ARC Regulatory Expands into Asia to Diversify Beyond Western Markets

ARC Regulatory is accelerating its global expansion with a strategic move into Asia, as renewed uncertainty over US trade policy and the potential reintroduction of Trump-era tariffs prompt pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies to look eastward for growth and stability.

ARC will outline the expansion during a presentation at the World Companion Diagnostics & Liquid Biopsy Summit in Singapore from 12-13 November 2025, marking a significant milestone as the company takes the stage at this event for the first time.

Asia’s pharmaceutical and diagnostics sector is now worth over £260 billion across the Asia-Pacific region and is projected to grow by more than 7% annually through 2030. In China alone, the market reached an estimated £240 billion in 2024 and is forecast to nearly double to around £445 billion by 2033, underscoring the scale of opportunity for life sciences innovators.

ARC’s Founder and CEO, Seamus Kearney is now focused on building partnerships across Asia to support clients in navigating the region’s evolving regulatory landscape. The company’s expansion aligns with the global shift in healthcare investment and innovation, as life sciences activity increasingly migrates eastward.

Seamus Kearney said: “With healthcare budgets tightening and volatility increasing across Western markets, renewed uncertainty over US trade policy and the potential reintroduction of tariffs are driving companies to diversify their operations and partnerships, expanding into Asia is both a strategic and timely move for ARC.

“Global R&D spending is under pressure in the West, while Asia is experiencing sustained growth and investment in life sciences. This expansion not only strengthens ARC’s ability to support clients but also opens access to one of the most dynamic and financially significant healthcare markets in the world. The opportunity to participate in and contribute to this growth, while helping our clients do the same, represents a major step forward for ARC.

ARC’s expansion strategy is centred on developing collaborative relationships with regional organisations and supporting clients pursuing global market access. The company brings extensive expertise in global regulatory and clinical operations, specialist laboratory services, and precision medicine study initiation and compliance, foundations essential to success in Asia’s dynamic and diverse healthcare environments.

“Our goal is not only to serve Western companies operating internationally but also to partner with Asian innovators who are taking a global view,” Mr Kearney added. “Most pharma and biotech firms now operate with international ambitions. ARC is positioned to bridge the regulatory gap between East and West, ensuring our clients can access new markets efficiently while maintaining compliance.”

ARC Regulatory is a specialist consultancy supporting the diagnostics, medical device, and precision medicine industries with expertise spanning Diagnostics CRO and sponsor delegation, laboratory services, and pharma tech solutions. Headquartered in Catalyst Belfast, ARC partners with clients from early-stage clinical development through to registrational global trials, combining regulatory strategy, compliance, and market access expertise with hands-on scientific and operational capability. Through this integrated approach, ARC helps innovators bring transformative healthcare solutions to global markets efficiently and compliantly.

The company’s expansion into Asia builds on a period of sustained domestic investment and growth. In July 2025, ARC Regulatory announced a new office hub in Derry~Londonderry, representing an investment of £250,000, following the launch of its £3 million state-of-the-art laboratory facilities in Belfast earlier in the year. Together, these developments reinforce ARC’s long-term commitment to innovation, regional growth, and its position as a global leader in regulatory science and precision medicine.