Orthocell Ltd (ASX:OCC, OTC:ORHHF) says its flagship nerve repair device Remplir™ is being adopted by Australian urologists in prostate cancer surgery, opening a new growth avenue for the regenerative medicine company.
The product has now been used in around 40 nerve-sparing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies (RARP) — procedures that remove the prostate while aiming to preserve surrounding nerves. The goal is to lower the risk of erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, which remain common complications after surgery despite advances in robotic precision.
Addressing major post-surgical risks
Radical prostatectomy is the first-line treatment for localised prostate cancer, which is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Australian men. But outcomes can be debilitating: studies suggest up to 80% of patients experience erectile dysfunction and up to 35% face urinary incontinence after the procedure.
These side effects are caused by damage to the neurovascular bundle (NVB), a cluster of nerves and blood vessels critical for continence and sexual function. Even with nerve-sparing techniques, injury is difficult to avoid. Remplir™, a collagen-based nerve wrap already used in orthopaedics and reconstructive surgery, is being trialled to shield and repair the NVB during RARP in a bid to improve recovery.
Orthocell is now collecting retrospective outcome data from the first cohort of Australian patients and says further clinical studies and medical education programs are planned.
Expanding the market for Remplir™
Managing director Paul Anderson said the new application highlights Remplir™’s versatility across multiple surgical specialties.
“The use of Remplir in nerve-sparing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy highlights the product’s versatility and superior performance in the protection and reconstruction of damaged peripheral nerves,” Anderson said.
“Surgeons across multiple specialties — including orthopaedics, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and now urology — are increasingly adopting Remplir to simplify procedures, minimise scarring, and improve functional recovery,” he added. “This represents a significant step forward in Remplir’s organic expansion into broader peripheral nerve repair applications and has the potential to substantially increase the device’s global total addressable market.”
With around 12,000 radical prostatectomies performed annually in Australia, the potential addressable market is considerable. Orthocell’s distribution partner Device Technologies also supplies the da Vinci Surgical System used in most RARP procedures, providing a strategic pathway to introduce Remplir™ into urology.
Building international momentum
The announcement follows Orthocell’s recent progress in global rollouts. Remplir™ has clearance in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Canada, with US approval secured earlier this year. The company has appointed 14 US distributors, onboarded initial surgeons and completed first surgical cases. Expansion into Canada is advancing, and EU/UK submissions are expected before year-end.
Read more: Orthocell’s Remplir study shows 81% success rate, bolstering US rollout and EU/UK plans
The US peripheral nerve repair market is estimated at US$1.6 billion a year, and Orthocell says uptake there is building steadily. With about $27 million in cash and no debt, the company is positioned to accelerate adoption through clinical evidence generation and surgeon training initiatives.
For investors, the new prostate cancer application could broaden Remplir’s reach beyond traditional orthopaedic and reconstructive uses, potentially opening a globally significant growth channel if clinical outcomes prove favourable.