Category: Uncategorized

Attracting & Fostering Talent is the Key to Lake County’s Continued Biosciences Growth

, Date: June 28, 2022

With 30,000+ employees, a healthy mix of Fortune 500s, mid-level companies and startups, and an $85 billion dollar output worldwide, Lake County’s life science ecosystem is among the biggest in the world. With great success comes great responsibility, and Lake County Partners is not one to rest on its laurels. We have been proud to team up with industry leaders like iBIO to prioritize innovation and cultivate talent. In this guest blog post, iBIO president and CEO John Conrad shares how the organization is fostering long-term bioscience success in Lake County and Illinois.

This week, nearly 100 rising third to eighth grade girls are convening at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Preparatory High School in Waukegan, Lake County’s county seat, to explore a wide variety of areas related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The weeklong gathering marks the launch of the Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s (iBIO) 2022 STEMgirls Summer Camp, which is made possible by the support of lead sponsor Lake County-based Abbott Laboratories.

More than a fun, hands-on educational opportunity for young students, the initiative underscores a critical pathway to ensuring the continued growth of life sciences in Illinois: attracting and fostering current and future talent.

To be sure, the Illinois biosciences industry is a national leader – with Lake County alone claiming home to global corporations such as AbbVie, Abbott, Baxter, Horizon Therapeutics and others. A large contributor to the Illinois economy, the state’s industry has an overall economic output of $98 billion and has experienced tremendous growth the past few years. iBIO’s most recent research report shows that Illinois ranked in the top five states nationwide with $2.7 billion in venture-capital investment between 2016 and 2019.

FOSTERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

The Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization (iBIO) is a life sciences industry association that represents the nearly 88,000 life sciences employees at member companies, universities, service providers and venture firms. iBIO promotes the industry’s value to the public and policymakers; connects innovators to investment and talent; and stimulates collaboration and fosters the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to transform patient lives through groundbreaking research.

Chief among iBIO’s priorities is not only luring but retaining top talent as well as cultivating the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Following are three key priorities to support the continued growth of the area’s life sciences industry:

  1. Retaining talent: Ensuring the biosciences community has access to early-stage capital

Illinois is home to 11 research universities. But to keep the innovative startups born from those universities in the state we need to ensure they have access to early-stage capital.

To that end, it is critical that the Illinois Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) matching program is adequately funded in Illinois’ budget, which provides state matching funds for critical proof-of-concept federal SBIR grants.

Also, we need to make sure local companies are maximizing current programs, like prequalifying for the Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit Program. Companies that leveraged the program attracted more than $40 million in angel funding, according to a 2020 report from The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

Finally, we must explore how we can adapt other existing programs, like the R&D Tax Credit, which needs to be permanent and adapted to provide support for our startup companies.

2. Fostering the next generation of innovators

Illinois-based life sciences companies spent more than $14 billion in R&D in 2018 according to publicly available reports. Nearly one-million square feet of lab space currently is either delivered or under construction. With this growth, we need to champion the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to fill that space.

Introducing youth to the STEM fields is paramount. What begins as a spark of interest may grow into a bioscience career. One major hurdle that education experts run up against is that efforts to expand female interest in STEM are not working as well as intended.

To address this challenge, iBIO proudly partners with schools and community organizations through several initiatives, including a STEM kit program and STEMGirls camp. iBIO has sent more than 6,000 kits to 330 Chicago metro school district students in grades three through eight as part of the STEM Kit program. The STEMGirls camp provides inclusive opportunities for young minds to engage in hands-on activities, gain exposure to influential female leaders in STEM careers, and see real-world examples of how STEM is used. To date, more than 1,000 girls have participated in the camp, which is focused on low-income and under-represented communities. Ensuring that young people see others who come from similar backgrounds exceed is vital to igniting their interest because they will be inspired by the drive and success they witness in these professionals.

3. Delivering growth through diversity

With more than 88,000 direct jobs and the highest-paying industry in Illinois, the life sciences industry needs a strong supply of qualified, trained workers. To achieve this, iBIO works with members to raise Illinois’ ability to attract and retain top health and life sciences talent across the highly competitive national markets.

FUELING LAKE COUNTY BUSINESS WITH TALENT

iBIO delivers industry-led STEM programs for teachers and students, thereby inspiring the next generation of innovators and helping restore America’s leadership in technology education. Click here to learn more about iBIO and its programs.

We are indebted to our partners at iBIO, and honored to work with them and the other stakeholders in the Lake County Workforce Ecosystem to fortify Lake County’s strong talent pipeline. Connect with us directly here for our help tapping into this resource and others designed to help your business grow in Lake County.

Understanding the Big Picture of Supply Chain in Lake County & Beyond

, Date: June 21, 2022

Company leaders are still struggling with many of the supply chain challenges we saw in the pandemic, and their needs and views have continued to evolve. For example, where we saw companies in pre-pandemic times striving for just-in-time inventory management, inventory practices have since changed to a “just-in-case” strategy which requires keeping larger quantities on hand to hedge against supply issues. Additionally, supplier selection standards that emphasized quality and price now look at geography as an important additional criterion, as many companies found that the products from their suppliers on the other side of the world were delayed due to labor shortages or transportation issues.

There are many other examples of how manufacturing, distribution and even service companies have adopted in the last few years across the broad field of supply chain management to address concerns in procurement, inventory management, warehousing, transportation and logistics and customer service. We also see more cross-functional integration with processes like SIOP – Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning – where the sales organization is a more regular player in information sharing and decision-making. Examples such as this show how businesses see the need to continue to tie together the various functions within each organization.

Risk management continues to be a critical success factor, too, where companies try to anticipate possible issues and alternative action plans in case they need to pivot from Plan A (and sometimes Plan B and Plan C) to procure necessary raw materials or provide on-time product delivery to their customers. Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR) with information-sharing between trading partners provides a better view of expected demand to help with planning. This can sometimes be uncomfortable to implement as companies determine how much to share about their demand patterns, new product development and other important quality and quantity variables but the end result can be a smoother flow of products and information between the two organizations and more collaborative decisions.

HOW SYSTEMS DRIVE UNDERSTANDING

The various systems available today, Enterprise Resource Planning, Customer Relationship Management and Warehouse Management to name a few, can help with understanding supply chain attributes such as demand patterns, supplier relationships and customer service. These systems provide huge amounts of data that must be validated, sorted and analyzed to be useful decision-making tools. Many companies have dedicated data analysts to manage and interpret the data, but enhancing broader understanding of the data across the workforce helps everyone understand the business better.

