Osteopore Partners With Major Singapore Hospital to Build Surgical Precision Tool
Osteopore partners with Singapore’s National University Hospital to develop neurosurgical precision tool
Osteopore Limited (ASX: OSX) has signed a research collaboration agreement with Singapore’s National University Hospital (NUH) to develop an intra-operative surgical guide for external ventricular drain (EVD) placement. The Osteopore NUH neurosurgery collaboration targets improved precision and patient safety in neurosurgery through a 33-month development programme concluding 31 December 2028.
The partnership is led by Adjunct Associate Professor Vincent Nga, Head of Division and Senior Consultant of the Division of Neurosurgery at NUH. Prof. Nga completed advanced training at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and holds a Clinical Fellowship in Paediatric Neurosurgery from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
The collaboration positions Osteopore to expand beyond its current 3D-printed bioresorbable implant portfolio into surgical instrumentation. Partnership with a leading Singaporean university hospital validates the clinical concept and provides access to specialist expertise in neurosurgical technique refinement.
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What is an external ventricular drain and why precision matters
An external ventricular drain is a temporary catheter inserted into the brain’s fluid spaces to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood. The procedure relieves dangerous pressure after stroke, trauma, or haemorrhage.
In well-resourced healthcare systems, EVDs are placed using neuro-navigation systems, which employ intra-operative navigation equipment and software. However, the acquisition of neuro-navigation equipment is resource-intensive, limiting adoption in lower-resourced healthcare systems globally.
Where neuro-navigation is unavailable, EVD placement is performed using freehand techniques. Current freehand methods carry significant clinical risks:
- 25-40% misplacement rate with freehand EVD placement
- 28.9% mortality rate at 30 days due to EVD complications
- 33.7% mortality rate at 90 days due to EVD complications
Misplacement does not only mean mal-positioning. It also leads to EVD occlusion and increases the likelihood of new neurological problems, creating a significant unmet medical need for cost-effective precision solutions.
The high complication and mortality rates demonstrate the clinical imperative for improved tools that can be adopted widely without the capital investment required for neuro-navigation systems.
Two-phase development roadmap through 2028
The collaboration comprises a structured two-phase approach. Phase 1 focuses on design and prototyping of the EVD guide, ensuring it meets the functional needs of the procedure. Phase 2 involves simulated testing in dry bone models, with outcomes benchmarked against those obtained under neuro-navigation.
The intellectual property arrangement provides Osteopore with strategic commercialisation rights. Foreground IP will be jointly owned by NUH and Osteopore, with Osteopore granted first right to negotiate an exclusive worldwide licence to commercialise any resulting technology.
| Element | Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Design & prototyping | Simulated testing (dry bone models) | 33-month duration |
| Objective | Meet functional procedure needs | Compare outcomes vs neuro-navigation | Joint IP ownership |
| Timeline | Within collaboration period | Through 31 December 2028 | Osteopore has first right to licence |
The milestone-driven programme provides visibility on development progress. Licensing rights position Osteopore to commercialise any resulting IP globally, creating a clear pathway from development to market.
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Sizeable global market for capital-light neurosurgical solutions
The global market opportunity for a mechanical intra-operative EVD guide is substantial. An estimated 20,000-25,000 EVD procedures are performed annually in the United States alone, with the Asia Pacific region identified as the fastest-growing market for this procedure category.
The value proposition centres on scalability and cost-effectiveness. A mechanically guided solution bypasses the capital cost barrier of neuro-navigation systems, which remain cost-prohibitive for many healthcare settings worldwide. This positions the technology for adoption across both developed and resource-constrained healthcare environments.
The device aligns with value-based care models by managing total cost of care. By improving precision through a capital-light solution, the technology has the potential to reduce complications and associated treatment costs across the patient pathway.
The large addressable market in the US provides an initial commercialisation pathway. However, the cost-effectiveness positions the solution for broader global adoption, expanding the total addressable market beyond developed markets to include healthcare systems where neuro-navigation adoption has been limited by capital constraints.
Leadership commentary
Dr Yujing Lim, CEO, Osteopore Limited
“We are proud to partner with Prof. Nga and the National University Hospital in the development of this intra-operative surgical guide for precise EVD placement. This device has the potential to create better patient outcomes globally while directly addressing the total costs of care in value-based care models.”
Prof. Nga emphasised the clinical importance of precision in EVD placement. “Precise EVD placement is important for improved patient outcomes. I am delighted to embark on this research collaboration to co-develop this surgical guide with Osteopore, and look forward to its potential introduction to the neurosurgical community globally,” he stated.
The Osteopore NUH neurosurgery collaboration represents strategic expansion of the company’s medical technology pipeline through a targeted research partnership. By leveraging NUH’s clinical expertise and its own manufacturing capabilities in bioresorbable materials, Osteopore is positioned to address a defined unmet need in neurosurgical precision tools.
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