Biotech Manufacturing Companies in Illinois

Illinois has approximately 13,000 manufacturing establishments and 570,000 manufacturing employees. Illinois is a top-five manufacturing state, with Chicago as a metal fabrication and food processing center, Peoria as Caterpillar's headquarters, and a vast network of industrial suppliers.

Illinois contributes to the national biotech manufacturing landscape. Biotech manufacturing encompasses the production of biologic drugs including monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapies, vaccines, and recombinant proteins. Unlike traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotech production relies on living cell systems and requires specialized bioprocessing equipment, single-use systems, and advanced purification technologies.

Monoclonal Antibody Producers: Companies operating large-scale mammalian cell culture facilities for antibody drug production.

Cell Therapy Manufacturers: Facilities producing autologous and allogeneic cell therapies including CAR-T and stem cell products.

Gene Therapy Producers: Companies manufacturing viral vectors (AAV, lentivirus) for gene therapy applications.

Vaccine Manufacturers: Facilities producing vaccines using traditional and mRNA platforms, including fill-finish operations.

Contract Biologics Manufacturers: CDMOs specializing in biologic drug manufacturing, from cell line development through commercial production.

Major industrial centers in Illinois include Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Aurora, Joliet, and Elgin. These cities have concentrations of manufacturers across sectors including metal fabrication, food processing manufacturing, and chemical manufacturing.