Month: July 2019

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Rapid Micro Biosystems today announced the Nephron 503(b) Outsourcing division will deliver critical medical supplies to hospitals faster than ever, thanks to a new tool that automates microbial monitoring in the drug manufacturing process. 

As the first and only growth-based system of its kind in microbial testing, Growth Direct™ automates the incubation, colony counting, and data entry of microbial environmental testing. Growth Direct, now in use at Nephron, also detects any potential microbial growth 50 percent faster than the human eye. Cutting detection time allows Nephron to ship critical medical supplies to hospitals faster than using traditional microbial testing methods.

“We work hard day in and out to deliver safe, effective and affordable life-saving medications as efficiently as possible,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy. “Automating our microbial monitoring process allows us to produce safer drugs faster and decreases the shortage of opioid-free pain medication currently facing our nation’s hospitals.”

“We’re excited that Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation has joined the growing list of global pharmaceutical manufacturers who are upgrading and automating their QC Microbial testing methods with the Growth Direct,” states Rob Spignesi CEO of Rapid Micro Biosystems. “And we are proud to help Nephron Pharmaceuticals reduce the shortage of important drugs that help make surgery safer and less painful for patients across the country.”

About Nephron Pharmaceuticals
Nephron 503B Outsourcing is a division of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation. This division produces pre-filled sterile syringes and IV bags for hospitals across America, in an effort to alleviate their drug shortage needs. In accordance with the DQSA draft guidance, the company follows cGMP, GDP and all quality expectations. The company has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration as a sterile manufacturer of generic respiratory medications along with an Outsourcing Facility providing equal sterility and quality. Nephron received a 2017 ISPE/FOYA innovation award for the high level of automation present throughout the facility. For more information, please visit www.nephronpharm.com.

About Rapid Micro Biosystems
Rapid Micro Biosystems (RMB) creates, sells, validates and services innovative products for fast, accurate, and efficient detection of microbial contamination in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, biologics, biotechnology products, medical devices, and personal care products. The company’s Growth Direct™—the first and only growth-based system to automate rapid compendial QC Micro testing—ensures data integrity, compliance, and operational efficiencies driven by rapid methods and automation. RMB is dedicated to providing groundbreaking technology and products to support companies in their journey to achieve greater reliability, efficiency, and better predictability, ultimately providing higher quality products for improved patient outcomes. For more information, visit www.rapidmicrobio.com. Follow RMB at @rapidmicrobio or LinkedIn.
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nephron Pharmaceuticals CEO Lou Kennedy and two employees met with President Donald J. Trump and Ivanka Trump today at the White House during an event celebrating the Pledge to America’s Workers. 

Kennedy, who previously signed the Pledge, thanked the President for delivering tax reform, reducing regulations on businesses, and creating a more competitive environment in which businesses such as Nephron can grow. 

“It was such a privilege to meet with President Trump and Ivanka, and to share our story,” said Kennedy. “Our more than $12 million expansion allows us to put more people to work, which in turn creates the need for even more apprenticeship programs. I’m so proud of what we do at Nephron, and it was an honor for the President to take interest.” 

Joining Kennedy at the White House were Nephron employees Travis Childs of Columbia and Lexis Frazier of Lexington. Childs shared his personal story with President Trump. When Childs was a Nephron security guard, he told Kennedy that he wanted to participate in the Nephron apprenticeship program. When Childs told Kennedy that he earned a four-year degree in Chemistry, Kennedy enthusiastically encouraged him to use it as a part of the company’s apprenticeship program – an opportunity that has allowed Childs to grow as an employee at the company.

“I’ve worked hard my whole life,” Childs said. “Meeting President Trump and being able to share my story of hard work and determination was amazing. The opportunities Nephron has provided allowed me to pursue my dream of working in the field of Chemistry. With no prior experience, I took the security job to start making some kind of money. Once I heard about this apprenticeship program, I went to Mrs. Kennedy, told her my background, worked hard, and finished the program.”

About Nephron 

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation develops and manufactures safe, affordable generic inhalation solution and suspension products specializing in Blow-Fill-Seal technology. In addition, the company operates an industry-leading 503B Outsourcing Facility division which produces pre-filled sterile syringes and IV bags for hospitals across America, in an effort to alleviate their drug shortage needs. In accordance with the DQSA draft guidance, the company follows cGMP, GDP and all quality expectations. The company has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. Nephron received a 2017 ISPE/FOYA innovation award for the high level of automation present throughout the facility. For more information, please visit www.nephronpharm.com.
 

Travis Childs was a security guard at a Columbia-area pharmaceutical company five years ago. On Thursday, he met Ivanka Trump.

Childs’ rise from patrolling the grounds at Nephron Pharmaceuticals to making medication at a West Columbia plant landed him at the White House. He attended the anniversary of a job and work training program, called Pledge to America’s Workers, led by the president’s daughter.

Earlier this month, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos visited Nephron and heard of Childs’ journey from the security shed to the chemistry lab. DeVos likely passed it along to Ivanka Trump and President Donald Trump, Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy said.

Childs attended Allen University in Columbia on a football scholarship. The Spartanburg native majored in chemistry to challenge himself and be different from his teammates. While in school, he started working as security guard for area hospitals.

But after graduating in 2008, he still struggled to find work in his field.

“While I was working security, I was able to do my homework,” Childs said. “The recession was about to hit … and a lot of people weren’t hiring at the time. Chemistry jobs were out of state, and I had young kids.”

A pharmacist heard Childs mention his chemistry background and suggested Childs apply to Nephron. Feeling like he was not ready for a job using his degree, he became a security guard at the pharmaceutical maker.

