ISTP, 8025 Lamon Ave. Skokie, Il 60077

Vetter Skokie Demonstrates Success

Drug development of novel therapeutics is increasing, and a growing number of pharmaceutical and biotech companies are seeking clinical manufacturing partners to meet the demand for complex fill and finish solutions. While the stages of early drug development are challenging, Vetter, a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) is committed to addressing this challenge. The family-owned company offers comprehensive and expert manufacturing services for clinical trials to support a product’s path to commercialization. A testament to this commitment is evidenced by the success of its Skokie facility located at the Illinois Science + Technology Park, which has already contributed to bringing five new client products to market since it began full operations in 2011. Another four are expected to launch in the next months.

Since the site opened, 240+ customer audits have been successfully completed; the facility has performed over 45 media fills without failure. Vetter Development Service currently runs 80+ projects in phase I and II of clinical development. The US facility has executed 30+ transfers from its early clinical projects to Germany for late-stage development.

“Our clinical manufacturing sites are essential to Vetter’s commercial business pipeline. The Skokie site has demonstrated an impressive track record of success since its opening twelve years ago,” says Dr. Susanne Lemaine, Vice President Vetter Development Services US. “In the last year alone, we acquired more than 10 new customers with promising molecules. Overall, our ongoing investments in clinical filling capabilities are proof of Vetter’s consistent, strategic approach to keeping on track with the market, with a focus on the important drug development needs of our customers.”

For the complete summary, click here.

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LanzaTech Earthshot Prize

LanzaTech will be in the running to receive a £1 million award at the second-annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony. The Prize takes inspiration from President John F. Kennedy’s ‘Moonshot,’ which united millions of people around an organizing goal to put man on the moon and catalyzed the development of new technology in the 1960s.

Prince William said: “The innovators, leaders, and visionaries that make up our 2022 Earthshot Finalists prove there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of our planet. They are directing their time, energy, and talent towards bold solutions with the power to not only solve our planet’s greatest environmental challenges, but to create healthier, more prosperous, and more sustainable communities for generations to come”.

LanzaTech was launched to find new ways of producing sustainable fuels and chemicals that didn’t impact land, food or biodiversity.

CEO Dr. Jennifer Holmgren said, “We are honored to be recognized by HRH Prince William as a Finalist for The Earthshot Prize. Fixing our climate is one of the greatest challenges of our generation, and we believe that with the support of The Earthshot Prize we can accelerate and scale our carbon transformation solution rethink how the world procures, uses and disposes of carbon. By utilizing carbon emissions as a resource, we hope to bring sustainable choices to all people. It is only through collaboration and the support of our community that we will succeed in repairing and regenerating our world. Congratulations to all the finalists.” For the entire press release, click here.

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Cour Pharma Expands at ISTP

To meet the increasing demand for medical research space in the Chicagoland area, Cour Pharmaceuticals’ life science and emerging biotechnology footprint is expanding within the Illinois Science and Technology Park in Skokie, Ill. With the addition, Cour Pharmaceuticals now leases around 25,000 sq. ft. in the park.

COUR Pharmaceuticals is developing first-in-class therapies designed to reprogram the immune system to achieve antigen-specific tolerance for immune-mediated disease. COUR’s platform of immune-modifying nanoparticles treats the root cause of immune disease, unlike traditional approaches, which only minimize symptoms using toxic immune suppression.

“Continued rapid growth for high-potential life science startups are emerging in Chicago and in addition to talent, life sciences companies like COUR will continue to need access to more specialized wet and dry lab space along with capital,” said COUR Pharmaceuticals CEO John Puisis.

 

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ISTP Ownership Changes

These recent sales highlight property types for which real estate investors have clamored during the COVID-19 pandemic: high-quality life sciences research buildings and office buildings with big, single tenants with good credit and long-term leases. The former has benefited from a rush of venture capital pouring into biotech and pharmaceutical research throughout the public health crisis, while the latter has drawn buyers looking for safe places to invest amid economic uncertainty

A venture of Hallandale Beach, Fla.-based TopMed Realty bought the 233,588 -square-foot office building at 4901 Searle Parkway. The building, which is almost fully leased to NorthShore University HealthSystem on a long-term deal, was purchased from a venture of Skokie-based American Landmark Properties

The sale comes a month after American Landmark sold the life sciences lab portion (8025 and 8045 Lamon Ave.), the majority of the leased 22.6-acre ISTP campus to Chicago-based investor Singerman Real Estate. The portfolio is comprised of a mix of highly technical wet lab and GMP space and is home to established global life sciences brands as well as prestigious university affiliated venture backed startups.

