Vetter Breaks Ground on New Clinical Manufacturing Site in Des Plaines
Vetter, a global leader in contract development and manufacturing (CDMO), has officially begun construction of its new clinical manufacturing facility in Des Plaines, Illinois. On June 26, the company celebrated the start of this major project with a groundbreaking ceremony, marking a key milestone in its long-term expansion strategy in the United States.
A Major Investment in the U.S. Market
The new facility represents a significant investment of approximately $285 million and reflects Vetter’s continued commitment to supporting early clinical development with high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing services. The company received the necessary building permits in April, and preliminary site work began shortly thereafter.
“This new facility is a symbol of our confidence in the U.S. market and our dedication to expanding our capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Senator h.c. Udo J. Vetter, Chairman of the Advisory Board and a member of the owner family. “It also highlights the success of our presence in the United States, which began in 2009 at the Illinois Science + Technology Park.”
Local Support and Community Impact
Des Plaines city officials were present at the event, expressing enthusiasm for the project and welcoming Vetter to the community.
“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.”
The event brought together Vetter executives, local leaders, and industry representatives for a ceremony that not only celebrated the groundbreaking but also underscored the collaborative spirit behind the project.
State-of-the-Art Facility and Future Growth
The Des Plaines site will feature a 160,000-square-foot clinical production facility designed for aseptic manufacturing of injectables. The campus will include specialized areas for material preparation, compounding, and other key steps in the manufacturing process. Supporting infrastructure will include storage facilities, laboratories, and office space.
The construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2029, with the goal of preparing the site for initial validation activities, such as media fills. Once operational, the new facility will allow for the relocation of current clinical operations from Vetter’s existing site in Skokie, Illinois.
“The groundbreaking marks a new chapter in our growth journey,” said Henryk Badack, Vetter Managing Director. “Together with our clinical site in Rankweil, Austria, we will be positioned to serve the growing development needs of our customers across the globe. Our strength lies in our ability to deliver flexible, high-quality solutions for low-volume injectables, especially during the early and critical phases of drug development.”
Room to Expand
The selected property offers significant long-term growth potential. Spanning a total of 860,000 square feet, the site includes space for future expansion, depending on market demand and evolving customer needs. This aligns with Vetter’s ongoing investment strategy, which includes parallel development projects in Germany and Austria.
By retaining existing buildings on the site and planning for modular expansion, Vetter is creating a flexible foundation that can adapt to industry trends and technological advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
A Legacy of Quality and Innovation
Vetter’s expansion in the U.S. comes during a landmark year for the company. Founded in 1950 in Ravensburg, Germany, as a local pharmacy, Vetter now operates as a leading global CDMO, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2025. Despite its impressive growth, the company remains family-owned and independent, with a core mission centered on quality, responsibility, and improving patient outcomes worldwide.
As the company continues to invest in cutting-edge facilities and expand its global footprint, the Des Plaines project stands as a testament to its long-term vision. With a focus on innovation, operational excellence, and strong community partnerships, Vetter is well-positioned to meet the future challenges of the biopharmaceutical industry.
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 andtherecognitionas 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.
