The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and Charles River Collaborate to Create a New Cognitive Aging Research Program

NEW YORK and WILMINGTON, Mass., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) is pleased to announce a collaboration with Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL), a leading provider of early-stage drug development products and services, for the creation of a new research award program entitled Use of Aged Rats as a Relevant Preclinical Model for the Development of Therapies for Cognitive Aging and Alzheimer's Disease.  The program is made possible through a donation from Charles River's Discovery Services business and funds from the ADDF.

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The goal of the three-year initiative is to accelerate the discovery of new drugs for cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease. The program will fund preclinical studies focused on proof-of-concept testing of novel compounds in aged rats.  Academic and biotechnology company scientists are invited to apply to the program, which will provide funding of up to $150,000 for one-year.  The deadline for submissions is October 5, 2011, and funding will be awarded in December 2011.  Details about the program, the award submission process and eligibility requirements are available on the ADDF's website: www.alzdiscovery.org.

Charles River will participate in the grant review process with the ADDF scientific staff and review committee.  Leveraging their respective expertise, this joint committee will be able to provide expert advice on program design.  In addition, Charles River can be selected to provide services including initial screening, efficacy evaluation and optimization and biomarker development.

"We are grateful for Charles River's commitment to advancing the discovery and development of new treatments for cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease," said the ADDF's Executive Director Howard Fillit, M.D., who will lead this effort.  "Aging is the leading risk factor for Alzheimer's.  By accelerating research on the relationship between age-related neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment through the use of aged rats, we may uncover and validate novel targets for Alzheimer's disease."

"Charles River's expertise in neurodegenerative disease models and assays, coupled with the ADDF's extensive knowledge of Alzheimer's disease, brings together two scientific leaders with the potential to advance therapeutic treatments for cognitive aging diseases," said Beth Hollister, Corporate Vice President, Charles River Discovery Services.  "We are pleased that the ADDF selected Charles River as its partner of choice for this critical research initiative."

About the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) is the only non-profit organization whose sole mission is to accelerate the discovery and development of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease, related dementias and cognitive aging. Since 1998, the ADDF has granted more than $45 million to fund over 325 Alzheimer's drug discovery programs in academic centers and biotechnology companies in 18 countries. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.AlzDiscovery.org.

About Charles River

Accelerating Drug Development. Exactly. Charles River provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. Our approximately 7,500 employees worldwide are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about our unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit www.criver.com.

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements using words including "will," "can" or "may," and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that are not statements of historical matters.  These statements include statements regarding additional services which Charles River may provide.  A description of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by the forward-looking statements may be found in the Risk Factors detailed in Charles River's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed on February 23, 2011, as well as other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACTS:
Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation
Media or General Inquires:
Filomena Machleder
212-901-8004
[email protected]

Charles River Laboratories
Investors:
Susan E. Hardy
Corporate Vice President, Investor Relations
781-222-6190
[email protected]

Media:
Amy Cianciaruso
Director, Public Relations
781-222-6168
[email protected]

SOURCE Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation