Agno Pharma's Oregon Buy Fortifies US Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

BETHLEHEM, PA – January 15, 2026 – In a significant move that underscores a growing trend toward strengthening the domestic pharmaceutical supply chain, Agno Pharma has announced its acquisition of a key manufacturing asset in Eugene, Oregon, from Actylis. The facility, the legacy Cascade Chemistry business, is a major addition to Agno's portfolio, substantially increasing its U.S.-based capacity for developing and manufacturing critical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

The deal provides Agno Pharma, a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), with a state-of-the-art campus poised for growth. The Eugene site includes a 16,000 square-foot research and development lab and, most notably, a newly constructed 30,000 square-foot manufacturing plant designed for cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) production. This acquisition is seen by industry observers as a strategic play to capture more of the early-to-late-stage clinical API production market within the United States.

While financial terms were not disclosed, the transaction represents a pivotal expansion for the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based Agno Pharma and a calculated portfolio adjustment for Actylis.

Bolstering the Domestic Supply Chain

The acquisition arrives at a critical juncture for the pharmaceutical industry, which has been actively working to mitigate risks exposed by global supply chain disruptions in recent years. The push for onshore or 'reshored' manufacturing has become a strategic imperative for both government agencies and private companies seeking greater reliability and security in the production of essential medicines.

Agno Pharma's move directly addresses this demand. The Eugene facility, with its modern infrastructure, is equipped to handle complex small-molecule API development from early clinical phases through to later-stage production. This onshore capability is particularly attractive to the burgeoning U.S. biotech sector, which relies on agile and accessible CDMO partners to advance novel therapies through the rigorous clinical trial process.

“This acquisition is a transformative step forward in building a differentiated development and manufacturing hub,” said James Chen, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Agno Pharma, in a statement. “The Eugene site brings technical depth in early-phase API development and its high-quality GMP infrastructure will be a powerful driver of new business as we support innovative biotech and pharmaceutical partners developing novel chemical entities.”

The company emphasized that the purchase meaningfully expands its manufacturing footprint and “reinforces its commitment to serve its customers with onshore pharmaceutical manufacturing in the U.S.” This commitment is a direct response to market demands for reduced reliance on overseas suppliers and more resilient, localized production networks.

A Pattern of Strategic Growth and Consolidation

This acquisition is not an isolated event for Agno Pharma but rather the latest step in a deliberate growth strategy. It follows the company's December 2023 acquisition of Lubrizol Particle Sciences Inc., a deal that expanded its services into drug product formulation and clinical manufacturing. Together, these acquisitions paint a picture of a company aggressively building an end-to-end service platform for small-molecule drugs.

This strategy mirrors a broader consolidation trend within the highly competitive CDMO market. As pharmaceutical and biotech companies increasingly look to outsource complex development and manufacturing, they favor 'one-stop-shop' partners that can manage a product's entire lifecycle. To meet this demand, CDMOs like Agno are acquiring smaller, specialized firms to broaden their capabilities, gain technological advantages, and achieve greater economies of scale.

By integrating the Eugene site's specialized API development prowess with its existing intermediate supply, formulation, and analytical services, Agno Pharma positions itself as a more formidable and integrated competitor in the global CDMO landscape. The company plans a “disciplined and seamless integration” to ensure uninterrupted service for the site's existing customers while accelerating investment to enhance its capabilities.

Actylis Refines its Portfolio

On the other side of the transaction, the divestment marks a strategic refinement for Actylis. Formed in late 2022 through the integration of Aceto and ten other specialty companies—including Cascade Chemistry, which it acquired in June 2021—Actylis has a vast and diverse portfolio. The company operates as a global solutions provider, manufacturing and supplying over 3,000 raw materials and critical ingredients to a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics and agriculture.

Despite making significant investments to expand and upgrade the Eugene site, including the completion of the new GMP facility in early 2023, Actylis's sale of the asset suggests a strategic decision to concentrate on its core business. The company's focus appears geared toward managing complex supply chains for a broad array of critical ingredients rather than operating as a specialized, hands-on CDMO for early-phase API development.

The sale allows Actylis to monetize the valuable, upgraded asset and redeploy capital toward its primary mission of providing customized sourcing solutions and risk mitigation across its global network. The move is a classic example of portfolio optimization following a period of rapid M&A-fueled growth.

A New Chapter for a Legacy Oregon Site

For the Eugene, Oregon, facility and its employees, the acquisition signals a transition to an owner whose core business is directly aligned with the site's functions. With a history spanning over two decades as Cascade Chemistry, the site has long been a part of the Pacific Northwest's scientific community. Its acquisition by a growth-oriented CDMO specialist like Agno Pharma promises continuity and future investment.

Agno's stated intention to accelerate investment in the site to drive long-term growth is welcome news for the regional biotech ecosystem, ensuring that this hub of technical expertise and advanced manufacturing capacity will continue to support drug development innovation. The seamless integration promised by Agno's leadership aims to retain the site's talent and client relationships, securing its role as a key asset in America's revitalized pharmaceutical production infrastructure.