Regenerative device company appoints local medtech as exclusive distributor

MedTech News: Local regenerative device company has appointed an exclusive Australian distributor for its nerve repair technology.

Orthocell penned a distributor agreement with Device Technologies, making the company its exclusive distributor for its peripheral nerve repair treatment Remplir.

The distributor agreement follows the Australian market approval for Remplir in March 2022 and the company’s application for inclusion of Remplir on the Australian Prostheses List. Inclusion on the Prostheses List, if successful, will enable practitioners to receive reimbursement from private insurers for use of Remplir in approved peripheral nerve repair procedures, reducing costs to the patient.

Device Technologies will market and distribute Remplir for use in the surgical repair of peripheral nerves across Australia and New Zealand. This will include undertaking targeted promotion activities, initiating sales, and expanding its network of plastic and orthopaedic surgeons.

Remplir is Orthocell’s collagen nerve wrap used to help repair peripheral nerve injuries. It offers compression-free protection to the nerve which aims to support an ideal microenvironment for optimal nerve healing.

The distribution agreement has an initial term of five years and enables Orthocell access to this strategic market.

Orthocell Managing Director, Paul Anderson, said Device Technologies is a leading supplier of innovative medical solutions to hospitals and healthcare professionals throughout Australia and New Zealand.

“We are delighted to be working with Device Technologies, with their specialist capabilities and resources, to lead the marketing, promotion and distribution of Remplir. Device Technologies have established relationships with plastic surgeons and orthopaedic specialists and a successful track record in driving the market entry of high-quality products.”

CEO of Device Technologies, Mick Trevaskis, said “I am extremely excited to partner with Orthocell to bring their Australian Made range of peripheral nerve repair membranes to plastic and orthopaedic surgeons around Australia and New Zealand. At Device Technologies we believe in investing in innovative technologies as part of a holistic portfolio that provides value to our customers and benefits their patients. We look forward to working with the team at Orthocell to improve patient outcomes across the plastic reconstructive and orthopaedic industry.”

Professor Minghao Zheng, of The University of Western Australia, Perron Institute of Neurological and Translational Research and Orthocell Chief Scientific Officer, said “Remplir represents a paradigm shift in product design and application. It provides a non-adhesive barrier structure to protect the nerve and generates an ideal microenvironment for the regeneration of damaged peripheral nerves. Remplir reduces the need for suturing, is easy to use and results in consistent and predictable return of muscle function to paralysed limbs. This will empower surgeons to improve the lives of patients with complex nerve injuries.”

Orthocell said it’s now well-positioned to gain commercial traction with this product in Australia and is making plans to expand into the US.