Nexsen (ASX:NXN) signs first hospital partnership in Asia

For emerging healthcare companies, the gap between product development and commercial adoption can often be wider than expected.

Nexsen’s latest announcement addresses that challenge directly, with the company signing a binding term sheet with GHK Hospital Limited, a subsidiary of IHH Healthcare Berhad, to establish a strategic collaboration framework for the clinical validation, real world data generation and commercialisation of its rapid point of care diagnostic platform.

GHK owns Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, a 500 bed multi specialty private tertiary hospital and private teaching hospital partnered exclusively with The University of Hong Kong.

Highlights

• Binding term sheet signed with GHK Hospital Limited to establish a strategic collaboration framework for Nexsen’s rapid point of care diagnostic platform
• Access to relevant patient populations and real world hospital workflows to support clinical validation and real world evidence generation
• Assessment of pricing points and reimbursement feasibility in Hong Kong and other healthcare markets where GHK affiliated entities operate with a focus on North Asia
• GHK is part of IHH Healthcare, which operates 190 healthcare facilities across 10 countries, including 89 hospitals, clinics and ambulatory care centres
• Approximate IHH market capitalisation of AU$27 billion
• Potential joint R&D, grant applications and co-development opportunities for future diagnostic products

The agreement broadens Nexsen’s commercial framework across North Asia by giving the company access to clinical settings where its diagnostics can be assessed in relevant patient populations.

The collaboration includes clinical validation of Nexsen’s point of care tests, generation of real world data to inform care pathways, and assessments of pricing and reimbursement feasibility in Hong Kong and other healthcare markets where GHK affiliated entities operate with a focus on North Asia.

The framework also includes joint educational initiatives, clinician training and potential grant collaborations.

This agreement represents Nexsen’s third operational entry in its Asia Pacific strategy.

In March, the company secured a HK$6m IGNITE Grant to support clinical validation of StrepSure® and establish research, development and manufacturing capability in Hong Kong.

That was followed by the establishment of the UM Nexsen Joint Research Facility at Universiti Malaya Innovative Medical Devices Centre of Excellence, which is co funded by Universiti Malaya and designed to extend the platform into food safety diagnostics.

Managing Director Mark Muzzin said the agreement moves Nexsen’s diagnostics into a hospital setting where they can be assessed in real world conditions.

“The collaboration with GHK moves that work into a leading hospital environment, giving Nexsen access to specialist clinicians, relevant patient populations and real world workflows where our rapid diagnostics can be clinically assessed and refined for future adoption.”

The parties intend to convert the framework into one or more definitive agreements within 6 months.

Initial activities are expected to focus on clinical validation and real world assessment of Nexsen’s lead diagnostics for Group B Streptococcus and Kidney Function across GHK and affiliated entities in North Asia.

Nexsen’s U.S. clinical site activation and progression toward FDA 510(k) submission continue in parallel as the company advances its broader commercialisation strategy.