Document:

<Page>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.7

                   AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
                              INVESTORS' AGREEMENT

     AMENDMENT NO. 3 dated as of December 13, 2001 to the Amended and Restated
Investors' Agreement dated as of June 19, 2000, as amended (the "INVESTORS'
AGREEMENT").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), and several stockholders from time to time parties
thereto have entered into the Investors' Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the Company, DLJ Merchant Banking II, Inc. and B&L CRL, Inc.
desire to terminate the Investors' Agreement in accordance with Section 6.06
thereof.

     NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

     SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS; REFERENCES. Unless otherwise specifically defined
herein, each term used herein which is defined in the Investors' Agreement has
the meaning assigned to such term in the Investors' Agreement. Each reference to
"hereof," "hereunder," "herein" and "hereby" and each other similar reference
and each reference to "this Agreement" and each other similar reference
contained in the Investors' Agreement shall, after this Amendment becomes
effective, refer to the Investors' Agreement as mended hereby.

     SECTION 2. TERMINATION. In accordance with Section 6.06 of the Investors'
Agreement entitled "Amendment; Waiver; Termination," the Investors' Agreement is
hereby terminated in its entirety.

     SECTION 3. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES OF SUCH STATE

     SECTION 4. EFFECTIVENESS. This Amendment will be effective as of the date
hereof when signed by the Company, DLJ Merchant Banking II, Inc. and B&L CRL,
Inc.

<Page>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Amendment as of
the 13th day of December, 2001.

                                              CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES,
                                              INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                              By:
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:

                                              DLJ MERCHANT BANKING II, INC.

                                              By:
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:

                                              B&L CRL, INC.

                                              By:
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                  Name:
                                                  Title:

                                        2<Page>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.8
                                                                  Executive Copy

                 CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

            3 1/2% Senior Convertible Debentures due February 1, 2022

                         ------------------------------

                                    INDENTURE

                          Dated as of January 24, 2002

                         ------------------------------

                       State Street Bank and Trust Company

                                     TRUSTEE

<Page>

                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

<Table>
<Caption>
Trust Indenture                                                   Indenture
Act Section                                                         Section
-----------                                                         -------
<S>                                                              <C>
310 (a)(1).............................................................7.10
(a)(2).................................................................7.10
(a)(3).................................................................N.A.
(a)(4).................................................................N.A.
(a)(5).................................................................N.A.
(b)..............................................................7, 8, 7.10
(c)....................................................................N.A.
311(a).................................................................7.11
(b)....................................................................7.11
(c)....................................................................N.A.
312 (a).................................................................2.5
(b)....................................................................11.3
(c)....................................................................11.3
313(a)..................................................................7.6
(b)(1)..................................................................7.6
(b)(2)..................................................................7.6
(c).....................................................................7.6
(d).....................................................................7.6
314(a)...............................................................2, 4.3
(b)....................................................................N.A.
(c)(1).................................................................11.4
(c)(2).................................................................11.4
(c)(3).................................................................N.A.
(d)....................................................................N.A.
(e)....................................................................11.5
(f)....................................................................N.A.
315 (a)..............................................................7.1(b)
(b).....................................................................7.5
(c)..................................................................7.1(a)
(d)..................................................................7.1(c)
(e)....................................................................6.11
316(a)(1)(A)............................................................6.5
(a)(1)(B)...............................................................6.4
(a)(2).................................................................N.A.
(b).....................................................................6.7
(c)..................................................................1.5(e)
317 (a)(1)..............................................................6.8
(a)(2)..................................................................6.9
(b).....................................................................2.4
318 (a)................................................................N.A.
</Table>

N.A. means not applicable.
*This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

                                        i
<Page>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                          Page
<S>                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE........................1

       Section 1.1    Definitions............................................1
       Section 1.2    Other Definitions......................................5
       Section 1.3    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act......5
       Section 1.4    Rules of Construction..................................6
       Section 1.5    Acts of Holders........................................6

ARTICLE II. THE SECURITIES...................................................7

       Section 2.1    Form and Dating........................................7
       Section 2.2    Execution and Authentication...........................8
       Section 2.3    Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent...........9
       Section 2.4    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust....................9
       Section 2.5    Securityholder Lists...................................9
       Section 2.6    Transfer and Exchange.................................10
       Section 2.7    Replacement Securities................................11
       Section 2.8    Outstanding Securities; Determinations of
                      Holders' Action.......................................11
       Section 2.9    Temporary Securities..................................12
       Section 2.10   Cancellation..........................................12
       Section 2.11   Persons Deemed Owners.................................12
       Section 2.12   Global Securities.....................................13
       Section 2.13   CUSIP Numbers.........................................15

ARTICLE III. REDEMPTION AND PURCHASES.......................................15

       Section 3.1    Right to Redeem; Notices to Trustee...................15
       Section 3.2    Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed................15
       Section 3.3    Notice of Redemption..................................16
       Section 3.4    Effect of Notice of Redemption........................16
       Section 3.5    Deposit of Redemption Price...........................17
       Section 3.6    Securities Redeemed in Part...........................17
       Section 3.7    RESERVED..............................................17
       Section 3.8    Purchase of Securities at Option of the Holder........17
       Section 3.9    Purchase of Securities at Option of the
                      Holder upon Change in Control.........................19
       Section 3.10   Effect of Purchase Notice or Change in
                      Control Purchase Notice...............................22
       Section 3.11   Deposit of Purchase Price or Change in
                      Control Purchase Price................................23
       Section 3.12   Securities Purchased in Part..........................23
       Section 3.13   Covenant to Comply With Securities Laws
                      Upon Purchase of Securities...........................23
       Section 3.14   Repayment to the Company..............................23

ARTICLE IV. COVENANTS.......................................................24

       Section 4.1    Payment of Securities.................................24
       Section 4.2    SEC and Other Reports.................................24
       Section 4.3    Compliance Certificate................................24
</Table>

                                       ii
<Page>

<Table>
<S>                                                                         <C>
       Section 4.4    Further Instruments and Acts..........................25
       Section 4.5    Maintenance of Office or Agency.......................25
       Section 4.6    Delivery of Certain Information.......................25
       Section 4.7    Tax Treatment of Securities...........................25
       Section 4.8    Liquidated Damages....................................26

ARTICLE V. SUCCESSOR CORPORATION............................................26

       Section 5.1    When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets.............26

ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES...........................................27

       Section 6.1    Events of Default.....................................27
       Section 6.2    Acceleration..........................................28
       Section 6.3    Other Remedies........................................29
       Section 6.4    Waiver of Past Defaults...............................29
       Section 6.5    Control by Majority...................................29
       Section 6.6    Limitation on Suits...................................29
       Section 6.7    Rights of Holders to Receive Payment..................30
       Section 6.8    Collection Suit by Trustee............................30
       Section 6.9    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim......................30
       Section 6.10   Priorities ...........................................31
       Section 6.11   Undertaking for Costs.................................31
       Section 6.12   Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws...............31

ARTICLE VII. TRUSTEE........................................................32

       Section 7.1    Duties of Trustee.....................................32
       Section 7.2    Rights of Trustee.....................................33
       Section 7.3    Individual Rights of Trustee..........................34
       Section 7.4    Trustee's Disclaimer..................................34
       Section 7.5    Notice of Defaults....................................34
       Section 7.6    Reports by Trustee to Holders.........................34
       Section 7.7    Compensation and Indemnity............................34
       Section 7.8    Replacement of Trustee................................35
       Section 7.9    Successor Trustee by Merger...........................36
       Section 7.10   Eligibility; Disqualification.........................36
       Section 7.11   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.....36

ARTICLE VIII. DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE........................................36

       Section 8.1    Discharge of Liability on Securities..................36
       Section 8.2    Repayment to the Company..............................36

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS......................................................37

       Section 9.1    Without Consent of Holders............................37
       Section 9.2    With Consent of Holders...............................37
       Section 9.3    Compliance with Trust Indenture Act...................38
       Section 9.4    Revocation and Effect of Consents, Waivers
                      and Actions...........................................38
       Section 9.5    Notation on or Exchange of Securities.................38
</Table>

                                       iii
<Page>

<Table>
<S>                                                                         <C>
       Section 9.6    Trustee to Sign Supplemental Indentures...............38
       Section 9.7    Effect of Supplemental Indentures.....................38

ARTICLE X. CONVERSIONS......................................................38

       Section 10.1   Conversion Right and Conversion Price.................38
       Section 10.2   Conversion Procedure..................................39
       Section 10.3   Fractional Shares.....................................40
       Section 10.4   Taxes on Conversion...................................40
       Section 10.5   Company to Provide Stock..............................40
       Section 10.6   Adjustment for Change In Capital Stock................41
       Section 10.7   Adjustment for Rights Issue...........................41
       Section 10.8   Adjustment for Other Distributions....................43
       Section 10.9   When Adjustment May Be Deferred.......................44
       Section 10.10  When No Adjustment Required...........................45
       Section 10.11  Notice of Adjustment..................................45
       Section 10.12  Voluntary Decrease....................................45
       Section 10.13  Notice of Certain Transactions........................45
       Section 10.14  Reorganization of the Company; Special
                      Distributions.........................................46
       Section 10.15  Company Determination Final...........................46
       Section 10.16  Trustee's Adjustment Disclaimer.......................46
       Section 10.17  Simultaneous Adjustments..............................47
       Section 10.18  Successive Adjustments................................47

ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS...................................................47

       Section 11.1   Trust Indenture Act Controls..........................47
       Section 11.2   Notices   47
       Section 11.3   Communication by Holders with Other Holders...........48
       Section 11.4   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions
                      Precedent.............................................48
       Section 11.5   Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.........48
       Section 11.6   Separability Clause...................................49
       Section 11.7   Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion
                      Agent and Registrar...................................49
       Section 11.8   Legal Holidays........................................49
       Section 11.9   Governing Law.........................................49
       Section 11.10  No Recourse Against Others............................49
       Section 11.11  Successors............................................49
       Section 11.12  Multiple Originals....................................49
</Table>

                                       iv
<Page>

     INDENTURE dated as of January 24, 2002 between CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES
INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and STATE STREET
BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Trustee").

     Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the
equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's 3 1/2% Senior
Convertible Debentures due February 1, 2022 ("Debentures"):

                                   ARTICLE I.

                          DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
                                  BY REFERENCE

     Section 1.1 Definitions.

     "144A Global Security" means a permanent Global Security in the form of the
Security attached hereto as Exhibit A-1 that is deposited with and registered in
the name of the Depositary, representing Securities sold in reliance on Rule
144A under the Securities Act.

     "Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified person means the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person,
directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have
meanings correlative to the foregoing.

     "Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or transaction
involving a Global Security or beneficial interest therein, the rules and
procedures of the Depositary for such Security, in each case to the extent
applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

     "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee of such board.

     "Board Resolution" means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by an
Officer of the Company to have been duly adopted or consented to by the
applicable Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect, and delivered
to the Trustee.

     "Business Day" means, with respect to any Security, a day that in the City
of New York and the City of Boston, Massachusetts is not a day on which banking
institutions are authorized by law or regulation to close.

     "Capital Stock" for any corporation means any and all shares, interests,
rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or
interests in (however designated) stock issued by that corporation.

     "Certificated Securities" means Securities that are in the form of the
Securities attached hereto as Exhibit A-2.

<Page>

     "Common Stock" shall mean shares of the Company's Common Stock, $0.01 par
value per share, as they exist on the date of this Indenture or any other shares
of Capital Stock of the Company into which the Common Stock shall be
reclassified or changed.

     "Company" means the party named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to the applicable
provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, shall mean such successor. The
foregoing sentence shall likewise apply to any subsequent such successor or
successors.

     "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by any two Officers.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any
time the trust created by this Indenture shall be administered, which office at
the date hereof is located at Goodwin Square, 225 Asylum Street, 23rd Floor,
Hartford, Connecticut 06103, Attention: Corporate Trust (Charles River
Laboratories International, Inc. 3 1/2% Senior Convertible Debentures due
February 1, 2022), or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time
to time by notice to the Holders and the Company, or the principal corporate
trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as a successor
Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the
Company).

     "Credit Facility" that certain credit agreement by and between Charles
River Laboratories International, Inc., and the several financial institutions
thereto, providing in the aggregate up to $156.1 million of credit borrowings.

     "Debentures" means any of the Company's 3 1/2% Senior Convertible
Debentures due February 1, 2022, as amended or supplemented from time to time,
issued under this Indenture.

     "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to
time.

     "Global Securities" means Securities that are in the form of the Securities
attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, and to the extent that such Securities are
required to bear the Legend required by Section 2.6, such Securities will be in
the form of a 144A Global Security.

     "Holder" or "Securityholder" means a person in whose name a Security is
registered on the Registrar's books.

     "Indebtedness" means, without duplication, the principal or face amount of

          (i) all obligations for borrowed money,

          (ii) all obligations evidenced by debentures, notes or other similar
     instruments,

          (iii) all obligations in respect of letters of credit or bankers
     acceptances or similar instruments (or reimbursement obligations with
     respect thereto),

          (iv) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or
     services, except trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of
     business,

                                        2
<Page>

          (v) all obligations as lessee which are capitalized in accordance
     with generally accepted accounting principles, and

          (vi) all Indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company or any of
     its Subsidiaries or for which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
     legally responsible or liable (whether by agreement to purchase
     indebtedness of, or to supply funds or to invest in, others).

     "Indenture" means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to
time in accordance with the terms hereof, including the provisions of the TIA
that are deemed to be a part hereof.

     "Initial Purchasers" shall mean Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
Lehman Brothers Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., SG Cowen Securities
Corporation, U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray Inc., Thomas Wiesel Partners LLC,
Investec PMG Capital Corp. and Jeffries & Company, Inc.

     "Issue Date" of any Security means the date on which the Security was
originally issued or deemed issued as set forth on the face of the Security.

     "Liquidated Damages" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement dated as of January 24, 2002 between the Company and the Initial
Purchasers.

     "Non-Recourse Indebtedness" means Indebtedness upon the enforcement of
which recourse may be had by the holder(s) thereof only to identified assets of
the Company or any Subsidiary and not to the Company or any Subsidiary
personally.

     "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President,
any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or the Clerk, any
Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Clerk or any Director of the Company.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a written certificate containing the
information specified in Sections 11.4 and 11.5, signed in the name of the
Company by any two Officers, and delivered to the Trustee. An Officers'
Certificate given pursuant to Section 4.3 shall be signed by an authorized
financial or accounting Officer of the Company but need not contain the
information specified in Sections 11.4 and 11.5.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion containing the information
specified in Sections 11.4 and 11.5, from legal counsel who is acceptable to the
Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of, or counsel to, the Company or the
Trustee.

     "Person" or "person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization, or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.

     "Principal Amount" or "principal amount" of a Security means the Principal
Amount as set forth on the face of the Security.

     "Redemption Date" or "redemption date" shall mean the date specified for
redemption of the Securities in accordance with the terms of the Securities and
this Indenture.

     "Redemption Price" or "redemption price" shall have the meaning set forth
in paragraph 5 of the Securities.

                                        3
<Page>

     "Responsible Officer" shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee,
any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any
vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant
treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily
performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time
shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is
referred because of such person's knowledge of and familiarity with the
particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the
administration of this Indenture.

     "Restricted Security" means a Security required to bear the restrictive
legend set forth in the form of Security set forth in Exhibits A-1 and A-2 of
this Indenture.

     "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act (or any successor
provision), as it may be amended from time to time.

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     "Securities" means any of the Company's 3 1/2% Convertible Debentures due
February 1, 2022, as amended or supplemented from time to time, issued under
this Indenture.

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.

     "Securityholder" or "Holder" means a person in whose name a Security is
registered on the Registrar's books.

     "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date
specified in such Security as the fixed date on which an amount equal to the
Principal Amount of such Security is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" means any person of which at least a majority of the
outstanding voting Stock shall at the time directly or indirectly be owned or
controlled by the Company or by one or more Subsidiaries or by the Company and
one or more Subsidiaries.

     "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in effect on the date of
this Indenture, provided, however, that in the event the TIA is amended after
such date, TIA means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the TIA as
so amended.

