Month: May 2020

A new partnership between Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp. and One Medical aims to expand COVID-19 testing capabilities as more businesses begin to reopen.

West Columbia-headquartered Nephron has procured technology to perform real-time testing for COVID-19 and antibody testing for its own employees and for employees of neighboring businesses, according to a news release from the company. Nephron’s on-site lab intends to integrate with One Medical’s technology platform to support a comprehensive workplace reentry testing program.

One Medical is a national digital health and primary care organization which is facilitating COVID-19 testing at sites nationwide to its members.

Nephron Pharmaceutical Corp. has teamed with One Medical to develop a comprehensive employer COVID-19 testing program. (Photo/File)
Nephron Pharmaceutical Corp. has teamed with One Medical to develop a comprehensive employer COVID-19 testing program. (Photo/File)
“Re-opening businesses, and getting our economy moving again, is one of our highest priorities,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy, a member of AccelerateSC, a task force made up of state business, health care, education and government leaders, formed to create a coordinated economic revitalization plan for the state. “Part of the new normal for businesses is testing employees to make sure the workplace is safe. We couldn’t be prouder to offer COVID-19 testing services to our employees and neighbors.”

One Medical’s virtual care capabilities include specimen collection and digital documentation of test result. It also screens and evaluates risk factors and symptoms and supports employer tracking and reporting, according to the release.  

“I am very pleased to be working alongside the Nephron team to leverage One Medical’s digital health platform as a way to help get South Carolinians back to work safely,” John Singerling, One Medical chief network officer, said. “Currently working with over 7,000 employers nationwide has allowed One Medical to build a comprehensive workplace reentry program that is grounded in medicine and testing and powered by our technology, which allows for seamless tracking, tracing and ongoing monitoring.”

Nephron develops and produces generic respiratory medication which can be used to treat COVID-19 symptoms. It also produces pre-filled sterile syringes and IV bags which can be used to sedate patients being placed on ventilators.

Last month, the company received federal approval to ramp up production in response to increasing demand for its products.

Read this story here.

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, one of the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies in the country, today announced a new partnership with  One Medical, a leading national digital health and primary care organization that combines 24/7 access to virtual care and digital health tools with COVID-19 testing services to businesses and employees.

“Re-opening businesses, and getting our economy moving again, is one of our highest priorities,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy, who is a member of Governor Henry McMaster’s #accelerateSC, the coordinated COVID-19 advisory team tasked with recommending economic revitalization plans for South Carolina. “Part of the new normal for businesses is testing employees to make sure the workplace is safe. We couldn’t be prouder to offer COVID-19 testing services to our employees and neighbors.”

Kennedy and John Singerling, Chief Network Officer of One Medical and a longstanding healthcare executive based in South Carolina, are working together to make this partnership a reality, hoping that it serves as an example for businesses around the country.

The Nephron CLIA-Certified lab has procured state-of-the-art technology for COVID-19 real-time PCR testing and serological antibody testing for its own employees, and for employees of neighboring businesses. The lab intends to integrate with One Medical’s technology platform, which is capable of supporting a comprehensive workplace reentry COVID-19 testing program. One Medical’s virtual care solutions facilitate scheduling for specimen collection and digitally documenting those test results. It also screens and evaluates clinical risk factors and symptoms and supports employer tracking and reporting needs. 

“I am very pleased to be working alongside the Nephron team to leverage One Medical’s digital health platform as a way to help get South Carolinians back to work safely,” said One Medical Chief Network Officer, John Singerling. “Currently working with over 7,000 employers nationwide has allowed One Medical to build a comprehensive workplace reentry program that is grounded in medicine and testing, and powered by our technology, which allows for seamless tracking, tracing and ongoing monitoring.”

SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests diagnose whether a person is infected with the virus by using technology that analyzes viral genetic material. Antibody tests check blood for antibodies. If present, antibodies indicate a person has been previously or is currently infected by the virus.

