- Comparative mechanical testing against four market-leading hydrogels demonstrates Hydrocelin’s superior shock absorbing capacity
- Significantly improves the shock-absorbing capacity of pathological equine synovial fluid in mechanical testing
- Data were presented at CellMech in Louvain
Allegro updated this press release on April 20, 2026, to refine certain statements in accordance with regulatory guidelines
Liege, Belgium – 7 October 2025 (08:30 CET) – Allegro NV, a biomedical company developing transformative nanotechnology-based devices for degenerative joint disease, today announces new research showing superior shock-absorbing capacities of its Hydrocelin injectable hydrogel to treat osteoarthritis, compared to four market leading hydrogels 1. The company presented the results in a poster at the CellMech conference in Louvain, Belgium, last week. The results also showed that Hydrocelin significantly improved the shock-absorbing properties of pathological equine synovial fluid in mechanical testing.
“The data are a robust support for the revolutionary potential of Hydrocelin, a responsive hydrogel based on our nanotechnology platform, designed to restore the shock-absorbing capacities of the joints. This is an important step in characterizing the expected impact of Hydrocelin as we head into our feasibility study in patients next year,” said Lucas Decuypere, Chief Executive Officer at Allegro.
The data demonstrated improved mechanical properties compared to selected comparators in controlled laboratory settings, their clinical relevance remains to be established. A second test showed that pathological synovial fluid from horses materially improved its shock-absorbing profile when Hydrocelin was added. The company is planning to submit the data to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.
Around 650 million people worldwide suffer from osteoarthritis, a progressive condition that limits a patient’s ability to move and can lead to constant pain, often causing social isolation and psychological stress. Currently available treatments are limited to hyaluronic acid, which has limited efficacy, cortisone, painkillers and surgical procedures.
Allegro’s hydrocelin contains cross-linked particles designed to act as tiny shock absorbers in the synovial fluid of joints. Restoring the shock-absorbing capacity of the synovial fluid is intended to provide pain relief and protect cartilage. In April, Allegro presented positive preclinical data demonstrating the satisfactory safety profile of hydrocelin at the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO) in Rome. In addition to this pyrogenicity study, the company has also demonstrated a satisfactory safety profile in preclinical studies assessing irritation, delayed sensitization and systemic toxicity.
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1 Data on file