     "Trading Day" means a day during which trading in securities generally
occurs on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not listed on
the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other national or regional
securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common
Stock is not listed on a national or regional securities exchange, on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or, if the
Common Stock is not quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation System, on the principal other market on which the Common
Stock is then traded.

     "Trustee" means the party named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to the applicable
provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, shall mean such successor. The
foregoing sentence shall likewise apply to any subsequent such successor or
successors.

                                        4
<Page>

     "Voting Stock" of a person means Capital Stock of such person of the class
or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power
under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of
directors, managers or trustees of such person (irrespective of whether or not
at the time Capital Stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have
voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

     Section 1.2 Other Definitions.

<Table>
<Caption>
Term Section:                                                     Defined in:
<S>                                                                 <C>
"Agent Members"......................................................12(e)
"Associate".........................................................3.9(a)
"Average Sale Price"..................................................10.7
"beneficial owner"..................................................3.9(a)
"cash"..............................................................3.8(b)
"Change in Control".................................................3.9(a)
"Change in Control Purchase Date"...................................3.9(a)
"Change in Control Purchase Notice".................................3.9(a)
"Change in Control Purchase Price"..................................3.9(c)
"Company Notice"....................................................3.8(c)
"Company Notice Date"...............................................3.8(b)
"Conversion Agent".....................................................2.3
"Conversion Date".....................................................10.2
"Conversion Price"....................................................10.1
"Depositary.........................................................2.1(a)
"DTC"...............................................................2.1(a)
"Event of Default".....................................................6.1
"Ex-Dividend Time"....................................................10.1
"Extraordinary Cash Dividend".........................................10.8
"Legal Holiday........................................................11.8
"Legend"............................................................2.6(f)
"Notice of Default"....................................................6.1
"Paying Agent".........................................................2.3
"Purchase Date".....................................................3.8(a)
"Purchase Notice"...................................................3.8(a)
"Purchase Price"....................................................3.8(a)
"QIB"...............................................................2.1(a)
"Registrar"............................................................2.3
"Rule 144A Information"................................................4.6
"Sale Price"..........................................................10.1
"Spin-off"............................................................10.8
"Time of Determination"...............................................10.1
</Table>

     Section 1.3 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

     Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

     "Commission" means the SEC.

                                        5
<Page>

     "indenture securities" means the Securities.

     "indenture security holder" means a Securityholder.

     "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.

     "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.

     "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company.

     All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule have the
meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

     Section 1.4 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

     1.   a term has the meaning assigned to it;

     2.   an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to
          it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in
          effect from time to time;

     3.   "or" is not exclusive;

     4.   "including" means including, without limitation; and

     5.   words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural
          include the singular.

     Section 1.5 Acts of Holders.

     (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may
be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar
tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing;
and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become
effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and,
where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or
instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein
sometimes referred to as the "Act" of Holders signing such instrument or
instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing
appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture
and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner
provided in this Section.

     (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to such officer the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than such signer's
individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute
sufficient proof of such signer's authority.

                                        6
<Page>

     The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or
the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other
manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

     (c) The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the
Register.

     (d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the
same Security and the holder of every Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in
reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Security.

     (e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may,
at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record
date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company
shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request,
demand, authorization , direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be
given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the
close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the
purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of
outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for
that purpose the outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record
date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders
on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective
pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the
record date.

                                   ARTICLE II.

                                 THE SECURITIES

     Section 2.1 Form and Dating. The Securities and the Trustee's certificate
of authentication shall be substantially in the forms set forth on Exhibits A-1
and A-2, which are a part of this Indenture. The Securities may have notations,
legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage (provided
that any such notation, legend or endorsement required by usage is in a form
acceptable to the Company). The Company shall provide any such notations,
legends or endorsements to the Trustee in writing. Each Security shall be dated
the date of its authentication.

     (a) 144A Global Securities. Securities offered and sold within the United
States to qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A ("QIBs") in
reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued, initially in the form of a 144A Global
Securities, which shall be deposited with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust
Office, as custodian for the Depositary and registered in the name of The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or the nominee thereof (such depositary, or any
successor thereto, and any such nominee being hereinafter referred to as the
"Depositary"), duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as
hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the 144A Global
Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made
on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary as hereinafter provided.

     (b) Global Securities in General. Each Global Security shall represent
such of the outstanding Securities as shall be specified therein and each shall
provide that it shall represent the aggregate

                                        7
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amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the
aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to
time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions
and conversions.

     Any adjustment of the aggregate principal amount of a Global Security to
reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding
Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in accordance with
instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.12 hereof and
shall be made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary.

     (c) Book-Entry Provisions. The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall,
in accordance with this Section 2.1(c), authenticate and deliver initially one
or more Global Securities that (a) shall be registered in the name of the
Depositary, (b) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant
to the Depositary's instructions and (c) shall bear legends substantially to the
following effect:

     "UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
     THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL,
     INC. (THE "COMPANY") OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR
     PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO.
     OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
     THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO.
     OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
     THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
     VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED
     OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL
     SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
     COMPANY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS
     OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN
     ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN ARTICLE TWO OF THE INDENTURE
     REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF."

     Section 2.2 Execution and Authentication. The Securities shall be executed
on behalf of the Company by any Officer, under its corporate seal reproduce
thereon. The signature of the officer of the Company on the Securities may be
manual or facsimile.

     Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who
were at the time of the execution of the Securities the proper Officers of the
Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of
them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery
of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of authentication of
such Securities.

     No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly
executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such
certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only
evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered
hereunder.

                                        8
<Page>

     The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities for original issue in
an aggregate Principal Amount of up to $200,000,000 (which shall include the
Initial Purchasers' option to purchase $25,000,000 of Securities) upon a Company
Order without any further action by the Company. The aggregate Principal Amount
of Securities outstanding at any time may not exceed the amount set forth in the
foregoing sentence, except as provided in Section 2.7.

     The Securities shall be issued only in registered form without coupons and
only in denominations of $1,000 of Principal Amount and any integral multiple
thereof.

     Section 2.3 Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent. The Company shall
maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration
of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar"), an office or agency where Securities
may be presented for purchase or payment ("Paying Agent") and an office or
agency where Securities may be presented for conversion ("Conversion Agent").
The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and
exchange. The Company may have one or more co-registrars, one or more additional
paying agents and one or more additional conversion agents. The term Paying
Agent includes any additional paying agent, including any named pursuant to
Section 4.5. The term Conversion Agent includes any additional conversion agent,
including any named pursuant to Section 4.5.

     The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or co-registrar (other than the
Trustee). The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that
relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and
address of any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar, Paying
Agent or Conversion Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled
to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.7. The Company or any
Subsidiary or an Affiliate of either of them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar,
Conversion Agent or co-registrar.

     The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Conversion Agent
and Paying Agent in connection with the Securities.

     Section 2.4 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Except as otherwise
provided herein, on or prior to each due date of payments in respect of any
Security, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum of money (in
immediately available funds if deposited on the due date) sufficient to make
such payments when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent
(other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in
trust for the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by the
Paying Agent for the making of payments in respect of the Securities and shall
notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. At
any time during the continuance of any such default, the Paying Agent shall,
upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all money
so held in trust. If the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of either of them
acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent
and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a
Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any
funds disbursed by it. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further
liability for the money.

     Section 2.5 Securityholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current
a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the
names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the
Company shall cause to be furnished to the Trustee at least semiannually on
May 1 and November 1 a listing of Securityholders dated within 15 days of the
date on which the list is furnished and at such other times as the Trustee may
request in writing a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may
reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders.

                                        9
<Page>

     Section 2.6 Transfer and Exchange. Subject to Section 2.12 hereof, upon
surrender for registration of transfer of any Securities, together with a
written instrument of transfer satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by
the Securityholder or such Securityholder's attorney duly authorized in writing,
at the office or agency of the Company designated as Registrar or co-registrar
pursuant to Section 2.3, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or
transferees, one or more new Securities of any authorized denomination or
denominations, of a like aggregate Principal Amount. The Company shall not
charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or
other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with the transfer
or exchange of the Securities from the Securityholder requesting such transfer
or exchange.

     At the option of the Holder, Securities may be exchanged for other
Securities of any authorized denomination or denominations, of a like aggregate
Principal Amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged, together
with a written instrument of transfer satisfactory to the Registrar duly
executed by the Securityholder or such Securityholder's attorney duly authorized
in writing, at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered
for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, the Securities that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to
receive.

     The Company shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not
register, transfers or exchanges of Securities selected for redemption (except,
in the case of Securities to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be
redeemed) or any Securities in respect of which a Purchase Notice or Change in
Control Purchase Notice has been given and not withdrawn by the Holder thereof
in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (except, in the case of
Securities to be purchased in part, the portion thereof not to be purchased) or
any Securities for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of
redemption of Securities to be redeemed.

     (a) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, so long as a
Global Security remains outstanding and is held by or on behalf of the
Depositary, transfers of a Global Security, in whole or in part, shall be made
only in accordance with Section 2.12 and this Section 2.6(b). Transfers of a
Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole,
or in part, to nominees of the Depositary or to a successor of the Depositary or
such successor's nominee.

     (b) Successive registrations and registrations of transfers and exchanges
as aforesaid may be made from time to time as desired, and each such
registration shall be noted on the register for the Securities.

     (c) Any Registrar appointed pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof shall provide to
the Trustee such information as the Trustee may reasonably require in connection
with the delivery by such Registrar of Securities upon transfer or exchange of
Securities.

     (d) No Registrar shall be required to make registrations of transfer or
exchange of Securities during any periods designated in the text of the
Securities or in this Indenture as periods during which such registration of
transfers and exchanges need not be made.

     (e) If Securities are issued upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of
Securities subject to restrictions on transfer and bearing the legends set forth
on the forms of Securities attached hereto as Exhibits A-1 and A-2 setting forth
such restrictions (collectively, the "Legend"), or if a request is made to
remove the Legend on a Security, the Securities so issued shall bear the Legend,
or the Legend shall not be removed, as the case may be, unless there is
delivered to the Company and the Registrar such satisfactory evidence, which
shall include an Opinion of Counsel, as may be reasonably required by the

                                       10
<Page>

Company and the Registrar, that neither the Legend nor the restrictions on
transfer set forth therein are required to ensure that transfers thereof comply
with the provisions of Rule 144A or Rule 144 under the Securities Act or that
such Securities are not "restricted" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act. Upon (i) provision of such satisfactory evidence, or (ii)
notification by the Company to the Trustee and registrar of the sale of such
Security pursuant to a registration statement that is effective at the time of
such sale, the Trustee, at the written direction of the Company, shall
authenticate and deliver a Security that does not bear the Legend. If the Legend
is removed from the face of a Security and the Security is subsequently held by
an Affiliate of the Company, the Legend shall be reinstated.

     Section 2.7 Replacement Securities. If any mutilated Security is
surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to
their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and there
is delivered to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be
required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice
to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a
protected purchaser, the Company shall execute, and upon the Company's written
request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for any such
mutilated Security or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a
new Security of like tenor and Principal Amount, bearing a number not
contemporaneously outstanding.

     In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become
or is about to become due and payable, or is about to be purchased by the
Company pursuant to Article 3 hereof, the Company in its discretion may, instead
of issuing a new Security, pay or purchase such Security, as the case may be.

     Upon the issuance of any new Securities under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

     Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original
additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed,
lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any
and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

     Section 2.8 Outstanding Securities; Determinations of Holders' Action.
Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the
Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those paid pursuant to Section 2.7
delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.8 as not
outstanding. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or
an Affiliate thereof holds the Security; provided, however, that in determining
whether the Holders of the requisite Principal Amount of Securities have given
or concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent
or waiver hereunder, Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon
the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor shall be
disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining
whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the time
of such determination shall be considered in any such determination (including,
without limitation, determinations pursuant to Articles 6 and 9).

                                       11
<Page>

     If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

     If the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with this Indenture, on a
Redemption Date, or on the Business Day following a Purchase Date or a Change in
Control Purchase Date, or on Stated Maturity, money sufficient to pay amounts
owed with respect to Securities payable on that date, then immediately after
such Redemption Date, Purchase Date, Change in Control Purchase Date or Stated
Maturity, as the case may be, such Securities shall cease to be outstanding and
interest, if any, on such Securities shall cease to accrue; provided, that if
such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly
given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the
Trustee has been made.

     If a Security is converted in accordance with Article 10, then from and
after the time of conversion on the Conversion Date, such Security shall cease
to be outstanding and interest, if any, shall cease to accrue on such Security.

     Section 2.9 Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive
Securities, the Company may execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed,
typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination,
substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they
are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and
other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as
conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

     If temporary Securities are issued, the Company will cause definitive
Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of
definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for
definitive Securities upon surrender of the temporary Securities at the office
or agency of the Company designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3,
without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like Principal Amount of
definitive Securities of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits
under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

     Section 2.10 Cancellation. All Securities surrendered for payment, purchase
by the Company pursuant to Article 3, conversion, redemption or registration of
transfer or exchange (other than Securities exchanged pursuant to Section 10.2)
shall, if surrendered to any person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the
Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time
deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated
and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner
whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the
Trustee. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has
paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that any Holder has
converted pursuant to Article 10. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu
of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section,
except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held
by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with the
Trustee's customary procedure.

     Section 2.11 Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Security
for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the
Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is
registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of
the Principal Amount of the Security or the payment of any Redemption Price,
Purchase Price or Change in Control Purchase Price in respect thereof, and
accrued interest thereon, for the purpose of conversion and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither

                                       12
<Page>

the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

     Section 2.12 Global Securities.

     (a) A Global Security may not be transferred, in whole or in part, to any
Person other than the Depositary or a nominee or any successor thereof, and no
such transfer to any such other Person may be registered; provided that the
foregoing shall not prohibit any transfer of a Security that is issued in
exchange for a Global Security but is not itself a Global Security. No transfer
of a Security to any Person shall be effective under this Indenture or the
Securities unless and until such Security has been registered in the name of
such Person. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture or the
Securities, transfers of a Global Security, in whole or in part, shall be made
only in accordance with Section 2.6 and this Section 2.12.

     (b) Subject to the succeeding paragraph, every Security shall be subject to
the restrictions on transfer provided in the Legend including the delivery of an
opinion of counsel, if so provided. Whenever any Restricted Security is
presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange for a
Security registered in a name other than that of the Holder, such Security must
be accompanied by a certificate in substantially the form set forth in
Exhibit B, dated the date of such surrender and signed by the Holder of such
Security, as to compliance with such restrictions on transfer. The Registrar
shall not be required to accept for such registration of transfer or exchange
any Security not so accompanied by a properly completed certificate.

     (c) The restrictions imposed by the Legend upon the transferability of any
Security shall cease and terminate when such Security has been sold pursuant to
an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or transferred in
compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision
thereto) or, if earlier, upon the expiration of the holding period applicable to
sales thereof under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act (or any successor
provision). Any Security as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have
expired in accordance with their terms or shall have terminated may, upon a
surrender of such Security for exchange to the Registrar in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 2.12 (accompanied, in the event that such
restrictions on transfer have terminated by reason of a transfer in compliance
with Rule 144 or any successor provision, by an opinion of counsel having
substantial experience in practice under the Securities Act and otherwise
reasonably acceptable to the Company, addressed to the Company and in form
acceptable to the Company, to the effect that the transfer of such Security has
been made in compliance with Rule 144 or such successor provision), be exchanged
for a new Security, of like tenor and aggregate Principal Amount, which shall
not bear the restrictive Legend. The Company shall inform the Trustee of the
effective date of any registration statement registering the Securities under
the Securities Act. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the aforementioned
opinion of counsel or registration statement.

     (d) As used in the preceding two paragraphs of this Section 2.12, the term
"transfer" encompasses any sale, pledge, transfer, hypothecation or other
disposition of any Security.