“At least it’ll be a foot in the door,” Childs said he remembered thinking.

Four years later, Nephron announced a sterile pharmacy technician apprenticeship featuring hands-on work making medication.

Kennedy did not realize a top apprenticeship candidate was already outside the building.

“I always thought of him as just a nice guy, always did his job, always says ‘hello’ to me,” Kennedy said. “One day he leans his head out the (security guard) window and says, ‘Ms. Lou, I’d like to be considered for that program.’ ”

Kennedy signed him up after hearing about his background.

Today, Childs makes medications that are in short supply, which, according to Kennedy, is “the hardest thing (she’s) ever tried to do.”

“It requires specific movements and motions and handling,” Kennedy said. “It is not easy at all.”

Now that he’s completed the apprenticeship, Childs has accepted a job as an analytic chemist in Nephron’s chemistry labs.

“It was one of the best decisions I think I ever made,” Childs said.

Kennedy was the first South Carolina executive to sign White House’s Pledge to America’s Workers, where she promised to create 490 jobs, internships and apprenticeships. Nephron’s pharmacy tech apprenticeship is one of those programs. Others include student internships and jobs for over 650 S.C. teachers.

Childs represented one of a few dozen companies from across the country whose employees went to the  event to share success stories.

“Today we highlight the impact and the stories of lives transformed,” Ivanka Trump said at Thursday’s event.

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation has been named one of the 40 fastest-growing companies in South Carolina for 2019 by S.C. Biz News.

Twenty large companies and 20 small companies have been named to the statewide list presented annually by SC Biz News. This honor recognizes the state’s fastest-growing companies based on both dollar and percentage increases in revenue from 2017-2018.

“We are grateful to be recognized for the extraordinary work our employees do every single day to grow our company,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy.

In order to qualify for the Roaring Twenties designation, companies must have a physical presence in South Carolina and be a for-profit entity or a nonprofit organization 

Company size was determined by gross revenue: A small company was considered as having $10 million and under in revenue. Large companies were classified as having over $10 million in revenue. Small companies must have had revenues of at least $500,000 each year for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Profiles of the winning companies will be published in the winter issue of SCBIZ magazine. The winners will be honored at an event on Sept. 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia.

About Nephron
Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation develops and manufactures safe, affordable generic inhalation solution and suspension products specializing in Blow-Fill-Seal technology. In addition, the company operates an industry-leading 503B Outsourcing Facility division which produces pre-filled sterile syringes and IV bags for hospitals across America, in an effort to alleviate their drug shortage needs. In accordance with the DQSA draft guidance, the company follows cGMP, GDP and all quality expectations. The company has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. Nephron received a 2017 ISPE/FOYA innovation award for the high level of automation present throughout the facility. For more information, please visit www.nephronpharm.com.
 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos visited Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation on Thursday. During the secretary’s visit, she toured the facility with CEO Lou Kennedy, First Lady Peggy McMaster and BB&T President Mike Brenan. Below are stories about the secretary’s visit:

WIS 10: As Nephron Educator Grows, Secretary Betsy DeVos Plan Company Visit (Video)
WIS 10: Secretary of Education DeVos tours SC pharmaceutical company as part of work education initiative (Video)
ABC Columbia: DeVos Looks To Bridge Gap Between Classroom and Workforce (Video)
WACH 57: Secretary of Education DeVos makes stop in West Columbia (Video)

 

About Nephron

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation develops and manufactures safe, affordable generic inhalation solution and suspension products specializing in Blow-Fill-Seal technology. In addition, the company operates an industry-leading 503B Outsourcing Facility division which produces pre-filled sterile syringes and IV bags for hospitals across America, in an effort to alleviate their drug shortage needs. In accordance with the DQSA draft guidance, the company follows cGMP, GDP and all quality expectations. The company has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. Nephron received a 2017 ISPE/FOYA innovation award for the high level of automation present throughout the facility. For more information, please visit www.nephronpharm.com.

WEST COLUMBIA, S. C. – NBC News recently visited Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation to report on the company’s educator program that employs more than 650 local teachers, each of whom assist Nephron’s more than 1,000 employees, giving these educators the opportunity to earn secondary income.
 
“We are grateful for our teachers, we are proud of how hard they work with our children and at Nephron, and we hope other companies across S.C. will join us in supporting them in and out of the classroom,” said Nephron Pharmaceuticals Company CEO Lou Kennedy.
 
Nephron announced the educator program earlier this year. The mission is to provide secondary income to educators as they help Nephron fill and complete orders.
 
Educators are focused specifically on the Nephron 503B outsourcing division which services U.S. hospitals and surgery centers with drug shortage needs.  Nephron is able to complete orders faster with the support of these teachers and administrators.
 
According to NBC News, “Nephron Pharmaceuticals does not want to lure teachers away from the profession. The educator program was created by the drug manufacturer’s female CEO and president, Lou Kennedy, whose mother was a teacher; it caps teachers’ hours at 40 a month. Kennedy said her goal is to show ‘how much we should respect teachers and how much they mean to us’ and show legislators that teachers need more money and support.”

Read the entire NBC News report here. More information on the Nephron educator program is available here.

About Nephron

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation develops and manufactures safe, affordable generic inhalation solution and suspension products specializing in Blow-Fill-Seal technology. In addition, the company operates an industry-leading 503B Outsourcing Facility division which produces pre-filled sterile syringes and IV bags for hospitals across America, in an effort to alleviate their drug shortage needs. In accordance with the DQSA draft guidance, the company follows cGMP, GDP and all quality expectations. The company has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. Nephron received a 2017 ISPE/FOYA innovation award for the high level of automation present throughout the facility. For more information, please visit www.nephronpharm.com.