Eight years ago, Germany-based global contract development and manufacturing organization Vetter Pharma purchased a vacant 860,000-sq.-ft. site in a northwest Chicago suburb with a vision for growth.
There were no plans to act just yet, although it quietly laid a pivotal stepping stone in the company’s burgeoning Illinois foundation.
The Des Plaines land purchase came six years after the independent pharmaceutical service provider, specializing in aseptic production of injectable medicines, took a chance on establishing its first U.S. operations in nearby Skokie. Several prominent U.S. biotech hubs came under consideration during the company’s initial site selection search in 2011, but the Chicago area was found as the most suitable location for Vetter’s needs, especially as an international manufacturer.
“This investment laid the groundwork for future development,” says Vetter Pharma Managing Director Henryk Badack. “As an independent and family-owned company, long-term planning and sustainable growth are deeply embedded in our corporate philosophy. The current investment reflects the continuation of this strategic approach and our confidence in the region’s potential.”
As a tenant within the city’s 22-acre Illinois Science and Technology Park (ISTP), the company did not own the early clinical manufacturing facility it occupied. Regardless, Vetter had the ability to immerse into ISTP’s dynamic and supportive environment, an experience that worked to strengthen the company’s initial belief in the region and its commitment to influencing ecosystem development.
“[Greater Chicago’s] unique combination of strengths — including a large talent pool of life science professionals, world-class research institutions, and a rapidly expanding infrastructure tailored to biopharmaceutical innovation — makes it an ideal location for both our operations and future growth,” says Badack.
In 2024, the decision for Vetter to move forward with a $285 million investment into the Des Plaines site was driven by a clear forecast of increasing customer demand, in addition to a proactive approach to expanding capacity in anticipation of evolving needs. A year later, the company has officially broken ground on its new 160,000-sq.-ft. clinical manufacturing facility. The plant will feature advanced filling lines, dedicated process areas for material preparation and compounding, laboratories, storage facilities and office space. Buildings home to the remaining 700,000 sq. ft. of the site will be retained, providing ample space for future expansions. Badack says future growth opportunities will depend on global market developments, customer demand and investment projects currently underway for the company in Germany and Austria.
Vetter’s new manufacturing facility is anticipated to begin media fill before closing out 2029. Once online, Vetter will relocate its complete clinical operations currently housed eight miles away in Skokie to the Des Plaines facility.
“For Vetter, the Chicago area is more than just a strategic choice — it is a place where we have achieved meaningful success, and we see strong potential for expansion here,” notes Badack. “There is a clear and increasing commitment to innovation, talent development and cross-sector collaboration, creating a fertile environment for long-term success. Ongoing investment — both public and private — plays a key role in shaping a dynamic ecosystem that delivers value to local communities and global stakeholders alike.”
An Ecosystem on the Rise
Vetter isn’t the only manufacturer taking notice of Greater Chicago’s life sciences capabilities.
Upon branching out from multinational health care company Baxter International’s kidney care segment, newly established independent health care company Vantive announced it would be establishing its U.S. headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois. Baxter’s corporate HQ has been located in the city for over 50 years, and Vantive’s decision to stay in Illinois was due to its strong health care ecosystem, skilled workforce and supportive business environment.
“We are proud to continue our legacy of innovation in Deerfield, Illinois, which has served as an important anchor for our mission-driven work over the last several decades,” said Vantive CEO Chris Toth. “Our new headquarters is designed to inspire collaboration, creativity and excellence as we work to advance our mission to extend lives and expand possibilities for patients globally.”
Vetter Pharma officials, including Henryk Badack (second from right), gathered in June to break ground on a new clinical manufacturing site in Des Plaines.
Photo courtesy of Vetter Pharma
The new HQ will create 50 new jobs and grow the company’s office facilities and pharmacy operations, which include critical care therapies and innovative products, digital solutions and advanced services for home and clinic-based dialysis.
Talent is a critical factor for corporate life science leaders. Chicago’s talent pool continues to gain depth. CBRE’s 2025 U.S. Life Sciences Talent Trends report found that Chicago was the No. 6 market for life sciences degrees and certificates and No. 9 in life sciences PhD degrees granted as of Q2 2025. Students and employers alike find a vibrant ecosystem at work in the region as assets such as the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub aim to drive industry-wide collaboration. The Biohub places scientists, educators, engineers and physicians in a central location to develop technologies that achieve molecular-level measurements of biological processes in human tissue that cause diseases. This level of innovation is key to promoting STEM education in the state in addition to retaining budding talent.
The city comes in sixth within CBRE’s fresh medtech talent ranking, finishing ahead of markets in San Diego, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.-Baltimore. The state is home to four of the top 10 medical device companies in the nation, and one of these leaders has announced plans to expand its Lake County presence.
As the impacts of impending tariffs loom, Abbott Laboratories is prepared to split a $500 million investment across its Illinois and Dallas, Texas sites. The company’s HQ, Abbott Park, in Green Oaks has been pinpointed for the expansion, although exact project details have not been announced by Abbott. These investments are designed to boost manufacturing and R&D catered toward the company’s transfusion business. The expansion is set to begin before the end of the year and once complete will create 200 new jobs in the region.
“The greater Chicago region has established itself as a strong and steadily growing player in the biotech landscape.”
— Vetter Pharma Managing Director Henryk Badack
Expect medical device activity to pick up as Sysmex America moves into a $20.6 million expansion of three of its northeastern Illinois facilities. Increased demand for medical diagnostic technologies led the company to enhance high precision and automation systems throughout these sites, while creating 110 new jobs. Meanwhile, medical device company Epic Medical plans to launch its first U.S. manufacturing site in central Illinois. Located at the Riverway Business Park in the city of Pekin, the company’s $20 million facility will house production of high-quality IV solutions and various medical products.
To date, over 15,500 life sciences companies have stationed themselves within the state’s life sciences network, ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 500 giants. A favorable business climate, high-quality talent, entrepreneurial resources and prime U.S. market proximity are just a few of the advantages that set Illinois apart for these operations and will be awaiting any business aiming to scale.