     (e) The provisions of clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only
to Global Securities:

     1.   Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture or the
          Securities, a Global Security shall not be exchanged in whole or in
          part for a Security registered in the name of any Person other than
          the Depositary or one or more nominees thereof, provided that a Global
          Security may be exchanged for Securities

                                       13
<Page>

          registered in the names of any person designated by the Depositary in
          the event that (i) the Depositary has notified the Company that it is
          unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security
          or such Depositary has ceased to be a "clearing agency" registered
          under the Exchange Act, and a successor Depositary is not appointed by
          the Company within 90 days, (ii) the Company has provided the
          Depositary with written notice that it has decided to discontinue use
          of the system of book-entry transfer through the Depositary or any
          successor Depositary or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is
          continuing with respect to the Securities. Any Global Security
          exchanged pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) above shall be so exchanged
          in whole and not in part, and any Global Security exchanged pursuant
          to clause (iii) above may be exchanged in whole or from time to time
          in part as directed by the Depositary. Any Security issued in exchange
          for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be a Global
          Security; provided that any such Security so issued that is registered
          in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or a nominee thereof
          shall not be a Global Security.

     2.   Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion
          thereof shall be issued in definitive, fully registered form, without
          interest coupons, shall have an aggregate Principal Amount equal to
          that of such Global Security or portion thereof to be so exchanged,
          shall be registered in such names and be in such authorized
          denominations as the Depositary shall designate and shall bear the
          applicable legends provided for herein. Any Global Security to be
          exchanged in whole shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the
          Trustee, as Registrar. With regard to any Global Security to be
          exchanged in part, either such Global Security shall be so
          surrendered for exchange or, if the Trustee is acting as custodian
          for the Depositary or its nominee with respect to such Global
          Security, the Principal Amount thereof shall be reduced, by an amount
          equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged, by means of an
          appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Trustee. Upon any
          such surrender or adjustment, the Trustee shall authenticate and
          deliver the Security issuable on such exchange to or upon the order
          of the Depositary or an authorized representative thereof.

     3.   Subject to the provisions of clause (5) below, the registered Holder
          may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent
          Members (as defined below) and persons that may hold interests through
          Agent Members, to take any action which a holder is entitled to take
          under this Indenture or the Securities.

     4.   In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in
          clause (1) above, the Company will promptly make available to the
          Trustee a reasonable supply of Certificated Securities in definitive,
          fully registered form, without interest coupons.

     5.   Neither any members of, or participants in, the Depositary
          (collectively, the "Agent Members") nor any other Persons on whose
          behalf Agent Members may act shall have any rights under this
          Indenture with respect to any Global Security registered in the name
          of the Depositary or any nominee thereof, or under any such Global
          Security, and the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, may
          be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company
          or the Trustee as the absolute owner and holder of such Global
          Security for all

                                       14
<Page>

          purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein
          shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or
          the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or
          other authorization furnished by the Depositary or such nominee, as
          the case may be, or impair, as between the Depositary, its Agent
          Members and any other person on whose behalf an Agent Member may act,
          the operation of customary practices of such Persons governing the
          exercise of the rights of a holder of any Security.

     Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers. The Company may issue the Securities with one
or more "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee
shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders;
provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the
correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained
in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall
not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will
promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

                                  ARTICLE III.

                            REDEMPTION AND PURCHASES

     Section 3.1 Right to Redeem; Notices to Trustee.

     (a) Optional Redemption. The Company, at its option, may redeem the
Securities in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of the Securities
and at the Redemption Prices specified in paragraph 5 of the Securities,
together with accrued interest up to but not including the Redemption Date and
Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon; provided that if the Redemption Date is on
or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment
date, interest will be payable to the Holders in whose names the Securities are
registered at the close of business on the relevant record date for payment of
such interest.

     (b) Notice to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Securities pursuant
to this Section 3.1, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption
Date, the Principal Amount of Securities to be redeemed and the Redemption
Price. The Company shall give the notice to the Trustee provided for in this
Section 3.1(b) by a Company Order at least 20 days before the Redemption Date
(unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).

     Section 3.2 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the
Securities are to be redeemed, unless the procedures of the Depositary provide
otherwise, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed on a pro rata
basis (so long as such method is not prohibited by the rules of any stock
exchange on which the Securities are then listed). The Trustee shall make the
selection at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date
from outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption. The Trustee
may select for redemption portions of the Principal Amount of Securities that
have denominations larger than $1,000.

     Securities and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in Principal
Amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this
Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions
of Securities called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company
promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities to be redeemed.

     If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before
termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security
so selected, the converted portion of such

                                       15
<Page>

Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for
redemption. Securities that have been converted during a selection of Securities
to be redeemed may be treated by the Trustee as outstanding for the purpose of
such selection.

     Section 3.3 Notice of Redemption. At least 20 days but not more than 60
days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed.

     The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

     1.   the Redemption Date;

     2.   the Redemption Price;

     3.   the Conversion Price;

     4.   the name and address of the Paying Agent and Conversion Agent;

     5.   that Securities called for redemption may be converted at any time
          before the close of business on the Business Day immediately
          preceding the Redemption Date;

     6.   that Holders who want to convert Securities must satisfy the
          requirements set forth in paragraph 8 of the Securities;

     7.   that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the
          Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price therefor, together with
          all accrued interest;

     8.   if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the
          certificate numbers, if any, and Principal Amounts of the particular
          Securities to be redeemed;

     9.   that, unless the Company defaults in making payment of such
          Redemption Price, interest on Securities called for redemption will
          cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date; and

     10.  the CUSIP number of the Securities.

     At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption
in the Company's name and at the Company's expense, provided that the Company
makes such request at least three Business Days prior to the date by which such
notice of redemption must be given to Holders in accordance with this Section
3.3 and provides the Trustee with all information required for such notice of
redemption.

     Section 3.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is
given, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption
Date and at the Redemption Price stated in the notice, except for Securities
which are converted in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. Upon
surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the Redemption
Price stated in the notice, together with accrued interest up to but not
including the Redemption Date and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon.

                                       16
<Page>

     Section 3.5 Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City
time) on the Redemption Date the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or
if the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of either of them is the Paying
Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the Redemption
Price of all Securities to be redeemed on that date, together with accrued
interest up to but not including the Redemption Date and Liquidated Damages, if
any, thereon, other than Securities or portions of Securities called for
redemption that on or prior thereto have been delivered by the Company to the
Trustee for cancellation or have been converted. The Paying Agent shall as
promptly as practicable return to the Company any money not required for that
purpose because of conversion of Securities pursuant to Article 10. If such
money is then held by the Company in trust and is not required for such purpose
it shall be discharged from such trust.

     Section 3.6 Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that
is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Security in an authorized
denomination equal in Principal Amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security
surrendered.

     Section 3.7 RESERVED.

     Section 3.8 Purchase of Securities at Option of the Holder.

     (a) General. Securities shall be purchased by the Company in accordance
with the provisions of paragraph 6 of the Securities as of February 1, 2008,
February 1, 2013 and February 1, 2017 (each, a "Purchase Date") at a purchase
price per Security equal to 100% of the aggregate Principal Amount of the
Security (the "Purchase Price"), together with accrued interest up to but not
including the Purchase Date and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon; provided
that if the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date but on or prior
to the related interest payment date, interest will be payable to the Holders in
whose names the Securities are registered at the close of business on the
relevant record date.

     Purchases of Securities hereunder shall be made, at the option of the
Holder thereof, upon:

     1.   delivery to the Paying Agent by the Holder of a written notice of
          purchase (a "Purchase Notice") at any time from the opening of
          business on the date that is 20 Business Days prior to the Purchase
          Date until the close of business on the fifth Business Day prior to
          such Purchase Date stating:

          (A)  the certificate number of the Security which the Holder will
               deliver to be purchased,

          (B)  the portion of the Principal Amount of the Security which the
               Holder will deliver to be purchased, which portion must be in
               principal amounts at maturity of $1,000 or an integral multiple
               thereof,

          (C)  that such Security shall be purchased as of the Purchase Date
               pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in paragraph 6 of
               the Securities and in this Indenture, and

          (D)  delivery of such Security to the Paying Agent prior to, on or
               after the Purchase Date (together with all necessary
               endorsements) at the offices of the Paying Agent, such delivery
               being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Purchase Price
               therefor, together with all accrued interest;

                                       17
<Page>

               provided, however, that such Purchase Price, together with all
               accrued interest, shall be so paid pursuant to this Section 3.8
               only if the Security so delivered to the Paying Agent shall
               conform in all respects to the description thereof in the related
               Purchase Notice, as determined by the Company.

     The Company shall purchase from the Holder thereof, pursuant to this
Section 3.8, a portion of a Security if the Principal Amount of such portion is
$1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this Indenture that
apply to the purchase of all of a Security also apply to the purchase of such
portion of such Security.

     Any purchase by the Company contemplated pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 3.8 shall be consummated by the delivery of the consideration to be
received by the Holder promptly following the later of the Purchase Date and the
time of delivery of the Security.

     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to
the Paying Agent the Purchase Notice contemplated by this Section 3.8(a) shall
have the right to withdraw such Purchase Notice at any time prior to the close
of business on the business day prior to the Purchase Date by delivery of a
written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent at the principal office of the
Paying Agent in accordance with Section 3.10.

     The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of
any Purchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.

     (b) Manner of Payment of Purchase Price. The Purchase Price of Securities
in respect of which a Purchase Notice pursuant to Section 3.8(a) has been given
shall be paid in U.S. legal tender ("cash").

     (c) Company Notice. In connection with any purchase of Securities pursuant
to Section 3.8, the Company shall give written notice of the Purchase Date to
the Holders (the "Company Notice"). The Company Notice shall be sent by
first-class mail to the Trustee and to each Holder (and to each beneficial owner
as required by applicable law) not less than 20 Business Days prior to any
Purchase Date (the "Company Notice Date"). Each Company Notice shall include a
form of Purchase Notice to be completed by a Securityholder and shall state:

          (i) the Purchase Price and the Conversion Price;

          (ii) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion
     Agent;

          (iii) that Securities as to which a Purchase Notice has been given may
     be converted if they are otherwise convertible only in accordance with
     Article 10 hereof and paragraph 8 of the Securities if the applicable
     Purchase Notice has been withdrawn in accordance with the terms of this
     Indenture;

          (iv) that Securities must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to
     collect payment;

          (v) that the Purchase Price for, and any accrued interest on, any
     Security as to which a Purchase Notice has been given and not withdrawn
     will be paid promptly following the later of the Purchase Date and the time
     of surrender of such Security as described in subclause (iv) above;

                                       18
<Page>

          (vi) the procedures the Holder must follow to exercise rights under
     Section 3.8 and a brief description of those rights;

          (vii) briefly, the conversion rights of the Securities;

          (viii) the procedures for withdrawing a Purchase Notice (including
     pursuant to the terms of Section 3.10);

          (ix) that, unless the Company defaults in making payment on Securities
     for which a Purchase Notice has been submitted, interest on such Securities
     will cease to accrue on the Purchase Date; and

          (x) the CUSIP number of the Securities.

     At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give such Company Notice in the
Company's name and at the Company's expense; provided, however, that the Company
makes such request at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date by which
such Company Notice must be given to the Holders and that, in all cases, the
text of such Company Notice shall be prepared by the Company.

     (d) Procedure upon Purchase. The Company shall deposit cash, in respect of
purchases under this Section 3.8, at the time and in the manner as provided in
Section 3.11, sufficient to pay the aggregate Purchase Price of all Securities,
together with all accrued interest to, but not including, the Purchase Date and
Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon, to be purchased pursuant to this
Section 3.8.

     Section 3.9 Purchase of Securities at Option of the Holder upon Change in
Control.

     (a) If at any time the Securities remain outstanding there shall have
occurred a Change in Control, Securities shall be purchased by the Company, at
the option of the Holder thereof, at a purchase price specified in paragraph 6
of the Securities (the "Change in Control Purchase Price"), as of the date that
is 45 Business Days after the occurrence of the Change in Control (the "Change
in Control Purchase Date"), subject to satisfaction by or on behalf of the
Holder of the requirements set forth in Section 3.9(c).

     A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as
either of the following events shall occur:

          (i) There shall be consummated any share exchange, consolidation or
     merger of the Company pursuant to which the Common Shares would be
     converted into cash, securities or other property, in each case other than
     a share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company in which the
     holders of the Common Shares immediately prior to the share exchange,
     consolidation or merger have, directly or indirectly, at least a majority
     of the total voting power in the aggregate of all classes of Capital Stock
     of the continuing or surviving corporation immediately after the share
     exchange, consolidation or merger; or

          (ii) There is a report filed on Schedule 13D or TO (or any successor
     schedule, form or report) pursuant to the Exchange Act, disclosing that any
     person (for the purposes of this Section 3.9 only, as the term "person" is
     used in Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) has
     become the beneficial owner (as the term "beneficial owner" is defined
     under Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or regulation promulgated under the
     Exchange Act) of 50% or more of the voting power of the Common Shares then
     outstanding; provided, however, that a person shall not be deemed
     beneficial owner of, or to own beneficially, (A) any securities

                                       19
<Page>

     tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of
     such person or any of such person's Affiliates or Associates until such
     tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange thereunder, or
     (B) any securities if such beneficial ownership (1) arises solely as a
     result of a revocable proxy delivered in response to a proxy or consent
     solicitation made pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations under
     the Exchange Act, and (2) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D (or
     any successor schedule) under the Exchange Act.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.9, a Change in
Control shall not be deemed to have occurred by virtue of the Company, any
Subsidiary, any employee stock ownership plan or any other employee benefit plan
of the Company or any Subsidiary, or any person holding Common Stock for or
pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit plan, filing or becoming
obligated to file a report under or in response to Schedule 13D or Schedule TO
(or any successor schedule, form or report) under the Exchange Act disclosing
beneficial ownership by it of shares of Common Stock, whether in excess of 50%
or otherwise.

A Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if:

          (i)  the sale price of the Company's Common Stock for any five
               trading days within:

               (a)  the period of ten consecutive trading days ending
                    immediately after the later of the Change in Control and the
                    public announcement of the Change in Control, in the case of
                    a Change in Control under 3.9(a)(ii) above, or

               (b)  the period of ten consecutive trading days ending
                    immediately before the Change in Control, in the case of a
                    Change in Control under 3.9(a)(i) above,

               equals or exceeds 105% of the conversion price of the Debentures
               in effect on each such trading day; or

          (ii) at least 90% of the consideration in the transaction or
               transactions constituting a Change in Control consists of shares
               of Common Stock traded or to be traded immediately following such
               change in control on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq
               National Market and, as a result of the transaction or
               transactions, the Securities become convertible solely into such
               Common Stock (and any rights attached thereto).

     "Associate" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of
the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the
date hereof.

     (b) Within 30 days after the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company
shall mail a written notice of the Change in Control by first-class mail to the
Trustee and to each Holder (and to beneficial owners as required by applicable
law). The notice shall include a form of Change in Control Purchase Notice to be
completed by the Securityholder and shall state:

     1.   briefly, the events causing a Change in Control and the date of such
          Change in Control;

     2.   the date by which the Change in Control Purchase Notice pursuant to
          this Section 3.9 must be given;

     3.   the Change in Control Purchase Date;

                                       20
<Page>

     4.   the Change in Control Purchase Price;

     5.   the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent;

     6.   the Conversion Price and any adjustments thereto;

     7.   that Securities as to which a Change in Control Purchase Notice has
          been given may be converted pursuant to Article 10 hereof only if the
          Change in Control Purchase Notice has been withdrawn in accordance
          with the terms of this Indenture;

     8.   that Securities must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect
          payment;

     9.   that the Change in Control Purchase Price for any Security as to which
          a Change in Control Purchase Notice has been duly given and not
          withdrawn will be paid promptly following the later of the Change in
          Control Purchase Date and the time of surrender of such Security as
          described in (8);

     10.  briefly, the procedures the Holder must follow to exercise rights
          under this Section 3.9;

     11.  briefly, the conversion rights of the Securities;

     12.  the procedures for withdrawing a Change in Control Purchase Notice;

     13.  that, unless the Company defaults in making payment of such Change in
          Control Purchase Price, interest on Securities surrendered for
          purchase by the Company will cease to accrue on and after the Change
          in Control Purchase Date; and

     14.  the CUSIP number of the Securities.

     (c) A Holder may exercise its rights specified in Section 3.9(a) upon
delivery of a written notice of purchase (a "Change in Control Purchase Notice")
to the Paying Agent at any time prior to the close of business on the fifth
business day prior to the Change in Control Purchase Date, stating:

     1.   the certificate number of the Security that the Holder will deliver
          to be purchased;

     2.   the portion of the Principal Amount of the Security which the Holder
          will deliver to be purchased, which portion must be $1,000 or an
          integral multiple thereof; and

     3.   that such Security shall be purchased pursuant to the terms and
          conditions specified in paragraph 6 of the Securities.