Employees at all levels need a “big picture” view of the situation, recognizing that my “big picture” may be understanding supplier relationship management best practices while your big picture may be following transportation issues and shortages locally and internationally. Identifying these views and increasing employees’ understanding of their frame of reference within the supply chain helps them do their job better and encourages identification of both upstream supplier and downstream customer issues and potential operational improvements. One of the key features of this big picture in supply chain is remembering that the primary goal is to ensure the customer’s needs are being met. This is the final customer for the product or service the organization provides, but it is also the next department or person in the processing of that product or service. We all have many customers to consider.

For instance, if I more clearly understand why, in my procurement role, the annual review of my assigned suppliers directly contributes to receiving’s incoming inspection effectiveness and manufacturing’s ease of processing, I can make better decisions when there are deviations in the supplier evaluation. Even better, if I am able to interface with my company’s other functional areas, such as manufacturing and research and development, along the way to understand their needs more clearly, I can make decisions when the supplier makes changes or offers alternatives that help my direct customers in the organization as well as our end customer.

HOW TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE

How do we create this big picture thinking? Awareness and education. This can take many forms – quality circles where cross functional teams discuss operational problems and plan and implement solutions, company training to share and discuss goals as well as important principles and priorities, even lower-level employees sharing what they see with upper-level management. As we better understand the issues and the big-picture framework, we can take these into account in our action plans.

Companies help with the big picture by providing educational opportunities for their employees as well as empowerment, positive culture and compelling job opportunities where employees can make a difference. Individuals can differentiate themselves by providing examples of how they understand the big picture – seeing issues, taking responsibility, suggesting improvements and making them happen.

Per illinoispolicy.org, Lake County has recouped 90 percent of the non-farm jobs since the COVID-19 economic recovery began, outperforming the Illinois state average of 82 percent. Furthermore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) shows that unemployment for the Lake County–Kenosha County, IL-WI in April 2022 was 4.4 percent and has been steadily decreasing from January 2022’s 5.1 percent. Also, the 12-month percent change in average wages in the county is up 2.6 percent across all non-farm industries. From these and other statistics, we can see that Lake County is doing well overall. The supply chain challenges continue, but organizations respond to these, developing expertise and holding their own in the competitive business environment.

HOW SCM CERTIFICATION FUELS RESULTS

One of the main goals of the College of Lake County Supply Chain Management (SCM) Program is to help individuals see the supply chain big picture. The Introduction to SCM Certificate consists of five classes in business, supply chain, computer software, management/supervision, and operations management. The Advanced SCM Certificate adds five additional classes in procurement, inventory management, warehousing and distribution, and logistics and transportation plus a capstone course that can be a project at a current employer, an internship, or preparing for and taking a professional SCM certification exam. The Associate of Applied Science in SCM adds ten additional general business and core requirements courses to the ten Advanced SCM Certificate. This program is helpful for someone who is already working in supply chain, someone who is looking to make a career change into supply chain, and those with little exposure who are exploring the burgeoning SCM field. Click here to learn more about the SCM Program at the College of Lake County.

We are indebted to our partners at the College of Lake County, and honored to work with them and the other stakeholders in the Lake County Workforce Ecosystem to fortify Lake County’s strong talent pipeline. Connect with us directly here for our help tapping into this resource and others designed to help your business grow in Lake County.

Lake County is the Proud Home of the Second Largest Concentration of Fortune 500 Headquarters in the Midwest

, Date: June 7, 2022

Lake County’s economy benefits from a strong base of over 30,000 businesses in a variety of sizes, scales and industries known for growth and innovation. It has long been heralded as a destination for company headquarters, and the area is the clear location of choice for Fortune 500s.

For 68 years, Fortune Magazine has ranked America’s largest companies based on revenue and profits through it’s “Fortune 500 List.” Despite rising inflation, supply chain complications and inflation, Lake County again maintained its prominence on the just-released 2022 list, with a whopping 12 Fortune 500 headquarters that now call Lake County home. This number jumped up two from the 10 that made the list in 2021.

We are proud to congratulate the companies that were recognized on the list this year: Walgreens, AbbVie, Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, CDW, Discover, W.W. Grainger, Baxter International, the Packaging Corp. of America, Fortune Brands Home and Security, Camping World and CF Industries.

These companies represent a wide swath of industries, all of which are key to Lake County’s economy, including life science, advanced manufacturing, finance, distribution, logistics, clean energy and more. Combined, these companies employ tens of thousands of people in Lake County.

In addition to providing high quality jobs, rewarding career paths and talent enrichment, these companies are tremendous corporate citizens. They invest in Lake County communities, infrastructure, people and organizations, including Lake County Partners. They are fundamental to our mission of driving business growth and developing talent in Lake County.

WHY ARE SO MANY MAJOR CORPORATIONS HEADQUARTERED IN LAKE COUNTY?

Lake County boasts of the business, workforce, infrastructure and cultural benefits of a world-class metropolitan area, but at a fraction of the cost compared to coastal metros and downtown Chicago.

The county spans 1,300+ square miles and has a population of nearly 700,000 and access to greater Chicago’s 9.4 million people. Nearly 46% of residents have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher, which is 13% more than the national average, making its talent pool among the deepest in the country. It is also one of the most diverse, which brings a wide variety of valuable perspectives and experience to the table to drive business forward.

Furthermore, Lake County’s highly-integrated educational system anticipates business needs. Students study at nationally-ranked public high schools, earn STEM credentials at the College of Lake County and Lake Forest College, and go on to receive doctoral degrees from well-known schools in an array of in-demand disciplines. Many of these students appreciate the high quality of life, affordability and high concentration of job opportunities offered in Lake County’s many vibrant communities, and so they return to build rewarding careers and families. Case in point, Chicagoland is the #1 destination for BIG TEN university graduates.

Lake County’s central location between two major midwestern hubs — Chicago and Milwaukee — and position along Interstate 94, puts it within a one-day drive of most major industry in North America. It is a hub for regional, domestic and international markets, and has a tight-knit system of commuter options. Metra’s four rail lines feature 32 train stations coupled with Pace’s clean-diesel coach bus fleet and over 550 miles of trail and bikeway connections make it easy to draw talent from across the region.

