Osteopore Limited has signed a collaboration agreement with Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) to co-develop the Osteopore TTSH AVN implant, a novel device targeting avascular necrosis of the hip joint. The agreement follows two previously announced grants (the National Health Innovation Centre Singapore Innovation-to-Industry grant in February 2026 and the CMTi MedTech grant in September 2025), formalising the partnership between the Australian-Singaporean regenerative medicine company (ASX: OSX) and the Singapore anchor hospital.
The collaboration demonstrates firm commitment from both parties to address a growing clinical challenge. Osteopore secures exclusive worldwide commercialisation rights to any resulting intellectual property, positioning the company to capture value from this therapeutic development.
Osteopore formalises TTSH partnership for novel AVN hip implant
The collaboration agreement establishes a structured framework for joint development over an 18-month period, concluding in Q3 2027 unless extended or terminated early. Under the terms, foreground intellectual property will be jointly and equally owned by TTSH and Osteopore (ASX: OSX), with Osteopore designated as the lead entity for filing joint IP.
Critically for investors, Osteopore is granted an exclusive worldwide licence to produce, sell, and distribute any commercialised products arising from the collaboration, including improvements or enhancements to the joint IP. This structure de-risks the development pathway by securing Osteopore’s commercial position over any breakthrough technology while sharing R&D responsibilities with a leading clinical institution.
The agreement builds on grant funding already secured by TTSH to support the implant’s development, reducing Osteopore’s near-term capital requirements for this programme.
Key agreement terms at a glance
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agreement Duration | 18 months ending Q3 2027 (unless extended or terminated early) |
| IP Ownership | Joint and equal ownership between TTSH and Osteopore, with Osteopore leading IP filing |
| Commercialisation Rights | Exclusive worldwide licence granted to Osteopore to produce, sell, and distribute products |
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What is avascular necrosis and why does it matter for investors?
Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a condition where blood supply is interrupted leading to necrosis of bone tissue. The condition predominantly occurs at the hip joint, although it can happen at other joints as well.
AVN of the hip can cause pain and discomfort. The condition worsens over time, and without treatment, can result in the collapse of the bone at the hip joint. At that point, total hip replacement (THR) becomes the most effective treatment. Approximately 10% of AVN cases result in THR.
It is reported that there are between 20,000 and 30,000 new cases of AVN in the U.S. each year, indicating a substantial patient population with limited non-surgical treatment options at early disease stages. A novel implant targeting AVN before bone collapse could reduce the need for invasive joint replacement surgery, addressing a clear unmet clinical need.
For investors, this positions Osteopore within a therapeutic market segment where early-stage intervention technologies are underdeveloped. Success in this area could open a significant commercial opportunity before patients progress to costly THR procedures.
Market opportunity in AVN treatment
The total market opportunity of AVN treatment is projected to reach USD 10.2 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% between 2023 and 2030. Growth drivers include:
- Growing prevalence of AVN
- Increasing awareness of AVN
- Earlier diagnosis
A high-single-digit growth market with clear structural drivers supports the strategic rationale for Osteopore’s R&D investment in this therapeutic area. The company’s entry into AVN treatment through the TTSH collaboration positions it to capture market share in a segment experiencing sustained demand growth.
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CEO commentary and collaboration intent
Commenting on the signing of the collaboration agreement, CEO Dr Yujing Lim said:
Dr Yujing Lim, Chief Executive Officer
“We are delighted to formalise the relationship with TTSH for the co-development of the implant to treat AVN at the hip joint, which is a growing clinical challenge. This method of open collaboration has the potential to align clinical needs with commercial potential, and we look forward to keep the market updated on the progress of this collaboration, as and when they become available.”
The open collaboration approach allows Osteopore to leverage TTSH’s clinical expertise and patient access while retaining full commercial rights to resulting products. This structure balances development risk across both parties while concentrating commercial upside within Osteopore (ASX: OSX).
What comes next
The collaboration enters an 18-month development period concluding in Q3 2027, with provisions for extension if required. Osteopore has committed to providing market updates on progress as material developments become available.
The defined timeline provides investors with clear milestone visibility to track the programme’s advancement against a structured schedule. Progress updates over the next 18 months will indicate whether the collaboration is advancing toward clinical validation and potential commercialisation pathways.
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