     The delivery of such Security to the Paying Agent prior to, on or after the
Change in Control Purchase Date (together with all necessary endorsements) at
the offices of the Paying Agent shall be a condition to the receipt by the
Holder of the Change in Control Purchase Price therefor; provided, however, that
such Change in Control Purchase Price shall be so paid pursuant to this
Section 3.9 only if the Security so delivered to the Paying Agent shall conform
in all respects to the description thereof set forth in the related Change in
Control Purchase Notice.

                                       21
<Page>

     The Company shall purchase from the Holder thereof, pursuant to this
Section 3.9, a portion of a Security if the Principal Amount of such portion is
$1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this Indenture that
apply to the purchase of all of a Security also apply to the purchase of such
portion of such Security.

     Any purchase by the Company contemplated pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 3.9 shall be consummated by the delivery of the consideration to be
received by the Holder promptly following the later of the Change in Control
Purchase Date and the time of delivery of the Security to the Paying Agent in
accordance with this Section 3.9.

     Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to
the Paying Agent the Change in Control Purchase Notice contemplated by this
Section 3.9(c) shall have the right to withdraw such Change in Control Purchase
Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Change in Control
Purchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent
in accordance with Section 3.10.

     The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of
any Change in Control Purchase Notice or written withdrawal thereof.

     Section 3.10 Effect of Purchase Notice or Change in Control Purchase
Notice. Upon receipt by the Paying Agent of the Purchase Notice or Change in
Control Purchase Notice specified in Section 3.8(a) or Section 3.9(c), as
applicable, the Holder of the Security in respect of which such Purchase Notice
or Change in Control Purchase Notice, as the case may be, was given shall
(unless such Purchase Notice or Change in Control Purchase Notice is withdrawn
as specified in the following two paragraphs) thereafter be entitled to receive
solely the Purchase Price, together with all accrued interest to, but not
including, the Purchase Date and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon, or Change
in Control Purchase Price, as the case may be, with respect to such Security.
Such Purchase Price, together with all accrued interest to, but not including,
the Purchase Date and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon, or Change in Control
Purchase Price, as the case may be, shall be paid to such Holder, subject to
receipt of funds and/or securities by the Paying Agent, promptly following the
later of (x) the Purchase Date or the Change in Control Purchase Date, as the
case may be, with respect to such Security (provided the conditions in
Section 3.8(a) or Section 3.9(c), as applicable, have been satisfied) and (y)
the time of delivery of such Security to the Paying Agent by the Holder thereof
in the manner required by Section 3.8(a) or Section 3.9(c), as applicable.
Securities in respect of which a Purchase Notice or Change in Control Purchase
Notice, as the case may be, has been given by the Holder thereof may not be
converted pursuant to Article 10 hereof on or after the date of the delivery of
such Purchase Notice or Change in Control Purchase Notice, as the case may be,
unless such Purchase Notice or Change in Control Purchase Notice, as the case
may be, has first been validly withdrawn as specified in the following two
paragraphs.

     A Purchase Notice or Change in Control Purchase Notice, as the case may be,
may be withdrawn by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the
office of the Paying Agent in accordance with the Purchase Notice or Change in
Control Purchase Notice, as the case may be, at any time prior to the close of
business on the business day prior to the Purchase Date or prior to the close of
business on the Change in Control Purchase Date, as the case may be, specifying:

     1.   the certificate number, if any, of the Security in respect of which
          such notice of withdrawal is being submitted,

     2.   the Principal Amount of the Security with respect to which such
          notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

                                       22
<Page>

     3.   the Principal Amount, if any, of such Security which remains subject
          to the original Purchase Notice or Change in Control Purchase Notice,
          as the case may be, and which has been or will be delivered for
          purchase by the Company.

     A written notice of withdrawal of a Purchase Notice shall be in the form
set forth in the preceding paragraph.

     There shall be no purchase of any Securities pursuant to Section 3.8 or 3.9
if there has occurred (prior to, on or after, as the case may be, the giving, by
the Holders of such Securities, of the required Purchase Notice or Change in
Control Purchase Notice, as the case may be) and is continuing an Event of
Default (other than a default in the payment of the Purchase Price or Change in
Control Purchase Price, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities).
The Paying Agent will promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any
Securities (x) with respect to which a Purchase Notice or Change in Control
Purchase Notice, as the case may be, has been withdrawn in compliance with this
Indenture, or (y) held by it during the continuance of an Event of Default
(other than a default in the payment of the Purchase Price or Change in Control
Purchase Price, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities) in which
case, upon such return, the Purchase Notice or Change in Control Purchase Notice
with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

     Section 3.11 Deposit of Purchase Price or Change in Control Purchase Price.
Prior to 10:00 a.m. (local time in the City of New York) on the Business Day
following the Purchase Date or the Change in Control Purchase Date, as the case
may be, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (or,
if the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of either of them is acting as
the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.4)
an amount of money (in immediately available funds if deposited on such Business
Day) sufficient to pay the aggregate Purchase Price, together with all accrued
interest to, but not including, the Purchase Date and Liquidated Damages, if
any, thereon, or Change in Control Purchase Price, as the case may be, of all
the Securities or portions thereof which are to be purchased as of the Purchase
Date or Change in Control Purchase Date, as the case may be.

     Section 3.12 Securities Purchased in Part. Any Certificated Security that
is to be purchased only in part shall be surrendered at the office of the Paying
Agent (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder's attorney duly
authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge,
a new Security or Securities, of any authorized denomination as requested by
such Holder in aggregate Principal Amount equal to, and in exchange for, the
portion of the Principal Amount of the Security so surrendered which is not
purchased.

     Section 3.13 Covenant to Comply With Securities Laws Upon Purchase of
Securities. When complying with the provisions of Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof
(provided that such offer or purchase constitutes an "issuer tender offer" for
purposes of Rule 13e-4 (which term, as used herein, includes any successor
provision thereto) under the Exchange Act at the time of such offer or
purchase), the Company shall (i) comply in all material respects with Rule 13e-4
and Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, (ii) file the related Schedule TO (or any
successor schedule, form or report) under the Exchange Act, and (iii) otherwise
comply in all material respects with all Federal and state securities laws so as
to permit the rights and obligations under Sections 3.8 and 3.9 to be exercised
in the time and in the manner specified in Sections 3.8 and 3.9.

     Section 3.14 Repayment to the Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent
shall return to the Company any cash that remains unclaimed as provided in
paragraph 12 of the Securities, together

                                       23
<Page>

with interest or dividends, if any, thereon (subject to the provisions of
Section 7.1(f)), held by them for the payment of the Purchase Price or Change in
Control Purchase Price, as the case may be, and accrued interest; provided,
however, that to the extent that the aggregate amount of cash deposited by the
Company pursuant to Section 3.11 exceeds the aggregate Purchase Price or Change
in Control Purchase Price, as the case may be, of the Securities or portions
thereof which the Company is obligated to purchase as of the Purchase Date or
Change in Control Purchase Date, as the case may be, and accrued interest
thereon, then, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Company, promptly
after the Business Day following the Purchase Date or Change in Control Purchase
Date, as the case may be, the Trustee shall return any such excess to the
Company together with interest or dividends, if any, thereon (subject to the
provisions of Section 7.1(f)).

                                   ARTICLE IV.

                                    COVENANTS

     Section 4.1 Payment of Securities. The Company shall promptly make all
payments in respect of the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in
the Securities or pursuant to this Indenture. Any amounts to be given to the
Trustee or Paying Agent shall be deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent by
10:00 a.m. (New York City time) by the Company. Interest installments, Principal
Amount, Redemption Price, Purchase Price, Change in Control Purchase Price and
interest, if any, due on overdue amounts shall be considered paid on the
applicable date due if at 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on such date (or, in
the case of a Purchase Price or Change in Control Purchase Price, on the
Business Day following the applicable Purchase Date or Change in Control
Purchase Date, as the case may be) the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds, in
accordance with this Indenture, money sufficient to pay all such amounts then
due.

     The Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, pay interest on overdue
amounts at the rate per annum set forth in paragraph 1 of the Securities,
compounded semiannually, which interest shall accrue from the date such overdue
amount was originally due to the date payment of such amount, including interest
thereon, has been made or duly provided for. All such interest shall be payable
on demand. The accrual of such interest on overdue amounts shall be in addition
to the continued accrual of interest on the Securities.

     Section 4.2 SEC and Other Reports. The Company shall file with the Trustee,
within 15 days after it files such annual and quarterly reports, information,
documents and other reports with the SEC, copies of its annual report and of the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the
Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act. In the event the Company is at any time no longer subject to the
reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, it shall
continue to provide the Trustee with reports containing substantially the same
information as would have been required to be filed with the SEC had the Company
continued to have been subject to such reporting requirements. In such event,
such reports shall be provided at the times the Company would have been required
to provide reports had it continued to have been subject to such reporting
requirements.

     In addition, the Company shall comply with the other provisions of TIA
Section 314(a).

     Section 4.3 Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the
Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company
(beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2001) an Officers'
Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof
the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms,
provisions and conditions

                                       24
<Page>

of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of
notice provided hereunder) and if the Company shall be in default, specifying
all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have
knowledge.

     Section 4.4 Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the
Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further
acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the
purposes of this Indenture.

     Section 4.5 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in
the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency of the
Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent where Securities may be
presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for
registration of transfer, exchange, purchase, redemption or conversion and where
notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this
Indenture may be served. The office of State Street Bank and Trust Company,
N.A., an Affiliate of the Trustee, 61 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10006
(Attention: Corporate Trust Administration (Charles River Laboratories
International, Inc. 3 1/2% Senior Convertible Debentures due February 1, 2022),
shall initially be such office or agency for all of the aforesaid purposes. The
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and of
any change in the location, of any such office or agency (other than a change in
the location of the office of the Trustee). If at any time the Company shall
fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the
Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and
demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in
Section 11.2.

     The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all
such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York, for such purposes.

     Section 4.6 Delivery of Certain Information. At any time when the Company
is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, upon the request of a
Holder or any beneficial owner of Securities or holder or beneficial owner of
Common Stock delivered upon conversion thereof, the Company will promptly
furnish or cause to be furnished Rule 144A Information (as defined below) to
such Holder or any beneficial owner of Securities or holder or beneficial owner
of Common Stock, or to a prospective purchaser of any such security designated
by any such holder, as the case may be, to the extent required to permit
compliance by such Holder or holder with Rule 144A under the Securities Act in
connection with the resale of any such security. "Rule 144A Information" shall
be such information as is specified pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act or any successor provisions. Whether a person is a beneficial
owner shall be determined by the Company to the Company's reasonable
satisfaction.

     Section 4.7 Tax Treatment of Securities. The Company and the Holders, by
purchasing the Securities, agree that (i) the Securities are contingent payment
debt instruments as described in Treasury Regulation 1.1275-4, (ii) each Holder
shall be bound by the Company's application of the Treasury regulations to the
Securities, including the Company's determination that the rate at which
interest will be deemed to accrue on the Securities for United States federal
income tax purposes, will be 9% compounded semi-annually, which is the rate
comparable to the rate at which the Company would borrow on a noncontingent,
nonconvertible borrowing with terms and conditions otherwise comparable to the
Securities, (iii) each Holder shall use the projected payment schedule with
respect to the Securities provided by the Company to the Holder, as provided in
Treasury Regulation 1.1275-4(b)(4), to determine its interest accruals and
adjustments as provided in Treasury Regulation 1.1275-4(b)(4)(iv), and (iv) the

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Company and each Holder will not take any position on a tax return inconsistent
with (i), (ii), or (iii), unless required by applicable law.

     Section 4.8 Liquidated Damages. If at any time Liquidated Damages become
payable by the Company pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the
Company shall promptly deliver to the Trustee a certificate to that effect and
stating (i) the amount of such Liquidated Damages that are payable and (ii) the
date on which such damages are payable pursuant to the terms of the Registration
Rights Agreement. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives
such a certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no Liquidated
Damages are payable. If the Company has paid Liquidated Damages directly to the
persons entitled to them, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate
setting forth the particulars of such payment.

                                   ARTICLE V.

                              SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

     Section 5.1 When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. The Company shall
not consolidate with or merge with or into any other person or convey, transfer
or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person,
unless:

     (a) (1) the Company shall be the continuing corporation or (2) the person
(if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease
the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety (i) shall
be organized and validly existing under the laws of (A) the United States or any
State thereof or the District of Columbia, or (B) if such merger, consolidation
or other transaction would not impair the rights of Securityholders, any other
country and (ii) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto,
executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all
of the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;

     (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall
have occurred and be continuing; and

     (c) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation,
merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is
required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture,
comply with this Article 5 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for
relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

     For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or
otherwise) of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries (other than
to the Company or another Subsidiary), which, if such assets were owned by the
Company would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets
of the Company shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of
the properties and assets of the Company.

     The successor person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company
is merged or the successor person to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is
made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and
power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such
successor had been named as the Company herein; and thereafter, except in the
case of a lease and obligations the Company may have under a supplemental
indenture pursuant to Section 10.14, the Company shall be discharged from all
obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities. Subject to
Section 9.6, the Company, the Trustee and the successor person shall enter into
a

                                       26
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supplemental indenture to evidence the succession and substitution of such
successor person and such discharge and release of the Company.

                                   ARTICLE VI.

                              DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     Section 6.1 Events of Default. An "Event of Default" occurs if:

     (1) the Company defaults in the payment of interest, if any, payable on any
Security when the same becomes due and payable and such default continues for a
period of 30 days after receipt by the Company of a Notice of Default;

     (2) the Company defaults in the payment of the Principal Amount, Redemption
Price, Purchase Price or Change in Control Purchase Price on any Security when
the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon redemption, upon
declaration, when due for purchase by the Company or otherwise;

     (3) the Company fails to comply with any of its agreements in the
Securities or this Indenture (other than those referred to in clauses (1) and
(2) above) and such failure continues for 90 days after receipt by the Company
of a Notice of Default from the Trustee or from Holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount then outstanding;

     (4) an event of default, as defined in any indenture, including this
Indenture, or instrument evidencing or under which the Company, on the date any
determination shall be made under this clause (4), shall have outstanding at
least $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness for borrowed money
(other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness), shall happen and be continuing and such
event of default shall involve (x) the failure to pay the principal of or
premium, if any, on such Indebtedness (or any part thereof) on the final
maturity date thereof after the expiration of any applicable grace period with
respect thereto, or (y) such Indebtedness shall have been accelerated so that
the same shall be or become due and payable prior to the date on which the same
would otherwise have become due and payable, and such acceleration shall not be
rescinded or annulled within ten Business Days after notice thereof shall have
been given to the Company by the Trustee (if such event be known to it) or to
the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
principal amount of all of the Securities at the time outstanding; provided
that, if such event of default under such indenture or instrument shall be
remedied or cured by the Company or waived by the requisite holders of such
indebtedness, then the Event of Default by reason thereof shall be deemed
likewise to have been thereupon remedied, cured or waived without further action
upon the part of either the Trustee or any of the Securityholders, and provided
further, however, that subject to the provisions of Section 7.1 and 7.2, the
Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any such event of default unless
written notice thereof shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company, by
the holder or an agent of the holder of any such Indebtedness, by the trustee
then acting under any indenture or other instrument under which such default
shall have occurred, or by the Holders of not less than 25% in the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding;

     (5) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or
order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or
sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of
its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs and such
decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60
consecutive days; or

                                       27
<Page>

     (6) the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or
consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any
such law, or consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official)
of the Company or for any substantial part of its property or make any general
assignment for the benefit of creditors.

     A Default under clause (3) or (4) above is not an Event of Default until
the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
Principal Amount of the Securities at the time outstanding notify the Company
and the Trustee, of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default (and
such Default is not waived) within the time specified in clause (3) or (4) above
after actual receipt of such notice. Any such notice must specify the Default,
demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a "Notice of Default."

     The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after it becomes
aware of the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which with the
giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default
under clauses (3) or (4) above, its status and what action the Company is taking
or proposes to take with respect thereto.

