What's happening in and around the Park? Here's an update from the team at the Illinois Science + Technology Park.    
LanzaTech and AMCI Acquisitions
LanzaTech has entered into a definitive merger agreement with AMCI Acquisition Corp.
Founded in 2005, LanzaTech is a leading Carbon Capture and Transformation ("CCT") company combining synthetic biology and engineering to transform waste carbon into materials and high-value products representing a total addressable market opportunity of over $1 trillion, including sustainable fuels, fabrics and packaging that people use in their daily lives.

LanzaTech's CCT technology can provide a profitable pathway to achieving the decarbonization goals of participants in many industries, as CCT technologies are expected to increasingly be used within industrial sectors of the economy as a critical method used to reduce greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions and meet mandates and climate goals.

Nimesh Patel, Chief Executive Officer of AMCI Acquisition Corp. II, stated, "Our primary objective in forming AMCI Acquisition Corp. II was to partner with a disruptive company focused on decarbonizing the heavy industrial complex and transitioning the global energy mix to a lower carbon footprint. We are pleased to have found that partner in LanzaTech."
Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, Chief Executive Officer of LanzaTech, commented, "We are showing the world what is possible when we radically rethink how we source, use and dispose of carbon. We are excited to be on this journey. We believe with AMCI that this is a transformative step in our quest to create a sustainable future for all, where everything can be made from recycled carbon."

Proceeds raised from the transaction are expected to fund the execution of LanzaTech's business plan, accelerate commercial operations, fund capital requirements associated with development projects in which LanzaTech has chosen to participate with partners and continued technological innovation.

2022 International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) Symposium
2022 IIN Symposium - Celebrating 20 Years of Big Thinking at the Nanoscale

Since 2001, the IIN Symposium has been one of the world’s premier events for students, researchers, and others interested in the latest advances in nanotechnology.

This year was no exception, with 16 world-renowned speakers giving TED-style talks illuminating the exciting ways that nanotechnology is being used to address societal concerns.

Opening remarks by Professor Chad Mirkin, IIN Director, and Professor Milan Mrksich, Northwestern University Vice President for Research.
ISTP is a sponsor of the IIN Symposium.
Space Now Available @ISTP
There is laboratory and office space available.
Interested? Click here.

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

"ISTP has been a great partner of ours, providing LT the flexibility to grow - meeting our unique science/technical infrastructure needs with our general office space requirements.

We've considered ISTP a partner in this regard and are grateful for the solution oriented approach that ISTP has provided whenever we come with an issue or a new request." noted Carl Wolf - COO LanzaTech

“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.”
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.”
2023: 5 Reasons to Be Bullish on Chicago
1. New Energy 

2. Talent is getting stronger everyday 

3. Genuine collaboration through community 

4. Growing area infrastructure 

5. Our city has momentum 

North Shore Restaurant Month
Chicago’s North Shore offers visitors an exceptional array of entertainment options. Enjoy the culinary talent and diversity of cuisine offered with special deals, discounts and more!

North Shore Restaurant Month is back! These great culinary offers are available February 1–28, 2023 from participating restaurants.

Charles River Presentation - JP Morgan 41st Annual Healthcare Conference
The scientific partner of choice to accelerate biomedical research and therapeutic innovation.

Working with clients from discovery and early-stage development through the safe manufacture of life-saving therapies.

One-stop shop for high-quality research models and associated services to support biomedical researchers in discovery of new therapeutics.

Flexible and efficient outsourced model for non-clinical development to enable quick progression into the clinic.

Comprehensive solutions to support biopharmaceutical manufacturers in the critical testing, process development, and production of advanced therapies.

NorthShore University HealthSystem Announces 2023 Community Investment Fund Partners
NorthShore University HealthSystem has awarded $4 million across organizations during the second year of its Community Investment Fund (CIF).

