Charles River Laboratories International announced a new gene‑therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) partnership with the Faculty of Medicine at Gazi University in Turkey. The collaboration will see CRL supply plasmid DNA for adeno‑associated virus (AAV) production and conduct in‑vitro efficacy studies for a rare‑disease program focused on hyperphosphatemic tumoral calcinosis (HTC).
Under the agreement, CRL will provide animal‑component‑free, royalty‑free, off‑the‑shelf research‑grade AAV plasmids that support early‑stage gene‑therapy programs. The partnership gives Gazi University scalable, regulatory‑compliant materials and manufacturing expertise that can accelerate the development of AAV‑based therapies for HTC, a disease caused by mutations in the GALNT3 gene.
This collaboration positions CRL to tap into the rapidly expanding gene‑therapy market, which is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of more than 20% over the next decade. By adding a new revenue source in a high‑growth segment, CRL strengthens its strategy to diversify beyond traditional preclinical services and enhances its portfolio of CDMO offerings, including plasmid DNA, viral vector manufacturing, and cell‑therapy services.
The partnership is a significant customer win for CRL and demonstrates its ability to partner with academic institutions to accelerate rare‑disease research. Gazi University’s identification of GALNT3 as the causative gene for HTC aligns with CRL’s focus on rare‑disease programs, positioning the company to capture growth in this niche market.
Kerstin Dolph, Corporate Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing at CRL, said the collaboration will enable Gazi University to test and transform ground‑breaking concepts into real‑world therapies. Prof. Fatih Ezgü, Head of Pediatric Genetics at Gazi University, highlighted the partnership as a milestone in pioneering therapies for rare diseases.
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