As the pharma world wraps up another CPHI event—this time in Philadelphia—Olon USA takes a moment to reflect on what the show revealed about the current and future state of the industry. While the final day may have looked more like a ghost town than a bustling marketplace, the conversations, connections, and undercurrents of change were anything but quiet.

We spoke with Robert Poe, one of our representatives on the ground, to get his honest take.

Lower Foot Traffic, But Deeper Conversations

“It was clear from the beginning,” said Poe, “attendance was down a bit this year. A number of companies chose not to attend CPHI Americas, and many of the booths saw lighter foot traffic compared to previous years.”

Still, it wasn’t all discouraging.

“What stood out was the quality of conversations that did happen,” Poe continued. “We met with groups who were actively advancing their drug programs. These were high-value, decision-ready meetings with people who weren’t just browsing—they were looking for real solutions.”

Uncertainty in the Air—And In the Market

The lighter turnout may be symptomatic of broader volatility in the life sciences industry. Investors are navigating mixed signals, from paused NIH funding and tariff adjustments to conflicting policy cues around foreign manufacturing.

“With all the waffling on U.S. investment and overseas tariffs,” said Poe, “a lot of people are sitting on their hands—not because there’s no need to act, but because it’s unclear where to act safely.”

India in Focus—and Olon’s Strategic Advantage

Despite uncertainty in some markets, Poe emphasized one consistent bright spot: the rising strategic importance of India.

“India is no longer just the lower-cost option. It’s becoming the more stable option in some respects,” said Poe. “That plays to our strengths. Olon has well-established manufacturing in India and the ability to pair it with GMP-certified final steps in the U.S.—giving clients the cost advantages they need without sacrificing quality or regulatory confidence.”

This dual-site model offers the best of both worlds: early-phase efficiencies offshore, and high-assurance execution onshore.

“It’s like the auto industry,” he added. “You may source globally, but it still rolls out as a U.S.-made product.”

A United Front with Strategic Partners

CPHI also gave Olon the opportunity to showcase its growing network of collaborative partners. One highlight was the co-hosted event with Ascendia Pharmaceutical Solutions, a drug product development leader that complements Olon’s API focus.

“Together, we offer an integrated path forward,” said Poe. “We’re getting a lot of interest from early-stage biotech companies that want one partner to manage the entire CMC process. With Ascendia, we now have that seamless offering.”

The event yielded several qualified leads, thanks in part to proactive cross-training and intentional networking between both teams. “It’s a model we plan to expand moving forward,” Poe confirmed.

Onshoring and the Push for Redundancy

Kyle P. Kalbarczyk, Ph.D., another Olon USA representative, added an important trend he’s seeing: companies looking to reallocate earlier stages of synthesis back to U.S. soil.

“Clients are asking: ‘What if tariffs go up again?’ or ‘What if I lose access to a foreign site overnight?’ They’re not waiting to find out. They’re proactively building redundancy, and Olon is in a great position to provide it.”

By offering both U.S. and India-based options, Olon helps de-risk supply chains and shorten timelines, while still keeping costs competitive.

What’s Next?

Olon USA’s presence at CPHI may have wrapped, but the momentum continues. Our business development team is already in mid-year planning mode—refining strategies to close out the year strong and keep our clients’ molecules moving.

You’ll find us next at BIO International, where Olon Italy’s biotech division will have a prominent presence. Though our U.S. team will attend in a more targeted capacity, we’re continuing to explore innovative ways to engage, partner, and support companies across the development spectrum.

In a time of global complexity, Olon remains committed to clarity, quality, and client-centered flexibility. Whether your project needs a low-cost synthesis route or a U.S.-based GMP solution—or both—we’re here to help you navigate, adapt, and succeed.

Ready to connect? Reach out here to schedule a conversation with our team.