New partners and focus areas for NorthShore’s 2023 CIF, include:

  • ASPIRE Lake County Community Healthcare Workforce Development Program 
  • Fenix Family Health Center Centro de Salud 
  • Howard Brown 
  • Josselyn 
  • Kenneth Young Center 
  • Lutheran Social Services of Illinois 
  • PEER Services/ TASC 
  • Rohingya Culture Center 
  • YWCA Metropolitan Chicago  
NorthShore’s inaugural CIF partners will continue to team up with NorthShore to advance their important work.

  • ASPIRE Evanston Community Healthcare Workforce Development Program 
  • Between Friends 
  • Highwood Public Library & Community Center
  • Partners for Our Communities 
  • Rosalind Franklin University’s Community Care Connection 
  • The Friendship Center 
  • The AUX!
“These powerful partnerships are all about creating meaningful, lasting impact through data, relationships and resources,” said Gabrielle Cummings, President, NorthShore Acute Care Operations and Highland Park Hospital, NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health.

“In just our first year, we already made impressive strides and have increased our understanding of how we can work together to make our communities healthier. In year two, we are proud to further these partnerships, while also welcoming new partners and expanding our focus to include areas like bi-cultural medical care, complex trauma treatment and multilingual healthcare education.”

COUR Pharmaceuticals: Lead Independent Director
COUR Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immune-modifying nanoparticles designed to reprogram the immune system announced the appointment of Robert F. Carey to its board of directors, effective immediately. Mr. Carey will serve as COUR’s Lead Independent Director.

Robert F. Carey previously served as President of ACELYRIN, INC. where he led the company in raising over $550 million in financings and identified, acquired and accelerated the development of a number of promising drug candidates.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Bob Carey to COUR’s board,” said John J. Puisis, Founder & CEO of COUR. “Bob’s decades-long career as a senior executive in successfully building and establishing value-creating companies such as Horizon Therapeutics and ACELYRIN, along with his extensive experience as a senior investment banking advisor to hundreds of biotechnology companies will be invaluable as COUR looks to accelerate multiple programs in the clinic, expand our institutional investor base and build out our management team and board of directors."
“I have had the great fortune to be in a position to see and evaluate many technologies first-hand and comparatively COUR’s antigen-specific immune tolerance technology is one of the most innovative and promising platforms I have seen in recent years,” said Mr. Carey. “The ability to leverage the body’s own natural tolerance pathway without immune suppression and the versatility to address conditions associated with multiple antigens and diseases is a major breakthrough in the field, and COUR has been the only company to prove out its technology in human clinical efficacy trials. I look forward to working closely with John and the COUR team in positioning COUR for tremendous growth and success in the coming years.”"

Old Orchard Mall to Get $100 million Remake
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield will be remaking its Old Orchard mall in Skokie, Ill. into a live-work-play community. A residential development will be added to the popular retail destination north of Chicago along with a cast of new retail brands, entertainment options, green spaces with walkways, and chef-led restaurants.

The retail upgrade is already underway in the existing structure. Enhancements are being made in the common areas inside the mall to welcome new dining and health and wellness tenants. An enhanced slate of luxury retailers will be led by Louis Vuitton and the nation’s second location of Bloomies—Bloomingdale’s new curated shopping concept,

“The Village Board’s action earlier this year to designate Old Orchard as one of over 200 Illinois Business Districts has resulted in Westfield’s financial commitment of over $100 million to transform Old Orchard,” said Skokie Mayor George VanDusen. “I applaud Westfield’s focus on sustainability with this new vision, as is consistent with the village’s recently approved environmental sustainability plan.”
“We are forging innovative partnerships to elevate our flagship shopping centers to iconic landmark destinations,” wrote Geoff Mason, URW’s executive VP of development, design, and operating management in the November-December issue of Chain Store Age. “This means investing heavily in the best assets, in the best markets, to create new town centers where people come to live, shop, work and play.”

Vetter Development Service @ISTP
LanzaTech
Earthshot Finalist