Will CRL Stock Gain From Integration of Akron Bio's CSS Product Line?

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. CRL has announced the integration of Akron Bio’s (Akron) Closed System Solutions (CSS) line of liquid cytokines produced under current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) into its Cell Therapy Flex Platform for Process Development. The integration enhances closed system processing, which streamlines operations, minimizes risk and improves process robustness.The latest development is expected to strongly boost Charles River’s Manufacturing segment.Potential CRL Stock Trend Following the NewsAfter yesterday’s announcement, Charles River shares lost 4.6%, closing at $165.80. On a promising note, the Manufacturing segment continues to perform well, with the CDMO business experiencing strong client interest and booking activity within cell therapy.  Biologics Testing business benefits from the robust demand for core testing activities. Demand for Endosafe testing consumables and improved instrument placement is driving growth in the Microbial Solutions business. Henceforth, we expect the latest news to boost market sentiment toward CRL stock.Charles River has a market capitalization of $8.89 billion. The company’s earnings yield of 6.07% compares favorably with the industry’s 3.59%. In the trailing four quarters, it delivered an average earnings surprise of 9.35%. More on CRL’s New CollaborationCharles River’s Cell Therapy Flex Platform was designed as an off-the-shelf solution for Cell Therapy Process Development, offering ready-to-use platforms and protocols validated for autologous CAR-T and TCR-T cells therapies to minimize risk, reduce cost and speed up development timelines. Automated platforms with closed systems have protocols ranging from cell selection and expansion to electroporation and wash/concentration to fill and finish.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchCytokines are essential in enhancing CAR-T and TCR-T cell therapies. Charles River’s Cell Therapy Flex Platform has incorporated Akron’s CGMP liquid cytokines, including rHu IL-2, IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21, which are now available in proprietary liquid formulations that maintain the stability of these proteins at 2-8°C. These materials are ready-to-use, available in single-use bags with weldable tubing, thereby minimizing the risk of operator error while enabling rapid, seamless aseptic media formulation.Industry Prospects Favoring Charles RiverPer a research report, the global cytokine market was valued at $90.84 billion in 2024 and is projected to witness a compound annual rate of 8.6% through 2031. Demand for cytokine is expected to be driven by rising healthcare expenditure, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and growth in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.More Updates From Charles RiverIn December 2024, the company launched the Charles River Incubator Program (CIP).  Building on the success of the global Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Accelerator Program (CAP), CIP focuses on nurturing innovative start-up and early-stage biotechnology companies. The program focuses on forming a strong foundation for commercial viability as its participants gain momentum with the goal of imparting cost-effective, consultative regulatory and quality expertise, personnel training initiatives and enabling access to laboratory space and equipment.CRL Stock Price PerformanceOver the past 30 days. Charles River shares have lost 9.6% against the industry’s 4.1% growth.  CRL’s Zacks Rank and Key PicksCharles River carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Penumbra PEN, Phibro Animal Health PAHC and Haemonetics HAE. While Penumbra sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Phibro Animal Health and Haemonetics carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Penumbra shares have gained 2.6% in the past year. Estimates for the company’s 2024 earnings per share have remained constant at $2.81 in the past 30 days. PEN’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, the average surprise being 10.54%. In the last reported quarter, it posted an earnings surprise of 23.19%.Estimates for Phibro Animal Health’s fiscal 2025 earnings per share have remained constant at $1.62 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have surged 84.4% in the past year compared with the industry’s 9.3% rise. PAHC’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 25.47%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 52.17%.Estimates for Haemonetics’ fiscal 2025 earnings per share have jumped 0.4% to $4.59 in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have decreased 12% in the past year against the industry’s growth of 9.3%. HAE’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed in one, the average surprise being 2.82%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 2.75%.Just Released: Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2025Hurry – you can still get in early on our 10 top tickers for 2025. Handpicked by Zacks Director of Research Sheraz Mian, this portfolio has been stunningly and consistently successful. From inception in 2012 through November, 2024, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,112.6%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +475.6%. Sheraz has combed through 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank and handpicked the best 10 to buy and hold in 2025. You can still be among the first to see these just-released stocks with enormous potential. See New Top 10 Stocks >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Haemonetics Corporation (HAE): Free Stock Analysis Report Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL): Free Stock Analysis Report Phibro Animal Health Corporation (PAHC): Free Stock Analysis Report Penumbra, Inc. (PEN): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks