Scale Faster with Our Vivarium Facilities
CRADL® offers the largest global network of full-service, rentable vivarium facilities with expert in vivo staff and services. We help you advance your studies more quickly, confidently, and cost-efficiently. Our West Coast and Midwest locations offer on-site genetically engineered models (GEM) breeding and support services. We help you advance your studies more quickly, confidently, and cost-efficiently.
CRADL® Boston
CRADL® Chicago
CRADL® Los Angeles
CRADL® San Diego
• Bunker Hill*
• Sorrento Valley
• Torrey Pines
• Torrey Heights
• University City
• Discover CRADL® Amenities
CRADL® San Francisco
CRADL® Seattle
CRADL® London
• Potters Bar
• Discover CRADL® Amenities
CRADL® Paris
• Paris
• Discover CRADL® Amenities
CRADL® China
• Shanghai
• Suzhou
• Chengdu
• Suzhou
• Chengdu
 | Speed | Faster IACUC turnaround and guidance |
| Control | You control your study execution |
| Cost Savings | Save over full outsourcing or private facility buildout |
| Flexibility | Launch, pivot, or expand studies easily |
| Risk Mitigation | Short-term contract over long-term property lease |
| Support | Experienced technical staff are on site |
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GUIDEBOOK
Plan Better, Launch Faster, and Resource Smarter
This comprehensive guide details how to plan for, transition into, and conduct reproducible, cost-effective studies within a contract vivarium.
Download Your Copy
| What should I consider when renting a vivarium facility over building my own? | Vivarium infrastructure is one of the costliest builds for a life science company, with some of the most expensive real estate prices reaching $600 – $1,000 per square foot in some regions. The necessary requirements of proper air handling systems, backup power systems, research equipment, and waste disposal considerations are all factors that uniquely add to the cost of vivarium infrastructure development. CRADL® offers a cost-efficient, more rapidly accessible solution for companies looking for new or expanded space or who no longer want to build and operate a private vivarium research facility. Review our Contract Vivarium Guidebook for tips on cost assessments, moving considerations, and timeline planning. |
| What kinds of studies can I conduct at a CRADL vivarium facility? | CRADL vivarium research facilities provide an ideal environment for in vivo studies of mice and rats across various therapeutic areas. Our vivarium facilities are designed to support your science, whether your research is in oncology, neurology, metabolic conditions, autoimmune disorders, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, or infectious agents. Each CRADL site provides biosafety level 1 and 2 (BSL-1 & BSL-2) environments. If your study requires a higher biosafety rating, we can assess your equipment needs and recommend a solution. |
| How quickly can I launch a study at a CRADL vivarium facility? | Many of our CRADL clients are able to launch studies within two weeks of signing. The speed of onboarding depends largely on your team’s readiness to complete facility training and finalize IACUC protocol approval. Our Apollo™ for CRADL® platform enables your team to expedite and securely manage onboarding processes, equipment reservations, and technical service bookings, as well as access protocol and animal welfare tools from a single, centralized dashboard. You control your pace. Quick PI responses and complete protocol details mean faster approvals. When timelines slow, it’s usually due to delays in IACUC submissions, not the facility itself. |
| Can I launch my study with just a few cages or a small cohort of animals? | Yes. You can start with as little as a single row on a rack in a shared animal holding room—perfect for pilot-scale projects. Each row accommodates up to eight mouse cages; rat caging is also available at select locations. This flexible “by-the-row” model is offered with a minimum three-month contract, delivering a budget-friendly entry point for start-up studies. As your research expands, you can seamlessly add rows or racks or transition to a private room within the same vivarium research facility—no hassle, no heavy commitment. |
| What types of vivarium facility rooms are available through CRADL? | We recognize that preclinical research requires tailored solutions. That's why we offer adaptable vivarium room options to meet the diverse needs of your in vivo studies: • Shared Holding Rooms – Ideal for startups, these rooms provide access to shared procedure spaces, offering a cost-effective entry point. • Private Holding Rooms –These rooms offer the option of using shared or private procedure spaces, allowing for greater control over your research environment. • Private Vivarium Suites – Designed for comprehensive studies, these suites include connected holding and procedure rooms, facilitating seamless workflow. Across our vivarium research facilities, you'll also have access to shared core lab resources such as IVIS imaging, cell culture rooms, irradiators, and more. Amenities vary by location, often including touchdown kitchen and lounge spaces to support your onsite teams. |
| Do CRADL® clients have access to your Research Animal Models & Services portfolio? | Yes, CRADL® clients have direct access to our comprehensive portfolio of research models and services, including free model evaluation, and we also manage animal procurement on your behalf. |
| What is Charles River's animal welfare and biosecurity commitment? | We are committed to the ethical and humane treatment of animals in research. CRADL® programs and facilities are led by a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine along with a team of experienced attending veterinarians at each location. Animal welfare and biosecurity are included in your CRADL® service, ensuring animals receive the best care in secure, modern, and compliant facilities. |
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