Harlan (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology, Contract research |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Fate | Acquired by Envigo in 2015 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agrochemicals, industrial chemicals, food production sectors |
| Products | Laboratory animals, Teklad laboratory animal nutrition, bedding and enrichment materials, surgical and genetic testing solutions, biological reagents, antibody generation, flexible film isolators, transportation logistics, stock and strain management services |
Harlan Sprague Dawley Inc. operated as a private provider of laboratory animals and related services, catering to pre-clinical research sectors within pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agrochemicals, industrial chemicals, and food production industries.
Its extensive product range encompassed research animal models, Teklad laboratory animal nutrition, bedding and enrichment materials, surgical and genetic testing solutions, biological reagents, antibody generation, flexible film isolators, transportation logistics, along with stock and strain management services. The company’s contract research offerings included toxicology assessments, environmental science studies, and regulatory compliance support.
In 2013, Harlan extended its contract breeding operations from the UK and Southern Europe into Northern Europe through a strategic collaboration with BioXpert. Subsequently, in 2015, Harlan was acquired by Envigo.
Harlan UK
The UK branch, Harlan UK Ltd., reported annual revenues of £6.6 million. It provided an extensive variety of laboratory animals such as marmosets, beagles, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, alongside hybrid, mutant, and transgenic lines. The company asserted it maintained the largest selection of stocks and strains available commercially worldwide. Annually, it bred close to 450 marmoset monkeys for European research institutions at an approximate price of £1,000 each.
Animal welfare
Harlan Laboratories emphasizes its commitment to the ethical treatment and use of research animals. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) alongside company veterinarians supervise policies to ensure adherence to governmental and industry regulations. All U.S.-based research facilities operate under PHS Assurance and possess full USDA licensing.
In the United Kingdom, The Sunday Times reported that beagles housed on a large-scale farm were granted only 20 minutes out of their cages per week. This practice stems from the company's exemption from primary animal welfare legislation mandating daily exercise; instead, it follows a Home Office code of practice. A former staff member alleged that dogs engaged in fights were separated by "kicking and punching," a claim investigated by Harlan which acknowledged variations in procedures between different sites.
Harlan has been targeted by activist organizations such as the Animal Liberation Front, which conducted raids removing animals and confidential documents. During a 1990 incident, 82 beagles and 26 rabbits were taken; two activists received prison sentences for their involvement. In 2006, over 1,000 animals—including 25 macaque monkeys—were extracted from Harlan’s Italian facility during an ALF operation that also resulted in equipment damage.