Charles River(US:CRL) Haitong Securities International·2026-01-16 07:58Acquisitions - Charles River announced the strategic acquisition of K.F. (Cambodia) Ltd. for approximately $510 million, expected to complete in Q1 2026, to self-supply most annual NHP needs[4] - The company will also acquire the remaining 79% of PathoQuest for about €51.60 million (approximately $60 million), expected to contribute $15-20 million in revenue in 2026[4] Supply Chain and Technology Enhancement - The acquisition of K.F. will aid in vertical integration amid global NHP resource constraints, enhancing DSA business stability and cost control[5] - PathoQuest's NGS quality control technology will improve NAMs and bioproduct quality control, increasing the proportion of high-value services[5] DSA Demand Recovery - DSA net book-to-bill ratio reached 1.1x in Q4 2025, up from 0.8x in Q2-Q3 2025, indicating a recovery driven by small and medium biotech demand and growth in large pharma orders[6] - This recovery signals a gradual bottoming out of preclinical demand[6] 2026 Performance Outlook - The company is cautiously optimistic for 2026, expecting organic revenue growth to be at least flat, with DSA business resuming organic growth in H2 2026[6] - Forex is expected to contribute 100-150 basis points to revenue growth[6] Investment Recommendations - Long-term positive outlook on pharmaceutical growth, with a focus on domestic companies such as WuXi AppTec and Pharmaron[7] - Suggested companies to watch include WuXi AppTec, Pharmaron, JOINN Laboratories, and others[7] Risk Factors - Risks include a weaker-than-expected global biotech financing environment and challenges in NHP supply chain recovery[7] - Potential risks related to acquisition integration and project execution[7]