Noted Sam DiFrancesca and Lucas Borges of the JLL Capital Markets team…. “We were encouraged by the depth of capital with an interest in Greater Chicago and are excited to see such an established national life sciences investor as Singerman committing to the market,” “The level of lender interest in this portfolio is further testament to Chicago’s significant growth potential within the life sciences space.” Max Zwolan and Scott Brandwein of JLL also supported the transaction and will continue to handle the leasing for the buyers.
For the entire article, click here.

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NU Record Research Funding

Northwestern Research Funding- Record $893M.  Northwestern University’s research enterprise once again demonstrated strong performance, with annual sponsored funds reaching a new record high of $893.4 million for the fiscal year that closed Aug. 31. This represents an increase of 1% from last year’s total and continues a decade-long trend that has positioned Northwestern among the nation’s most prestigious research institutions. Since 2011, the University’s research funding has increased more than 74% as Northwestern approaches $1 billion in sponsored support, a feat achieved by only its top academic peers.

“The remarkable depth and breadth of Northwestern research continues to make a huge positive impact, transforming entire fields and strengthening society,” Milan Mrksich, vice president for research. said. “As we continue to go from strength to strength — including important investments in our entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem to increase translation — we will enhance our already superb research enterprise to keep elevating Northwestern’s reputation as a premier destination for the best scholars, scientists and students in the world.”

“Our research portfolio now includes a higher percentage of larger, complex awards, reflecting the collaborative approach to research that Northwestern fosters,” said Shandra White, executive director of Sponsored Research. “Having diverse projects within Northwestern’s research landscape is vital, along with the robust infrastructure to support the complexity of those high-impact investigations.”

For more about NU, click here.

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CMO Leadership Awards

Vetter was granted the 2021 CMO Leadership Awards in five core categories – quality, expertise, compatibility, capabilities, and service. Winning five core categories reaffirms Vetter as a trusted solution provider, particularly during globally challenging times.

“Yet again, Vetter is honored to be a winner of the CMO Leadership Awards as determined by our most important judges – our global customers,” said Vetter Managing Director Peter Soelkner. “This recognition is of particular importance given the challenging and turbulent times we are all experiencing with the global Covid-19 pandemic.” Carsten Press, Vetter’s Senior Vice President Key Account Management/Supply Chain Management/Marketing added, “Winning this award in five key categories is a direct reflection of what we strive to project to our customers. It further demonstrates our stable performance for them and especially their patients.”

Unlike other awards where an application process takes place, winners of the CMO Leadership Awards are chosen according to a customer ranking system. The basis for this is their hands-on experience with the service providers they have actually worked with. Using this method of validation means results are not able to be influenced in any manner. As such, the awards honor true customer performance and signify that winning companies have distinguished themselves through a leading level of support for the needs of their pharma and biotech customers.

To read the entire release, click here

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8-Story Hotel In Downtown Skokie

The 142-room Homewood Suites by Hilton is planned for the northeast corner of Oakton Street and Niles Avenue. The deal calls for the developer to present proof that a hotel at least as prestigious as a Homewood Suites plans to operate at the site for at least 15 years.

The hotel is set to include 30,000 square feet of retail space on its ground floor and rooftop and about 10,000 square feet of banquet and event space.

Corporation Counsel Michael Lorge said the project will be a positive addition to the under-construction 8000 North development about 1,000 feet to the west on Oakton Avenue.  “The addition of a hotel to the downtown area is an important and a commanding addition to the economic development already going on in downtown Skokie, and it provides great resources for the surrounding corridor,” Lorge said ahead of the project’s approval at the Dec. 7 village board meeting. “It is also an important addition to the Illinois Science and Technology Park, which needs hotel accommodations for its tenants.”