The Port of Chicago and Waukegan Port District, coupled with Lake County’s state-of-the-art facilities, reliable rail lines, and transport routes put companies at a strategic crossroads for goods distribution. In fact, Illinois is the only state crossed by all seven of the nation’s class one rail lines. Lake County is also just a quick trip from three major international airports—Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, O’Hare International and Chicago Midway International—as well as Waukegan National Airport, which includes a new customs building, and allows corporate aviation departments, private users, emergency responders, law enforcement, medical transport and flight training programs in Lake County to connect with destinations worldwide.

Travel is fun when you have a wide range of entertainment options and cultural amenities suitable for all tastes. Local municipalities are regularly ranked among the top in the nation due to their high-quality schools, recreational opportunities, transportation, healthcare access, fiscal stability and leadership.

In Lake County, you can have the career you want, and the life you want, and employers are taking note. The strong balance of housing options, leading employers, outdoor activities and more proves that while Lake County is business driven, it is also a great area for those looking to prioritize both work and play.

It’s no wonder that Lake County continues to enjoy a surge of business expansions and relocations, and we are honored to play a role in the success. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your company join the ranks of Lake County’s many thriving company headquarters.

When it Comes to Air Quality, This Company Has the Answer

, Date: May 13, 2022

Air quality has perhaps never been more top of mind than over the past several years. From the COVID-19 pandemic to the West Coast wildfires and beyond, some of the biggest threats are now also the most microscopic.

A particle needs to be 10 microns or less before it can be inhaled into your respiratory tract and impact your health. In most cases, this size is imperceptible to the human eye, which means that invisible viruses, bacteria, dust, mold and respiratory droplets can persist in the air and be inhaled without warning, triggering a host of issues like illness, asthma, infection, or allergies.

When faced with the question “Do you know the health of the air you’re breathing?” the truth is, many of us don’t until we are faced with the negative effect of exposure. It’s the idea of bringing visibility to invisible threats that led one young company to Lake County to develop and take its cutting-edge concept to market.

SMALL WORLD, BIG IMPACT

Inspirotec, now known as AirAnswers Inc., is a compelling story of a life science startup that has successfully used local resources to move to the commercialization stage of company development. Its co-founder, Dr. Julian Gordon, was a renowned and highly-cited biomedical scientist at Abbott—a globally-recognized life science powerhouse headquartered in Lake County.

Dr. Gordon began his career at King’s College London, in the very lab where Rosalind Franklin originally advanced her famous research on X-ray crystallography and took images of DNA molecules in the early 1950s. It was her work on “Photograph 51” at King’s College London that ultimately demonstrated the helical structure of DNA and enabled James Watson and Francis Crick to build the first model of the molecule—science that would go on to fundamentally change the way that we understand the human body.

Franklin’s impact on medicine was so profound that it inspired the name of the university in North Chicago that is today known as Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

“Dr. Rosalind Franklin was a pioneer in the field of DNA research, and RFU researchers, faculty and students reflect her diligence in their work — including the pursuit of equity in population health and respiratory health,” said Dr. Wendy Rheault, RFU president and CEO. “We know there are communities in Lake County that have higher incidences of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than neighboring communities. Our university is committed to the reinvention of health care and building healthier communities through experimentation and innovation, and our research partnerships with industry help drive that mission forward.”

Thanks in part to Rosalind Franklin University’s Helix 51 incubator, the school is certainly living up to its name and influencing medical technology at an unprecedented rate. In the past six months alone, five life science startups have signed on to grow, and they can now look to AirAnswers as a successful role model. (Learn more in our other profiles of Covira, Everyplace Labs, and ARTEC Biotech.)

FROM STARTUP TO MARKET

Like Rosalind Franklin, AirAnswers co-founder Dr. Gordon has also made a major mark on our understanding of the human body. Today, he is perhaps best known for developing the seminal tests that lead to the technology Abbott uses for its home pregnancy tests.

Building on the extensive experience that he accrued while working in Lake County’s innovative life sciences ecosystem, Dr. Gordon went on to form AirAnswers, an early-stage company that developed innovative and affordable technologies for the collection, detection and tracking of airborne biological agents.

Between 2013 and 2017, AirAnswers refined its technology, demonstrating capture potential in an environmental lab chamber, Boston inner city schools, patient homes, and low-income homes in Baltimore. This work was supported through research collaboration with leading organizations like Harvard University, John Hopkins University, University of Chicago, Northwestern Medicine, Argonne National Laboratory, the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Nebraska Medical Center, the American Association for Aerosol Research and the U.S. Army.

The result is the AirAnswers product — a portable device that uses patented technology to move high volumes of air to identify harmful, invisible bioaerosols to prevent health issues. Through electrokinetic capture technology, charged particles become attached to the negative electrodes on a cartridge which is later sent to the AirAnswers lab for analysis. Only one sample is required for an entire home, and the process is the first and only to offer assessment of actively growing mold through a Beta Glucan analysis.

Because the device is “plug and play” and doesn’t rely on a filter, professional training is not needed to run the machine, and there is no hazard of clogging. Once the lab processes the cartridge, results are sent electronically. For all of these reasons and more, AirAnswers is now an easy-to-use and popular option in the indoor air quality market.

As a quickly developing startup, AirAnswers needed space to grow and develop its concept. In a twist of fate, Dr. Gordon’s earlier lab connection to researcher Rosalind Franklin brought his career full circle as he learned about the Helix 51 incubator being developed at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago.

The management team and board consist of a number of former Abbott executives tapping into the extensive executive management pool in Lake County. Top leadership, including president & CEO Jim Koziarz, Ph.D., EVP-Operations Steve Kuemmerle, Ph.D., and VP of Commercial Operations Richard “Rock” Marasco each spent more than 25 years at Abbott in various research and management roles.  Rounding out the AirAnswers management team is Director of Lab Operations, Rachel Reboulet, and VP Controlling, Russel Hunter.

Helix 51 provides a soft landing for early-stage and international life science companies in need of space and a nurturing environment in which to develop ideas. At the same time that AirAnswers was looking to expand, Rosalind Franklin University was celebrating the grand opening of Helix 51, and so AirAnswers was one of the first tenants to sign on at the facility. The partnership has yielded great success.

FLEXIBLE SPACE TO GROW

“Based on my industry experience, I knew that Lake County could accommodate our needs and provide unequaled access to talent and high net-worth investors who could help us take our product to market,” says Dr. Koziarz. “We connected with the Helix 51 incubator at a pivotal time in our company’s growth. We have an outstanding relationship with the university, and they’ve been exceptionally flexible as we have developed. In 2019, we signed on to initially occupy 1,600 sq. ft. space, and in August 2021 we expanded into about 6,800 sq. ft. on the fourth floor of the Innovation and Research Park as the first industry tenant. We have plans to further expand our footprint next year to coincide with our continued build-out of the space. We now have six lab specialists and technicians who provide cartridge testing and are developing our new products as we have transitioned from startup to early sales. Part of our success is undoubtedly the result of our location and the network that we have established in Lake County.”

