Des Plaines, Ill.– Vetter, a global pharmaceutical service provider, has officially begun construction on a new state-of-the-art clinical manufacturing facility in Des Plaines, Illinois. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on June 26, marks a major milestone in the company’s U.S. expansion efforts and its commitment to supporting early-phase drug development.
The new 160,000-square-foot facility will specialize in aseptic manufacturing and will include advanced process areas for material preparation and compounding, along with dedicated spaces for laboratories, storage, and offices. The site is expected to be operational and ready for media fill testing by the end of 2029. Once complete, it will replace Vetter’s current clinical operations in Skokie, Illinois.
“This groundbreaking represents a major investment in both our U.S. operations and the future of clinical manufacturing,” said Senator h.c. Udo J. Vetter, Chairman of the Advisory Board. “We are proud to strengthen our presence in Illinois and continue our mission of supporting the development of innovative therapies for patients worldwide.”
Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski welcomed the development, calling it a “positive sign” for the local economy. “This facility will create high-quality jobs and enhance our city’s role in the life sciences sector,” he said.
The project reflects Vetter’s growing role as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), especially as the pharmaceutical industry sees increased demand for low-volume injectable drug products during early-stage clinical trials. The Des Plaines site will complement Vetter’s clinical manufacturing facility in Rankweil, Austria, creating a stronger global network to support clients across continents.
“With this new facility, we’re laying the foundation for the next chapter of our success in the U.S.,” said Vetter Managing Director Henryk Badack. “It enables us to better serve our partners’ clinical development needs with flexibility and speed.”
Located on a site with 860,000 square feet of total space, the property offers room for future expansion, depending on market conditions and customer demand. The Des Plaines location builds on Vetter’s legacy of innovation that began in 1950 in Ravensburg, Germany, where the company is still headquartered and celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
Vetter’s investment in Illinois underscores the state’s growing importance as a hub for pharmaceutical development and reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to the U.S. market.
