringent, complex and evolving laws, rules, regulations and standards in many jurisdictions, as well as contractual obligations, relating to data privacy and security. Any actual or perceived failure to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business. **Key changes:** - Removed sentence: "Internationally, virtually every jurisdiction in which we operate has established its own data privacy and security legal framework with which we must comply." - Removed sentence: "For example, we are required to comply with the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which became effective on May 25, 2018." - Removed sentence: "The EU GDPR imposes stringent obligations regarding the collection, control, use, sharing, disclosure and other processing of personal data of individuals within the EU and European Economic Area (EEA)." - Removed sentence: "EU member states may also impose additional requirements in relation to personal data through their national implementing legislation." - Removed sentence: "The EU GDPR also imposes specific restrictions on the transfer of personal data to countries outside of the EU and EEA, including the use of appropriate safeguards to enable such transfers, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF)." **Prior (2024):** We are required to comply with stringent, complex and frequently evolving laws, rules, regulations and standards in many jurisdictions, as well as contractual obligations, relating to data privacy and security. Ensuring that our collection, use, transfer, storage and other processing of personal information complies with such requirements can increase operating costs, impact the development of new products or services, and reduce operational efficiency. Internationally, virtually every jurisdiction in which we operate has established its own data privacy and security legal framework with which we must comply. For example, we are required to comply with the European Union (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which became effective on May 25, 2018. The EU GDPR imposes stringent obligations regarding the collection, control, use, sharing, disclosure and other processing of personal data of individuals within the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). EU member states may also impose additional requirements in relation to personal data through their national implementing legislation. The EU GDPR also imposes specific restrictions on the transfer of personal data to countries outside of the EU and EEA, including the use of appropriate safeguards to enable such transfers, such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) and the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF). The EU-US DPF was adopted in July 2023 and provides US-based organizations who self-certify with a reliable mechanism for personal data transfers from the EU, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Although these mechanisms are currently valid for purposes of transferring personal data, they could be subject to legal challenges and there is no assurance that we could satisfy or rely on these measures to lawfully transfer personal data. If we are otherwise unable to transfer personal data between and among countries and regions in which we operate, it could affect the manner in which we 29 29 29 **Current (2025):** We are required to comply with stringent, complex and frequently evolving laws, rules, regulations and standards in many jurisdictions, as well as contractual obligations, relating to data privacy and security. Ensuring that our collection, use, transfer, storage and other processing of personal information complies with such requirements can increase operating costs, impact the development of new products or services, and reduce operational efficiency. 30 30 30 --- ## Modified: Contaminations in our animal populations can damage our inventory, harm our reputation for contaminant-free production, result in decreased sales and cause us to incur additional costs. **Key changes:** - Added sentence: "Both small and large research models must be free of certain infectious agents, such as select viruses, parasites, and bacteria, because the presence of these contaminants can distort or compromise the quality of research results and/or could adversely impact human or animal health." - Added sentence: "The presence of these infectious agents in our animal production facilities and certain service operations could impact the quality of our contaminant-free research model as well as our animal services businesses, including GEMS, harm our reputation for contaminant-free production and result in decreased sales." - Added sentence: "There also exists a risk that contaminations from models that we produce may affect our client's facilities, requiring our support to resolve the impact." - Added sentence: "In some cases, we may produce or import animals carrying infectious agents capable of causing disease in humans; and in the case of such a contamination or undiagnosed infection, there could be a possible risk of human exposure and infection and liability for damages to infected persons." - Added sentence: "A contamination event could also have a negative impact on our reputation and financial results." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** Both small and large research models must be free of certain infectious agents, such as select viruses, parasites, and bacteria, because the presence of these contaminants can distort or compromise the quality of research results and/or could adversely impact human or animal health. The presence of these infectious agents in our animal production facilities and certain service operations could impact the quality of our contaminant-free research model as well as our animal services businesses, including GEMS, harm our reputation for contaminant-free production and result in decreased sales. There also exists a risk that contaminations from models that we produce may affect our client's facilities, requiring our support to resolve the impact. In some cases, we may produce or import animals carrying infectious agents capable of causing disease in humans; and in the case of such a contamination or undiagnosed infection, there could be a possible risk of human exposure and infection and liability for damages to infected persons. When considering our large research models, while some of these models are owned by us and maintained at