Team leadership has spent recent months repositioning the company to key indoor air quality market segments, which in part led to the recent rebrand from Inspirotec to AirAnswers. The company is now in the process of sourcing new manufacturers for its next generation of products, and with Lake County’s thriving advanced manufacturing scene, the company will be looking locally.

“AirAnswers really is a model of what we’ve hoped to accomplish at the Helix 51 incubator,” notes Dr. Ronald Kaplan, EVP of Research at Rosalind Franklin University. “Local talent is fueling life science innovation and business growth in Lake County. Though we have a vast impact on healthcare, it’s remarkable to think about how small the life sciences world can be. Many of the partners, investors, affiliate organizations and leaders of our startups are interconnected and tied into nearby corporate giants. That’s why it’s so important for young companies in this industry to get the right start, in Lake County, where they can leverage our incredible network and resources.”

JOIN IN THE SUCCESS

AirAnswers is one of many companies working with Lake County Partners to grow. Connect with us here to see how we can help your business expand in Lake County, Illinois.

Life Sciences Growth Starts Here

, Date: May 3, 2022

When the first boutique-inspired Hyatt Place Hotel in the world opens, you know it will be special. That’s certainly been the case with Lake County’s new Forester Hotel, a nature-inspired oasis in Lake Forest designed to inspire business meetings that flourish.

From that seed of an idea—to invest in a business-focused development on a prime piece of real estate along I-94—a larger concept has blossomed. And it’s one that is certain to benefit Lake County’s hot life sciences industry and tight real estate market.

Janko Group, an investment/development team that has been involved in excess of $1 billion of real estate deals and has a current portfolio of owned properties valued at nearly $500 million across a spectrum of industries including hospitality, office, industrial, retail and residential, purchased the Forester property and received a variance to develop the hotel. The group also owns the adjacent 6.13-acre property alongside the Forester and is now focused on developing the site with a state-of-the-art facility specifically built to accommodate life sciences uses.

“We have been investing in properties across the region for more than 30 years. Based on our experience, we feel that this property is the best possible location for life sciences, in the county and in the larger metro. It’s extremely visible, easy to access, and in close proximity to many of the country’s biggest industry leaders. This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we know that the project will catapult the right company to the next level,” said Janko Group Founder and CEO Gary Janko.

POSITIONED FOR SUCCESS

The finished, access-controlled product will feature fourteen-foot ceilings, offices, first generation and column-free lab space, robust mechanical systems, multiple power voltages and backup power. In-demand wet lab space is also a possibility for the property. Importantly, it will also tie into the Forester Hotel next door to provide an additional 4,500 sq. ft. of flexible event space, a full-service bistro and bar, grab-and-go market, fitness center and comfortable hotel rooms and suites to accommodate visiting clients.

This opportunity couldn’t come at a better time. Lake County’s unique mix of life science and advanced manufacturing industry leaders has set it apart when it comes to doing business, and growth is off the charts. The area is consistently ranked among the top ten for life science clusters nationwide, in large part because it is home to many of the world’s leading brands, including AbbVie, Abbott, Baxter, Horizon Therapeutics and Pfizer.

Chicago’s northern suburbs also host the headquarters or major operations for many international leaders including Lundbeck, Astellas, Fresenius Kabi and Takeda. Include younger companies like Jaguar Gene Therapy and Nexus Pharmaceuticals along with the many fast-growing startups at Rosalind Franklin University’s Helix 51 incubator, and you have a vibrant life science ecosystem.

“The best thing about Lake County is that we can accommodate all stages of company growth,” says Lake County Partners Business Development Director Ron Lanz. “From the major startup activity that we’re seeing in smaller labs at Rosalind Franklin University, to larger properties like this one—Lake County has top-of-the-line spaces with in-demand amenities, transportation access and a stellar workforce that you just can’t find anywhere else.”

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO TALENT

This huge concentration of industry leaders has indeed resulted in an enormous pool of talent. There are more than 5.6 million people within a commute radius from Lake County, and 40,000 of them work in life sciences. Lake County’s workforce not only includes seasoned professionals – there is a huge crop of young talent too, thanks to Chicagoland being the #1 destination for Big Ten university graduates. In fact, 46% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is 13% greater than the national average.

With talent, comes great business success. Worldwide, local life science sales have accounted for $85 billion. Given the cost of doing business and living in Lake County, this amount can stretch much further than in peer areas like Boston, the Bay Area, San Diego and New Jersey. Chicagoland’s business operating index is a mere 98.3, compared to the average 101.9 seen in these counterparts. Here, effective tax rates are also competitive or lower, and electricity rates are much less—12.56 cent/kWh compared with Boston’s 21.11 cent/kWH, for example.

It’s Lake County’s affordability and high quality of life that keep businesses and residents coming. Award-winning communities feature nationally-ranked schools, making Lake County a destination for families and professionals who want to put down roots while building a rewarding career.

Enjoying life inside and out of the office is a pillar of Lake County’s work ethos, and it shows. Thankfully, projects like this one make the office element very, very attractive.

HOW CAN LAKE COUNTY PARTNERS HELP?

Lake County Partners has the resources and connections to help your company find the perfect spot and source the talent that you need. Connect with us here to explore this Janko Group opportunity or others.

Lake County is the Gateway to Global Markets

, Date: April 26, 2022

Lake County is a prime hub for regional, domestic and international markets. Its central location between Chicago and Milwaukee, along the I-94 corridor, provides convenient one-day access to a large swath of North American industry. The Port of Chicago and Waukegan Port District, coupled with Lake County’s state-of-the-art facilities, reliable rail lines, and transport routes put companies at a strategic crossroads for goods distribution. In fact, Illinois is the only state crossed by all seven of the nation’s class one rail lines.

Importantly, Lake County is also just a quick trip from three major international airports—Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, O’Hare International and Chicago Midway International—as well as Waukegan National Airport, which includes a new customs building and handles private, corporate, business, executive and governmental aircraft operating in Northeast Illinois and Southeast Wisconsin.

When it comes to attracting talent and accommodating business needs, this strong multimodal connectivity makes recruiting and commuting around the region a snap – particularly as travel returns to pre-COVID levels.