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Sketchbook and LanzaTech

LanzaTech, the CarbonSmart(TM) recycling company that operates globally, was founded in New Zealand and has headquartered in Skokie since 2014 at ISTP. LanzaTech specializes in ‘gas fermentation’—converting industrial waste gases (CO, CO2 and H2) into ethanol and everyday products (including mixing it with gasoline for your car —E10 at the pump). The alcohol has also been turned into Jetfuel and into polyethylene for packaging materials! According to Björn Heijstra (Director, Process Validation): “Diverting CO2 from the atmosphere, turning it into products, capturing the CO2—we like this a lot, great for the Earth!”

Two blocks north, newer Skokie biz Sketchbook Brewing has been creating delicious beer since 2020 in this new headquarters (they founded their biz in 2014). The brewery process relies upon a quite different fermentation that occurs when yeast, water, grain and heat combine. The LanzaTech team quickly became regulars at Sketchbook’s patio this summer and fall…and an idea started brewing.

This year, when LanzaTech hit a huge commercial scale milestone, they knocked on Sketchbook’s door to see if a celebration beer could be brewed in Skokie. (Most people that do fermentation for a living tend to continue this in their spare time). Sketchbook Brewing Co of course happily obliged and a collaboration brew was initiated. The LanzaTech staff came by and helped on the brew day.

The name? The 150 refers to an incredible 150 days of continuous gas fermentation at commercial scale. LanzaTech incorporated the actual daily production graph into the label design. So cool!

The beer? According to Cesar Marron, Sketchbook’s head brewer, “LanzaTech polled their employees to choose a style they would like. Hoppy and Saison were the most picked. So, since New Zealand is where LanzaTech was founded we thought it would make sense to use New Zealand Hops in this batch. The beer is a dry, effervescent saison with a nice spiciness and citrus peel flavor. Great on its own, or paired with your favorite cheese, bread, or any other food really.”

To read this entire release, click here.

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Sketchbook Brewing – Skokie

Sketchbook Brewing has expanded to Skokie and has successfully brewed and packaged several styles!

The new site is located at 4901 W. Main Street, just up the walking path from ISTP.  This represents a major expansion, more than tripling the brewing capacity. The new Tap Room features outdoor seating, a large and inviting bar-area, games and room for events.

“The Village of Skokie enthusiastically welcomes Sketchbook Brewing Company to the community,” said Mayor George Van Dusen. “We have long been impressed by Sketchbook’s success in our neighbor to the east, the City of Evanston, and we are grateful that the Sketchbook team decided to invest in Skokie for this exciting expansion of their high-quality, community-forward brewery operations. This announcement marks another significant advancement in redeveloping not only Downtown Skokie, but adjacent areas on Main Street and Skokie Boulevard. We are proud to welcome Sketchbook Brewing Company and its entrepreneurial owners!”

Sketchbook’s Shawn Decker says:“Sketchbook’s five-year history has been a story of constant and organic growth—and the challenge to produce enough beer to keep our loyal community well-supplied. We have been searching for a suitable building for a while and did not want to go very far from our existing location. We were very lucky to find a great building so close to us and to have the opportunity to partner with the wonderfully diverse and welcoming Village of Skokie.

Click here to learn more about what’s happening at Sketchbook Brewing in Skokie. 

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Vetter Celebrates 10 Years @ISTP

At the time of its creation, the Skokie facility employed approximately 15 German expats to support the setting up of the core processes at the site. Today, the facility has a working staff of around 100 employees, almost all of whom are from the US. In addition to its growing employee population, the facility has also doubled in size from its original 24,000 sq. ft. to 50,000 sq. ft. today. To access the press release, click here.

“Our Skokie facility is a clear demonstration of the successful strategy we put into place in the second half of the 2000s,” said Vetter Managing Director Thomas Otto “That strategy was to be closer to the injectable development projects taking place in the US. The facility is also further proof of our family related business philosophy. By bringing expats to the facility first, and then gradually transitioning primarily to local employees, we created strong intercultural teams and secured knowledge transfer from our German specialists to our US experts.”

Vetter Development Service Chicago has the people, processes, and technology to serve pharma and biotech companies of every size with customizable solutions for drug products from early stages to Phase II, with transfer to the company’s commercial manufacturing capabilities in Europe. As a strategic partner with a global network of excellence, Vetter provides proven drug delivery systems specifically designed for the clinical needs and timelines of complex compounds. For more on Vetter’s Chicago site, please see: https://www.vetter-pharma.com/en/clinical-manufacturing-us

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