     Section 6.2 Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.1(5) or (6)) occurs and is continuing, the
Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate
Principal Amount of the Securities at the time outstanding by notice to the
Company and the Trustee, may declare the Principal Amount of all the Securities
plus all accrued interest thereon through the date of declaration to be
immediately due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such Principal Amount plus
all accrued interest shall become and be immediately due and payable. If an
Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(5) or (6) occurs and is continuing,
the Principal Amount of all the Securities plus all accrued interest thereon
shall become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other
act on the part of the Trustee or any Securityholder. However, so long as any
indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to the Credit Facility shall be
outstanding, acceleration shall not be effective until the earlier of:

     (a) an acceleration of any such indebtedness under the Credit
Facility;

     (b) five business days after receipt by the Company and Union Bank of
California, N.A, as administrative agent (or any other entity which is the
administrative agent at such time, the name of which shall be provided to the
Trustee by the Company in writing) under the Credit Facility, of written notice
of that acceleration.

Except as stated in the prior sentence, upon any such declaration, the
Securities shall become due and payable immediately.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default relating
to events of bankruptcy or insolvency specified in Section 6.1(5) or (6), with
respect to the Company, all outstanding Securities will become due and payable
without further action or notice. Holders of the Securities may not enforce the
Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture.

     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding Securities by written notice to the Trustee (and without notice to
any other Securityholders) may on behalf of all of the holders rescind an
acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any
judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of
the Principal Amount plus all accrued interest, premium, or Liquidated Damages,
if any, that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured
or waived, provided that, in the event of a declaration

                                       28
<Page>

of acceleration of the Securities because an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing as a result of the acceleration of any indebtedness described
above, the declaration of acceleration of the Securities shall be automatically
annulled if (i) the amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.7 have been paid
and (ii) the Holders of any indebtedness described above have rescinded the
declaration of acceleration in respect of that indebtedness within 30 days of
the date of that declaration and if:

     (a) the annulment of the acceleration of the Securities would not conflict
with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

     (b) all existing Events of Default, except non-payment of principal or
interest on the Securities that became due solely because of the acceleration of
the Securities, have been cured or waived.

     Section 6.3 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment
of the Principal Amount of all the Securities plus all accrued interest thereon
or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this
Indenture.

     The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if the Trustee does not possess
any of the Securities or does not produce any of the Securities in the
proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in
exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not
impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of, or acquiescence in, the
Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available
remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

     Section 6.4 Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate
Principal Amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, by notice to the
Trustee (and without notice to any other Securityholder), may waive an existing
Default and its consequences except (a) an Event of Default described in Section
6.1(1) or 6.1(2), (b) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.2
cannot be amended without the consent of each Securityholder affected or (c) a
Default which constitutes a failure to convert any Security in accordance with
the terms of Article 10. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any
consequent right. This Section 6.4 shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)1(B) of the
TIA and such Section 316(a)1(B) is hereby expressly excluded from this
Indenture, as permitted by the TIA.

     Section 6.5 Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in aggregate
Principal Amount of the Securities at the time outstanding may direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However,
the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this
Indenture or that the Trustee determines in good faith is unduly prejudicial to
the rights of other Securityholders or would involve the Trustee in personal
liability unless the Trustee is offered indemnity satisfactory to it. This
Section 6.5 shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)1(A) of the TIA and such Section
316(a)1(A) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture, as permitted by the
TIA.

     Section 6.6 Limitation on Suits. A Securityholder may not pursue any remedy
with respect to this Indenture or the Securities unless:

     (1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event
of Default is continuing;

     (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate Principal Amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding make a written request to the Trustee to
pursue the remedy;

                                       29
<Page>

     (3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee security or indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

     (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity; and

     (5) the Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding do not give the Trustee a direction
inconsistent with the request during such 60-day period.

     A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of any
other Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over any other
Securityholder.

     Section 6.7 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder to receive payment of interest installments, the Principal Amount,
Redemption Price, Purchase Price, Change in Control Purchase Price or interest,
if any, due on overdue amounts in respect of the Securities held by such Holder,
on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, and to convert
the Securities in accordance with Article 10, or to bring suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or the right
to convert, shall not be impaired or affected adversely without the consent of
such Holder.

     Section 6.8 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default described in
Section 6.1(1) or 6.1(2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover
judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company
for the whole amount owing with respect to the Securities and the amounts
provided for in Section 7.7.

     Section 6.9 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of
any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to
the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the
Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective
of whether interest installments, the Principal Amount, Redemption Price,
Purchase Price, Change in Control Purchase Price or interest, if any, due on
overdue amounts in respect of the Securities shall then be due and payable as
therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the
Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of any such
amount) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or
otherwise,

     (a) to file and prove a claim for any accrued and unpaid interest
installments, the whole amount of the Principal Amount, Redemption Price,
Purchase Price, Change in Control Purchase Price or interest, if any, due on
overdue amounts in respect of the Securities, and to file such other papers or
documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel or any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7) and of the Holders allowed in such
judicial proceeding, and

     (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;and any custodian,
receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official in any
such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such
payments to the Trustee and, in the

                                       30
<Page>

event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to
the Holders, to pay the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

     Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities
or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

     Section 6.10 Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this
Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

     FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.7;

     SECOND: to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for
any accrued and unpaid interest installments, the Principal Amount, Redemption
Price, Purchase Price, Change in Control Purchase Price or interest, if any, due
on overdue amounts in respect of the Securities, as the case may be, ratably,
without preference or priority of any kind, according to such amounts due and
payable on the Securities ; and

     THIRD: the balance, if any, to the Company.

     The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Securityholders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such
record date, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder and the Company a
notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount to be paid.

     Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any
right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any
action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require
the filing by any party litigant (other than the Trustee) in the suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may
assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses,
against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11
does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section
6.7 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate Principal Amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding. This Section 6.11 shall be in lieu of
Section 315(e) of the TIA and such Section 315(e) is hereby expressly excluded
from this Indenture, as permitted by the TIA.

     Section 6.12 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. The Company covenants
(to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist
upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or
advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury or other law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which would prohibit or forgive
the Company from paying all or any portion of any interest installment, the
Principal Amount, Redemption Price, Purchase Price, Change in Control Purchase
Price or interest, if any, due on overdue amounts in respect of the securities,
as contemplated herein, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of
this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so)
hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants
that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein
granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such
power as though no such law had been enacted.

                                       31
<Page>

                                  ARTICLE VII.

                                     TRUSTEE

     Section 7.1 Duties of Trustee.

     (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the
same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise
or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.

     (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

     1.   the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set
          forth in this Indenture and no others; and

     2.   in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively
          rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
          opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished
          to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture,
          but in case of any such certificates or opinions which by any
          provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the
          Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to
          determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this
          Indenture, but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of
          mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein. This Section
          7.1(b) shall be in lieu of Section 3.15(a) of the TIA and such
          Section 315(a) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture, as
          permitted by the TIA.

     (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent
action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except
that:

     1.   this paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this
          Section 7.1;

     2.   the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in
          good faith by a Responsible Officer unless it is proved that the
          Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

     3.   the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes
          or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
          received by it pursuant to Section 6.5.

Subparagraphs (c) (1), (2) and (3) shall be in lieu of Sections 315(d)(1),
315(d)(2) and 315 (d)(3) of the TIA and such Sections 315(d)(1), 315(d)(2) and
315 (d) (3) are hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture, as permitted by
the TIA.

     (d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this Section 7.1.

     (e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or
power or extend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability
unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense.

                                       32
<Page>

     (f) Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee (acting in
any capacity hereunder) shall be under no liability for interest on any money
received by it hereunder unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

     Section 7.2 Rights of Trustee. Subject to its duties and responsibilities
under the TIA,

     (a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it
to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties;

     (b) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem
it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering
or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein
specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

     (c) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder;

     (d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or
omitted to be taken by it in good faith which it believes to be authorized or
within its rights or powers conferred under this Indenture;

     (e) The Trustee may consult with counsel selected by it and any advice or
Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith
and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel.

     (f) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of
any of the Holders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to
it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or
thereby.

     (g) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution
of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

     (h) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts
or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the
Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to
make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the
books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney
at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional
liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

     (i) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event
of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge
thereof or unless written notice of any

                                       33
<Page>

event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities
and this Indenture;

     (j) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to
the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall
be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each
agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder; and

     (k) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers'
Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers
authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture,
which Officers' Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an
Officers' Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any
such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

     Section 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or
any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may
otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, Conversion Agent or
co-registrar may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply
with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

     Section 7.4 Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee makes no representation as to
the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be
accountable for the Company's use or application of the proceeds from the
Securities, it shall not be responsible for any statement in the registration
statement for the Securities under the Securities Act or in any offering
document for the Securities, the Indenture or the Securities (other than its
certificate of authentication), or the determination as to which beneficial
owners are entitled to receive any notices hereunder.

     Section 7.5 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and if it is known to
the Trustee, the Trustee shall give to each Securityholder notice of the Default
within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, within 15 days after it is known to
the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived before the
giving of such notice. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except in the
case of a Default described in Sections 6.1(1) and 6.1(2), the Trustee may
withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in
good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of
Securityholders. The second sentence of this Section 7.5 shall be in lieu of the
proviso to Section 315(b) of the TIA and such proviso is hereby expressly
excluded from this Indenture, as permitted by the TIA. The Trustee shall not be
deemed to have knowledge of a Default unless a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee has received written notice of such Default.

     Section 7.6 Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each May 15
beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee
shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of such May 15 that
complies with TIA Section 313(a), if required by such Section 313(a). The
Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).

     A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall
be filed with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the
Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee promptly
whenever the securities become listed on any Securities exchange and of any
delisting thereof.

     Section 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity. The Company agrees:

     (a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as the
Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing for all
services rendered by it hereunder (which

                                       34
<Page>

compensation shall not be limited (to the extent permitted by law) by any
provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust);

     (b) to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the
Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the
reasonable compensation and the expenses, advances and disbursements of its
agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
attributable to its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; and

     (c) to indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their agents
for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, damage, claim, liability, cost
or expense (including attorney's fees and taxes (other than taxes based upon,
measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee)) incurred without
negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the
acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of
defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any
Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

     To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section 7.7, the
Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held
or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay interest
installments, the Principal Amount, Redemption Price, Purchase Price, Change in
Control Purchase Price or interest, if any, due on overdue amounts, as the case
may be, in respect of any Securities.

     The Company's payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall
survive the discharge of this Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses after
the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.1(5) or Section 6.1(6), the
expenses, including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel, are
intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law.

     Section 7.8 Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign by so notifying
the Company; provided, however, that no such resignation shall be effective
until a successor Trustee has accepted its appointment pursuant to this Section
7.8. The Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities
at the time outstanding may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and
the Company. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

     (1)  the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

     (2)  the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

     (3)  a receiver or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
          property; or

     (4)  the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

     If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office
of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint, by resolution of
its Board of Directors, a successor Trustee.

     A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment
to the retiring Trustee and to the Company satisfactory in form and substance to
the retiring Trustee and the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of
the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall
have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The
successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Securityholders. The
retiring Trustee shall promptly

                                       35
<Page>

transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to
the lien provided for in Section 7.7.

     If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the
retiring Trustee gives its notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring
Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount
of the Securities at the time outstanding may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction at the expense of the Company for the appointment of a successor
Trustee.

     If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and
the appointment of a successor Trustee.

     Section 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with,
merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate
trust business or assets (including the administration of the trust created by
this Indenture) to, another corporation, the resulting, surviving or transferee
corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

     Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times
satisfy the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1) and 310(b). The Trustee (or
its parent holding company) shall have a combined capital and surplus of at
least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of
condition. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Trustee from filing with
the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA Section
310(b).

     Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee
shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed
in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be
subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

                                  ARTICLE VIII.

                             DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     Section 8.1 Discharge of Liability on Securities. When (i) the Company
delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities (other than Securities
replaced pursuant to Section 2.7) for cancellation or (ii) all outstanding
Securities have become due and payable and the Company deposits with the Trustee
cash sufficient to pay all amounts due and owing on all outstanding Securities
(other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.7), and if in either case
the Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this
Indenture shall, subject to Section 7.7, cease to be of further effect. The
Trustee shall join in the execution of a document prepared by the Company
acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture on demand of the
Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel and at
the cost and expense of the Company.

     Section 8.2 Repayment to the Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent
shall return to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the
payment of any amount with respect to the Securities that remains unclaimed for
two years, subject to applicable unclaimed property law. After return to the
Company, as applicable, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company
for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law
designates another person and the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall have no
further liability to the Securityholders with respect to such money or
securities for that period commencing after the return thereof.

                                       36
<Page>

                                   ARTICLE IX.

                                   AMENDMENTS

     Section 9.1 Without Consent of Holders. The Company and the Trustee may
amend this Indenture or the Securities without the consent of any
Securityholder, so long as such changes, other than those in clause (2), do not
materially and adversely affect the interests of the Securityholder:

     (1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

     (2) to comply with Article 5 or Section 10.14;

     (3) to secure the Company's obligations under the Securities and this
Indenture;

     (4) to add to the Company's covenants for the benefit of the
Securityholders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;

     (5) to make any change necessary for the registration of the Securities
under the Securities Act or to comply with the TIA, or any amendment thereto, or
to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification
of the Indenture under the TIA.

     Section 9.2 With Consent of Holders. With the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities
at the time outstanding, the Company and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or
the Securities. However, without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an
amendment to this Indenture or the Securities may not:

     (1) change the record or payment dates for interest installments, or reduce
the rate of interest referred to in paragraph 1 of the Securities, or extend the
time for payment of interest on any Security;

     (2) reduce the Principal Amount or extend the Stated Maturity of any
Security;

     (3) reduce the Redemption Price, Purchase Price or Change in Control
Purchase Price of any Security;

     (4) make any Security payable in money or securities other than that
stated in the Security;

     (5) make any change in Section 6.4, Section 6.7 or this Section 9.2, except
to increase any percentage set forth therein;

     (6) make any change that adversely affects the right to convert any
Security; or

     (7) make any change that adversely affects the right to require the Company
to purchase the Securities in accordance with the terms thereof and this
Indenture.

     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section
9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be
sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

     After an amendment under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Company
shall mail to each Holder a notice briefly describing the amendment.

                                       37
<Page>

     Section 9.3 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental
indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall comply with the TIA. Section
9.4 Revocation and Effect of Consents, Waivers and Actions. Until an amendment,
waiver or other action by Holders becomes effective, a consent thereto by a
Holder of a Security hereunder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every
subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that evidences the
same obligation as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of the
consent, waiver or action is not made on the Security. However, any such Holder
or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent, waiver or action as to such
Holder's Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice
of revocation before the date the amendment, waiver or action becomes effective.
After an amendment, waiver or action becomes effective, it shall bind every
Securityholder.

     Section 9.5 Notation on or Exchange of Securities. Securities authenticated
and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this
Article 9 may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form
approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental
indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities so modified as to
conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the
Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the
Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for
outstanding Securities.

     Section 9.6 Trustee to Sign Supplemental Indentures. The Trustee shall sign
any supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the
amendment contained therein does not adversely affect the rights, duties,
liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need
not, sign such supplemental indenture. In signing such supplemental indenture
the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to the provisions of Section 7.1) shall
be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture.

     Section 9.7 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any
supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in
accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this
Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or
thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

                                   ARTICLE X.

                                   CONVERSIONS

     Section 10.1 Conversion Right and Conversion Price. Subject to the further
provisions of this Article 10 and paragraph 8 of the Securities, a Holder of a
Security may convert such Security into Common Stock at any time prior to the
close of business on the Business Day that is immediately preceding the Stated
Maturity of such Security. The number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
conversion of a Security is determined by dividing (x) the Principal Amount of
the Security or the portion thereof being converted by (y) the conversion price
in effect on the Conversion Date (the "Conversion Price"). The initial
Conversion Price shall be that set forth in paragraph 8 of the Securities. The
Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as herein set
forth.

     A Holder may convert a portion of the Principal Amount of a Security if the
portion is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this
Indenture that apply to conversion of all of a Security also apply to conversion
of a portion of a Security.

