From Liège, Antwerp native medtech Allegro aims to transform osteoarthritis treatment
An injection designed to act on the mechanics of the knee rather than temporarily relieve pain: this is Allegro’s ambition. Based at LégiaPark in Liège, the Belgian medtech company is developing Hydrocelin, an injectable gel containing microparticles that act as tiny shock absorbers inside the joint.
Osteoarthritis affects around 650 million people worldwide and is associated with pain, reduced mobility and a significant decline in quality of life. Existing non-surgical solutions generally provide limited or temporary relief. Allegro aims to go further by restoring the protective properties of the fluid inside the joint.
Results that improve over time
An initial clinical study involving around 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis has delivered encouraging results. Most patients experienced a significant improvement within the first week, with the treatment’s effectiveness continuing to increase over time – unlike most solutions currently available. These initial findings still need to be confirmed in a larger patient population, but they are already enabling the company to prepare the next stage of its clinical development.
A new funding round to move forward
To finance a larger international clinical study and prepare the next regulatory steps, Allegro is aiming to raise around €10 million. The opportunity is significant: the company estimates that the number of people affected by osteoarthritis could approach one billion worldwide by 2050. If future studies confirm the initial findings, the medtech company could open a new path for treating the condition.
A Belgian medtech company growing in Liège
Founded by Flemish entrepreneurs, Allegro chose Liège to expand its research and production activities. Supported by Noshaq, among other investors, the company moved to LégiaPark after outgrowing its facilities in Antwerp. It now has the laboratories and production capacity required for the next phase of its development. This new base in Liège enables Allegro to prepare the next stages of its clinical and industrial development. It also illustrates the collaborations that can emerge between the Flemish and Walloon ecosystems around an innovation with international potential: developing a treatment in Liège for a global market.
Targeting 2029
The next stage will be decisive. Allegro plans to launch a large-scale clinical study to confirm the efficacy and safety of its treatment. If the results are positive and the regulatory milestones are successfully completed, the medtech company hopes to bring Hydrocelin to market from 2029, turning promising clinical results into a therapeutic innovation for a growing global market.