Investor Relations

WILMINGTON, Mass., Jul 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) today announced that PROXY Governance, Inc., a proxy voting advisory service, recommends that Charles River shareholders vote FOR the issuance of stock to effect Charles River's proposed acquisition of WuXi PharmaTech (NYSE: WX).

In its report, PROXY Governance stated: "We support the acquisition given the compelling strategic arguments behind the deal and vocal client support for the transaction. While the offer price appears high...we recognize that it is difficult to ascertain an appropriate value given that Charles River is seeking to acquire the strongest player in a unique competitive space and that there are no close precedents in terms of premiums offered... Also, we believe that over the long run, the proposed acquisition will likely provide greater shareholder value than the proposed share buyback advocated by opponents to the deal."

"We are pleased that PROXY Governance recognizes the compelling strategic and financial merits of this acquisition," stated Charles River Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer James C. Foster. "We urge our investors to support the transaction by voting FOR the issuance of stock necessary to complete the transaction."

PROXY Governance also recommends that shareholders vote to approve adjournment or postponement of the meeting of shareholders in order to allow management to solicit additional proxies in favor of the proposal.

Charles River asks investors to vote in favor of the transaction by telephone, by Internet or by signing and returning the proxy card previously provided. Charles River shareholders with questions about the combination or how to vote their shares may contact the company's proxy solicitor, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, toll-free at 888-750-5834.

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 8,000 employees worldwide are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, development through first-in-human evaluation, and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about our unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit http://www.criver.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "outlook," and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on current expectations and beliefs of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (Charles River) and WuXi PharmaTech (Cayman) Inc. (WuXi), and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by the forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: 1) the possibility that the proposed combination may be delayed or not completed due to the failure to obtain stockholder or regulatory approvals or otherwise satisfy the conditions to the proposed combination as set forth in the acquisition agreement for the proposed combination; 2) problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of the two companies (including retention of key executives); 3) the acquisition may involve unexpected costs; 4) the combined company may be unable to achieve the expected transaction benefits, including the projected revenue synergies described above and improved customer service levels and anticipated cost synergies, or achieve potential revenue growth and non-GAAP margin expansion; 5) the businesses may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the acquisition; and 6) the industry may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions and other risks that are described in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reports filed or furnished by Charles River and WuXi. For additional information on these and other important factors that could adversely affect Charles River's or WuXi's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, see "Risk Factors" (i) beginning on page 18 of Charles River's Annual Report on Form 10-K and (ii) beginning on page 6 of WuXi's 2009 Annual Report on Form 20-F, each filed at the SEC's website http://www.sec.gov.

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results and events may differ materially from results and events currently expected by Charles River and WuXi. Charles River and WuXi assume no obligation and expressly disclaim any duty to update information contained in this document except as required by law.

Additional Information

This press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed combination of Charles River and WuXi. In connection with the proposed transaction, Charles River has filed a definitive proxy statement with the SEC. Before making any voting or investment decisions, Charles River's stockholders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC because they will contain important information. The definitive proxy statement has been mailed to the stockholders of Charles River seeking their approval of the proposed transaction. Charles River's stockholders may also obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement free of charge by directing a request to: Charles River Laboratories, 251 Ballardvale Street, Wilmington, MA 01887, Attention: General Counsel. In addition, the definitive proxy statement is available free of charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov or stockholders may access copies of the documentation filed with the SEC by Charles River on Charles River's website at www.criver.com/specialwuxi2010.

This press release is not a solicitation of proxies from WuXi's shareholders to approve the proposed combination. In connection with the proposed transaction, WuXi has filed a scheme document with the SEC on Form 6-K. Before making any voting or investment decisions, WuXi's shareholders are urged to read the scheme document and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC because they will contain important information. The scheme document has been mailed to WuXi's shareholders seeking their approval of the proposed combination. WuXi's shareholders may also obtain a copy of the scheme document free of charge by directing a request to: 288 Fute Zhong Road, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, Shanghai 200131, People's Republic of China, Attention: Genyong Qiu. In addition, the scheme document is available free of charge at the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov. WuXi's shareholders may also access copies of the documents filed with the SEC by WuXi on WuXi's website at http://www.wuxiapptec.com.

Charles River, WuXi and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Charles River's directors and executive officers is available in Charles River's proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 30, 2010. Information regarding the interests of Charles River's directors and certain members of Charles River's management in the proposed transaction is set forth in the definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on July 1, 2010. Information regarding WuXi's directors and executive officers is available in WuXi's annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, which was filed with the SEC on April 23, 2010. Information regarding the interests of WuXi's directors and certain members of WuXi's management in the proposed transaction is available in WuXi's scheme document, which was filed on Form 6-K with the SEC on July 1, 2010.

This press release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The Charles River shares to be issued in the proposed transaction have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. Charles River intends to issue such Charles River shares pursuant to the exemption from registration set forth in Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act.

SOURCE: Charles River Laboratories International, Inc

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc
Investor Contact:
Susan E. Hardy, 781-222-6190
Corporate Vice President, Investor Relations
susan.hardy@crl.com
or
Media Contact:
Amy Cianciaruso, 781-222-6168
Director, Public Relations
amy.cianciaruso@crl.com