Osteopore teams up with Singapore’s Tan Tock Seng Hospital for breakthrough hip implant

Osteopore (ASX: OSX) has added another notch to its medical innovation belt, announcing a collaboration with Singapore’s Tan Tock Seng Hospital to develop a novel implant for the treatment of avascular necrosis, a debilitating bone condition that most often strikes the hip joint.

The condition, commonly known as AVN, occurs when blood supply to bone tissue is cut off, leading to necrosis and eventual collapse of the joint. In severe cases, the only effective treatment is a total hip replacement. Estimates suggest that 20,000 to 30,000 new cases of AVN are diagnosed each year in the United States alone. About 10 percent of cases progress to hip replacement, but current treatment options remain limited.

The joint project, backed by a Singapore MedTech grant of 50,000 Singapore dollars, will run for twelve months beginning September 2025. It will be led by Dr Michael Yam, consultant in orthopaedic surgery and clinical director of the Medical 3D Printing Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The goal is to create and test a proof-of-concept implant that improves outcomes from core decompression procedures, a common intervention for AVN in its earlier stages.

For Osteopore, the project fits squarely into its business model of commercialising 3D printed bioresorbable scaffolds that promote natural bone healing. Unlike permanent implants, Osteopore’s devices are designed to dissolve over time, leaving only healthy bone behind and reducing the complications often associated with conventional metal or ceramic implants.

Chief executive Dr Yujing Lim said the collaboration was another important step for the company. “We are delighted to embark on another important innovation in orthopaedic surgery that has the potential to reduce healthcare costs. This project expands Osteopore’s product offering in orthopaedics and strengthens our collaboration with commercial partners such as DKSH, which distributes for us in Singapore,” he said.

Dr Yam said the high prevalence of AVN in Asia underscored the need for innovation. “Current treatment options remain limited. This collaboration is an important step towards creating new solutions and enhancing quality of life for patients,” he said.

The AVN treatment market is projected to grow strongly, reaching an estimated 10.2 billion US dollars by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 8.5 percent. That expansion is being driven by earlier diagnosis, rising awareness and growing prevalence of the condition.

For Osteopore, which already has a portfolio of bone healing implants in commercial use, success in AVN could provide another avenue for growth. The project is expected to end with potential first in human milestones, an important marker for both investors and clinicians watching the space.