Charles River Laboratories Announces Promotion of Real H. Renaud to Executive Vice President.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

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WILMINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2002

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL) today announced that at its meeting on December 10, 2002, the Board of Directors voted to promote Real H. Renaud to the newly-created position of Executive Vice President and General Manager, Worldwide Research Model Products & Services.

In this new position, Mr. Renaud will be responsible for all of Charles River's laboratory research model-related businesses. In addition to his existing management of the Research Models business, Mr. Renaud will also be responsible for the Company's Transgenics Services and Laboratory & Research Services businesses. By consolidating responsibility for all research model-related products and services under the management of a single, highly-qualified officer, Charles River expects to significantly enhance its ability to service the common customer base supported by these businesses.

Commenting on Mr. Renaud's promotion, James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "In his 38 years with the Company, Real has continuously distinguished himself as an extraordinary contributor, an exceptional manager, and an individual whose contributions have been instrumental in driving the growth and success of Charles River. Real's extensive experience, his first-hand knowledge of Charles River's global customer base, and his strategic leadership abilities uniquely qualify him to serve in this new capacity. We are delighted to recognize Real's capabilities and achievements in this manner."

Joining Charles River in 1964, Mr. Renaud has held various positions of increasing responsibility in the Company. In 1986, he was named Vice President of Production and added Worldwide Production responsibilities in 1990. Mr. Renaud became Vice President and General Manager, European and North American Animal Operations in 1996, following a two-year European assignment. In 1999, Mr. Renaud was named a Senior Vice President of the Company.

Charles River Laboratories, based in Wilmington, Massachusetts, is a leading provider of critical research tools and integrated support services that enable innovative and efficient drug discovery and development. The Company is the global leader in providing the animal research models required in research and development for new drugs, devices and therapies. The Company also offers a broad and growing portfolio of biomedical products and services that enable customers to reduce cost, increase speed, and enhance productivity and effectiveness in drug discovery and development. Charles River's customer base spans over 50 countries, and includes all of the major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as many leading hospitals and academic institutions. The Company operates 76 facilities in 16 countries worldwide.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. This document 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," 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 management's current expectations, 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, and the company expressly does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Those risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: acquisition integration risks; special interest groups; contaminations; industry trends; new displacement technologies; outsourcing trends; USDA and FDA regulation; changes in law; continued availability of products and supplies; loss of key personnel; interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; and changes in generally accepted accounting principles. A further description of these risks, uncertainties, and other matters can be found in the Risk Factors detailed in the Company's registration statement on Form S-3 as filed on April 9, 2002, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.