IT’S TIME TO TRAVEL

Nearby Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) has seen this travel surge first hand, and the airport is adding on new services to meet the growing demand and continue to deliver the first-rate experience for which it’s known.

MKE currently offers nonstop flights to 35+ destinations coast-to-coast, and more than 200 international destinations are available with just one connection. Through a convenient SmartPark app, travelers can reserve guaranteed parking spots and earn rewards.

As the world reopens, MKE has prioritized customer service, health, safety and convenience so that travelers taking to the sky feel comfortable to enjoy their recreational and business travel.

“We are proud to have recently earned our first Airports Council International (ACI) World Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for our success in delivering an outstanding customer experience at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport,” said Airport Director Brian Dranzik. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it places us among the world’s best airports as voiced by travelers through independent surveys administered at the airport. We competed with airports across North America that have 5 – 15 million annual passengers, and we were one of only eight in the U.S. to receive the award in the Best Airport by Size and Region category. The award is the most coveted and prestigious customer experience honor any airport can receive.”

Many Lake County travelers find that MKE’s close proximity, service and affordable long-term parking make it an easy choice for leisure and business. Even more so, now that the airport has rolled out new and expanded services including:

  • JetBlue launched new daily nonstop services between MKE and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS), bringing a new and cost-effective airline option to the market. Enabled by JetBlue’s Northeast Alliance (NEA), this Milwaukee service expands the airline’s presence in the Midwest, while diversifying and advancing its New York and Boston focus city strategy.
  • Spirit Airlines added Myrtle Beach to its growing list of destinations served nonstop from Milwaukee. With low fares and a flight time of just over two hours, the new flights make it easy to enjoy South Carolina’s beachfront boardwalks and golf courses. The airline launched its Milwaukee service in June of last year, with daily nonstop flights from MKE to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Orlando. By the end of 2021, Spirit was also flying nonstops from Milwaukee to Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Tampa, Phoenix, and Cancun.
  • Air Canada also announced plans to resume daily nonstop service between Milwaukee and Toronto beginning July 1st. The route had previously been suspended since March 2020 due to COVID-19. Flying Air Canada to Toronto provides another convenient connection point for flights to Europe, Asia, South America, and beyond.

With the public’s growing comfort level, MKE projects a busy back half of 2022. “Our famous ‘Recombobulation Area’ is ready to safely welcome back travelers and help them efficiently get on their way and enjoy all that life has to offer. We encourage you to check out our flights and book the trip that you’ve been waiting on.” says Director Dranzik.

THE CENTER OF IT ALL

Take our interactive tour to see why Lake County, Illinois is perfectly positioned to support your growing business. Connect with us here to see how we can help your company get settled in Lake County, Illinois.

Going with a Gut Feeling

, Date: April 19, 2022

When the Chicago Tribune recently asked Congressman Brad Schneider to comment on the wave of biotech startups growing at Rosalind Franklin University’s Helix 51 incubator, he called Lake County “the home of the nation’s life science corridor.” Senator Tammy Duckworth echoed his enthusiasm, noting “it’s no surprise we’ve seen this incubator grow and thrive…This incubator and research park will only continue to make Lake County a leader, not only in our state but the entire region of biomedical research and innovation.”

Judging from the recent success at the incubator and the business growth happening more broadly across the county, the excitement is justified.

With 122 life science businesses (including some of the world’s largest) and an employment base of more than 33,000, Lake County is the proud home of the largest life sciences cluster in the Midwest. A slew of globally-recognized headquarters and cutting-edge startups, coupled with a strong educational support system, have made Lake County a hotbed of innovation. Local talent is fueling life science industry growth and advancing groundbreaking technologies that stand to revolutionize the way that illness is treated and medicine is practiced.

Nowhere is that better seen than at Rosalind Franklin University’s Helix 51 incubator. In the past six months alone, the incubator has signed on five new tenants – all of whom were looking to leverage Lake County’s resources and proximity to industry leaders. A key selling point of the facility and its location is the 15-minute drive time to many global powerhouses: Abbott and AbbVie in North Chicago, Baxter, Horizon and Lundbeck in Deerfield, and Pfizer in Lake Forest.

“Budding entrepreneurs do not have to be in downtown Chicago or another big city to access talent, innovation and cutting-edge spaces. You can find the building blocks of a successful business right here in Lake County, and we’re eager to help you put together the pieces and grow,” said Dr. Ronald Kaplan, EVP of Research at Rosalind Franklin University.

Many of the startups are strategically using their time at Helix 51 to forge connections, seek investments and acquire necessary approvals to advance to the next stage of development.

THE CASE OF COVIRA

Covira is a biotech company spun out from the University of Chicago that develops drugs to modulate the gut microbiome. Its lead asset is focused on the prevention of post-surgical infections. Covira is productively using its time at Helix 51 to prepare for its next capital raise of $15 million needed to complete Phase 1 and Phase 2 of human clinical trials. The company projects that the FDA approval process could take 4 – 5 years to complete.

“We are really at the cutting-edge of microbiome research, and our work stands to prevent both the incidence and progression of post-surgical infection and its subsequent development of disability and mortality. Our team is led by Dr. John Alverdy, MD, a world authority in this field whose knowledge led us to be named one of the top twenty most innovative companies by Business Worldwide Magazine,” said Covira Surgical CEO Peter Farmakis. “We chose Helix 51 because we know that Lake County is the heart of the nation’s life science corridor. Here, we will be able to find the additional talent and investors that we need to successfully achieve Covira’s growth objectives.”

A recent company profile by Business Worldwide Magazine commended Covira, noting that its approach of using cutting-edge innovation to amplify the body’s natural protective capabilities and help it resist complications is incredibly unique. Covira is harnessing the power of the body’s gut microbiome—something that many researchers and medical professionals now understand is critical to overall health and well-being. Importantly, they are taking note of the way that the technology develops compounds that maintain and enhance a patient’s microbiome instead of adding onto, eliminating or replacing it.

With over 230 million surgeries performed worldwide every year, the work that Covira is doing couldn’t be any more timely or important. Despite advances in infection control practices, post-surgical infections remain a substantial cause of prolonged hospitalization, readmissions, morbidity and can lead to life-threatening sepsis or death. Preventing the extreme outcomes and saving lives is the driving force behind Covira’s mission.

