Pharmaceutical service provider expands its footprint in the greater Chicago area
· Production site expected to be ready for media fill by the end of 2029
· Modern site with holistic approach for state-of-the-art manufacturing operations
· Fulfills the requirements for increased capacity in early clinical filling
Ravensburg, Germany and Des Plaines, Illinois (June 27, 2025) – Vetter, a leading, globally operating Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), celebrated the start of construction for its new clinical manufacturing site in Des Plaines with an official groundbreaking ceremony on June 26. The independent pharmaceutical service provider received the building permit for the new site in April of this year. With an investment of approximately $285 million, this new facility underscores Vetter’s dedication to delivering high-quality services and drug products during early clinical development.
“In the current economic climate, it is a positive sign to see an international company like Vetter making a significant investment to expand their footprint here in the Chicago suburbs,” said Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski. “This new facility will create high-quality jobs for our residents and bolster our local economy. We are excited to welcome Vetter as a valued member of our Des Plaines community.”
Upstream and ground
preparation work on the premises started back in April. Vetter’s construction
plans include a 160,000 square feet clinical production facility for aseptic
manufacturing. The site will also feature new process areas for material preparation
and compounding. Additional buildings will include supporting services like
storage, laboratories, and offices. The clinical site is expected to be completed
and ready for media fill by the end of 2029, with subsequent relocation plans
of Vetter’s current clinical operations in Skokie.
“Today’s
groundbreaking ceremony marks another significant milestone within our continuing
expansion plans,” said Senator h.c. Udo J. Vetter, Chairman of the Advisory
Board and member of the owner family. “The new site will not only demonstrate our
enhanced clinical operations and manufacturing capabilities but will also
expand our presence in the U.S. significantly. We want to express our deep
gratitude for the warm hospitality of the Illinois Science + Technology Park
since 2009, hosting and supporting our successful start of U.S. manufacturing
operations. We are excited to now be able to officially kick off this ambitious
project.” Vetter
representatives, along with city officials from Des Plaines and other guests,
gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony, marking the next phase of Vetter’s
growing footprint in the U.S. The event featured speeches highlighting the
plans for the facility and its role within Vetter's global network of drug
manufacturing operations. Flexible Expanding Options “This facility marks the beginning
of a new chapter in our U.S. success story,” stated Vetter Managing Director
Henryk Badack. “Together with our clinical site in Rankweil, Austria, we will
be able to meet the increasing development needs of our customers while
reinforcing our industry position as a reliable partner for low-volume
injectables of innovative drug candidates during the crucial early development
phases, among others.”
The
existing buildings in the Des Plaines area will be retained. With 860,000
square feet the property also provides ample space for future expansion
opportunities. These will depend on global market developments and customer
demand, as well as additional investment projects currently underway at Vetter
in Germany and Austria.
Founded in 1950 as a pharmacy in Ravensburg,
Germany, the independent family-owned company celebrates its 75th
anniversary this year and continues to stand for quality, responsibility, and a
strong commitment to improving the quality of life for patients worldwide.
© Vetter Pharma International GmbH: Vetter marks the start of new clinical
About
Vetter Vetter
is a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with
headquarters in Ravensburg, Germany, and production facilities in Germany,
Austria, and the US. As a global player, the independent pharmaceutical service
provider is also present in the Asia-Pacific markets of Japan, China, South
Korea and Singapore with sales locations. Around the world, small and large
renowned pharma and biotech companies rely on the decades of experience, high
quality, modern technologies, reliability, and commitment of its more than 7,000
employees. In close partnership with its customers, the Vetter team supplies
patients all over the world with medicines, many of which are vital. The CDMO
provides support from drug product development through clinical and commercial
filling to a wide range of assembly and packaging services for vials, syringes,
and cartridges. With innovative solutions, Vetter develops prefilled drug-delivery
systems together with its customers to continuously improve patient safety,
comfort, and compliance. The company is an industry pioneer in sustainability
and a socially and ethically responsible corporate citizen. The CDMO is a
member of the UN Global Compact and Science Based Target initiative
(SBTi) and received gold status in the renowned EcoVadis ranking. Multiple
awards such as the CDMO Leadership Awards, Frost & Sullivan Customer
Value Leadership Award and the recognition as Best
Managed Company emphasize Vetter’s commitment to sustainable business.
Founded in Ravensburg in 1950, the company remains family-owned to this day.
For more information, visit www.vetter-pharma.com and follow Vetter on LinkedIn.
Contact Vetter Pharma International GmbH Markus Kirchner Corporate Spokesperson / Media Relations Eywiesenstrasse 5 88212 Ravensburg Germany Phone: +49 (0)751-3700-3729 E-mail: PRnews@vetter-pharma.com
site construction with groundbreaking ceremony. Participants from left to
right: Tom Kikta, Wolfgang Kerkhoff, Gunther Strothe, Dr. Susanne Lemaine,
Senator h.c. Udo J. Vetter, Andrew Goczkowski, Thomas Otto, Thomas Ruebekeil,
Henryk Badack, RT Evans.
© Vetter Pharma International GmbH: Bird’s-eye
view of the current Vetter site
in
Des Plaines where the clinical manufacturing facility will be built.
