Nanotechnology treatment for equine OA may soon be available

A new veterinary device that relies on nanotechnology for treating osteoarthritis (OA) in horses is expected to be available on the US market in 2026. An intra-articular injection, Synoglide— manufactured by Allegro, a biomedical company, and licensed by American Regent Animal Health—is engineered to behave like biology.^1,2

“We are excited at the potential this device offers to equine athletes, veterinarians and horse owners as a valuable addition to the treatment continuum for osteoarthritis in horses. Synoglide ushers in a fresh perspective on how we address arthritis, reduce discomfort, and help restore movement with intra-articular care…We look forward to seeing the impact this product will have on the well-being of our equine partners,” Andy Ferrigno, senior director, international sales and marketing, American Regent Animal Health, said in a news release.¹

Equine OA is a common degenerative condition that can occur in any synovial joint. Affecting horses at any age and breed, it is caused by a multiple factors that include repetitive trauma, historical fractures, poor coordination and high speed training.³

RELATED: Generic therapy is available for managing OA pain in horses

Lameness is the predominant clinical sign of equine OA. Reduced range of motion, joint inflammation, heat and pain with manipulation of the joints are other signs. Horses with OA may also be stiff when they first begin moving and appear to be more comfortable after warming up.³

"Synoglide offers a new approach to help veterinarians manage this challenging chronic condition that affects the lives of so many animals,” Paul Diolosa, CEO for American Regent, said in a news release.²

Derived from natural ingredients, Synoglide is a veterinary formulation of Allegro’s Hydrocelin, a potentially disease-modifying candidate for OA treatment that is expected to be subject of human clinical studies in 2026. It is designed to mimic the elasticity and rheopectic behaviors of synovial fluid by using cross-linked microparticle bonds designed to strengthen under mechanical stress and provide extra support to the joint.¹

Synoglide has shown to help restore biomechanics for improved joint function in one unblinded clinical study of 29 horses treated with Synoglide. This study found 89.6% of these horses experienced decreased lameness 4 weeks after treatment, and 72.4% experienced complete resolution of lameness, according to the news release.¹

Under the agreement with American Regent Animal Health, Allegro will manufacture Synoglide in a state-of-the art cleanroom facility that has the capacity to produce a million syringes per year. Additionally Synoglide’s technology will be presented at the 2025 American Association of Equine Practitioners conference—December 6-10 in Denver, Colorado—by Lucas Decuypere, CEO and president of Allegro, who will also take questions from attendees.¹

References

1. Introducing Synoglide: a first-of-its-kind OA microparticle hydrogel. News release. American Regent and Allegro NV. December 3, 2025.
2. Allegro and American Regent sign exclusive licensing deal for Synoglide, a novel osteoarthritis treatment in animal health, valued at up to $35 million. News release. Allegro NV and American Regent. November 25, 2025. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/25/3194042/0/en/Allegro-and-American-Regent-sign-exclusive-licensing-deal-for-SynoglideTM-a-novel-osteoarthritis-treatment-in-animal-health-valued-at-up-to-35-million.html
3. Young A, Katzman S. Osteoarthritis. University of California-Davis, Center for Equine Health. July 29, 2021. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/osteoarthritis