Lou Kennedy Departs as Nephron Pharmaceuticals CEO
Haywood Miller assumes the role of interim CEO following Kennedy's departure from the South Carolina-based firm.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you trust that major local employers maintain transparency during regulatory and leadership investigations?
Lou Kennedy has stepped down as CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals, a position she held since 2007. Haywood Miller has been appointed as the company's interim CEO effective immediately.
Why it matters
The leadership change follows a June 2026 lawsuit filed by Nola Grant, which alleges workplace discrimination and retaliation alongside serious claims regarding the company's federal compliance. The ongoing legal challenge and previous FDA scrutiny remain central points of focus for the organization.
Lou Kennedy began leading the firm in 2007, and the company faced federal scrutiny beginning with an FDA warning letter in 2022. The FDA issued a subsequent closeout letter in May 2026 regarding those prior manufacturing concerns.
The players
Lou Kennedy
She served as the CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals for nearly two decades after taking the helm in 2007.
Haywood Miller
He is the current interim CEO who assumed the top leadership position at the company on October 16, 2026.
Nola Grant
She is a plaintiff who filed a discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against the pharmaceutical firm in June 2026.
Nephron Pharmaceuticals
This South Carolina-based company manufactures generic medications and has faced recent legal and regulatory scrutiny.
FDA
The federal agency is responsible for monitoring pharmaceutical manufacturing compliance and issuing warning or closeout letters.
The details
Nola Grant alleges that leadership directed her to falsify applicant records during audits and provided altered surveillance footage to the FDA. Additionally, the lawsuit claims the company failed to report missing fentanyl, though the company has since implemented corrective measures in areas such as cleaning, equipment maintenance, and employee training.
Timeline
Lou Kennedy began her leadership role at the company in 2007.
The FDA issued a warning letter to the company in 2022.
A closeout letter was issued by the FDA in May 2026.
Nola Grant filed a lawsuit against the firm in June 2026.
Kennedy departed the company on October 16, 2026, when Haywood Miller took over.
Market Landscape
The leadership transition follows years of federal regulatory pressure, tracking back to the FDA's 2022 warning letter to Nephron Pharmaceuticals. This shift occurs as the firm works to maintain its competitive standing in the generic drug market amidst ongoing legal and compliance hurdles.
The transition to interim leadership may signal changes to the company's internal compliance policies and operational transparency. Customers and partners should expect ongoing scrutiny as the firm attempts to resolve the outstanding federal and legal concerns.
The takeaway
The sudden departure of a long-standing CEO highlights the significant impact that pending litigation and federal regulatory pressure can have on corporate governance. Stakeholders should continue to monitor how the interim leadership navigates these legal and compliance challenges.
Further reading
For more on local leadership changes, visit South Carolina People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post and Courier.
Live Poll
Do you trust that major local employers maintain transparency during regulatory and leadership investigations?
