SR&ED Tax Credits for
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Synthesizing novel APIs and scaling benchtop formulations to commercial production are inherently uncertain. We translate your lab notebooks and trial data into defensible, audit-proof claims, keeping your scientists focused on the next breakthrough, not tax codes.
Your R&D in [
Pharmaceuticals
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
Your R&D in
[
Pharmaceuticals
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
What may qualify in pharmaceuticals & biotech
(examples)
01
Synthesis of novel APIs or modifying existing compounds
Lab notebooks, mass spectrometry data, chromatography results.
02
Developing new drug delivery mechanisms (e.g., liposomes)
Bioavailability studies, dissolution testing logs, stability protocols.
03
Scale-up from benchtop to commercial manufacturing
Batch records, process validation protocols, yield and purity analyses.
04
Improving shelf-life and stability of formulations
Accelerated stability testing data, degradation profiles, impurity tracking.
05
Creating new analytical testing methods for quality control
Assay validation reports, calibration logs, statistical variance data.
Do you qualify?
A quick self-check
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You’re more likely to qualify if your work has all three:
01
Scientific or Technological Uncertainty
You couldn't predict if a specific chemical synthesis, formulation stability, or scale-up process would succeed based on standard pharmacological knowledge.
02
Systematic Investigation
You formulated hypotheses, ran structured lab experiments, conducted assays, and thoroughly documented the chemical or biological outcomes.
03
Scientific
Advancement
You generated new scientific knowledge regarding a compound's behavior, improved a manufacturing process, or developed a novel analytical method.
We help you capture:
You don’t need perfect paperwork. You need a consistent evidence trail.
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
Our technical specialists speak your language.
Whether you are architecting a cloud database, scaling a bioreactor, or overcoming mechanical failure, we understand your underlying constraints without needing a beginner's explanation.
[ uncertainty ]
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
Routine quality control testing usually doesn't qualify—unless you can show scientific uncertainty and documented experimentation.
[ Not sure if your work fits? ]
Request consultation
Request consultation
Common pitfalls we help you avoid
Small fixes early can prevent big issues later.
Routine QC vs. R&D
Standard batch testing and quality control are not eligible. We help isolate the specific lab hours and materials dedicated purely to solving novel formulation or synthesis challenges.
The "Clinical Trial" Trap
Not all clinical trial phases qualify for SR&ED. We help identify the specific experimental phases conducted in Canada that strictly meet the CRA's scientific criteria.
Scale-up Blind Spots
Moving from a 1-liter flask to a 10,000-liter bioreactor requires massive engineering. Many companies write this off as "manufacturing," missing huge claim potential. We capture this R&D work.
Discarded Batches
Failed experimental batches and consumed active ingredients (APIs) are highly claimable. We ensure your scrapped materials and costly reagents are properly tracked and maximized.
Want to sanity-check your setup?
Request consultation
Request consultation
Your R&D in
[
Pharmaceuticals
]
Our expertise. Zero anxiety.
How Checkpoint helps pharmaceuticals & biotech teams with SR&ED
We turn real pharmaceuticals & biotech innovation into a clear SR&ED claim with evidence CRA can understand—without unnecessary complexity.
[ step 01 ]
Entry consultation
A brief, technical conversation to understand your operations to determine your SR&ED potential. No preparation needed.
[ step 02 ]
Eligibility review
We analyze your technical landscape to separate routine engineering from eligible work, identifying your hidden ROI.
[ step 03 ]
Technical discovery
We identify potential SR&ED projects from your work, and translate them into CRA-compliant language. Your team stays focused on innovation, not paperwork.
[ step 04 ]
Claim Preparation & Submission
We identify eligible project costs, draft the SR&ED forms, and develop a technical narrative for the CRA. We then coordinate with your tax advisor to manage the final submission.
[ step 05 ]
Proactive Compliance
Say goodbye to the year-end scramble. We establish a recurring rhythm of monthly or quarterly check-ins to capture eligible activities and costs as they happen.
[ step 06 ]
CRA Audit and Review Defense
We don’t just submit and disappear. We provide expert technical defense and manage all CRA communications to protect your claim.
[ step 07 ]
Funding Secured
Once your claim is approved, we provide a detailed reconciliation of the funding secured. We operate on a success-fee basis—we win only when you win.
What evidence
matters most
This is some text inside of a div block.
(and how we keep it simple)
01
Technical
Uncertainty
The solution isn’t obvious in your context—there’s a real technical problem to solve.
02
Systematic Investigation
You test options through trials and iterations, form hypotheses, and measurement conclusions.
03
Technological Advancement
You can show measurable improvement beyond routine operations.
We help you capture:
You don’t need perfect paperwork. You need a consistent evidence trail.
What problem you were solving
[ uncertainty ]
What you changed vs. what stayed constant
[ variables ]
What you measured
[ results, comparisons ]
What changed based on results
[ decisions ]
Who worked on it and when
[ timeline ]
Link between trial work and eligible costs
[ high-level ]
Why teams choose Checkpoint
Proven experience, defensible process, and clear accountability.
20
+
[ Years of experience ]
8500
+
[ Projects ]
$500M
+
[ Recovered ]
96.5
%
[ Success rate ]
[ Testimonials ]
[ Pharmaceuticals & Biotech ]
“For a research-intensive organization like ours, protecting our researchers' time is paramount.
Checkpoint Research stood out because they could dive into our technical documentation and actually understand the science behind our work. Their ability to digest complex protocols meant we didn't have to spend hours explaining the nuances of our studies - they just got it."
Frequently Asked Questions
Structuring claims in [Pharmaceuticals]
We speak your technical language
We speak your technical language
What is the CRA’s "Why and How" framework?
The "Why and How" framework is the CRA’s current assessment standard, replacing the legacy "Five Questions." It strictly evaluates the technical impetus for your project (the 'Why') and the systematic rigor of your execution (the 'How').
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What constitutes "contemporaneous documentation"?
Contemporaneous documentation refers to raw evidence generated during the execution of the work. Retroactive documentation drafted months after project completion is heavily scrutinized and frequently rejected by the CRA.
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Which specific artifacts should our engineering team preserve?
Preserve time-stamped artifacts tied directly to technical roadblocks. Commit logs, Jira/Linear tickets, Slack threads detailing failed tests, architecture whiteboard photos, and granular timesheets are the gold standard of evidence.
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What are the escalation protocols if a claim is denied?
The CRA provides a strict, three-tier escalation framework: an initial dispute resolution dialogue with the reviewer, an escalation to the Review Manager, and ultimately a formal Notice of Objection — filed within 90 days of assessment and, if required, carried to the Tax Court of Canada.
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When is litigation in the Tax Court of Canada (TCC) necessary?
The TCC is the final arbiter, utilized only when internal CRA administrative appeals are exhausted. It provides an independent judicial review of your technical and financial eligibility, completely separate from the CRA's internal ecosystem.
read more
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Let’s Assess Your R&D Potential
Start with a pressure-free consultation.
We’ll clarify what likely qualifies, flag key risk areas, and recommend the safest next step based on your activities and timeline.
See what typically qualifies
See what typically qualifies
Direct line:
+1 (365) 525-2505
+1 (365) 525-2505
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