our facilities, others are reserved for us and maintained at sites operated by the original provider. Accordingly, risk of contamination may be outside of our control, and we depend on the practices and protocols of third parties to ensure a contamination-free environment. A contamination may require extended CDC or CFIA quarantine with subsequent reduced sales as a result of lost client orders, as well as the potential for complete inventory loss and disinfection of the affected quarantine rooms. Furthermore, while we often negotiate for contractual risk indemnification, the third party may refuse to fulfill its indemnification obligation or may be unable to as a result of insolvency or other impediments. Contaminations are unanticipated and difficult to predict and could adversely impact our financial results. If they occur, contaminations typically require cleaning up, renovating, disinfecting, retesting and restarting production or services. Such contaminations result in inventory loss, clean-up and start-up costs, and reduced sales as a result of lost client orders and potentially credits for prior shipments. In addition to microbiological contaminations, the potential for genetic contaminations also exists and may require us to restart the applicable animal colonies, and would result in inventory loss, additional start-up costs and possibly reduced sales. Contaminations also expose us to risks that clients will request compensation for damages in excess of our contractual indemnification requirements. A contamination event could also have a negative impact on our reputation and financial results. Further, many of our operations are comprised of complex mechanical systems that are subject to periodic failure, including aging fatigue. Such failures are unpredictable, and while we have made significant capital expenditures designed to create redundancy within these mechanical systems, strengthen our biosecurity, improve our operating procedures to protect against such contaminations, and replace impaired systems and equipment in advance of such events, failures and/or contaminations may still occur. --- ## Modified: If we are not successful in selecting and integrating the businesses and technologies we acquire or partner with, or if we do not manage our current and future site closures and divestitures, our business may be adversely impacted. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Acquisitions and alliances involve numerous risks which may include: •difficulties in achieving business and financial success (due to unplanned events such as ongoing geopolitical conflicts, such as between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and between Israel and Hamas, as well as the US-China relationship which could potentially influence sourcing patterns and tariff costs); 20 20 20" **Prior (2024):** During the last two decades, we have steadily expanded our business through numerous acquisitions and partnerships. However, businesses and technologies may not be available on terms and conditions we find acceptable. We risk spending time and money investigating and negotiating with potential acquisition or alliance partners, but not completing transactions. Acquisitions and alliances involve numerous risks which may include: •difficulties in achieving business and financial success (due to unplanned events such as the long-term economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical conflicts, such as between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and between Israel and Hamas); •difficulties and expenses incurred in assimilating and integrating operations, services, products, information technology platforms, technologies or pre-existing relationships with our clients, distributors and suppliers; •challenges with developing and operating new businesses, including those that are materially different from our existing businesses, which may require the development or acquisition of new internal capabilities and expertise; •potential losses resulting from operational weaknesses or undiscovered liabilities of acquired companies that are not covered by the indemnifications we may obtain from sellers or any insurance we may acquire in connection with transactions; •loss of key employees; •the presence or absence of adequate internal controls and/or significant fraud in the financial systems of acquired companies; •diversion of management's attention from other business concerns; 20 20 20 **Current (2025):** During the last two decades, we have steadily expanded our business through numerous acquisitions and partnerships. However, businesses and technologies may not be available on terms and conditions we find acceptable. We risk spending time and money investigating and negotiating with potential acquisition or alliance partners, but not completing transactions. Acquisitions and alliances involve numerous risks which may include: •difficulties in achieving business and financial success (due to unplanned events such as ongoing geopolitical conflicts, such as between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, and between Israel and Hamas, as well as the US-China relationship which could potentially influence sourcing patterns and tariff costs); 20 20 20 --- ## Modified: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "•unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; •the difficulties of compliance with a wide variety of foreign laws and regulations; •unfavorable labor regulations in foreign jurisdictions; •tariff regulations; •longer accounts receivable cycles in certain foreign countries; •potentially reduced protection of our intellectual property rights in certain foreign countries; and •compliance with export controls, import requirements and other trade regulations, including those relating to certain products of which there is limited supply." