Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) and Atomwise, Inc. today announced the formation of a strategic alliance that offers clients access to Atomwise's artificial intelligence (AI)-powered, structure-based, drug design technology, which allows scientists to predict how well a small molecule will bind to a target protein of interest. By removing sole reliance on empirical screening, AI enables drug researchers to test an extremely large and diverse chemical space in a matter of days and move through the optimization process quickly by focusing only on those compounds predicted to have improved target-binding attributes. This alliance combines two industry-leading drug discovery platforms: Atomwise's AI technology and Charles River's unique portfolio of end-to-end drug discovery and early-stage development capabilities and expertise. Leveraging Atomwise's AI technology and Charles River's integrated drug discovery platform has the potential to significantly streamline the hit discovery, hit-to-lead, and lead optimization process for clients' research efforts. Founded in 2012, the San Francisco Bay Area-based venture has raised over $50 million in venture capital financing.