Charles River Labs, a leading, full-service drug discovery and early-stage development company, announced an expansion of its existing Charleston County operations. The company’s $10.9 million investment is projected to create approximately 180 new jobs.

Charles River Labs provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions accelerate research and drug development efforts. Founded in Charleston in 1987, the company’s Microbial Solutions business division has experienced significant growth. To accommodate this growth, the company is constructing a new administrative office building at 1023 Wappoo Road in Charleston to allow for increased manufacturing and staffing.

“South Carolina is a hub of innovation due to the state’s commitment to research and development and strong partnerships with universities,” said Foster Jordan, corporate senior vice president. “South Carolina provides an excellent climate and highly-skilled workforce, and we are pleased to expand our presence here.”