Allegro Appoints Stephan Crokaert as COO to Propel Osteoarthritis Treatment
Allegro NV has appointed Stephan Crokaert as Chief Operating Officer, effective September 2025. This strategic move aims to enhance the company’s management team and drive the clinical and commercial development of hydrocelin, a promising treatment for osteoarthritis. The company, based in Liege, Belgium, is preparing to advance hydrocelin into clinical trials scheduled for 2026.
In announcing the appointment, Lucas Decuypere, CEO of Allegro, expressed enthusiasm about Crokaert’s extensive background in life sciences, which spans over 35 years. “Stephan’s appointment comes at a crucial moment for Allegro as we prepare our potential first-in-class treatment for osteoarthritis,” Decuypere stated. He added that osteoarthritis significantly impacts individuals, often leading to social isolation and mental health challenges. The company aims to restore mobility for the millions affected by this condition globally.
Crokaert’s career includes significant roles at various notable organizations, including NeoMedLight, Abbott, Adagio, and Boston Scientific. His most recent position was as Global Sales and Market Director at NeoMedLight, where he played a pivotal role in establishing a global commercial network. “I am delighted to join the driven and successful team at Allegro,” Crokaert remarked. He looks forward to leveraging his international leadership experience to bring innovative treatments to market, potentially benefiting millions of patients.
In July, Allegro raised €2 million in new funding, underscoring the strong commitment of its core investors. The funding will support preparations for a feasibility study of hydrocelin in patients with osteoarthritis, planned for 2026, followed by a global registrational trial. Additionally, in August, the company finalized the installation of a manufacturing device within its cleanroom facilities, capable of producing up to 15,000 prefilled syringes per batch.
Hydrocelin is designed to contain cross-linked microparticles that act as shock absorbers in the synovial fluid of joints affected by osteoarthritis. By restoring the shock-absorbing properties of this fluid, hydrocelin aims to provide pain relief and protect cartilage, with a proposed administration frequency of once per year. Positive preclinical data regarding the product’s safety profile were presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO) in Rome earlier this year.
Allegro NV is a private biomedical company focused on developing transformative treatments for degenerative joint diseases through its proprietary nanotechnology platform, INTRICATE. The company is gearing up for clinical studies of hydrocelin later this year, anticipating a commercial launch in 2027.
As the company navigates this important phase in its development, it is crucial to note that the statements made regarding future performance are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Allegro has no obligation to update or revise these statements unless required by law. For more information, visit www.allegro.bio.
