Kuala Lumpur: An innovative graft replacement for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction, known as the Modified UKM Internal Brace (MUIB), offers a more effective solution to help patients return to sports after surgery.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, KL Orthosports Sdn Bhd (KL Orthosports) chief executive officer, Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Badrul Akmal Hisham Md Yusoff, stated that the innovative technique, which has been in use since 2018, involves the use of a graft with an internal brace, differentiating it from other methods available in the market. He explained that ACL surgery treatment has been available in the country for some time, but the MUIB introduces innovation in graft preparation for ACL replacement. The need for reconstruction arises because a torn ACL cannot be stitched back together.
Dr Badrul emphasized the importance of MUIB for athletes and highly active sports professionals who require a ligament that feels completely normal post-surgery, addressing concerns about ligament looseness after the procedure. He shared these insights with reporters during the Licensing Rights Ceremony at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for the MUIB orthopaedic innovation.
MUIB, developed by UKM start-up company KL Orthosports, has secured UKM’s licensing rights, paving the way for its commercialisation and widespread use. The innovation is currently undergoing the patenting process at the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) and is the result of over seven years of clinical research by the KL Orthosports team since 2018.
Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Abd Razak, UKM Board of Directors chairman, highlighted in his speech that the licensing and commercialisation of the MUIB ACL/PCL to KL Orthosports marks a significant advancement in UKM’s and the nation’s mission to translate research into societal benefits. He remarked that UKM is poised to enter a new era in orthopaedic care, with the MUIB ACL/PCL offering hope for faster and more effective recovery for patients with ligament injuries.
At the same event, a memorandum of understanding was exchanged between KL Orthosports and a local orthopaedic medical device company, Evo Med Sdn Bhd. This collaboration aims to provide specialised training for orthopaedic specialists in ACL and PCL reconstruction surgery and the preparation of MUIB graft innovations.
Additionally, the ceremony included the presentation of a financial grant of RM171,200 by SME Corp through the Inclusive Ecosystem Programme (i-SEE) to KL Orthosports. This grant is designed to encourage innovators and companies to implement innovation projects that deliver products or services.