Life Sciences and Genomics

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

The UK is a recognised global leader in life sciences and genomics, with research and development driving advances in healthcare, personalised medicine, and disease prevention. From genome sequencing and bioinformatics to the development of genetic therapies and precision diagnostics, UK organisations are pushing the boundaries of biological science and technology.

However, bringing these innovations to life requires solving scientific and technological uncertainties — whether it’s improving sequencing accuracy, interpreting vast data sets, or developing new therapeutic methods. These challenges are exactly what R&D tax relief is designed to support.

If your business is working in the life sciences or genomics sector and investing in innovation that goes beyond established knowledge or techniques, you could be eligible to claim R&D tax relief.

Here are some examples of qualifying activities in life sciences and genomics:

Advancing Genome Sequencing Technologies

Developing or improving sequencing methods, platforms, or analysis techniques to increase speed, reduce costs, or improve accuracy in identifying genetic variations or mutations.

Improving Bioinformatics and Data Interpretation Tools

Creating algorithms, software, or analytical platforms that process large-scale genomic data, helping researchers and clinicians make sense of complex biological information.

Developing Personalised Medicine Solutions

Researching and testing new ways to tailor treatments based on genetic profiles, including companion diagnostics or predictive risk assessment tools for specific conditions.

Engineering Gene Editing and Genetic Engineering Methods

Improving technologies such as CRISPR, gene silencing, or gene therapy techniques to target specific diseases or correct genetic defects, particularly when overcoming delivery or safety challenges.

Solving Biological Sample Handling and Processing Challenges

Developing new methods to preserve, process, or analyse biological samples — such as blood, tissue, or saliva — while maintaining the integrity and reliability of the data.

Advancing Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing

Engineering biological systems or pathways to produce novel therapeutics, enzymes, or biomaterials, particularly when scaling from lab to production presents technical barriers.

Meeting Clinical and Regulatory Validation Requirements

Developing life science products or methods that comply with UK regulatory frameworks, such as MHRA approval or UKCA marking, particularly when this requires scientific testing and validation.

Integrating Genomic Data with Healthcare Systems

Developing secure, scalable systems to integrate genomic information into clinical workflows, supporting data-driven healthcare and personalised treatment pathways.

If your organisation is involved in overcoming technical or scientific challenges in life sciences or genomics, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief. This incentive helps UK innovators recover a portion of their development costs, supporting further progress in transforming healthcare, biotechnology, and personalised medicine.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.