On February 25, 2026, IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE: IQV), a prominent player in advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services for the life sciences sector, announced a significant agreement to acquire drug discovery assets from Charles River Laboratories. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance IQVIA's end-to-end drug discovery capabilities, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of the company's operational landscape.

2. Details of the Acquisition

The assets being acquired consist of five specialized sites that offer a variety of in vitro drug discovery services. These sites are equipped with established laboratory-based New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and a small molecule AI platform. The integration of these resources is positioned to accelerate drug discovery programs while responding to the increasing demand for non-animal research methods.

Crucially, the acquired assets are supported by over 20 years of curated scientific and operational data, along with extensive therapeutic expertise. Since their inception, these assets have played a vital role in enabling over 100 molecules to enter clinical trials, including several that have received commercial approval. This legacy of success underscores the value these assets will bring to IQVIA's existing portfolio.

3. Enhancing End-to-End Drug Discovery

The acquisition is set to complement IQVIA Laboratories' existing drug discovery capabilities, creating a comprehensive end-to-end drug discovery platform. This platform will cover all stages of the drug development lifecycle, from target identification and hit-to-lead development to lead optimization and early safety assessments.

With these expanded capabilities, IQVIA aims to serve a broader array of drug modalities and therapeutic areas in early discovery research, including Oncology, Neurology, Immunology, Metabolism, and Rare Diseases. This integration is expected to benefit pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors by combining IQVIA's scientific, regulatory, and clinical expertise, extending their support from early-stage discovery to clinical development.

4. Leadership Insights

David Morris, President of IQVIA Laboratories, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “This acquisition will meaningfully strengthen our ability to support clients earlier in the R&D lifecycle and complements our existing translational and clinical development capabilities.” Morris emphasized that the integration of these assets will create an industry-leading drug discovery platform with a proven track record of advancing discovery programs into clinical development.

5. Anticipated Closing and Future Prospects

The transaction is projected to close in the second quarter of 2026, marking an important step in IQVIA's strategic initiatives. The acquisition not only strengthens IQVIA's position in the drug discovery landscape but also reflects its commitment to innovation and excellence in the life sciences sector.

6. About IQVIA

IQVIA stands as a global leader in clinical research services, commercial insights, and healthcare intelligence. The company utilizes its proprietary IQVIA Connected Intelligence™ to deliver actionable insights powered by high-quality health data, advanced analytics, and technology. With a workforce of approximately 93,000 employees across more than 100 countries, IQVIA is dedicated to accelerating the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments aimed at improving patient outcomes and population health globally.

In this transformative acquisition, IQVIA not only enhances its operational capabilities but also reaffirms its commitment to leading the charge in advancing drug discovery and development within the complex life sciences landscape.

Original press release