Flemish firm works on tech for cell and tissue regeneration

Flemish biotech start-up Allegro is working on a new technology based on the regeneration of cells and tissues. Its first pipeline product is a nanotechnology scaffold for cartilage regeneration.

Cartilage lesions are a very common medical condition. They are often caused by acute trauma (such as in athletes) or occur as a result of degenerative diseases. Today’s treatments include the removal of ruptured cartilage through surgery, sutures, or certain collagen products. Untreated cartilage lesions can lead to, among other things, osteoarthrosis and is therefore an important condition to treat from a social point of view.

Founder Jorg Schelfhout said: "Allegro came about after years of preliminary research in medical biomaterials and the search for the ultimate regenerative technology.

"What we are developing is truly revolutionary, because we work a-cellular and are 100% biocompatible. This means that with just one quick intervention we can regrow the cells and restore the cartilage to its original state. Without adverse effects or expensive cell therapies."