What's happening in and around the Park? Here is an update from the team at the Illinois Science + Technology Park.    
Vetter & Rentschler Biopharma Alliance
Rentschler Biopharma and Vetter, two globally operating Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs), announced that their strategic collaboration has taken key steps forward. The companies have further strengthened the established framework for their alliance and set up a governance structure, as well as implemented guidelines for their joint approach across functions. In parallel to starting their first joint client projects, they are also working closely on existing projects and related topics.

The collaboration was initiated in mid-2020, with the intent to create long-term value through the alignment of manufacturing approaches that enable clients to bring their products to patients more easily and faster. Together, the two CDMOs are mutually enhancing their services by offering complementary skills and experience along the biopharmaceutical value chain.

The established framework consists of an overall collaboration agreement that regulates the intended contributions of both parties to ultimately generate added value for clients and patients around the world. Further operational agreements and guidelines between various departments including Quality, Development Service and Logistics have been implemented. These cover key standards for joint approaches as well as core inputs and processes across both organizations to align interfaces and optimize services for the client’s convenience and long-term planning.
“The formation of the mutual agreements and alignment on a client approach were foundational steps that both Vetter and Rentschler Biopharma identified early in our exploration of this strategic alliance,” stated Vetter Managing Director Peter Soelkner. “We look forward to the new progress that this step will facilitate.”

“We are very interested to see how the experience gained in these initial projects will further enhance our strategic alliance,” noted Dr. Frank Mathias, CEO of Rentschler Biopharma. “These client engagements will provide valuable insights for our teams to leverage in refining the alignment of our processes and approaches.”
VentureCat: Northwestern's Startup Competition
VentureCat is Northwestern’s annual student startup competition and celebrates the University’s most promising student founders. Learn more about the 25 semifinalist teams for 2021 here!

The program culminates in a pitch competition in which more than $300,000 in non-dilutive prize money is distributed to student ventures.

Wednesday, May 26 at 7p CT for the Public Showcase Livestream for six finalist teams and their pitches. You can vote to award the audience favorite prize and prize winners will be announced.
More about VentureCat in the above video
This event is free and open to the public to attend.
Space Now Available @ISTP
There is laboratory and office space available in 8045 Lamon.  Suites, ranging from approximately 10,000 sq. ft. to over 50,000 sq. ft., will be ready between now and the Spring of 2021. Options appropriately address your access and security concerns.  Interested? Click here!

8045 Lamon (Research to Commercialization)
  • 4 story, 163,000 square feet
  • Gold LEED rated “green” facility
  • Conference Center and Auditorium
  • Areas for meetings, collaboration and socialization

Design your customized lab & office facilities at 8030 Lamon. (Flexible Options for Development)
  • Flexible build to suit options
  • Up to 200,000 square feet of office and development space
“The Illinois Science + Technology Park is a significant contributor to Skokie’s employment base and economic growth,” said Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen. “The park continues to grow and contribute to Skokie’s economy while also providing economic stimulus for the state and Midwest region.”
NorthShore University HealthSystem Top 100 Hospital for 2021
NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) has been named to this year’s Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals® list for a record 22nd time, more than any other hospital or health system in the United States during the award’s 28-year history. NorthShore is also listed as a Top 15 Major Teaching Hospital in the country. The annual list, which honors excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience and financial health, was published by Fortune.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this most prestigious national recognition for a record 22 times,” said J.P. Gallagher, President and Chief Executive Officer of NorthShore. “This milestone takes on extra special meaning during an extraordinary year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I congratulate our amazing team of physicians, nurses and the entire staff who have demonstrated courage and conviction under challenging circumstances to provide our patients and communities with the highest quality care, compassion and safety. This honor truly reflects their inspiring work ethic and dedication to the patients and communities we serve.”
Leveraging R&D Resources Boosts Recovery
Research and development (R&D) is the lifeblood of innovation. It’s the process by which businesses create new products and services to grow their market share—in turn creating jobs and boosting economic output.
In the wake of COVID-19, our ability to foster business innovation will be critical to Illinois’ economic recovery. Luckily, there are resources that can help boost business R&D that remain relatively untapped—our world-class colleges and universities.