                                       38
<Page>

     A Security in respect of which a Holder has delivered a Purchase Notice
pursuant to Section 3.8 or a Change in Control Purchase Notice pursuant to
Section 3.9 exercising the option of such Holder to require the Company to
purchase such Security may be converted only if such Purchase Notice or Change
in Control Purchase Notice is withdrawn by a written notice of withdrawal
complying in all respects with each of the provisions of this Indenture relating
to such notice and delivered to the Paying Agent prior to the close of business
on the business day prior to the Purchase Date or prior to the close of business
on the Change in Control Purchase Date, as the case may be.

     In the event that the Ex-Dividend Time (as defined below) (or in the case
of a subdivision, combination or reclassification, the effective date with
respect thereto) with respect to a dividend, subdivision, combination or
reclassification to which Section 10.6(1), (2), (3) or (5) applies occurs during
the period applicable for calculating "Average Sale Price" pursuant to the
definition in Section 10.7, "Average Sale Price" shall be calculated for such
period in a manner determined by the Board of Directors of the Company to
reflect the impact of such dividend, subdivision, combination or
reclassification on the Sale Price of the Common Stock during such period.

     The "Sale Price" of the Common Stock on any date means the closing per
share sale price (or, if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the
bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the
average bid and average ask prices) on such date as reported in the composite
transactions for the principal United States securities exchange on which the
Common Stock are traded or, if the Common Shares are not listed on a United
States national or regional securities exchange, as reported by the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or by the National
Quotation Bureau Incorporated. In the absence of such quotations, the Company
shall be entitled to determine the sales price on the basis of such quotations
as it reasonably considers appropriate.

     "Time of Determination" means the time and date of the earlier of (i) the
determination of stockholders entitled to receive rights, warrants or options or
a distribution, in each case, to which Section 10.7 or 10.8 applies and (ii) the
time ("Ex-Dividend Time") immediately prior to the commencement of "ex-dividend"
trading for such rights, warrants or options or distribution on the New York
Stock Exchange or such other national or regional exchange or market on which
the Common Stock are then listed or quoted.

     Section 10.2 Conversion Procedure. To convert a Security a Holder must
satisfy the requirements in paragraph 8 of the Securities. The first Business
Day on which the Holder satisfies all those requirements is the conversion date
(the "Conversion Date").

     As soon as practicable after the Conversion Date, the Company shall deliver
to the Holder, through the Conversion Agent, a certificate for the number of
full Common Stock deliverable upon the conversion or exchange and cash in lieu
of any fractional share determined pursuant to Section 10.3. The person in whose
name the certificate is registered shall be treated as a shareholder of record
on and after the next Business Day following the Conversion Date. Upon
conversion of a Security, such person shall no longer be a Holder of such
Security. No payment or adjustment will be made for dividends on, or other
distributions with respect to, any Common Stock except as provided in this
Article 10.

     If any Holder surrenders a Security for conversion (in whole or in part)
during the period from the close of business on any regular record date for the
payment of an installment of interest to the opening of business on the next
succeeding interest payment date, then such Security so surrendered shall be
accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to
the interest payable on such interest payment date on the Principal Amount of
such Security then being converted, and such interest installment shall be
payable to such registered Holder notwithstanding the conversion of

                                       39
<Page>

the Security, subject to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the
payment of defaulted interest by the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, in the event that a Holder surrenders a Security or portion thereof
(i) called for redemption, (ii) that the Company may be obligated to purchase in
accordance with Section 3.9 upon a Change of Control or (iii) surrendered for
conversion after the Company declares a dividend or distribution described in
Section 10.7, or a dividend or a distribution described in Section 10.8 where
the fair market value of such dividend or distribution per Common Share exceeds
15% of the Sale Price of the Common Stock as of the Business Day prior to the
date of declaration, and the Redemption Date, Change in Control Purchase Date or
Ex-Dividend Date with respect to the distribution, as the case may be, occurs
during the period from the close of business on a record date and ending on the
opening of business on the first Business Day after the next interest payment
date, or if this interest payment date is not a Business Day, the second
Business Day after the interest payment date, such Holder shall not be required
to pay an amount equal to the interest payable on the Principal Amount of the
Security being converted. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.2, no
payment or adjustment will be made for accrued interest or Liquidated Damages,
if any, on a converted Security. If the Company defaults in the payment of
interest payable on such interest payment date, the Company shall promptly repay
such funds to such Holder.

     Nothing in this Section 10.2 shall affect the right of a Holder in whose
name any Security is registered at the close of business on a record date to
receive the interest payable on such Security on the related interest payment
date in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities. If the
Holder converts more than one Security at the same time, the number of Common
Stock deliverable upon the conversion shall be based on the total Principal
Amount of the Securities converted.

     If the last day on which a Security may be converted is a Legal Holiday,
the Security may be surrendered on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal
Holiday.

     Upon surrender of a Security that is converted in part, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder, a new
Security in an authorized denomination equal in Principal Amount to the
unconverted portion of the Security surrendered.

     Section 10.3 Fractional Shares. Securityholders will not receive a
fractional share upon conversion of a Security. Instead, the Holder will receive
cash for the current market value of the fractional share. The current market
value of a fractional share shall be determined, to the nearest 1/1,000th of a
share, by multiplying the Sale Price, on the last trading day prior to the
Conversion Date, of a full share by the fractional amount and rounding the
product to the nearest whole cent.

     Section 10.4 Transfer Taxes on Conversion. If a Holder submits a Security
for conversion, the Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or
transfer tax due on the issue of Common Stock upon the conversion. However, the
Holder shall pay any such tax which is due because the Holder requests the
Common Stock to be delivered in a name other than the Holder's name. The
Conversion Agent may refuse to deliver the certificates representing the Common
Stock being delivered in a name other than the Holder's name until the
Conversion Agent receives a sum sufficient to pay any tax which will be due
because the shares are to be delivered in a name other than the Holder's name.
Nothing herein shall preclude any tax withholding required by law or
regulations.

     Section 10.5 Company to Provide Stock. All Common Stock delivered upon
conversion of the Securities shall be duly and validly issued and fully paid and
nonassessable, and shall be free from preemptive rights and free of any lien or
adverse claim. The Company will endeavor promptly to comply with all federal and
state securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of Common Stock upon
conversion of Securities, if any, and will list or cause to have quoted such
Common Stock on

                                       40
<Page>

each national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market or such
other market on which the Common Stock are then listed or quoted.

     Section 10.6 Adjustment for Change In Capital Stock. If, after the Issue
Date of the Securities, the Company:

     (1) pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its Common Stock in Common
Stock;

     (2) subdivides its outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of
shares;

     (3) combines its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number
of shares;

     (4) pays a dividend or makes a distribution on its Common Stock in shares
of its Capital Stock (other than Common Stock or rights, warrants or options for
its Capital Stock); or

     (5) issues by reclassification of its Common Stock any shares of its
Capital Stock (other than rights, warrants or options for its Capital Stock),
then the conversion privilege and the Conversion Price in effect immediately
prior to such action shall be adjusted so that the Holder of a Security
thereafter converted may receive the number of shares of Capital Stock of the
Company that such Holder would have owned immediately following such action if
such Holder had converted the Security immediately prior to such action.

     The adjustment shall become effective immediately after the record date in
the case of a dividend or distribution and immediately after the effective date
in the case of a subdivision, combination or reclassification.

     If after an adjustment a Holder of a Security upon conversion of such
Security may receive shares of two or more classes of Capital Stock of the
Company, the Conversion Price shall thereafter be subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of an action taken with respect to any such class of Capital Stock as
is contemplated by this Article 10 with respect to the Common Stock, on terms
comparable to those applicable to Common Stock in this Article 10.

     Section 10.7 Adjustment for Rights Issue. If after the Issue Date of the
Securities, the Company distributes any rights, warrants or options to all
holders of its Common Stock entitling them, for a period expiring within 60 days
after the record date for such distribution, to purchase Common Stock at a price
per share less than the Average Sale Price as of the Time of Determination, the
Conversion Price shall be adjusted in accordance with the formulas:

                         (O + N)
     R'  =  R X    ------------------
                    (O + (N X P)/M)
     and

     P' =               $1,000/R'

     where:

     R' = the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of a
Security per $1,000 of Principal Amount thereof, based upon the adjusted
Conversion Price.

                                       41
<Page>

     R = the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of a
Security per $1,000 of Principal Amount thereof, based upon the current
Conversion Price.

     O = the number of Common Stock outstanding on the record date for the
distribution to which this Section 10.7 is being applied.

     N = the number of additional Common Stock offered pursuant to the
distribution.

     P' = the adjusted Conversion Price

     P = the offering price per share of the additional shares.

     M = the Average Sale Price, minus, in the case of (i) a distribution to
which Section 10.6(4) applies or (ii) a distribution to which Section 10.8
applies, for which, in each case, (x) the record date shall occur on or before
the record date for the distribution to which this Section 10.7 applies and (y)
the Ex-Dividend Time shall occur on or after the date of the Time of
Determination for the distribution to which this Section 10.7 applies, the fair
market value (on the record date for the distribution to which this Section 10.7
applies) of the

     (1) Capital Stock of the Company distributed in respect of each Common
Share in such Section 10.6(4) distribution, and

     (2) assets of the Company or debt securities or any rights, warrants or
options to purchase securities of the Company distributed in respect of each
Common Share in such Section 10.8 distribution.

     The Board of Directors of the Company shall determine fair market values
for the purposes of this Section 10.7, except as Section 10.8 otherwise provides
in the case of a spin-off.

     "Average Sale Price" means the average of the Sale Prices of the Common
Stock for the shorter of

          (i) 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last full trading day
     prior to the Time of Determination with respect to the rights, warrants or
     options or distribution in respect of which the Average Sale Price is being
     calculated, or

          (ii) the period (x) commencing on the date next succeeding the first
     public announcement of (a) the issuance of rights, warrants or options or
     (b) the distribution, in each case, in respect of which the Average Sale
     Price is being calculated and (y) proceeding through the last full trading
     day prior to the Time of Determination with respect to the rights, warrants
     or options or distribution in respect of which the Average Sale Price is
     being calculated (excluding days within such period, if any, which are not
     trading days), or

          (iii) the period, if any, (x) commencing on the date next succeeding
     the Ex-Dividend Time with respect to the next preceding (a) issuance of
     rights, warrants or options or (b) distribution, in each case, for which an
     adjustment is required by the provisions of Section 10.6(4), 10.7 or 10.8
     and (y) proceeding through the last full trading day prior to the Time of
     Determination with respect to the rights, warrants or options or
     distribution in respect of which the Average Sale Price is being calculated
     (excluding days within such period, if any, which are not trading days).

                                       42
<Page>

     The adjustment shall become effective immediately after the record date for
the determination of shareholders entitled to receive the rights, warrants or
options to which this Section 10.7 applies. If all of the Common Stock subject
to such rights, warrants or options have not been issued when such rights,
warrants or options expire, then the Conversion Price shall promptly be
readjusted to the Conversion Price that would then be in effect had the
adjustment upon the issuance of such rights, warrants or options been made on
the basis of the actual number of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of such
rights, warrants or options.

     No adjustment shall be made under this Section 10.7 if the application of
the formula stated above in this Section 10.7 would result in a value of P' that
is equal to or more than the value of P.

     Section 10.8 Adjustment for Other Distributions. If, after the Issue Date
of the Securities, the Company distributes to all holders of its Common Stock
any of its assets, or debt securities or any rights, warrants or options to
purchase securities of the Company (including securities or cash, but excluding
(x) distributions of Capital Stock referred to in Section 10.6 and distributions
of rights, warrants or options referred to in Section 10.7 and (y) cash
dividends or other cash distributions other than Extraordinary Cash Dividends)
the Conversion Price shall be adjusted, subject to the provisions of the last
paragraph of this Section 10.8, in accordance with the formulas:

                 R X M
     R'  =     ----------
                 (M-F)
     and

     P' = $1,000/R'

     where:

     R' = the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of
Security per $1,000 of Principal Amount thereof, based upon the adjusted
Conversion Price.

     R = the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon conversion of
Security per $1,000 of Principal Amount thereof, based upon the current
Conversion Price.

     M = the Average Sale Price, minus, in the case of a distribution to which
Section 10.6(4) applies, for which (i) the record date shall occur on or before
the record date for the distribution to which this Section 10.8 applies and (ii)
the Ex-Dividend Time shall occur on or after the date of the Time of
Determination for the distribution to which this Section 10.8 applies, the fair
market value (on the record date for the distribution to which this Section 10.8
applies) of any Capital Stock of the Company distributed in respect of each
share of Common Stock in such Section 10.6(4) distribution.

     F = the fair market value (on the record date for the distribution to which
this Section 10.8 applies) of the assets, securities, rights, warrants or
options to be distributed in respect of each Common Share in the distribution to
which this Section 10.8 is being applied (including, in the case of cash
dividends or other cash distributions giving rise to an adjustment, all such
cash distributed concurrently).

     P' = the adjusted Conversion Price.

     The Board of Directors of the Company shall determine fair market values
for the purposes of this Section 10.8, except that in respect of a dividend or
other distribution of shares of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar
equity interests, of or relating to a Subsidiary or other business unit

                                       43
<Page>

of the Company (a "Spin-off"), the fair market value of the securities to be
distributed shall equal the average of the daily Sale Prices of those securities
for the five consecutive trading days commencing on and including the sixth day
of trading of those securities after the effectiveness of the Spin-off and the
Average of the Sale Prices shall mean the average Sale Prices for the Common
Stock for the same five trading days. In the event, however, that an
underwritten initial public offering of the securities in the Spin-off occurs
simultaneously with the Spin-off, fair market value of the securities
distributed in the Spin-off shall mean the initial public offering price of such
securities and the Average Sale Price shall mean the Sale Price for the Common
Stock on the same trading day.

     The adjustment shall become effective immediately after the record date for
the determination of shareholders entitled to receive the distribution to which
this Section 10.8 applies, except that an adjustment related to a Spin-off shall
become effective at the earlier to occur of (i) 10 trading days after the
effective date of the Spin-off and (ii) the initial public offering of the
securities distributed in the Spin-off.

     For purposes of this Section 10.8, the term "Extraordinary Cash Dividend"
shall mean any cash dividend with respect to the Common Stock the amount of
which, together with the aggregate amount of cash dividends on the Common Stock
to be aggregated with such cash dividend in accordance with the provisions of
this paragraph, equals or exceeds the threshold percentage set forth in the
following paragraph. For purposes of the following paragraph, the "Measurement
Period" with respect to a cash dividend on the Common Stock shall mean the 365
consecutive day period ending on the date prior to the Ex-Dividend Time with
respect to such cash dividend, and the "Relevant Cash Dividends" with respect to
a cash dividend on the Common Stock shall mean the cash dividends on the Common
Stock with Ex-Dividend Times occurring in the Measurement Period.

     If, upon the date prior to the Ex-Dividend Time with respect to a cash
dividend on the Common Stock, the aggregate amount of such cash dividend
together with the amounts of all Relevant Cash Dividends equals or exceeds on a
per share basis 5% of the Sale Price of the Common Stock on the last trading day
preceding the date of declaration by the Board of Directors of the Company of
the cash dividend with respect to which this provision is being applied, then
such cash dividend together with all Relevant Cash Dividends, shall be deemed to
be an Extraordinary Cash Dividend and for purposes of applying the formula set
forth above in this Section 10.8, the value of "F" shall be equal to (y) the
aggregate amount of such cash dividend together with the amount of all Relevant
Cash Dividends, minus (z) the aggregate amount of all Relevant Cash Dividends
for which a prior adjustment in the Conversion Price was previously made under
this Section 10.8.

     In making the determinations required by the preceding paragraph, the
amount of cash dividends paid on a per share basis and the amount of any
Relevant Cash Dividends specified in the preceding paragraph, shall be
appropriately adjusted to reflect the occurrence during such period of any event
described in Section 10.6.

     In the event that, with respect to any distribution to which this Section
10.8 would otherwise apply, the difference "M-F" as defined in the above formula
is less than $1.00 or "F" is equal to or greater than "M", then the adjustment
provided by this Section 10.8 shall not be made and in lieu thereof the
provisions of Section 10.14 shall apply to such distribution.