Though the science behind the scenes is complex, Covira’s ecologically sustainable approach is relatively simple in practice. A patient mixes and drinks a tasteless, odorless and non-toxic solution before and after surgery; the oral solution coats the patient’s digestive tract and preserves the health-promoting gut microbiome while at the same time preventing the virulence (harmfulness) of pathogens that might proliferate during and after surgery. Covira sees their orally delivered medication as complementary to current surgical best practices in concert with other important infection control mechanisms such as prophylactic antibiotics, instrument sterilization, surgical technique, and proper ventilation.

Covira sees a gap in the market for their technology, and is preparing to fill it. The team is currently focused on filing an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and initiating phase 1 of its human clinical trials. From there, the company will then commence phase 2 of human clinical trials, with a target FDA approval of 2026. They have already secured one patent for their work, and have two additional patents pending.

The company has seen such initial success because of its leadership, largely bolstered by the deep life science talent bench found in Lake County and the broader Chicago metro. Covira’s team has extensive experience in business operations, including the recent addition to Covira’s Board of Directors – retired Abbott Laboratories Executive Officer Jaime Contreras.

In addition, Covira’s strong research and development team is supported by a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprised of world-leading experts that bring a diversified set of experiences from top-rated hospitals and medical schools across the country. Covira’s SAB includes expertise in transplant surgery, bioengineering, host-microbe interactions, colon and rectal surgery, infectious disease, microbiome, molecular engineering, and polymer chemistry. The team can also lean on its business partners that includes a roster of well-known groups including the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, the Polsky Center at The University of Chicago, Smart Health Catalyzer, Creative Destruction Lab and many others.

It’s this level of expertise that resulted in a recent invitation to present the company’s findings at the American Surgical Association’s 142nd meeting in Chicago. The American Surgical Association is the oldest surgical society in the U.S. and the most prestigious in the world. At its annual gathering in Chicago this year, Dr. John Alverdy, Covira’s Founder & Chief Scientific Officer was able to share the results of his team’s revolutionary research.

“There was an incredible undercurrent of excitement at the conference, and we were honored to have our ideas received so warmly by experts from across the country,” said Dr. Alverdy. “It’s gratifying to know that, from Lake County, Illinois, Covira Surgical will have a global impact.

JOIN IN THE SUCCESS

Covira Surgical is one of many companies working with Lake County Partners to grow, as there are many reasons why life science companies thrive in Lake County. Connect with us here to see how we can help your business grow in Lake County, Illinois.

Lake County’s Proud Legacy of Sustainable Development

, Date: April 14, 2022

Lake County, Illinois’ exceptional quality of life is a huge attractor for businesses looking to grow, and for good reason. The area boasts of well-known companies offering rewarding career opportunities, nationally-ranked education and healthcare systems, affordable housing, short commutes, fiscal responsibility, strong stakeholder partnerships, and an interesting mix of urban downtowns and natural areas that include over 50,000 acres of protected forest preserves and open space, 550 miles of interconnected trails and bikeways, award-winning golf courses, 40 miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline and over 200 lakes and rivers with unlimited boating, fishing and swimming opportunities.

Living in Lake County means that you can climb the corporate ladder and still take time to enjoy the things that matter. With a strong balance of top-quality communities, leading employers, convenient commuter options and a wide variety of outdoor activities and entertainment venues, you can truly work and play in Lake County.

Importantly, there is also a strong commitment to maintaining Lake County’s prominence as a sustainability leader. “Green” is embedded in the way that public agencies do business, developments are built, companies and residents are supported, and incentives are crafted. As a result, Lake County and the broader Illinois community has seen an uptick in LEED-certified development, resulting in the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently ranking the state #1 for LEED development in the entire country.

WHERE CAN I SEE SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION?

A prominent example of this is at the College of Lake County (CLC) – a long-time champion and role model of sustainability – where an established Sustainability Plan guides campus development to ensure that best practices are incorporated into daily operations across all three college locations and within curriculum.

In 2019, USGBC awarded CLC’s Science and Engineering Building with LEED Platinum certification—this is the highest level of accreditation achievable within the LEED rating system, and the project earned more points than any other LEED-certified new construction project in Illinois that year.

Currently, CLC is transforming an existing Lowe’s in Gurnee to serve as a state-of-the-art Advanced Technology Center (ATC) that will fuel Lake County’s manufacturing talent pipeline. In repurposing the space, CLC is placing special emphasis on its sustainable elements, while also exploring curriculum that can help technicians build competency around energy savings in manufacturing environments.

CLC has also made recent news for being among a select group of partners in the region to rally around major initiatives related to manufacturing and supply chain, workforce development, applied research, entrepreneurship, commercialization and infrastructure as part of the 2025 Clean Tech Economic Coalition (CTEC) – this effort is headed up by mHUB, a Chicago-based hardtech and manufacturing innovation center that has been recognized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration for its potential to accelerate the Chicago region’s adoption of clean energy technologies.

CLC’s sustainability goals include: minimizing energy consumption by using renewable energy resources and improving building efficiency, conserving water, including environmental and social considerations in purchases and procurement procedures, expanding alternate modes of transportation, decreasing food waste in dining areas, and creating sustainable landscapes. To celebrate all that it has achieved, CLC hosts a series of events each year to commemorate Earth Week. Click here to learn how to participate.

“At CLC, we are strategically building a talent pipeline to support the needs of local businesses. It is important that we provide our students with a state-of-the-art experience so that they leave inspired and ready to put their education and skills to work as they pursue careers in Lake County,” said CLC’s Sustainability Manager David Husemoller.

The Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) is another key player in sustainability efforts. Each year, LCDOT’s workplan seeks to incorporate bikeways constructed from recycled asphalt shingles, living snow fences, water quality and filtration basins and native vegetation. Click here to review the $90 Million 2022 Construction Plan. To ensure that Lake County’s spaces stay special, LCDOT also coordinates an Adopt-A-Highway program to provide opportunities to care for local roadways and prevent litter.

“We take sustainability seriously in all of our projects across the county, and it pays off in more than scenic views. Our investments have helped local travelers reduce time in the car, fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and traffic congestion while saving money at the pump. Ultimately, the savings add up to benefit both employers and employees,” said LCDOT Director Shane Schneider.

HOW CAN MY BUSINESS BE MORE SUSTAINABLE?

This year, Lake County also teamed up with the Illinois Energy Conservation Authority (IECA) to introduce an innovative initiative – the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (C-PACE) – that has been designed to provide fixed-rate, long-term, and non-recourse financing for commercial property owners of private buildings, making it fully transferable with the property during the term of the loan. Property owners may obtain up to 100 percent financing from private capital providers for eligible improvements such as HVAC, lighting and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and other improvements in both existing buildings and new construction projects. One of the distinguishing features of C-PACE is that it is secured by a special assessment lien on the property and is repaid as a line item on the property tax bill.

