Orthocell (ASX: OCC) has confirmed accelerating adoption of lead product Remplir by Australian urologists, with the product so far used in approximately 100 prostate cancer surgeries nationwide to assist in post-surgical complications from peripheral nerve injury.
Despite advances such as nerve-sparing techniques and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), damage to the peripheral nerves in the neurovascular bundle surrounding the prostate can result in erectile dysfunction in up to 80% of men and urinary incontinence in up to 35% following surgery.
Applying Remplir in this manner aligns with the product’s broader role in peripheral nerve protection and improved post-operative nerve function.
US Market Opportunity
Remplir’s application in nerve-sparing RARP presents a significant opportunity for Orthocell to expand its total addressable market in the US from US$1.6 billion to US$2b, based on the approximately 115,000 prostatectomies performed nationwide each year.
The company will establish a commercialisation advisory board and invest in additional research to strengthen the scientific evidence base ahead of a targeted US product launch in the new year.
Orthocell has already shipped more than 4,000 units to the market while its in-country agents work with distributors to gain hospital approvals, on-board surgeons, and establish active accounts.
The company is accelerating the launch of Remplir in Canada, and remains on track to submit its UK/European Union application before the end of the year.
Broader Potential Reflected
“We are thrilled to see Remplir being adopted by urologists in Australia for nerve-sparing prostate surgery, reflecting its broader potential in peripheral nerve protection and repair,” chief executive officer Paul Anderson said.
“This demonstrates the utility of the product and represents the potential for a meaningful step forward in improving patient outcomes following these complex surgeries.”
Prostate cancer is the most commonly-diagnosed cancer among Australian men, with over 26,000 new cases recorded in 2024.
First-line treatment for localised tumours is radical prostatectomy – the complete removal of the prostate gland and surrounding tissue to eliminate cancer cells – a procedure that carries a high risk of post-operative complications that can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life.
Mr Anderson said RARP offered greater surgical precision and improved preservation of prostate anatomy, reducing but not eliminating the risk of these complications.
