Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. Securities Lawsuit Investigation

Shamis & Gentile P.A., a law firm that advocates for investors who are victims of securities fraud, is investigating potential claims against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL)

If you've held Charles River Laboratories securities since at least May 2020, and still hold some shares today, you may be able to seek corporate reforms, the return of funds back to the company, and a court-approved incentive award for you, all at absolutely no cost.

About Charles River Laboratories International

Charles River Laboratories International is a global provider of products and services to assist pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic institutions accelerate research and drug development.

The company is known for its work in laboratory animal models, preclinical and clinical laboratory services, and related research support.

What's being investigated

This investigation examines whether certain Charles River officers and directors breached their duties by making materially false or misleading statements or by failing to disclose key facts about the sourcing and importation of non-human primates used in research.

According to a class action lawsuit filed May 19, 2023, the company failed to disclose alleged illegal importation activity, faced heightened criminal and regulatory risk from the Department of Justice and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and would need to suspend shipments from Cambodia.

On February 22, 2023, Charles River disclosed a DOJ subpoena tied to an investigation into the Cambodian non-human-primate supply chain, announced a voluntary suspension of Cambodian shipments, and warned of a 200- to 400-basis-point impact to 2023 revenue growth.

Following this news, the stock fell about 10%, or $24.51, to close at $219.09 per share on February 22, 2023.

Procedural update: The district court granted the motion to dismiss on July 1, 2024, but on August 15, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit reversed the dismissal in part and remanded for further proceedings. The case is ongoing.

Key timeline

• May 5, 2020: Start of the alleged class period. Investors allege misleading statements or omissions began on this date.
• February 21, 2023: End of the alleged class period.
• February 22, 2023: Charles River discloses DOJ subpoena and voluntary suspension of primate shipments from Cambodia; forecasts negative financial impact. Investors allege this disclosure caused a significant stock drop of $24.51 per share (about 10%) on heavy trading volume.
• July 1, 2024: District court grants defendants’ motion to dismiss; judgment entered in favor of defendants.
• July 30, 2024: Lead plaintiff files notice of appeal.
• August 15, 2025: First Circuit Court of Appeals reverses in part and vacates in part the judgment, remanding the case for further proceedings.

Why investors may be concerned

Investors allege that Charles River Laboratories may have made misleading statements or omitted material information regarding its importation practices and regulatory risks.

The complaint contends that the company’s board and management may have failed to implement or maintain adequate internal controls to monitor mission-critical risks, such as compliance with wildlife importation laws and regulations.

These alleged failures could expose the company to regulatory investigations, financial penalties, and reputational harm. Investors argue that these issues, if proven, could have materially affected the company’s financial outlook and share price.

Your Rights and Next Steps

This is an ongoing shareholder investigation into potential breaches of fiduciary duty and related misconduct at Charles River. If you held CRL shares during the relevant period, and continue to hold shares today, you may have certain rights.

Potential next steps:

• Request corporate records under Delaware law (Section 220) to investigate possible wrongdoing.
• Pursue shareholder claims on behalf of the company to recover losses or seek governance reforms.
• Seek accountability measures such as strengthened sourcing controls, enhanced board-level compliance oversight, and clear reporting protocols for high-risk supply chains.

How Shareholders Can Take Action

Securities investigations are time-sensitive. If you've held Charles River Laboratories (CRL) shares since at least May 2020, you may be able to seek corporate reforms, the return of funds back to the company, and a court-approved incentive award for you, all at absolutely no cost.

To join the investigation and protect your rights, complete the form below as soon as possible.