Allegro Appoints Stephan Crokaert as COO to Drive Osteoarthritis Innovation

Allegro NV, a biomedical company based in Liege, Belgium, has appointed Stephan Crokaert as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective September 2025. This strategic move aims to enhance the company’s focus on the clinical and commercial development of hydrocelin, a promising treatment for osteoarthritis that is set to enter clinical trials in 2026.

In his new role, Crokaert will leverage over 35 years of experience in the life sciences sector, particularly in medical devices. His previous positions include leadership roles at NeoMedLight, Abbott, Adagio, and Boston Scientific. Lucas Decuypere, CEO of Allegro, expressed enthusiasm about Crokaert’s appointment, stating, “We are pleased to welcome such an experienced life science professional as Stephan Crokaert to the management team. His expertise comes at a crucial moment for Allegro as we prepare our potential first-in-class treatment for osteoarthritis.”

Osteoarthritis is a significant health issue affecting millions globally, often leading to social isolation and mental health challenges. With hydrocelin, Allegro aims to restore mobility to those suffering from this degenerative disease. Crokaert emphasized his eagerness to contribute to Allegro’s mission, saying, “I’m looking forward to using the experience I built up over a career spanning 30 years in international leadership roles to advance the company’s promising technology.”

In a recent funding round, Allegro successfully raised €2 million, reflecting strong support from its core investors. The company plans to use these funds to prepare hydrocelin for a feasibility study involving patients with osteoarthritis in 2026, which will be succeeded by a global registrational trial.

Allegro has also made strides in its manufacturing capabilities. In August, the company completed the installation of a scalable manufacturing device capable of producing up to 15,000 prefilled syringes per batch. Hydrocelin is designed to contain cross-linked microparticles that act as tiny shock absorbers within the synovial fluid of joints affected by osteoarthritis. This innovative approach aims to alleviate pain and protect cartilage, with an intended administration frequency of once per year.

The potential of hydrocelin was highlighted earlier this year when Allegro presented positive preclinical data at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases in Rome. The data indicated a satisfactory safety profile for the product, covering aspects such as irritation, delayed sensitization, and systemic toxicity.

Allegro NV is focused on developing transformative treatments for degenerative joint diseases through its proprietary nanotechnology platform, INTRICATE. The company’s lead candidate, hydrocelin (ALG-001), is positioned as a first-in-class, disease-modifying treatment for osteoarthritis. As Allegro prepares for clinical studies later this year, it anticipates a commercial launch in 2027.

In addition to its innovative product development, the company stresses the importance of patient well-being and aims to make significant contributions to the field of osteoarthritis treatment. With Crokaert’s leadership and extensive experience, Allegro is poised to make substantial advancements in this critical area of healthcare.