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## Modified: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. **Key changes:** - Added sentence: "•risk of transmitting dangerous infectious diseases, as a result of the failure of our screening and testing processes, or new pathogens that may be undetected by such processes; and •recent acquisitions have expanded our business into the CDMO market, which entails additional risks of liability, including potential product liability claims, errors and omissions claims in connection with our services and potential liability under indemnification agreements between us and our officers and directors." - Added sentence: "While we attempt to mitigate these risks through a variety of methods, it is impossible to completely eradicate such risks." - Added sentence: "In our RMS business, we mitigate these risks to the best of our abilities through our regimen of animal testing, quarantine procedures and veterinary staff vigilance, through which we seek to control the exposure of animal related disease or infections." - Added sentence: "We attempt to reduce these risks through the negotiation of contractual risk transfer provisions, such as indemnification provisions, limitations of liability, and client insurance requirements." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## Modified: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. **Key changes:** - Added sentence: "•Failure to comply with U.S., state, local or international environmental, health, safety and sustainability laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties and loss of licensure and have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business." - Added sentence: "and International Tax Law, results of tax audits, or material changes in our stock price could have a material adverse impact on our effective tax rate and financial results." - Added sentence: "•Non-clinical and clinical contract research services create a risk of liability." - Added sentence: "•The failure to successfully obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights and defend against assertions of third parties to intellectual property rights could adversely affect us." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## Modified: CDMO services are highly complex and failure to provide quality and timely services to our CDMO customers, could adversely impact our business. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "The CDMO services we offer can be highly complex, due in part to strict regulatory requirements and the inherent technical complexity of the services provided." **Prior (2024):** The CDMO services we offer can be highly complex, due in part to strict regulatory requirements and the inherent complexity of the services provided. A failure of our quality control systems in our 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 our failure to timely deliver products to our customers which, in turn, could damage our 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 us to litigation, the cost of which could be significant. **Current (2025):** The CDMO services we offer can be highly complex, due in part to strict regulatory requirements and the inherent technical complexity of the services provided. A failure of the quality control or related systems and processes in our facilities could cause problems in connection with facility operations for a variety of reasons, including with respect to equipment malfunction, microbial or other contamination, compliance with specific manufacturing instructions, compliance with protocols and standard operating procedures, issues with raw materials, and issues with product testing. Such issues could affect the production of a single manufacturing run, multiple runs, or entire manufacturing campaigns, potentially requiring the destruction of products and cessation of manufacturing operations. In addition, any failure to meet required quality and regulatory standards may result in our failure to timely deliver products to our customers which, in turn, could damage our reputation for quality and service. Similarly, if the FDA or other regulators develop concerns over regulatory compliance in connection with our manufacturing activities of clinical trial products, including with respect to the safety of a product, such authorities can delay or suspend a client's clinical trial by placing it on a full or partial "clinical hold" pending receipt of additional data to satisfy such concerns. A clinical hold on a client's trial may require us to spend significant resources to address the underlying causes of the client's clinical hold. In addition, if we are not able to successfully address such underlying causes or our response is not deemed adequate to lift the client's clinical hold, the clinical program may have to be terminated. The same or similar regulatory issues can occur in connection with the manufacture of commercial products in the event of compliance concerns, whereby FDA or other regulators may prevent the distribution of products manufactured at our facilities and require corrective actions to address such concerns, which can be substantial and time consuming. In the event of material compliance issues, FDA or other regulators may also refuse to approve our clients' applications to market products manufactured at our facilities, which may also adversely affect our business. In January 2025, a CDMO client disclosed that, as a result of observations made during pre-license inspections at a Company facility, (1) one biologics license application for a specific therapeutic treatment had received a complete response letter from the FDA, and (2) the FDA had placed clinical holds on that client's Investigational New Drug applications. In addition, subsequently the FDA conducted an inspection at the same Company facility resulting in the Company receiving a Form FDA 483 Notice of Inspectional Observations which the Company is in process of responding to, and which will include commitments to mitigate identified observations. These types of events, including manufacturing disruptions, delays in clients' clinical programs, and/or failures to obtain marketing approvals may adversely affect our business and/or results of operations. 27 27 27 --- ## Modified: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "meaningful indication of future results." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- ## Modified: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC." **Prior (2024):** section. Please carefully consider all of the information in this Form 10-K, including the full set of risks set forth in this "Risk Factors" section, and in our other filings with the SEC before making an investment decision regarding Charles River. **Current (2025):** and the risks described below should be carefully considered together with the other information set forth in this report and in future documents we file with the SEC. --- *Data sourced from SEC EDGAR. Last updated 2026-06-01.*