Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, one of the fastest-growing pharmaceuticals companies in the country, Monday announced it would donate more than 100,000 bottles of company-made hand sanitizer to the University of South Carolina, as the school prepares for the safe return of the entire Gamecocks family.

“No matter how tall the challenge is, Gamecocks step up,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy. “Our company is proud to do our part to help the university make sure it is ready to welcome students, staff and faculty back to campus.”

The first 5,000 bottles of Nephron-made hand sanitizer arrived on campus Monday when Kennedy delivered them to a group of student leaders gathered on the university’s historic Horseshoe.

“We’re grateful to Lou and Bill Kennedy and the entire team at Nephron Pharmaceuticals for this generous gift,” said UofSC President Bob Caslen. “This donation helps support the safe return of our students and employees to campus and exemplifies what the Gamecock spirit is all about—making our communities better through selfless service and caring for others.”

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.