BREGO Life Sciences and Sunway Medical Centre Penang have partnered to help identify people who may be at risk of osteoporosis before a fracture occurs, using AI-assisted assessment during routine chest X-rays.

PENANG, 13 August 2026 — You may feel perfectly healthy and still be losing bone strength without knowing it.

Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because it can develop without pain or obvious symptoms. For many people, the first sign is a fracture. By then, significant bone loss may already have occurred.

Awareness also remains low. A Bone Health Alliance Malaysia survey found that 82% of 807 respondents did not know when they should begin assessing their bone health, pointing to a gap in preventive care.

To help close this gap, BREGO Life Sciences has partnered with Sunway Medical Centre Penang to introduce AI-assisted bone health risk assessment into the hospital’s routine health screening process.

The aim is simple: to make better use of a test that many patients are already undergoing and identify those who may benefit from further bone health assessment.

Using a routine chest X-ray to look for possible risk

Sunway Medical Centre Penang has incorporated VeriOsteo OP, an AI-assisted software developed by Acer Medical, into its existing chest X-ray workflow.

Patients continue with their usual chest X-ray during health screening. In the background, VeriOsteo OP analyses the image and provides clinicians with an additional indication of possible bone mineral density risk.

It does not diagnose osteoporosis. Instead, it helps doctors decide whether a patient may need further assessment.

Since the technology was introduced in April 2026, 2,954 people aged 21 and above have been assessed through routine chest X-rays at the hospital. Following clinical review, 81 were referred for a DEXA scan, the standard test used to assess bone mineral density and diagnose osteoporosis.

These patients had originally gone to the hospital for general health screening, rather than because they suspected a bone health problem. Without this additional assessment, some may not have discovered their potential risk until much later.

Dr Danny Wong, Founder of BREGO Life Sciences, said one of the challenges in preventive healthcare is that people may not realise they need to be assessed until a health problem becomes obvious.

“We believe one of the biggest challenges in preventive healthcare is not only whether effective assessment tools exist, but whether people recognise the need to use them early enough.

“This partnership brings bone health risk assessment into a routine healthcare setting. Instead of waiting for people to seek a separate assessment, the technology can help healthcare providers identify risks that may otherwise go unnoticed and guide patients towards the appropriate next step.”

AI supports doctors rather than replacing them

At Sunway Medical Centre Penang, DEXA remains the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis.

VeriOsteo OP serves as a clinical support tool. A higher-risk result does not mean a person has osteoporosis.

Doctors will still consider the patient’s medical history, medications and recognised risk factors before deciding whether a DEXA scan is needed.

Dr Pradheeksha G.S, Senior Manager, Clinical Services cum Health Screening Clinician at Sunway Medical Centre Penang, said the technology is intended to strengthen the hospital’s existing approach to bone health.

“Our objective is to strengthen the existing bone health pathway, not replace it.

“VeriOsteo OP allows us to gain additional information from routine chest X-rays by providing a risk signal for clinical consideration. The treating clinician can then review the patient’s medical history, medications and other recognised risk factors before deciding whether a formal DEXA scan is needed to diagnose bone health conditions such as osteoporosis.

“This helps ensure referrals remain targeted and guided by the clinician.”

Normal bone mass report

Low bone density report

Osteoporosis report

Who should pay closer attention to bone health?

The approach may be particularly useful for adults aged 50 and above, postmenopausal women, people taking corticosteroids for a long period, and those with a strong family history of osteoporosis.

Bone health becomes increasingly important with age because a fracture can have a major effect on mobility and independence.

Dr Low Chung Min, Consultant Geriatrician & Physician at Sunway Medical Centre Penang, said osteoporosis often remains unnoticed because people can continue to feel well even as their bones become weaker.

“Osteoporosis is often only identified after a fall or fracture because patients can feel perfectly well while bone loss is progressing.

“Earlier identification gives us an opportunity to assess the patient more comprehensively while they are still active and functioning well.”

Depending on the individual, this may include a DEXA scan, fall-prevention measures, a review of medications, improvements to nutrition, calcium and vitamin D support, exercise and other steps aimed at maintaining strength, mobility and independence.

Looking for risk before a fracture happens

The use of VeriOsteo OP reflects a shift towards identifying bone health risks during healthcare visits that patients are already making, rather than waiting until symptoms appear.

The partnership also builds on BREGO Life Sciences’ broader work through BREGO Cares, a preventive-health programme involving primary care clinics across Malaysia.

As Malaysia’s population ages, BREGO Life Sciences and Sunway Medical Centre Penang hope this approach can help more people recognise possible bone health risks earlier, receive appropriate DEXA assessment when needed and take action before osteoporosis leads to a potentially life-changing fracture.