Financial Operations Insights, Guides, and Tools
Costing for Biomanufacturing: Standard vs. Actual Cost and Variance Tracking
Biomanufacturing is unlike most manufacturing processes. Batch-based, long production cycles, and inherent variability are its hallmarks, and even the tiniest anomalies can have profound effects on the result (and therefore, finances).
Lab and Clinical Trial Spend: How to Set Up Spend Controls Without Slowing R&D
In the biotech world, spending and progress are intimately correlated. Every action taken, from experiments to patient enrolments to prototypes, moves a project forward incrementally, but it also burns up a lot of cash.
Biotech Burn Rate and Runway: How to Build a Cash Forecast That Holds Up
We’ve all heard the expression “time is money,” but nowhere is it more meaningful than in biotech. In this industry, cash is the clock. Every dollar spent either moves a project forward or delays progress towards a milestone. Unlike most sectors, biotech startups often operate for years without revenue, underscoring the importance of understanding and managing cash burn and cash runway.
Transfer Pricing Basics for Life Sciences: Intercompany R&D, IP, and Cost Sharing Overview
Transfer pricing applies to multinational life sciences companies and covers cross-border transfers of goods, services, IP, patents, and trademarks, as well as R&D and manufacturing. As one of the most significant tax risks a life sciences company will face, meticulous documentation is essential, and pricing strategies must align with market conditions to ensure compliance.
QSBS for Life Sciences Founders: Section 1202 Basics and Pitfalls
The decision to structure as a C-corporation (C-corp) is common in the biotech sector, especially for firms seeking venture capital funding. VCs favor C-corporations because the structure protects them and provides various tax benefits, including the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exclusion under Section 1202 of the federal tax code.
Pass-Through vs. C-Corp for Biotech Startups: Tax Pros, Cons, and Investor Expectations
Biotech firms face unique challenges, especially at the startup stage. Heavily reliant on investment, it’s critical to choose the right corporate and tax structure from the outset, as making changes later on can be costly and complicated, and may impact your ability to attract investment and grant funding.
Biotech Startup Tax Return Checklist: Documents You Need and Common Mistakes
The biotech startup ecosystem is unique in many ways, especially given that many operate for several years without generating any revenue, and the bulk of their funding comes from multiple sources, primarily grants, venture capital, and research partnerships.
Section 174 Domestic R&E Expensing in 2025: What’s Changed and How You Can Benefit
Section 174 reform under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) was a major turning point for companies heavily invested in R&E. As of the 2025 tax year, R&E expenses can be claimed immediately rather than being capitalized and amortized over several years.
Life Sciences Financial Statements: What Investors Expect (and What CPAs Fix)
Financial reporting is an essential accounting practice for all businesses. Factual financial reports inform planning and critical business decisions and are required for stakeholder edification, especially in life sciences, which relies heavily on funding from investors and grant organizations.
R&D Tax Credit for Biotech and Life Sciences Companies: Eligibility, Documentation, and Examples
Biotech and life sciences firms invest significant resources in research and development. Fortunately, the government recognizes the value of this effort and offers tax credits to offset these costs, which can be a massive support for pre-revenue or unprofitable startups.
Startup Accounting for Biotech Companies: What to Set Up in the First 90 Days
The first 90 days of any startup are the most critical. The decisions you make at this early stage can streamline engagement with investors and regulators, allowing you to focus on your mission without diverting unnecessary time and resources to accounting.
Life Sciences Tax Planning: A CPA Guide for Biotech, MedTech, and Pharma
The life sciences, biotech, MedTech, and pharmaceutical industries are among the most highly regulated industries. Companies in this niche contend with heavy compliance burdens, rapid-fire regulatory changes, and must always be ready for an audit or enforcement, often without advance notice.