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Nephron Pharmaceuticals Expands Leadership Team with Key Appointments

Over 170 Years of Combined Experience

Lexington, SC – Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation is proud to announce several leadership appointments that highlight the commitment to Transformation, Execution, and Trust in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Austin McDonald has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO), Edwin Rodríguez Schroeder as Executive Vice President of Quality Systems, Cynthia Byland as Senior Vice President, Production Projects and Leadership Strategies, Cassandra Freeman as Supplier Quality Director, Chris Murrin as Director of Human Resources and Employee Benefits, and Vinod Kumar as Vice President of Microbiology. Additionally, Joe Mergo, who has served as Nephron’s COO since 2021, will transition to the role of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Together, these leaders bring over 170 years of combined experience in leadership, operations, and innovation.

Austin McDonald, a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with more than 36 years of global experience, is a recognized expert in sterile manufacturing, facility implementation, and regulatory compliance. As COO, Austin will focus on streamlining operations and driving innovative solutions to ensure Nephron continues to meet the needs of patients, hospitals, and surgery centers.

Joe Mergo, who joined Nephron in 2021, has been instrumental in overseeing the company’s operations. With 25 years of public service, including his tenure as Lexington County Administrator, Joe is known for his steady leadership and ability to navigate complex challenges. As CAO, Joe will focus on administrative strategy and the seamless execution of Nephron’s organizational goals.

Edwin Rodríguez Schroeder, with decades of expertise in regulatory compliance and quality systems, has successfully guided numerous pharmaceutical companies in optimizing their operations and maintaining world-class manufacturing standards. As Executive Vice President of Quality Systems, Edwin will lead Nephron’s quality assurance initiatives and help the company achieve its operational excellence goals.

Cynthia Byland, with more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, brings a diverse background in clinical operations, physician engagement, and project management to her role as Senior Vice President, Production Projects and Leadership Strategies. A former U.S. Air Force service member, Cynthia has led strategic cost-savings initiatives, operational enhancements, and performance improvement programs in various healthcare organizations. At Nephron, Cynthia will focus on aligning production projects with leadership development strategies to drive operational success.

Cassandra Freeman, with decades of experience in quality engineering and operations management, joins Nephron as Supplier Quality Director. Her career spans roles at leading companies in automotive and industrial manufacturing, including General Motors, Lear Corporation, and Detroit Manufacturing Systems. Cassandra brings deep expertise in quality control, supplier development, and process improvement. At Nephron, she will focus on ensuring that suppliers meet the highest quality standards and support the company’s operational goals.

Chris Murrin, a U.S. Army veteran with over 11 years of service, brings military precision and leadership to his role as Director of Human Resources and Employee Benefits. During his military career, Chris honed his expertise in training, organizational management, and strategic planning in high-stakes environments. Most recently, he served as Chief Human Resources Officer for Lexington County, where he championed wellness initiatives and staff development programs. At Nephron, Chris will focus on fostering a culture of wellness, growth, and excellence for the company’s workforce.

Vinod Kumar, an experienced microbiologist and subject matter expert in sterility assurance, joins Nephron as Vice President of Microbiology. With extensive experience in both medical and pharmaceutical microbiology, Vinod has implemented robust contamination control programs for sterile manufacturing facilities and has overseen the qualification of high-purity water systems. His leadership will focus on ensuring microbial quality assurance and compliance with regulatory standards in all of Nephron’s manufacturing processes.

“At Nephron, we are building a leadership team committed to transforming how we operate while delivering high-quality medications to those who need them most,” said Lou Kennedy, CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals. “With over 170 years of combined experience, Austin, Edwin, Cynthia, Cassandra, Chris, Vinod, and Joe bring unmatched expertise and leadership to our team. Their contributions will ensure we execute with precision and earn the trust of the patients and partners we serve.”

These appointments reflect Nephron’s focus on innovation and operational excellence. With this expanded leadership team, the company is well-positioned to continue setting the standard in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Announces New $10 Million Investment In BFS Manufacturing Capacity

First Product Will Be IV Bottles To Meet FDA Drug Shortage

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C., – Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation proudly announces a significant investment in its manufacturing capabilities with the launch of a new Rommelag Blow-Fill-Seal (BFS) production line. This new line, a $10 million expansion, adds a new presentation, BFS IV bottles, to the existing BFS lineup—respiratory ampules, injection vials, and ophthalmics—that Nephron offers. This will allow medications previously filled in traditional IV bags to be produced more efficiently, reducing wait times and costs. 

Capabilities will initially include 250mL IV bottles, with capacity up to 2,000 mL possible. The first production lots on the new line will be allocated to Nephron 503B Outsourcing Facility as it works tirelessly to fill FDA drug shortage needs.        

“The launch of our new BFS IV Bottle line is the latest embodiment of the Transformation, Execution, and Trust that drives our Quality First Culture,” said Lou Kennedy, CEO and Owner of Nephron. “We transformed our world-class manufacturing facility once again, investing in new manufacturing capacity on the latest German-engineered Rommelag BFS machinery. Our teams, from vendor auditors to engineers to quality assurance, executed this project with precision and dedication. Because at the end of the day we know that our relationships with customers, and ultimately patients, are built on trust.”

The first product being manufactured on the new line is Fentanyl Citrate in 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP 2500 mcg/250 mL (10 mcg/mL*). This introduction comes at a crucial time, providing healthcare providers with a reliable source of essential medications amidst ongoing shortages. It is now available for order directly from Nephron for registered customers on the ordering portal. To set up an account for your facility, or to place an order for this product, please contact Nephron at 1-800-443-4313.

About Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation: A West Columbia, S.C.-based company, Nephron develops and produces safe, affordable generic inhalation solutions and suspension products. The company also operates an industry-leading 503B Outsourcing Facility division, which produces pre-filled sterile syringes, luer-lock vials, IV bottles, and IV bags for hospitals across America, in an effort to alleviate drug shortage needs. For more information, please visit www.nephronpharm.com.

Contact: Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation customerservice@nephronpharm.com 1-800-443-4313

Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation Recognized in 2024 RXinsider Pharmacy500

West Columbia, SC, June 26, 2024 – Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation is proud to announce its inclusion in the prestigious 2024 RXinsider Pharmacy500 list, an accolade recognizing the top 500 supply chain companies that have significantly impacted the U.S. dispensing pharmacy landscape.

“We are honored to be recognized by RXinsider for our contributions to the pharmaceutical industry,” said Lou Kennedy, CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals. “This acknowledgment underscores our commitment to a quality first culture marked by transformation, execution, and trust.”

Since launching its first inhalation product in 1997, Nephron Pharmaceuticals has grown into one of the largest blow-fill-seal (BFS) manufacturers in the world, producing respiratory, injection, and ophthalmic medications. The company has expanded its capabilities to include 503B outsourcing services, providing critical product to hospitals and surgery centers across the nation. Nephron maintains the same rigorous quality standards across both divisions, which are housed under one roof in its 840,000 square foot cGMP facility in West Columbia, South Carolina.

Nephron Pharmaceuticals is committed to addressing drug shortages and providing high-quality medications to patients. The company’s inclusion in the Pharmacy500 list is a testament to its ongoing efforts to support the pharmacy community and improve healthcare outcomes.

For more information about Nephron Pharmaceuticals and its products, please visit www.nephronpharm.com.

About Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation: Founded in 1997, Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation is a leading manufacturer of generic inhalation solutions and suspension products. The company is headquartered in West Columbia, SC, and is dedicated to improving patient access to affordable, high-quality medications. Nephron also provides 503B outsourcing services to ensure the availability of critical medications.

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