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Orthocell’s (ASX:OCC) nerve treatment demonstrates early recovery of muscle function

ASX News, Health Care
ASX:OCC      MCAP $79.54M
07 June 2022 14:19 (AEST)

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Orthocell’s (OCC) nerve reconstruction trial has demonstrated the early recovery of muscle function in paralysed upper limbs.

The news followed the completion of Orthocell’s Remplir nerve reconstruction study on patients who suffered traumatic nerve injuries resulting in partial or total loss of use in their arms, and potentially legs and torso. Without surgery, they would not have regained normal use of their injured arm or hand.

Patients received one or more nerve reconstructions augmented with Orthocell’s Remplir treatment in one or both upper limbs, with recovery assessed by grading the strength of target muscles closest to the site of nerve repair.  

The company’s final data readout, 24 months after the treatment, showed nerve reconstruction with Remplir consistently restored arm and hand function.

The data showed that at 12 months, 76 per cent of nerve reconstructions resulted in functional recovery of muscles controlled by the reconstructed nerve. Follow-up data at 24 months post-treatment was available for 14 of 19 patients, which showed 85 per cent of nerve reconstructions resulted in functional recovery of target muscles closest to the reconstruction site.

Additionally, the results showed that not only were functional gains maintained between 12 and 24 months post-treatment, but patients continued to improve over that time.

Orthocell Managing Director Paul Anderson said the primary goal of the study was to consistently return function to paralysed upper limbs.

“I am delighted by the results showing early recovery and continued improvement in arm and hand function in these difficult to treat patients,” Mr Anderson said.

“This study has demonstrated higher quality outcomes, improved predictability, and consistency of return of muscle function following Remplir nerve reconstruction treatment.”

Orthocell said it believed Remplir was an important step forward for improving nerve reconstruction surgery, due to its ease of use and consistent and predictable high-quality outcomes, which were achieved in a shorter timeframe compared to other methods.

Remplir received Australian regulatory approval in March 2022, so with this in hand, Orthocell has been progressing discussions with potential marketing and distribution partners in Australia.

Orthocell was up 6.49 per cent and trading at 41 cents at 1:30 pm AEST.

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