“To help Illinois’ companies leverage college and university R&D resources, ISTC has developed Illinois Innovation Vouchers (H.B. 1855 & S.B. 2290).” Innovation Vouchers are awarded to Illinois businesses to help offset the cost of an R&D or business assistance engagement with an in-state college or university.
Fresenius Kabi Introduces Low Concentration Heparin Sodium in Sodium Chloride Injection in Ready-to-Use Freeflex® Bags
Fresenius Kabi announced it has introduced in the United States two new presentations of Heparin Sodium in convenient, ready-to-administer Freeflex® IV bags; Heparin Sodium 1,000 USP units and Heparin Sodium 2,000 USP units in 0.9% Sodium Chloride 1,000 mL infusion bag.

Fresenius Kabi offers the broadest portfolio of Heparin Sodium therapies across three medication-delivery systems: Freeflex® premixed bags, Simplist® prefilled syringes and vials.

“In line with our commitment to offering convenient, ready-to-administer products to help minimize drug errors and assure patient safety, we are pleased to introduce a low concentration option in our line of Heparin Sodium in Sodium Chloride,” said John Ducker, president and CEO of Fresenius Kabi USA. “We remain focused on meeting clinicians’ needs by expanding the variety of presentations of products we offer in Freeflex IV bags and Simplist prefilled syringes.” To read the entire press release, click here.
Nanotechnology Awards
Northwestern University is now accepting nominations for two prestigious international prizes: the $250,000 Kabiller Prize in Nanoscience and Nanomedicine, and the $10,000 Kabiller Young Investigator Award. Nominations are due by May 17, 2021.

The Kabiller Prize in Nanoscience and Nanomedicine is the world’s largest monetary award for outstanding achievement in nanomedicine. It recognizes researchers who have made significant, career-long contributions to the field of nanotechnology and its application to medicine and biology.

The Kabiller Young Investigator Award is given to emerging researchers who have made recent groundbreaking discoveries with the potential to make a lasting impact in nanoscience and nanomedicine. There is no age limit for this award. For more on these awards, click here.
Life Science Spikes Demand for Lab Space
A surge in life sciences funding has spiked the demand for lab space. While the pandemic and the race for a vaccine certainly accelerated investor interest, it was already ignited by ongoing breakthroughs in immuno-oncology, neonatology and other technological advances. What’s more, investment in the sector has translated into commercial real estate leasing in a clear and direct way.

This has impacted leasing. In the major U.S. life sciences markets, total vacancy has decreased by 250 basis points between 2015 and 2020, from 9.8 percent to 7.3 percent. The pandemic is a major driver of the increased government funding. In the U.S., Project Warp Speed sent billions toward COVID-19 research and biomanufacturing with the intent of bringing a vaccine to market.

These transactions bring with them a plethora of life sciences jobs, which can also spur development of housing, retail and other urban amenities that serve the people who live and work in the knowledge center.
“Every time there is a funding round, it’s only a matter of months before these companies are looking for new space,” says Travis McCready, Executive Director, US Life Sciences Markets, JLL. “When companies get VC money, they need lab space in order to deliver as soon as humanly possible. Life sciences have an outsized impact on development in the surrounding area when compared to other sectors,” McCready says. “In a sense, increased investment in life sciences is the tide that lifts all ships" To learn more from JLL, click here.
The Edison Awards Recognize LanzaTech
The Edison Awards recognizes international innovation and entrepreneurship. Every year, the Edison Awards honors one or more individuals who, through their careers, leadership, and achievements, have distinguished themselves by making a significant and lasting contribution to the world of innovation. LanzaTech announced that Jennifer Holmgren, its CEO, received the Edison Achievement Award. The Edison Awards also awarded LanzaTech’s “CarbonSmart™ for a Blue-Sky Future” its Science Game Changer award.

LanzaTech has created a system that turns pollution from factories and other waste carbon sources into fuel, food, chemicals, and other products.
“The scale of the climate crisis demands that we use all available tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as fast as possible,” Holmgren said. “This requires cross-sector collaboration and innovation while ensuring social and environmental justice.”
Outsource at Charles River
Because patients are waiting, your program is our top priority. As a global organization with comprehensive plans for business continuity, Charles River will keep you moving forward with strategic staffing, remote audits, advanced technologies, and seamless supply chain logistics.

When you outsource with Charles River, you connect with a dedicated team of multidisciplinary experts who can determine the best path forward and shepherd your drug through the development process.

From sourcing, to staffing, to digital technologies we’ve continued to maximize the reach of existing tools and invest in new solutions to ensure our clients receive seamless, uninterrupted service.
Check out Skokie and ISTP
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