SKOKIE, Illinois – September 22, 2009 – Forest City Science + Technology Group announced today that Vetter Development Services USA, Inc, has signed a long-term lease as the newest tenant at the Illinois Science + Technology Park. Vetter, headquartered in Ravensburg, Germany, is a global biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organization (CMO) specializing in injectable pharmaceuticals, and has over 1,900 employees. Vetter has leased approximately 25,000 square feet at 8025 Lamon Avenue.
“Thanks to our Illinois facility, we can now work even closer to our customers in the US and therefore reduce time-to-market,” said Peter Soelkner, Managing Director, Vetter. “We look forward to establishing and increasing our U.S. presence in the vibrant Chicago market which provides us with easy access to clients throughout the U.S. and we look forward to beginning close collaboration with clients to help them take their products to market.”
Vetter supports clients from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in every phase of production, from product development to successful product launches and commercial manufacturing. Utilizing its global experience with FDA, the EMEA and other regulatory authorities, Vetter has developed a reputation as the worldwide specialist in the aseptic production of pre-filled application systems such as syringes, cartridges and vials.
“We welcome Vetter to the Illinois Science + Technology Park, where the company was able to take advantage of our specialized space which included clean room capabilities critical to manufacturing these types of products,” said Tom Prescott, General Manager, Illinois Science + Technology Park, Forest City Science + Technology Group. “Vetter is the second international tenant to locate at the Park, reinforcing Chicago’s strong global position in the pharmaceutical and nanotechnology industries.”
The Illinois Office of Trade and Investment, part of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO) assisted Forest City in attracting Vetter to Chicago and the Park. The group was able to attract Vetter to enable them to open their first manufacturing site in the U.S. in Skokie. Warren Ribley, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said, “Illinois provides the ideal environment for technology to grow and thrive, mainly due to our tremendous assets that include an expansive network of state-of-the-art research institutions. I am pleased Vetter recognized the many opportunities that are available in Illinois when making their decision to locate in the state.”
Added Barbara Goodman, iBIO’s Executive Director, who manages international outreach, “We are thrilled that Vetter will be joining Chicago’s growing cluster of global life sciences companies. We expect participants in the 2010 BIO International Conference to encounter our expanding international environment.”
About the Science Park
The Illinois Science + Technology Park, located in Skokie, Illinois, is a 23-acre corporate office and research campus offering 660,000 square feet of existing space with advanced facilities including chemistry and genomics laboratories, GMP manufacturing suites, clean rooms, NMR suites, research and toxicology labs, conference facilities, and administrative offices, as well as additional build-to-suit opportunities. Upon completion, the Park will offer nearly 2 million square feet of laboratory, R&D and office space.
The Illinois Science + Technology Park's customized research space allows for synergistic partnerships between large companies, small innovators, medical institutions and universities to commercialize research-based technology. Other tenants at the Park include, Astellas Research Institute, NanoInk, Midwest BioResearch, Thermo Fisher Scientific and NorthShore University Health System.
About the Developer
Forest City Science + Technology Group (www.forestcityscience.net) operates a portfolio of 2.4 million square feet of life science/technology office space, with more than eight million square feet in the planning or development stages. Its properties are in major markets including Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago and Denver.
Forest City Science + Technology Group is a division of Forest City Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: FCEA) (NYSE: FCEB), a $11.7 billion NYSE-listed national real estate company. The Company is principally engaged in the ownership, development, management and acquisition of commercial and residential real estate and land throughout the United States.
About Vetter
Vetter is an independent international specialist in the aseptic filling of syringes, cartridges and vials. Based in Ravensburg, Germany, Vetter also produces its own injection systems, such as the Vetter Lyo-Ject® dual-chamber syringe. With about 1,900 employees worldwide, Vetter holds nearly 140 patents and has longstanding experience in handling client products and processes approved by the FDA, the EMEA and other authorities. In 2007, the company also received the go-ahead as a foreign manufacturer for the Japanese pharmaceutical market from Japan’s Ministry for Health, Labor and Welfare. Additionally, Vetter has received two awards for its new facility Ravensburg Vetter South (RVS): The Facility of the Year Award 2007 (Process Innovation category) and the European Outsourcing Award 2007 (Most Improved Process/Plant/Facility category).
Vetter Development Service provides support for its pharmaceutical and biotech clients in the early stages of development, from clinical phases and regulatory approval to worldwide product launch. Vetter Commercial Manufacturing handles the entire production process, from compounding and aseptic filling to the final packaging of a product. Vetter Solutions’ patented application systems enable clients to compete more effectively throughout the world.