Reacta Taps Global Expert for Asia-Pacific Allergy Diagnostics Push

DEESIDE, UK – April 28, 2026 – UK-based Reacta Healthcare is launching a significant expansion into the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, a move underscored by the appointment of world-renowned paediatric allergy expert Professor Gary Wing-Kin Wong to its Advisory Board. The strategic push aims to establish a new standard for food allergy diagnostics in a market grappling with a rising allergy prevalence and an urgent need for clinical innovation.

Reacta, a developer of pharmaceutical-grade oral food challenge (OFC) products, is positioning itself to lead the charge in standardizing allergy testing and supporting a burgeoning clinical trial landscape in Asia. This expansion follows a period of substantial growth for the company, which increased its workforce by 60% in the last year to service its established markets in Europe and the United States.

A Strategic Pivot to the East

The company's focus on the Asia-Pacific region is a calculated response to compelling market dynamics. The APAC food allergen testing market, valued at over USD 121 million in 2024, is projected to surge to more than USD 206 million by 2033. This growth is fueled by an alarming increase in food allergies across the region. Studies show Australia has one of the world's highest rates, with 10% of infants affected, while China has seen challenge-proven food allergies in children double from 3.5% to 7.7% in a decade. While peanut allergies are less common than in the West, seafood and wheat allergies are emerging as significant public health concerns.

Reacta's entry into this environment is timed to leverage the region's growing status as a hub for clinical development, particularly in Greater China. The company's innovation team, led by Chief Innovation Officer Martin Wickham, is scheduled to visit China and Hong Kong in the coming months for a series of high-profile engagements. These include hosting a symposium at the EAACI Allergy School in Beijing and participating in workshops with regional clinical trial specialists, signaling a deep commitment to collaboration.

“Food allergy therapeutics and diagnostics are evolving rapidly,” said Paul Abrahams, CEO of Reacta. “As an innovative, science-led business, we are actively pursuing new opportunities and new markets to better meet customer needs. We benefit enormously from the clinical and scientific guidance of our advisors, and we are delighted to welcome Prof. Wong to Reacta’s Advisory Board.”

The Science of Certainty: A New Standard for Diagnosis

At the heart of Reacta's strategy is its unique product: pharmaceutical-grade oral food challenge (OFC) materials. The OFC is universally considered the “gold standard” for definitively diagnosing a food allergy, yet its application has historically been hampered by a lack of standardization. Hospital-prepared challenges can vary widely, leading to inconsistent results and potential safety risks.

Reacta addresses this critical gap by manufacturing precisely dosed, stable, and palatable OFC products within a GMP-licensed facility. This pharmaceutical-grade approach ensures that every challenge is identical, providing the accuracy and reliability essential for both routine diagnosis and large-scale clinical trials. For researchers developing new allergy therapies, this level of standardization is paramount for generating robust, comparable data across different trial sites and patient populations.

This commitment to quality is crucial in a field where accurate diagnosis can transform a patient's quality of life, preventing unnecessary dietary restrictions while ensuring those at risk of severe reactions are correctly identified. The company, which has raised over $11 million in funding, including a £2.9 million Series B round in 2021, partners with global pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), and emerging biotech firms to advance therapeutic development.

Bolstering Expertise with Global Allergy Leadership

The appointment of Professor Gary Wing-Kin Wong sends a powerful message about Reacta's science-first ethos. As the President-Elect of the World Allergy Organisation (WAO) and a Professor of Paediatrics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. Wong is one of the most respected figures in the field. His work has been instrumental in shaping international allergy care standards, including his role in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), a landmark epidemiological study involving nearly two million children.

Prof. Wong's extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific region and his research focus on food allergies align perfectly with Reacta's strategic goals. In a growth-stage biotech, an advisory board provides essential guidance on R&D, regulatory pathways, and market access. Prof. Wong’s deep regional knowledge and clinical expertise will be invaluable as Reacta navigates the unique healthcare ecosystems and regulatory landscapes across Asia.

“Reacta stands out in food allergy diagnosis for its innovation and its commitment to setting new standards in the field,” Prof. Wong stated. “I look forward to working with the Company as it continues to explore ways to empower the development of therapies and diagnostics that impact the lives of people living with food allergies.”

His appointment, following that of Richard Nagle as Chair, solidifies a leadership team poised to drive the company’s next phase of growth. By combining a validated, innovative product with world-class scientific leadership, Reacta is making a formidable entry into a region on the front lines of the global allergy epidemic.