“The business benefits of C-PACE are immense,” says IECA Director of Business Development Anna Maria Kowalik. “The financing even covers soft costs necessary to design, engineer, install and finance the project. Typically, these projects can reduce operating costs, increase property values and generate net positive cash flow on improvements within the first year – especially through increased utility savings.”

With its emphasis on promoting responsible economic development and enhancing affordable clean energy options, ComEd is also at the forefront of a local sustainability push. Illinois’ electric rates continue to compare favorably with other states, and ComEd supports customers considering locating or expanding in Lake County instead of other states by providing a customized energy analysis comparison. Learn more in this new Fact Sheet.

“ComEd and Lake County Partners maintain a strategic partnership where we work closely to support the growth of new and existing businesses in the area – with a focus on equitable development that benefits all communities,” notes ComEd External Affairs Manager Darren Boundy. “To help Lake County retain and expand investments in the area, our ComEd team works closely in partnership to help business customers take advantage of energy efficiency opportunities including incentives, facility assessments and building optimization measures. ComEd also supports customers’ sustainability goals by offering solar rebates and working with them to analyze beneficial electrification opportunities for their buildings and vehicle fleets.”

Click here to connect with us and see how we can help your business tap into available resources to responsibly grow your company in Lake County.

To Build Your Business for Tomorrow, Be in Illinois Today

, Date: April 12, 2022

A few years back, a machine-tools company from Illinois packed up shop and left for Texas, lured by the promise of low taxes and cheap labor. And that was the end of the story. Or so we thought. A few months ago, that same company left Texas and returned to Illinois. When asked to explain the change of heart, the CEO said: “We can think of no better location than Illinois — a true hub for advanced manufacturing — to build our team.” For him, it wasn’t just about chasing the lowest cost, it was also about unlocking the best value. He wanted to be where innovation was happening. He wanted to be in Illinois.

He’s not alone. Illinois has always drawn pioneers, visionaries, and innovators. From the first cell phone to the first search engine, from blue chip companies to paradigm-shifting startups, it all starts here in Illinois. With the pandemic receding and the economy roaring back, there’s no better time than now to tell the story of Illinois. That’s why we’re proud to shine a spotlight on everything this state has to offer, with a campaign built around a simple but powerful message: “Be in Illinois.”

HOME TO SUCCESS

It’s easy to take this state’s bounty for granted. The cutting-edge life science companies, the unmatched agriculture and food companies, the massive logistics centers, global financial companies and powerful manufacturers underpin the fifth-largest economy in the U.S. and the 18th biggest in the world.

It is all set amongst world-class culture, beautiful landscapes, charming towns, and some of the nicest people you will ever meet. It’s no wonder that Illinois is home to more Fortune 500 companies than all but three states, including Lake County-headquartered companies like Walgreens, AbbVie, Abbott, Discover, Grainger, Baxter and Caterpillar, just to name a few. And more people are catching on. Electric vehicle companies like Rivian, Lion Electric and EVBox have moved in and are already growing. In fact, Site Selection magazine ranked Illinois third in the nation last year for company expansions. Being in Illinois means being in good company.

As the world recovers from the pandemic, reliable and robust supply chains have never been more important than they are today. Illinois embodies the true meaning of the word “heartland” as the full advantage of our central geography is realized by a top-notch infrastructure. You can hop a flight here and, in four hours or less, step off in any major U.S. destination. Examine a map of railroads and you will find that all seven of the nation’s largest intersect here – the only state that can make that claim. Along with the country’s third-largest interstate highway network and the third-largest inland freight hub, being in Illinois ensures that your goods and people can flow seamlessly around the world.

A PLACE FOR PURPOSE-DRIVEN PEOPLE

In Illinois, we are working to solve next generation business problems. Manufacturing think tanks like MxD and mHUB work with businesses across the country on digital manufacturing and increasing productivity. Illinois-based Argonne National Lab leads the nation in battery and other essential research. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Research’s Helix 51 in Lake County provides a fertile space for scientists, engineers and healthcare professionals to develop their ideas and start companies that will revolutionize medicine; see what the Chicago Tribune said about rapid life sciences startup growth in Lake County here. In fact, there is a robust network of incubators supporting growing companies in a wide variety of key industries like IT, life sciences, agtech and food.

But what really makes Illinois hum is our most important resource – our people. It seems like every day brings another headline about how hard it is to find top talent. But did you know that Illinois graduates more engineers every year than Stanford, MIT, and Caltech combined? Or that the University of Chicago and Northwestern University are consistently ranked among the best universities in the world? Of our 6.5 million workers, one-third have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Together, they make up one of the most diverse and productive workforces in the country. And we’re investing in their future through wide-ranging engineering and technical training programs to support exciting new industries like electric vehicles.

A place where visionaries come to build their dreams. Home to some of the world’s most successful companies. Seamless access to the world’s biggest markets. A diverse and talented workforce. It all adds up to an engine of success for any business. Come see what all the excitement is about. Be where the action is. Be at the epicenter. Be in Illinois.

WHAT IS INTERSECT ILLINOIS?

We are indebted to Dan Seals for sharing his thoughts in this blog post, and we couldn’t agree more on Illinois’ vast strengths and talents. Dan is the Chief Executive Officer at Intersect Illinois – our partners in driving global business development in Lake County, and more broadly in the Chicago metro and across the state of Illinois. Intersect Illinois is a public-private partnership that shares LCP’s mission to fuel job growth, investment and economic prosperity through collaboration and a unified approach to economic development. We are honored to be a part of their team to attract and retain talent and business in Illinois.

Learn more about Intersect Illinois and its new Be campaign here, and connect with us directly here to see how we can jointly help your business grow in Lake County.

Passion in Search of a Solution

, Date: March 24, 2022

Lake County, Illinois is making its mark as the home of the next generation of life science leaders.

Groundbreaking healthcare advancements require talent, passion, support and a dedication to problem-solving. With COVID’s lasting impact on the way that we assess risk and make decisions, we have relied on life science innovations to help us navigate unfamiliar terrain. After all, having timely information in the form of test results not only helps people make informed decisions – it also helps employers improve workplace safety, while keeping healthy employees productive.


As the past several years have given rise to self-administered tests, savvy consumers have been empowered by fast results that provide clear direction. For many, deciding whether or not to attend family outings, sporting events or work functions in-person is now as simple as a self-screening diagnostic test.