     Section 10.9 When Adjustment May Be Deferred. No adjustment in the
Conversion Price need be made unless the adjustment would require an increase or
decrease of at least 1% in the Conversion Price. Any adjustments that are not
made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent
adjustment.

                                       44
<Page>

     All calculations under this Article 10 shall be made to the nearest cent or
to the nearest 1/1,000th of a share, as the case may be.

     Section 10.10 When No Adjustment Required. If the Company adopts a
stockholders rights plan under which the Company issues rights providing that
each share of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Security at any time
prior to the distribution of separate certificates representing the rights will
be entitled to receive the rights, no adjustment need be made as a result of:
(i) the issuance of the rights; (ii) the distribution of separate certificates
representing the rights; (iii) the exercise or redemption of the rights in
accordance with any rights agreement; or (iv) the termination or invalidation of
the rights.

     No adjustment need be made for a transaction referred to in Section 10.6,
10.7, 10.8 or 10.14 if Securityholders are to participate in the transaction
without conversion on a basis and with notice that the Board of Directors of the
Company determines to be fair and appropriate in light of the basis and notice
on which holders of Common Stock participate in the transaction. No adjustment
need be made for rights to purchase Common Stock pursuant to the Company plan
for reinvestment of dividends or interest.

     No adjustment need be made for a change in the par value or no par value of
the Common Stock.

     To the extent the Securities become convertible pursuant to this Article 10
in whole or in part into cash, no adjustment need be made thereafter as to the
cash. Interest will not accrue on the cash.

     Section 10.11 Notice of Adjustment. Whenever the Conversion Price is
adjusted, the Company shall promptly mail to Securityholders a notice of the
adjustment. The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Conversion Agent
such notice and a certificate from the Company's independent public accountants
briefly stating the facts requiring the adjustment and the manner of computing
it. The certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the adjustment is correct.
Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any duty or
responsibility with respect to any such certificate except to exhibit the same
to any Holder desiring inspection thereof.

     Section 10.12 Voluntary Decrease. The Company from time to time may
decrease the Conversion Price by any amount for any period of time. Whenever the
Conversion Price is decreased, the Company shall mail to Securityholders and
file with the Trustee and the Conversion Agent a notice of the decrease. The
Company shall mail the notice at least 15 days before the date the decreased
Conversion Price takes effect. The notice shall state the decreased Conversion
Price and the period it will be in effect. A voluntary decrease of the
Conversion Price does not change or adjust the Conversion Price otherwise in
effect for purposes of Section 10.6, 10.7 or 10.8.

     Section 10.13 Notice of Certain Transactions. If:

     (1) the Company takes any action that would require an adjustment in the
Conversion Price pursuant to Section 10.6, 10.7 or 10.8 (unless no adjustment is
to occur pursuant to Section 10.10); or

     (2) the Company takes any action that would require a supplemental
indenture pursuant to Section 10.14; or

     (3) there is a liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

                                       45
<Page>

then the Company shall mail to Securityholders and file with the Trustee and the
Conversion Agent a notice stating the proposed record date for a dividend or
distribution or the proposed effective date of a subdivision, combination,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, binding share exchange, transfer,
liquidation or dissolution. The Company shall file and mail the notice at least
15 days before such date. Failure to file or mail the notice or any defect in it
shall not affect the validity of the transaction.

     Section 10.14 Reorganization of the Company; Special Distributions. If the
Company is a party to a transaction subject to Section 5.1 (other than a sale of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in a transaction in which
the holders of Common Stock immediately prior to such transaction do not receive
securities, cash or other assets of the Company or any other person) or a merger
or binding share exchange which reclassifies or changes its outstanding Common
Stock, the person obligated to deliver securities, cash or other assets upon
conversion of Securities shall enter into a supplemental indenture. If the
issuer of securities deliverable upon conversion of Securities is an Affiliate
of the successor to the Company, that issuer shall join in the supplemental
indenture.

     The supplemental indenture shall provide that the Holder of a Security may
convert it into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets which
such Holder would have received immediately after the consolidation, merger,
binding share exchange or transfer if such Holder had converted the Security
immediately before the effective date of the transaction, assuming (to the
extent applicable) that such Holder (i) was not a constituent person or an
Affiliate of a constituent person to such transaction; (ii) made no election
with respect thereto; and (iii) was treated alike with the plurality of
non-electing Holders. The supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments
which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practical to the adjustments
provided for in this Article 10. The Company shall mail to Securityholders a
notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture.

     If this Section applies, neither Section 10.6 nor 10.7 applies.

     If the Company makes a distribution to all holders of its Common Stock of
any of its assets, or debt securities or any rights, warrants or options to
purchase securities of the Company that, but for the provisions of the last
paragraph of Section 10.8, would otherwise result in an adjustment in the
Conversion Price pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.8, then, from and
after the record date for determining the holders of Common Stock entitled to
receive the distribution, a Holder of a Security that converts such Security in
accordance with the provisions of this Indenture shall upon such conversion be
entitled to receive, in addition to the shares of Common Stock into which the
Security is convertible, the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets
comprising the distribution that such Holder would have received if such Holder
had converted the Security immediately prior to the record date for determining
the holders of Common Stock entitled to receive the distribution.

     Section 10.15 Company Determination Final. Any determination that the
Company or its Board of Directors must make pursuant to Section 10.3, 10.6,
10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, 10.14 or 10.17 is conclusive, absent manifest error.

     Section 10.16 Trustee's Adjustment Disclaimer. The Trustee has no duty to
determine when an adjustment under this Article 10 should be made, how it should
be made or what it should be. The Trustee has no duty to determine whether a
supplemental indenture under Section 10.14 need be entered into or whether any
provisions of any supplemental indenture are correct. The Trustee shall not be
accountable for and makes no representation as to the validity or value of any
securities or assets delivered upon conversion of Securities. The Trustee shall
not be responsible for the Company's failure to comply with this Article 10.
Each Conversion Agent shall have the same protection under this Section 10.16 as
the Trustee. Unless and until the Trustee receives a certificate from the
Company setting forth

                                       46
<Page>

the particulars of an adjustment under this Article 10, the Trustee may assume
without inquiry that no such adjustment has been, or is required to be, made.

     Section 10.17 Simultaneous Adjustments. In the event that this Article 10
requires adjustments to the Conversion Price under more than one of Sections
10.6(4), 10.7 or 10.8, and the record dates for the distributions giving rise to
such adjustments shall occur on the same date, then such adjustments shall be
made by applying, first, the provisions of Section 10.6, second, the provisions
of Section 10.8 and, third, the provisions of Section 10.7.

     Section 10.18 Successive Adjustments. After an adjustment to the Conversion
Price under this Article 10, any subsequent event requiring an adjustment under
this Article 10 shall cause an adjustment to the Conversion Price as so
adjusted.

                                   ARTICLE XI.

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 11.1 Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this
Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is
required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision
shall control.

     Section 11.2 Notices. Any request, demand, authorization, notice, waiver,
consent or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed
by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows or transmitted by
facsimile transmission (confirmed by guaranteed overnight courier) to the
following facsimile numbers:

          if to the Company, to:

          Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
          251 Ballardvale Street
          Wilmington, MA 01887
          Attn:  General Counsel
          (978) 658-6000

          in either case, with a copy to:

          Latham & Watkins
          885 Third Avenue
          New York, NY  10022
          Attn:  Peter Labonski
          (212) 906-1200

          if to the Trustee, to:

          State Street Bank and Trust Company
          Goodwin Square
          225 Asylum Street, 23rd Floor
          Hartford, Connecticut  06103
          Attn:  Corporate Trust Administration
                 (Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. 3 1/2%
                 Senior Convertible Debentures due February 1, 2022)
          Facsimile No.: (860) 244-1889

                                       47
<Page>

     The Company or the Trustee by notice given to the other in the manner
provided above may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent
notices or communications.

     Any notice or communication given to a Securityholder shall be mailed to
the Securityholder, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at the
Securityholder's address as it appears on the registration books of the
Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time
prescribed.

     Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect
in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders. If
a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly
given, whether or not received by the addressee.

     If the Company mails a notice or communication to the Securityholders, it
shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion
Agent or co-registrar.

     Section 11.3 Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Securityholders
may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders with
respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the
Trustee, the Registrar, the Paying Agent, the Conversion Agent and anyone else
shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

     Section 11.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any
request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under
this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

     (1) an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers,
all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the
proposed action have been complied with; and

     (2) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all
such conditions precedent have been complied with.

     Section 11.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each Officers'
Certificate or Opinion of Counsel with respect to compliance with a covenant or
condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

     (1) a statement that each person making such Officers' Certificate or
Opinion of Counsel has read such covenant or condition;

     (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such Officers'
Certificate or Opinion of Counsel are based;

     (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he has made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such person to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and

     (4) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, such covenant or
condition has been complied with.

                                       48
<Page>

     Section 11.6 Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture
or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

     Section 11.7 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent and
Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of
Securityholders. The Registrar, the Conversion Agent and the Paying Agent may
make reasonable rules for their functions.

     Section 11.8 Legal Holidays. A "Legal Holiday" is any day other than a
Business Day. If any specified date (including a date for giving notice) is a
Legal Holiday, the action shall be taken on the next succeeding day that is not
a Legal Holiday, and, if the action to be taken on such date is a payment in
respect of the Securities, no interest, if any, shall accrue for the intervening
period.

     Section 11.9 Governing Law. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES.

     Section 11.10 No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or
stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Securities or for any claim based on, in
respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a
Security, each Securityholder shall waive and release all such liability. The
waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the
Securities.

     Section 11.11 Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture
and the Securities shall bind its successor. All agreements of the Trustee in
this Indenture shall bind its successor.

     Section 11.12 Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies
of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this
Indenture.

                                       49
<Page>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized, have executed
this Indenture on behalf of the respective parties hereto as of the date first
above written.

                                      CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES
                                      INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                      By: /s/  Dennis R. Shaughnessy
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Dennis R. Shaughnessy
                                          Title: Vice President, Corporate
                                                 Development, General Counsel
                                                 and Secretary

                                      STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
                                      as Trustee

                                      By: /s/  Elizabeth C. Hammer
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Elizabeth C. Hammer
                                          Title: Vice President

<Page>

                                                                    EXHIBIT A-1

                        [FORM OF FACE OF GLOBAL SECURITY]

     THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR U.S. FEDERAL
INCOME TAX PURPOSES. FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE, THE ISSUE PRICE OF EACH SECURITY IS $1000 PER $1000 OF PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2002 AND THE COMPARABLE YIELD IS 9% PER
ANNUM. HOLDERS OF THIS SECURITY MAY OBTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, YIELD TO MATURITY AND THE PROJECTED PAYMENT SCHEDULE
FOR THIS SECURITY BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION TO:
CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC., 251 BALLARDVALE STREET,
WILMINGTON, MA 01887, ATTN.: CORPORATE SECRETARY, SUCH INFORMATION TO BE MADE
AVAILABLE, NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE DATE, PROMPTLY UPON REQUEST.

     UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. (THE
"COMPANY") OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND
ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER
NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS
IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY),
ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY
PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN
INTEREST HEREIN.

     TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS TO NOMINEES
OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR'S
NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO
TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN ARTICLE TWO OF
THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

     THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION
EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY, AND THE COMMON SHARES
DELIVERABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY OR UPON PURCHASE OF THIS SECURITY
BY THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE
OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF
THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING
ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED
BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A)
THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I)
IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN

                                      A-1-1
<Page>

RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF
RULE 144A, (II) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IN EACH OF CASES (I)
THROUGH (III) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF
THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS
REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

     THE FOREGOING LEGEND MAY BE REMOVED FROM THIS SECURITY ON SATISFACTION OF
THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE.

                                      A-1-2
<Page>

                 CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

            3 1/2% Senior Convertible Debentures due February 1, 2022

No.:  1_________________                         CUSIP: 159863 AK 5

Issue Date:  January 24, 2002                    Principal Amount:  $175,000,000

     CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation,
promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the Principal Amount as set
forth on Schedule I hereto, on February 1, 2022, subject to the further
provisions of this Debenture set forth on the reverse hereof, which further
provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this
place. This Security is convertible as specified on the other side of this
Security.

     Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1,
2002,

     Record Dates: January 15 and July 15, commencing July 15, 2002

Dated:                                   CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES
                                         INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                         By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                      A-1-3
<Page>

                     TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of
the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

By:______________________________
       Authorized Signatory

Dated:

                                      A-1-4
<Page>

                       [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF DEBENTURE]

                 CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

            3 1/2% Senior Convertible Debentures due February 1, 2022

1.  Interest.

     This Security shall accrue interest at an initial rate of 3 1/2% per annum.
The Company promises to pay interest on the Securities in cash semiannually on
each February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2002, to Holders of record on
the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15, respectively. Interest on the
Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been
paid, or if no interest has been paid, from January 24, 2002, until the
Principal Amount is paid or duly made available for payment. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, at the close of business on August 1, 2007, August 1, 2012 and August
1, 2016 (each, a "Step-up Date") the interest rate on this Debenture shall be
automatically reset, and this Security shall accrue interest, from such Step-up
Date to but not including the next succeeding Step-up Date, or, in the case of
August 1, 2016, until the Principal Amount is paid or duly made available for
payment, at a rate per annum equal to the Five-Year Treasury Rate minus 72 basis
points; provided, however, that in no event will the interest rate on this
Debenture be reset below 3 1/2% per annum or above 5 1/4% per annum. The Company
shall provide written notice to the Trustee of the new interest rate. Any change
in the interest rate pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not have any
effect on any other provision of the Indenture or this Security. Interest will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company
will pay interest on any overdue Principal Amount at the interest rate borne by
the Securities at the time such interest on the overdue Principal Amount
accrues, compounded semiannually, and it shall pay interest on overdue
installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any (without regard to any
applicable grace period), at the same interest rate compounded semiannually.

     "Five-Year Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Step-up Date, the U.S.
Treasury yield displayed on the Bloomberg Service screen accessed by the command
which is currently "GT5 [GOVT] HP [GO]" (currently page 066) (or any successor
or substitute page and command of such Service providing rate quotations
comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service) specified
as the last reported yield applicable to U.S. Treasury Notes at the close of
business on the date that is 120 days prior to such Step-up Date (or, if such
date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding date which is a Business Day)
or, if such yield is not available at such time for any reason, the "Five Year
Treasury Rate" with respect to such Step-up Date shall mean the rate (expressed
as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may
be, and applied on a daily basis) for direct obligations of the United States of
America having a maturity that is equal to five years, as published weekly by
the Federal Reserve Board in "Federal Reserve Statistical Release
H.15(519)--Selected Interest Rates" or any successor publication, specified as
the closing rate applicable to five-year U.S. Treasury Notes for the date that
is 120 days prior to such Step-up Date (or, if such date is not a Business Day,
on the next succeeding date which is a Business Day).

2.  Method of Payment.

     The Company will pay interest on this Security (except defaulted interest)
to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Security at the close of
business on January 15 or July 15, as the case may be, next preceding the
related interest payment date. Subject to the terms and conditions of the
Indenture, the Company will make payments in respect of the Redemption Price,
Purchase Price, Change in Control Purchase Price and the Principal Amount at
Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to the Holder who surrenders a Security to
a Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of the Security. The

                                      A-1-5
<Page>

Company will pay cash amounts in money of the United States that at the time of
payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. However, the
Company may pay interest, the Redemption Price, Purchase Price, Change in
Control Purchase Price and the Principal Amount at Stated Maturity, as the case
may be, by check or wire payable in such money; provided, however, that a Holder
holding Securities with an aggregate Principal Amount in excess of $2,000,000
will be paid by wire transfer in immediately available funds at the election of
such Holder. The Company may mail an interest check to the Holder's registered
address. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as this Security is registered
in the name of a Depositary or its nominee, all payments hereon shall be made by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or
its nominee.

3.  Paying Agent, Conversion Agent and Registrar.

     Initially, State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Trustee") will act as
Paying Agent, Conversion Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change
any Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or Registrar without notice, other than
notice to the Trustee; provided that the Company will maintain at least one
Paying Agent in the State of New York, City of New York, Borough of Manhattan,
which shall initially be an office or agency of the Trustee. The Company or any
of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates may act as Paying Agent,
Conversion Agent or Registrar.

