A North Wales pharmaceutical manufacturer backed by the Development Bank of Wales is accelerating its global expansion by launching two new products and unveiling plans to extend its global reach.
Reacta Healthcare, based in Deeside, is transforming the way food allergies are diagnosed. It employs 80 people and their Oral Food Challenge (OFC) products, are shipped to over 300 clinical trials sites worldwide. Reacta Healthcare is recognised as the only OFC supplier working to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and operating worldwide supplying global clinical trials.
The company is extending its global footprint as demand for its pharmaceutical-grade, food allergy diagnostics continues to rise. This year it has launched two new products. Both complement its mission of making food allergy diagnosis more accurate, efficient and safe. These products are helping pharmaceutical companies and research organisations deliver the next generation of food allergy treatments faster and with greater regulatory confidence.
With demand for food allergy diagnostics rising sharply, driven by an estimated 250 million people worldwide living with food allergies. In the UK alone, around 8.5 per cent of the population is affected.
Founded on technology developed at the University of Manchester and spun out by Professors Ashley Woodcock and Claire Mills, Reacta Healthcare relocated to North Wales in 2018 to expand production. The company has since built a state-of-the-art facility licensed by the MHRA for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), producing pharmaceutical-grade products for use in clinical research.
Having first backed Reacta in 2019, the Development Bank has now invested £2.8 million in equity to help the business to scale its manufacturing capacity and extend its product portfolio. This includes £1 million in a £2.9 million funding round in 2021 that was led by Manchester-based Praetura Ventures, the venture capital fund manager that targets early-stage businesses in high-growth sectors.
This partnership has helped Reacta Healthcare transition from a food-science business to a licensed pharmaceutical manufacturer, positioning it to supply large scale global clinical research programmes.
The existing product portfolio has already supported numerous food allergy therapeutic clinical trials globally including use in a Phase 3 trial for a new peanut patch therapy expected to seek regulatory approval in the USA in 2026.
Paul Abrahams, Chief Executive of Reacta Healthcare, said:
“Our work helps improve the accuracy and safety of food allergy testing worldwide. The continued support from the Development Bank of Wales gave us the confidence and capital to grow – expanding our product range and global footprint while staying rooted in North Wales.
“Our relationship with the Development Bank of Wales has been pivotal. Their patient investment approach and belief in our vision allowed us to move faster, think bigger, and deliver better outcomes for patients.
“We’re proving that world-class science can thrive here in Wales. From Deeside to the world, we’re proud to be making a difference.”
Belinda Mortell, Head of Commercial at Reacta Healthcare, said:
“These new therapies are life-changing for patients, and Reacta has been part of that journey from the very beginning. We’re proud that our North Wales-made products are playing a role in shaping global healthcare.”
Duncan Gray, Technology Venture Investments Director, Development Bank of Wales, said:
“Reacta Healthcare is a great Welsh success story. Their innovation, commitment to quality and global ambition showcase the potential of North Wales as a hub for advanced life sciences and manufacturing.”
The £20 million Wales Technology Seed Fund II is financed by the Welsh Government. Equity investments between £100,000 and £350,000 are available for Welsh tech businesses and those relocating to Wales at proof-of-concept stage.
