You Won't Believe the $35 Million Osteoarthritis Breakthrough for Pets! What’s at Stake?

In a significant development for veterinary science, Allegro NV, a biomedical company known for its innovative approaches to treating degenerative joint diseases, has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with American Regent, a well-established pharmaceutical company that specializes in injectables for both human and animal health. This partnership will see Allegro's novel treatment, Synoglide™, introduced to the equine market, providing new hope for horses suffering from osteoarthritis.

This agreement grants American Regent the rights to commercialize Synoglide™ in the veterinary market across most countries globally. Meanwhile, Allegro retains the rights to explore human applications of its technology, allowing the company to concentrate on the clinical development of its osteoarthritis candidate for human patients.

As part of this agreement, Allegro has already received an upfront payment and stands to gain up to $35 million through potential commercialization and sales milestone payments, in addition to royalties on Synoglide™ sales. The product is slated for availability in early 2026, marking an important milestone for companies focused on improving animal health.

According to Lucas Decuypere, CEO of Allegro, this partnership with American Regent is a validation of the efficacy of Allegro's injectable hydrogel technology for treating joint diseases in horses. "Horses serve as a strong translational model for humans in joint disease, an exciting prospect as we focus on human clinical development of the technology," Decuypere stated.

The introduction of Synoglide™ is set to be featured at the upcoming American Association of Equine Practitioners conference in December 2025. American Regent anticipates making its first sales in the U.S. by early 2026. Paul Diolosa, CEO of American Regent, emphasized the significance of this new addition to their veterinary portfolio, stating, "We are eager to add this novel treatment for osteoarthritis as part of our commitment to innovative solutions that improve animal health."

Synoglide™ is an intra-articular injection specifically designed for horses with osteoarthritis and is based on Allegro's proprietary nanotechnology platform, INTRICATE. While its initial launch will focus on equine treatment, research is also being conducted to extend its application to other animals, including dogs.

American Regent, a subsidiary of Daiichi Sankyo, has a longstanding history of over 50 years in developing and manufacturing quality injectables for healthcare providers. Its renowned products include Adequan® and BetaVet®, which have established the company as a leader in the animal health sector.

Allegro, on the other hand, is preparing to initiate human clinical studies for its lead product candidate, Hydrocelin, in 2026. Hydrocelin is being touted as a first-in-class, potentially disease-modifying medical device candidate for the treatment of osteoarthritis in humans. The strategic partnership with American Regent for Synoglide™ underscores Allegro's commitment to leveraging technological advancements to address the pressing issues of joint diseases.

The collaboration between these two companies not only signifies an important stride in veterinary medicine but also opens avenues for future research into treatment options for osteoarthritis across species. This partnership highlights a growing trend in the healthcare sector where novel therapies are being developed and tailored for both animals and humans, emphasizing the interconnectedness of veterinary and human medicine.

For more information, readers can visit the respective websites of American Regent and Allegro NV.