4.  Indenture.

     The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of January
24, 2002 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of
the Debentures include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect from
time to time (the "TIA"). Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein
have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject
to all such terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA
for a statement of those terms.

     The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company limited to
up to $200,000,000 aggregate Principal Amount (which shall include the Initial
Purchasers' option to purchase $25,000,000 of Securities) (subject to Section
2.2 of the Indenture). The Indenture does not limit other indebtedness of the
Company, secured or unsecured.

5.  Redemption at the Option of the Company.

     No sinking fund is provided for the Securities. The Securities are not
redeemable prior to February 5, 2005. Beginning on February 5, 2005 and during
the periods thereafter to maturity, the Securities are redeemable as a whole, or
from time to time in part, in any integral multiple of $1,000, at any time at
the option of the Company at the Redemption Prices set forth below (which are
expressed as percentages of the Principal Amount), together with accrued and
unpaid interest up to but not including the Redemption Date and Liquidated
Damages, if any, thereon; provided that, if the Redemption Date is on or after
an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date,
interest will be payable to the Holders in whose names the Securities are
registered at the close of business on the relevant record date.

<Table>
<Caption>
                     Period                                   Redemption Price
                     ------                                   ----------------
<S>                                                               <C>
Beginning February 5, 2005 and ending on January 31, 2006.....    100.875%
Beginning February 1, 2006 and thereafter.....................    100.000%
</Table>

                                      A-1-6
<Page>

6.  Purchase By the Company at the Option of the Holder.

     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company shall
become obligated to purchase, at the option of the Holder, all or any portion of
the Securities held by such Holder, in any integral multiple of $1,000, on
February 1, 2008, February 1, 2013 and February 1, 2017 (each, a "Purchase
Date") at a purchase price per Security equal to 100% of the aggregate Principal
Amount of the Security (the "Purchase Price"), together with accrued and unpaid
interest up to but not including the Purchase Date and Liquidated Damages, if
any, thereon (provided that, if the Purchase Date is on or after an interest
record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, interest will
be payable to the Holders in whose names the Securities are registered at the
close of business on the relevant record date) upon delivery of a Purchase
Notice containing the information set forth in the Indenture, at any time from
the opening of business on the date that is 20 Business Days prior to such
Purchase Date until the close of business on the fifth Business Day prior to
such Purchase Date, and upon delivery of the Securities to the Paying Agent by
the Holder as set forth in the Indenture.

     At the option of the Holder and subject to the terms and conditions of the
Indenture, the Company shall become obligated to purchase the Securities held by
such Holder 45 Business Days after the occurrence of a Change in Control of the
Company for a Change in Control Purchase Price equal to 100% of the Principal
Amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the
Change in Control Purchase Date and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon, which
Change in Control Purchase Price shall be paid in cash.

     Holders have the right to withdraw any Purchase Notice or Change in Control
Purchase Notice, as the case may be, by delivering to the Paying Agent a written
notice of withdrawal in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

     If cash sufficient to pay the Purchase Price or Change in Control Purchase
Price, as the case may be, and accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, of all Securities or portions thereof to be purchased as of the
Purchase Date or the Change in Control Purchase Date, as the case may be, is
deposited with the Paying Agent on the Business Day following the Purchase Date
or the Change in Control Purchase Date, interest ceases to accrue on such
Securities (or portions thereof) immediately after such Purchase Date or Change
in Control Purchase Date, and the Holder thereof shall have no other rights as
such other than the right to receive the Purchase Price or Change in Control
Purchase Price, as the case may be, upon surrender of such Security.

7.  Notice of Redemption.

     Notice of redemption pursuant to paragraph 5 of this Security will be
mailed at least 20 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to
each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at the Holder's registered address. If
money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all Securities (or portions
thereof) to be redeemed on the Redemption Date is deposited with the Paying
Agent prior to or on the Redemption Date, immediately after such Redemption Date
interest ceases to accrue on such Securities or portions thereof. Securities in
denominations larger than $1,000 of Principal Amount may be redeemed in part but
only in integral multiples of $1,000 of Principal Amount.

8.  Conversion.

     The initial Conversion Price is $38.87, subject to adjustment from time to
time as described in the Indenture. The number of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of a Security is determined by dividing (x) the Principal Amount of
the Security or the portion thereof being converted by

                                      A-1-7
<Page>

(y) the Conversion Price in effect on the Conversion Date. A Holder which
surrenders Securities for conversion will receive cash or a check in lieu of any
fractional Common Share.

     A Security in respect of which a Holder has delivered a Purchase Notice or
Change in Control Purchase Notice exercising the option of such Holder to
require the Company to purchase such Security may be converted only if such
notice of exercise is withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

     To surrender a Security for conversion, a Holder must (1) complete and
manually sign the conversion notice below (or complete and manually sign a
facsimile of such notice) and deliver such notice to the Conversion Agent, (2)
surrender the Security to the Conversion Agent, (3) furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents and (4) pay any transfer or similar tax, if
required.

     A Holder may convert a portion of a Security if the Principal Amount of
such portion is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. No payment or
adjustment will be made for dividends on the Common Stock except as provided in
the Indenture. If any Holder surrenders a Security for conversion (in whole or
in part) during the period from the close of business on any regular record date
for payment of an installment of interest to the opening of business on the next
succeeding interest payment date, then such Security so surrendered shall be
accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to
the interest payable on such interest payment date on the Principal Amount of
such Security then being converted, and such interest installment shall be
payable to such registered Holder notwithstanding the conversion of the
Security, subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the payment of
defaulted interest by the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in
the event that a Holder surrenders a Security or portion thereof (i) called for
redemption, (ii) that the Company may be obligated to purchase in accordance
with Section 3.9 of the Indenture upon a Change of Control or (iii) surrendered
for conversion after the Company declares a dividend or distribution described
in Section 10.7 of the Indenture, or a dividend or a distribution described in
Section 10.8 of the Indenture where the fair market value of such dividend or
distribution per Common Share exceeds 15% of the Sale Price of the Common Stock
as of the Business Day prior to the date of declaration, and the Redemption
Date, Change in Control Purchase Date or Ex-Dividend Date with respect to the
distribution, as the case may be, occurs during the period from the close of
business on a record date and ending on the opening of business on the first
Business Day after the next interest payment date, or if this interest payment
date is not a Business Day, the second Business Day after the interest payment
date, such Holder shall not be required to pay an amount equal to the interest
payable on the Principal Amount of the Security being converted. If the Company
defaults in the payment of interest payable on such interest payment date, the
Company shall promptly repay to such Holder any such funds paid by such Holder
to the Company. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.2 of the Indenture or
in this paragraph 8, no payment or adjustment will be made for accrued interest
or Liquidated Damages, if any, on a converted Security.

     The Conversion Price will be adjusted for dividends or distributions on
Common Stock payable in Common Stock or other Capital Stock; subdivisions,
combinations or certain reclassifications of Common Stock; distributions to all
holders of Common Stock of certain rights to purchase Common Stock for a period
expiring within 60 days at less than the Average Sale Price at the Time of
Determination; and distributions to such holders of assets or debt securities of
the Company or certain rights to purchase securities of the Company (excluding
certain cash dividends or distributions). However, no adjustment need be made if
Securityholders may participate in the transaction without conversion or in
certain other cases as set forth in Section 10.10 of the Indenture. The Company
from time to time may voluntarily decrease the Conversion Price.

     If the Company is a party to a consolidation, merger or binding share
exchange or a transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or upon
certain distributions described in the Indenture, the

                                      A-1-8
<Page>

right to convert a Security into Common Stock may be changed into a right to
convert it into securities, cash or other assets of the Company or another
person.

9.  Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.

     The Securities are in fully registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 of Principal Amount and integral multiples of $1,000. A
Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The
Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by
law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not transfer or exchange
any Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities in respect of which a Purchase Notice or a Change in Control Purchase
Notice has been given and not withdrawn (except, in the case of a Security to be
purchased in part, the portion of the Security not to be purchased) or any
Securities for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption
of Securities to be redeemed.

10.  Persons Deemed Owners.

     The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of this
Security for all purposes.

11.  Unclaimed Money or Securities.

     The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall return to the Company upon written
request any money or securities held by them for the payment of any amount with
respect to the Securities that remains unclaimed for two years, subject to
applicable unclaimed property law. After return to the Company, Holders entitled
to the money or securities must look to the Company, for payment as general
creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person.

12.  Amendment; Waiver.

     Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture
or the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities at the time
outstanding and (ii) certain Defaults may be waived with the written consent of
the Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities at the
time outstanding. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture,
without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and the Trustee may amend
the Indenture or the Securities so long as such changes, other than those in
clause (ii), do not materially and adversely affect the interest of
Securityholders (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency,
(ii) to comply with Article 5 or Section 10.14 of the Indenture, (iii) to add to
the covenants of the Company for the benefit of Securityholders or to secure the
Company's obligations under the Securities and this Indenture, or (iv) to comply
with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the
Indenture under the TIA.

13.  Defaults and Remedies.

     Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default for 30 days in
payment of any interest on any Securities after receipt by the Company of a
Notice of Default, (ii) default in payment of the Principal Amount, Redemption
Price, Purchase Price or Change in Control Purchase Price, as the case may be,
in respect of the Securities when the same becomes due and payable, (iii)
failure by the Company to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the
Securities, subject to notice and lapse of time;

                                      A-1-9
<Page>

(iv) default by the Company in the payment at the final maturity thereof, after
the expiration of any applicable grace period, of principal of or interest on
indebtedness for money borrowed, other than nonrecourse indebtedness, in the
principal amount then outstanding of $25 million or more, or acceleration of any
indebtedness in such principal amount so that it becomes due and payable prior
to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable and such
acceleration is not rescinded within 10 business days after notice to the
Company in accordance with the Indenture; and (v) certain events of bankruptcy
or insolvency.

     Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as
provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or
the Securities unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security. Subject to
certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any
trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any
continuing Default (except a Default in payment of amounts specified in clause
(i) or (ii) above) if it determines that withholding notice is in their
interests.

14.  Trustee Dealings with the Company.

     Subject to certain limitations imposed by the TIA, the Trustee under the
Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed
to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

15.  No Recourse Against Others.

     A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Company shall
not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities
or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.

16.  Authentication.

     This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee manually signs the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication on the other
side of this Security.

17.  Abbreviations.

     Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an
assignee, such as TEN COM ("tenants in common"), TEN ENT ("tenants by the
entireties"), JT TEN ("joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common"), CUST ("custodian") and U/G/M/A ("Uniform Gift to Minors
Act").

18.  Governing Law.

     THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE INDENTURE AND THIS
SECURITY.

     The Company will furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and
without charge a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Security
in larger type. Requests may be made to:

                                     A-1-10
<Page>

                  Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
                  251 Ballardvale Street
                  Wilmington, MA  01887
                  Attn:  General Counsel
                  (978) 658-6000

                                     A-1-11
<Page>

<Table>
<Caption>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      ASSIGNMENT FORM                                           CONVERSION NOTICE
<S>                                                          <C>
To assign this Security, fill in the form below:             To convert this Security into Common Stock of the
                                                             Company, check the box [       ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I or we assign and transfer this Security to                 To convert only part of this Security,
                                                             state the Principal Amount to be
                                                             converted (which must be $1,000
-----------------------------------------------------        or an integral multiple of $1,000):
-----------------------------------------------------
(Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax ID no.)
                                                             If you want the stock certificate made out in another
-----------------------------------------------------        person's name fill in the form below:
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------        -----------------------------------------------------------
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)        -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                             (Insert the other person's soc. sec. tax ID no.
and irrevocably appoint

____________________ agent to transfer this Security on      -----------------------------------------------------------
the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute          -----------------------------------------------------------
another to act for him.                                      -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                             -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                             (Print or type other person's name, address and zip code)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:________                       Your Signature:
                                                   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security)
</Table>

Signature Guaranteed

-------------------------------------
Participant in a Recognized Signature
Guarantee Medallion Program

By:
   --------------------------
     Authorized Signatory

                                     A-1-12
<Page>

                                   SCHEDULE I
                 CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             3.50% Senior Convertible Debenture Due February 1, 2022

Date                            Principal Amount                        Notation

                                     A-1-13
<Page>

                                                                    EXHIBIT A-2

                         [Form of Certificated Security]

     THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR U.S. FEDERAL
INCOME TAX PURPOSES. FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE, THE ISSUE PRICE OF EACH SECURITY IS $1000 PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2002 AND THE COMPARABLE YIELD IS 9% PER
ANNUM. HOLDERS OF THIS SECURITY MAY OBTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING THE AMOUNT OF
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, YIELD TO MATURITY AND THE PROJECTED PAYMENT SCHEDULE
FOR THIS SECURITY BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR SUCH INFORMATION TO:
CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC., 251 BALLARDVALE STREET,
WILMINGTON, MA 01887, ATTN.: CORPORATE SECRETARY, SUCH INFORMATION TO BE MADE
AVAILABLE, NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE DATE, PROMPTLY UPON REQUEST.

     THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION
EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY AND THE COMMON STOCK
DELIVERABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY OR UPON PURCHASE OF THIS SECURITY
BY THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE
OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF
THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING
ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED
BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

     THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A)
THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I)
IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A
QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT)
IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED
STATES IN A TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (IV) PURSUANT
TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IN EACH OF CASES
(I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE
OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS
REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

     THE FOREGOING LEGEND MAY BE REMOVED FROM THIS SECURITY ON SATISFACTION OF
THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE.

                                      A-2-1
<Page>

                 CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

            3 1/2% Senior Convertible Debentures due February 1, 2022

No.: _________________                          CUSIP: 159863 AK 5

Issue Date:  ____________                       Principal Amount:  $175,000,000

     CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation,
promises to pay to Cede & Co. or registered assigns, the Principal Amount of One
Hundred and Seventy Million dollars ($175,000,000), or such other amount as is
indicated on Schedule A hereof, on February 1, 2022, subject to the further
provisions of this Debenture set forth on the reverse hereof, which further
provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this
place. This Security is convertible as specified on the other side of this
Security.

     Interest Payment Dates: February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1,
2002,

     Record Dates: January 15 and July 15, commencing July 15, 2002

Dated:                                       CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES
                                             INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:
                                                Title:

------------------

                                     A-2-2
<Page>

                     TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of
the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

By:
   -----------------------------
   Authorized Signatory

Dated:

                                      A-2-3
<Page>

               [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE IS IDENTICAL TO EXHIBIT A-1]

                                      A-2-4
<Page>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                              Transfer Certificate

     In connection with any transfer of any of the Securities within the period
prior to the expiration of the holding period applicable to the sales thereof
under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act") (or any successor provision), the undersigned registered owner of this
Security hereby certifies with respect to $[ ] Principal Amount of the
above-captioned Securities presented or surrendered on the date hereof (the
"Surrendered Securities") for registration of transfer, or for exchange or
conversion where the securities deliverable upon such exchange or conversion are
to be registered in a name other than that of the undersigned registered owner
(each such transaction being a "transfer"), that such transfer complies with the
restrictive legend set forth on the face of the Surrendered Securities for the
reason checked below:

     / /  A transfer of the Surrendered Securities is made to the Company or
          any subsidiaries; or

     / /  The transfer of the Surrendered Securities complies with Rule 144A
          under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
          Act"); or

     / /  The transfer of the Surrendered Securities is pursuant to an
          effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or

     / /  The transfer of the Surrendered Securities is pursuant to another
          available exemption from the registration requirement of the
          Securities Act.

     and unless the box below is checked, the undersigned confirms that, to the
undersigned's knowledge, such Securities are not being transferred to an
"affiliate" of the Company as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act (an
"Affiliate").

     / /  The transferee is an Affiliate of the Company.

                                       B-1
<Page>

DATE:
                                                ---------------------------
                                                        Signature(s)

     (If the registered owner is a corporation, partnership or fiduciary, the
title of the Person signing on behalf of such registered owner must be stated.)

Signature Guaranteed

--------------------------------------
Participant in a Recognized Signature
Guarantee Medallion Program

By:
   -----------------------
    Authorized Signatory

                                       B-2

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