BOSTON (CBS) ? The Framingham pharmacy blamed for 39 deaths and 620 illnesses has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In the filing, New England Compounding Center seeks to establish a fund to compensate individuals and families affected by the nationwide meningitis outbreak.

Hundreds of the cases were caused by a rare form of fungal meningitis, which causes inflammation on the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

Keith D. Lowey, who has been named Independent Director and Chief Restructuring Officer of NECC, released a statement Friday evening.

?Many families across the U.S. have been impacted by this great tragedy, and it is difficult to comprehend the sense of loss so many people have experienced. Everyone associated with New England Compounding Center shares that sense of loss,? Lowey said. ?We recognize the need to compensate those affected by the meningitis outbreak fairly and appropriately. We hope that by establishing this Fund under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, those families impacted by this tragedy may be compensated as quickly as is possible.?

NECC suspended operations in October, shortly after the outbreak.