Medical Research and Diagnostics

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

Medical research and diagnostic innovation are at the heart of improving patient outcomes, early detection of disease, and the future of healthcare in the UK. From developing new diagnostic tools and laboratory techniques to advancing medical testing technologies, the life sciences and healthcare sectors are pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge and technology every day.

However, moving from medical research to clinically viable solutions is rarely straightforward. Whether you’re working on molecular diagnostics, medical imaging, AI-assisted screening tools, or laboratory process improvements, your business may be overcoming scientific or technological uncertainties — making you eligible for R&D tax relief.

At BC&A, we understand the specific challenges faced by medical research companies and diagnostic technology developers. That’s why we provide specialist support through Kumar Associates, our dedicated medical and healthcare accountancy arm. We help UK businesses in the life sciences sector navigate R&D tax relief claims with confidence.

Here are some examples of qualifying activities in medical research and diagnostics:

Developing New Diagnostic Tests or Screening Methods

Researching and developing laboratory-based or point-of-care tests for early detection of diseases, including genetic testing, biomarker identification, or molecular diagnostics.

Improving Sensitivity, Specificity, or Speed of Diagnostics

Engineering methods to enhance the accuracy, speed, or reliability of existing diagnostic tests, particularly when balancing false positives and negatives is a technical challenge.

Advancing Medical Imaging or Data Interpretation Tools

Developing AI-powered tools, imaging software, or data analytics platforms that support clinicians in detecting, classifying, or monitoring diseases.

Engineering Portable or Remote Diagnostic Devices

Designing devices that allow diagnostic testing to be carried out at the point of care, in remote locations, or outside of traditional healthcare settings, particularly when overcoming size, power, or connectivity limitations.

Enhancing Sample Collection, Preparation, or Handling Processes

Improving laboratory workflows, reagents, or sample preservation techniques to ensure accurate and repeatable test results.

Meeting Clinical Validation and Regulatory Requirements

Developing testing methods or products that comply with UK medical device regulations, such as UKCA marking, particularly when this requires extensive clinical validation or technical iteration.

Integrating Diagnostics with Healthcare Systems or Data Platforms

Overcoming technical challenges in connecting diagnostic tools with electronic health records (EHRs), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), or secure data storage platforms.

Developing Novel Treatment Monitoring or Predictive Tools

Creating diagnostic technologies that monitor treatment effectiveness or predict disease progression, improving personalised care and clinical decision-making.

If your business is involved in advancing medical research or developing new diagnostic technologies, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief. BC&A and Kumar Associates are here to help you unlock the full value of your innovation, supporting the development of life-changing medical technologies for patients in the UK and beyond.

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.