Allegro NV has appointed Stephan Crokaert as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective September 1, 2025. This strategic move aims to bolster the management team as the company prepares to advance its lead product, hydrocelin, into clinical trials by 2026. Based in Liege, Belgium, Allegro is focused on developing innovative nanotechnology-based treatments for degenerative joint diseases.
The announcement highlights Allegro’s commitment to enhancing its clinical and commercial capabilities in the face of a significant unmet need for effective osteoarthritis treatments. Lucas Decuypere, CEO of Allegro, expressed enthusiasm about Crokaert’s extensive background in the life sciences sector, stating, “We are pleased to welcome such an experienced life science professional as Stephan Crokaert to the management team. His appointment comes at a crucial moment for Allegro, as we prepare our potential first-in-class treatment for osteoarthritis for clinical trials.”
Crokaert brings over 35 years of strategic and commercial experience to the role, having previously held notable positions at NeoMedLight, Abbott, Adagio, and Boston Scientific. His recent role as Global Sales and Market Director at NeoMedLight involved establishing a global commercial network, underscoring his capability to drive growth in the medical device industry.
“I am delighted to join the driven and successful team at Allegro. I look forward to leveraging my experience to advance the company’s promising technology and bring an innovative first-in-class treatment for osteoarthritis to market,” Crokaert said.
Allegro recently secured €2 million in funding, demonstrating strong support from key investors. This capital will be utilized to prepare hydrocelin for a feasibility study in patients with osteoarthritis in 2026, followed by a global registrational trial. The company has also completed the installation of a scalable manufacturing device in a cleanroom environment, capable of producing up to 15,000 prefilled syringes per batch.
Hydrocelin is designed to contain cross-linked microparticles that act as miniature shock absorbers in the synovial fluid of joints affected by osteoarthritis. The innovative treatment aims to restore the shock-absorbing capacity of synovial fluid, providing pain relief and protecting cartilage. It is intended to be administered by injection once a year.
In April, Allegro showcased promising preclinical data at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases held in Rome. The data indicated a satisfactory safety profile for hydrocelin, including findings from studies on irritation, delayed sensitization, and systemic toxicity.
Allegro NV is a private biomedical company committed to developing transformative treatments for degenerative joint diseases through its proprietary nanotechnology platform known as INTRICATE. With clinical studies anticipated later this year, the company is on track for a commercial launch in 2027.
The information included in this announcement contains forward-looking statements regarding future performance. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those predicted. The company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise these statements unless required by law. For more details, visit www.allegro.bio.
