Singapore-grown and Australia-based medical implant maker Osteopore has announced that it has expanded into the Latin American market with its first shipment of cranial (skull) regenerative implants to Colombia.
The initial orders were received from Osteopore’s Colombia-based distribution partner, Implar SAS, who will promote the technology to their network of hospitals and surgeons across the region.
Osteopore’s implants have also successfully been cleared for marketing and sales from Colombia’s regulatory agency, Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos (INVIMA).
The Latin American Bone Graft and Substitutes Market is estimated to be worth US$182 million by 2026, according to a report by Coherent Market Insights, and while the initial Colombia sales are not material in terms of revenue, its significance represent an endorsement of Osteopore’s continued strategy to penetrate new markets and drive uptake among surgeons.
The technology for Osteopore’s products was first developed at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) which encompasses tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and 3D printing techniques. The 3D printing process enables the manufacturing of gauze-like biodegradable and environmental-friendly implants that help to facilitate natural bone regeneration.
Dr Lim Jing, CTO of Osteopore, said: “The 3D printing technology allowed us to make ground-breaking regenerative implants. Our bio-resorbable implant is the first of its kind to be successfully developed and commercialised for surgical use. They have largely outperformed traditional implant methods in terms of design and associated long-term health care costs.”
Goh Khoon Seng, CEO of Osteopore, also commented: “With 3D printing, we can not only reshape but also customise what implants can do and hence determine better patient outcomes and subsequent recovery. The largest implant we have produced is 36cm for a shin bone reconstruction surgery for a Queensland patient who has since recovered well and now able to walk without crutches. We see this technology as the way of the future for healthcare. With improvements to the technology, we are looking to go down the path of automation.”
According to Goh, Osteopore has been stepping up the training of local distributors in its various markets, as well as engaging key customers through exhibitions, workshops and sharing sessions. “These are also potential opportunities for collaboration with other medical partners,” he concluded.
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