Contract manufacturer Vetter has opened its first facility outside Germany and its first in the US.
The 2,230m2 facility on the Illinois Science and Technology Park in Skokie, Chicago, is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2010 and will focus exclusively on pre-clinical through to Phase IIb projects, filling very small quantities of product. Phase III the projects will be transferred to the company's German facilities in Ravensburg for large-scale production.
Vetter produces high-quality, aseptically pre-filled injection systems including syringes, vials and injection pens and mainly fills and finishes compounds indicated for cancer, Parkinson's disease and inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. The company also manufactures high-end vaccines for customers, including that for the H1N1 virus.
The company says the facility will enable life sciences firms to streamline their early development process and cut time to market.
"For injectable drugs, collaboration early in development is essential," said Peter Soelkner, md of Vetter. "What is the most user-friendly injection system for the patient? Should the compound be liquid or freeze-dried and reconstituted? What delivery system would best ensure multinational regulatory approval? Getting the answers right first time speeds medications to market and to the patients that need them."
Vetter says the new facility, which will eventually employ 50-60 people, is strategic to its worldwide growth plans.
"Since nearly half of our customer base is located in North America, creating a US facility was the logical next step," added Soelkner.
The suburban Chicago facility is located in a thriving biopharmaceutical region with an established infrastructure and a talent pool of 70,000 to 80,000 professionals.
Vetter was founded 25 years ago in Ravensburg, Germany and employs around 2,200 people.