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation has been on the frontlines of the nationwide COVID-19 response. The West Columbia-based company develops and produces safe, affordable generic inhalation solutions and suspension products that can be used to treat severe respiratory distress symptoms associated with COVID-19. 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. These products are used, many times, to sedate patients and keep them comfortable when health care professionals place them on ventilators in the fight against the virus.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham toured Nephron on Friday, May 15.

During his visit, the senator learned about the role Nephron has played in the nationwide response to COVID-19. He also discussed with Nephron CEO the importance of ending America’s dependence on China for drug ingredients and medical supplies.

Watch WIS 10’s report on the senator’s visit here.

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – As the Midlands celebrates National Police Week, Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation is joining forces with Lexington restaurant Private Property and Lexington-area restaurant supplier U.S. Foods to honor the men and women in uniform of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office and Lexington Police Department by providing them with meals. 

“In the face of crisis, Lexington County’s law enforcement officers step up to protect our communities, many times at great personal risk,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy. “We are so grateful for the sacrifices they make every day to keep our families safe. The least we can do to thank them for their extraordinary public service is provide them with a meal, and we couldn’t be prouder to partner with friends at Private Property and U.S. Foods to show our men and women in uniform from Lexington County how much we appreciate them.”

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation has been on the frontlines of the nationwide COVID-19 response. The West Columbia-based company develops and produces safe, affordable generic inhalation solutions and suspension products that can be used to treat severe respiratory distress symptoms associated with COVID-19. 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. These products are used, many times, to sedate patients and keep them comfortable when health care professionals place them on ventilators in the fight against the virus.

“I speak for all of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department when I share my sincere thanks to Nephron, Private Property and US Foods for joining together to provide meals to us during National Police Week,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Their partnership and generosity are just one example of how our local businesses and citizens have shown us their appreciation leading up to National Peace Officers Memorial Day this Friday. This gesture means a lot to us and shows how we all work together in Lexington County. We’re proud to serve a community that always strongly supports law enforcement.”

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world mark the occasion with memorial services and other events to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and the loved ones they left behind.

Trip Chalk, owner and executive chef at Private Property, is honored to help serve those who, according to Chalk, provide the utmost service to our community. “This type of collaborative effort is what true public-private partnerships are all about.”

“We are proud to be a part of this special event,” said Gil Smith, Area President for U.S. Foods. “U.S. Foods has a long-standing commitment of giving back to the communities where we live and work and supporting the men and women who protect and serve our communities each and every day is certainly a great honor.”  
 

“Several years ago, we interviewed our next guest about why she had decided to move her pharmaceutical manufacturing company from Florida to South Carolina.  It turned out to be a good move as the company has grown significantly since then.  But what has also happened since then, the virus crisis, has brought the company to the forefront of much needed supplies, telehealth, rural broadband, and the anticipated economic recovery.

“Mike Switzer interviews Lou Kennedy, CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals in West Columbia, S.C.”

Lou Kennedy on COVID-19: “As you know, it’s a severe respiratory distress virus, and, as such, we are making the meds that are used to treat the symptoms of COVID-19…We typically ship about 85 million doses a month, and during March, we shipped 193 million, and so we were busy.”

Lou Kennedy on Rural Broadband: “I was working on this mission in 2019. After we have seen so many people being aided and assisted by the use of tele-health/tele-medicine amid this crisis, I recognized this is an even more important time for us to being talking about the need for rural broadband. This is truly infrastructure just like roads and bridges…I have been very supportive of what Congressman Clyburn has been saying and doing, and I’ve given my full support for him on broadband.”

Lou Kennedy on Governor McMaster’s Leadership: “I am so very proud of the way Governor McMaster has handled this state, the way that he has done his stay at home order, versus just shutting everything down…I’m very appreciative and I’ve told him how supportive I am.”

Listen to Kennedy’s entire S.C. Public Radio interview here.