R&D tax relief supports businesses investing in innovation by reducing their corporation tax liability or providing cash credits. Depending on your company size and funding structure, there are different schemes:
Smaller biotech companies (fewer than 500 staff) may qualify for the enhanced SME scheme:
For larger firms or SMEs in receipt of grants, the R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC) or new Merged Scheme applies, offering:
Eligible costs include salaries, EPWs, clinical trial costs, consumables, and cloud/software used in R&D.
FI Group ensures biotech firms understand their eligibility, document scientific work properly, and file compliant claims with minimal HMRC risk.
In addition to tax relief, UK biotech innovators can access non-dilutive funding through competitive grants. These grants support everything from feasibility studies to late-stage clinical trials.
Grants often fund 50–100% of project costs depending on the TRL stage and applicant type.
Even negative results can qualify, provided the R&D was aimed at resolving scientific or technical uncertainty.
FI Group supports over 20,000 clients globally, including early-stage biotechs, scale-ups and multinational life sciences groups. Our value includes:
We offer strategic guidance across the full innovation funding lifecycle — from concept to commercialisation.
FI Group supports over 20,000 clients globally, including early-stage biotechs, scale-ups and multinational life sciences groups. Our value includes:
We offer strategic guidance across the full innovation funding lifecycle — from concept to commercialisation.
The UK’s biotech sector plays a pivotal role in delivering breakthrough healthcare solutions, from next-generation therapeutics to synthetic biology and precision diagnostics. To accelerate innovation in this high-risk, high-reward field, the government offers a range of biotech grants and R&D tax relief opportunities.
FI Group supports biotech firms across the full funding landscape — from securing innovation grants to maximising R&D tax credits. Our PhD-level consultants combine scientific insight with technical tax expertise to help companies navigate the complexities of biotech funding in the UK.
The life sciences sector is defined by continuous research and experimentation. Common areas of qualifying R&D activity include:
If your project seeks to resolve scientific or technological uncertainties and involves systematic investigation, it is likely to qualify under HMRC’s R&D criteria.