Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing (BSM) has been contracted to fill some of the first treatments to aid those afflicted with the novel coronavirus. In early March, the sterile manufacturing company had been contacted by U.S. health officials and other private companies to produce injectable COVID-19 treatments to be used in clinical trials. Since these early inquires, two private companies have tasked BSM with formulating and filling these drugs to treat those suffering from COVID-19.
 
“It’s for people that develop severe lung problems in response to the coronavirus,” said Shawn Kinney, co-founder and chief executive officer, BSM. “It could potentially stop the swelling and inflammation in the lungs that contributes to poor outcomes.”
 
BSM is working to get treatments shipped out to the clinic within three weeks of receiving the drug substance which, in the drug industry as Kinney describes, is “moving heaven and earth.”
 
One of the new COVID-19 treatments was filled on Saturday, March 21. Despite the company normally closing for Saturday and early Sunday, several BSM employees offered to work the weekend to produce the medication. Many others worked late nights on the week leading up to the date to prepare. BSM received the drug substance (in powder form) on Friday, and formulated Friday night to start filling early Saturday morning.
 
“Our team is very excited to have been chosen to manufacture this treatment, and they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to get this medication out the door and to the clinic,” said Kinney.