ACP has acquired AVS Bio, a subsidiary of Charles River Laboratories

John Soden

Cain Brothers, a division of KeyBanc Capital Markets, served as financial advisor to Arlington Capital Partners on its acquisition of AVS Bio from Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL). To support the acquisition, on December 20, 2022, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. successfully closed the syndication of Senior Secured Credit Facilities, consisting of a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility and a Senior Secured Term Loan. KBCM acted as Left Lead Arranger, Joint Bookrunner, and Administrative Agent on the Credit Facilities.

Cain Brothers was engaged to serve as financial advisor to ACP based on its deep domain expertise and experience in the Life Sciences sector, as well as its long-standing relationship with ACP.

Arlington Capital Partners is a Washington, DC-based private equity firm that has managed approximately $7 billion in capital commitments. Arlington is focused on middle market investment opportunities in growth industries including healthcare, government services and technology, aerospace and defense, and business services and software. The firm’s professionals and network have a unique combination of operating and private equity experience that enables Arlington to be a value-added investor. Arlington invests in companies in partnership with high quality management teams that are motivated to establish and/or advance their company’s position as leading competitors in their field.

Headquartered in Norwich, CT, AVS Bio is a global provider of specific pathogen-free eggs and adjacent laboratory products and services that support the development and manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutics, and other biologics used for human and animal health. Prior to its acquisition by Arlington, the Company operated as a subsidiary of Charles River. The Company currently employs ~250 employees across 20+ facilities in Connecticut, New York, Illinois, Missouri, and Europe.

Founded in 1947 and based in Wilmington, MA, Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization offering services and solutions focused on the discovery, development, and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. Charles River covers a broad portion of the early-stage research process from discovery through pre-clinical development and offers its services and solutions to a diversified, global customer base consisting of pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies, hospitals, and academic institutions.