Vetter Pharma International dedicated its new 24,000-sq.-ft. facility at the Illinois Science + Technology Park in Skokie, IL on Dec. 1. The new facility will focus exclusively on preclinical through Phase IIb projects and will fill very small quantities of product, required for early studies. Phase III projects will be transferred to the company’s German facilities for large-scale production. The Skokie site is expected to be operational by the end of 2010.

“For injectable drugs, collaboration early in development is essential,” said Peter Soelkner, Vetter’s managing director. “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 — the first time — speeds medications to market and to the patients that need them.”

The new facility is strategic to Vetter’s plan for worldwide growth. Founded 25 years ago in Ravensburg, Germany, Vetter employs 2,200 people. The Skokie site, Vetter’s first U.S. facility and its first outside Germany, will eventually employ 50 to 60 highly skilled professionals.

“Since nearly half of our customer base is located in North America, creating a U.S. facility was the logical next step,” said Mr. Soelkner. “Although we did consider several other U.S. biotech hotspots, including Boston and San Francisco, Chicago best suited our needs.”