Risk assessments have been particularly important for the 28.8 million employees in 544,000 essential worksites across the country that have kept industries like manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, law enforcement, construction and retail running throughout the pandemic.

Though COVID tests have dominated headlines, other equally important screenings—like those used to test for flu, substance abuse, chronic disease and tobacco use—have long histories of use in the workplace. Unfortunately, those tests are traditionally handled by off-site vendors, which can be inconvenient for employees and employers. At up to $120 a test, routine offsite screenings are also prohibitively expensive.

WHEN AN IDEA BECOMES AN INVENTION

Knowing that convenient rapid tests could maximize employee participation while minimizing cost and workday disruptions, a group of Chicago-area graduates from Northwestern University, University of Chicago and Loyola University Chicago banded together to found Everyplace Labs. Their goal: to revolutionize workplace testing by creating a new onsite medical device. Though the team worked corporate jobs by day, they could be found working nights and weekends together as they bootstrapped the venture. As is the case with many start-ups, the best inventions start outside of the lab.

“Lake County’s incredible life science ecosystem has nurtured our ideas and helped us recruit a stellar roster of advisors. Through my professional work at Baxter and Fresenius, I learned how to develop and take new medical devices from early concept through regulatory approval. We have brought on other Lake County-area alums from Abbott and Shire, and this local talent is fueling our success,” said Everyplace Labs CEO Michael Tu.

As Everyplace Labs expanded its team and began to build out its technology, it explored opportunities for lab space in the region and landed on Rosalind Franklin University’s Helix 51 incubator in North Chicago as its location of choice. The start-up joins a slew of other life science companies—including ARTEC Biotech and Covira Surgical—that have leveraged the incubator’s amenities and talent to grow.

Helix 51 fosters the development of biotechnology and medical device companies by providing a soft-landing zone for these early-stage and international life science companies and providing scientists, doctors, pharmacologists and engineers an innovative space in which to advance ideas and build life-saving tools.

“We came to Rosalind Franklin’s Helix 51 incubator at a pivotal time in our company’s growth,” noted Everyplace Labs COO Claire Zhou. “As an early-stage diagnostic company, it was important for us to have access to an affordable, state-of-the-art lab space. Helix 51 fit our unique needs, from both a price and spec standpoint. Having the appropriate physical space to do testing has allowed us to complete critical technical milestones. In addition, the Helix 51 Incubator Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIRs) program has provided tremendous value beyond physical space—advising us on fundraising strategy, grant writing, intellectual property, regulatory and more.”

“Helix 51 is abuzz with the energy that comes from vibrant start-ups and creative talent. We have seen a huge influx of companies looking to leverage Rosalind Franklin University’s biomedical research expertise and tap into the wealth of experience that comes from Lake County’s incredible concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters and industry leaders,” said Dr. Ronald Kaplan, Executive Vice President of Research and champion of the new Innovation and Research Park and Helix 51 Incubator at Rosalind Franklin University.

FROM THE LAB TO THE WORKPLACE

Since setting up in Lake County, Everyplace Labs has developed a self-service kiosk that, initially, has been automated for rapid, lateral flow COVID antigen tests at essential worksites. The prototype has exceeded the team’s early expectations. It both provides a 5-minute testing option for employees while giving employers the comfort of a cost-effective, high-throughput, turnkey solution. Key features of the cutting-edge kiosk include:

  • Screen with instructions and digital mirror that guides patients through the sample collection process;
  • Automated testing process, including sample-reagent mixing, sample dispensing and result interpretation;
  • Built-in test kit dispenser that stores and tracks test kits for automated replenishment;
  • Built-in sanitation capabilities, including conversion of medical waste into municipal waste, antimicrobial surfaces and automated cleaning of testing surfaces;
  • Automated testing process, including sample-reagent mixing, sample dispensing & result interpretation; and,
  • Flexible reporting capabilities, through which results are sent to employees, employers receive test results in cases of mandatory testing, and employees can opt-in to share results with a remote provider for follow-up.

Employers are drawn to the kiosk because of its ease of use, and also because it requires no capital equipment cost, and all services are handled directly by Everyplace Labs. The company is scaling up to support installation, annual maintenance, servicing, user support, automated test replenishment/medical waste treatment, and integration with remote telehealth providers.

INNOVATION IN PRACTICE

Through customer discovery, Everyplace Labs validated the marketplace need for its kiosk product and found two partners with which to explore testing of its beta prototype—mHUB and Nemera. The team also recently observed user interactions with the kiosk at Rosalind Franklin University, collecting feedback from essential workers in the Lake County area.

Nemera is a fascinating case study that demonstrates the synergy between Everyplace Labs and another Lake County-based company. This Buffalo Grove device manufacturer has 430 local employees, and it welcomed Everyplace Labs in to conduct a survey on employees’ COVID testing preferences. Among the employees surveyed, 74% were interested in the kiosk testing option.

Based on preliminary customer feedback and feedback from essential workers, Everyplace Labs has been able to refine its product in preparation for clinical trials this spring. Promisingly, benchtop testing conducted in the development of the functional prototype showed better accuracy versus an in-market diagnostic system.

The next step of product development will demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of the beta-kiosk when used by patients, particularly in a high-volume community health clinic setting. Results will be compared against the gold-standard PCR test. From there, Everyplace Labs will advance to a commercial pilot to measure the impact of an Everyplace-enabled testing program on employee satisfaction and workplace productivity.

The initial success of the Nemera pilot is promising for the long-term growth of Everyplace Labs, particularly as the company begins to branch out and incorporate a suite of other tests into its kiosks. The company is leaning into the tailwinds of a tight labor market to drive early adoption among target customers.

At current course and speed, Everyplace Labs expects to complete a commercial product later this year with an optimized design for manufacturing, at which point it will complete final testing for FDA consideration and submission. By summer of 2023, Everyplace Labs is targeting to achieve FDA and EUA approval so that the company can begin sales and distribution, with a priority of serving early pilot partners. The company recently achieved an important milestone when it received a notice of allowance for the issuance of its first patent from the U.S. Patent Office. This patent will provide a level of exclusivity from potential competitors.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Everyplace Labs is one of many companies working with Lake County Partners to grow, as there are countless reasons why life science companies thrive in Lake County. The young startup is at an exciting stage of its development, and it is looking to forge connections with other area employers that might be interested in participating in pilot trials of the Everyplace Labs kiosk. Connect with us here to see how we can help your company tap into this unique opportunity or access other business resources.