Discover Pharma’s Untapped R&D Funding

Ayming assists the pharmaceutical industry in securing valuable governmental incentives to expedite growth.

In the world of pharmaceuticals and clinical research, standing still is not an option. With scientific discovery accelerating at a breathtaking pace and regulatory demands evolving with equal dynamism, staying competitive requires bold and strategic innovation.

At Ayming, we partner with leading pharmaceutical companies to propel their R&D efforts through tailored funding strategies and deep sector expertise. With decades of experience in government incentives and innovation consulting, we turn momentum into measurable growth.

Here’s the challenge: Many pharmaceutical companies are innovating well beyond the lab but often overlook these efforts as eligible R&D. As a result, they miss out on valuable SR&ED funding and other incentives that could significantly enhance their impact.

How overlooked pharma projects qualify for SR&ED funding

a) R&D beyond the lab: uncovering hidden innovation in Pharma

It is generally anticipated that SR&ED primarily pertains to drug development or laboratory-based experimentation. Nonetheless, a significant portion of the most strategically important pharmaceutical research and development occurs outside the traditional laboratory setting.

One pharmaceutical company dedicated several months to engineering a custom cleanroom for aseptic production activities, encompassing environmental control, process validation, and technical troubleshooting. Conversely, another organization developed a secure digital platform designed to manage regulatory data and streamline validation workflows, thereby addressing compliance challenges through iterative testing and systems integration.

b) Sustainability as a driver of innovation in Pharma

From environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices to enhanced waste management safety, organizations are exploring innovative methods to mitigate environmental impact while simultaneously enhancing operational efficiency.

In one collaboration, a team developed a safer and more sustainable approach for managing hazardous byproducts generated during manufacturing. Although the initiative was not initially framed as an R&D project, it needed iterative experimentation, innovative process development, and technical problem-solving. These factors rendered it a strong candidate for SR&ED funding.

Each of these initiatives was deemed qualified; however, without the right perspective, they could have easily been overlooked.

Why pharma R&D is more than just lab work

In today’s pharmaceutical industry, innovation spans the whole business, including facilities, supply chains, digital infrastructure, and sustainability. When your team creates new systems or processes to overcome technical challenges, you’re doing more than just operations. You’re advancing knowledge, and that’s what the SR&ED program is designed to support.

Too often, valuable work slips through the cracks because it doesn’t look like traditional R&D. But CRA’s SR&ED program, however, looks beyond lab coats and test tubes. Its primary focus is on resolving scientific or technological uncertainties through systematic and iterative experimentation, regardless of the location within the pharmaceutical environment where such work occurs. This turns complex challenges into innovation milestones and financial return through tax credits.

The most progressive pharmaceutical companies recognize this insight and take proactive measures. They incorporate funding strategies into their innovation processes, guaranteeing that no opportunity is neglected.

At Ayming, we offer the technical insight and sector expertise to help you identify, justify, and claim your R&D activities, whether they involve drug development, compliance systems, or advanced manufacturing. We aim to help you maximize the financial benefits of the innovations you are already pursuing.

Ayming Expert, Jasdeep Kaur Babra
Senior Analyst, SR&ED Tax Credit