How much do SBA lenders typically lend to a research and development in biotechnology business?

The median SBA approval in NAICS 541711 is $212,500, with the middle 80% of loans between $25,000 and $1,500,000. Across all industries the median is $180,000.

Which lenders are most active in research and development in biotechnology?

By dollars approved: Wells Fargo Bank, Banc of California, CDC Small Business Finance Corp., Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank. A lender's experience in your NAICS code matters - underwriters who have seen a hundred deals like yours ask better questions and move faster.

Is research and development in biotechnology considered a risky industry by SBA lenders?

Of FY2010-FY2019 approvals in this industry that have reached a terminal status, 3.3% were charged off, versus 7.6% across all SBA lending. That is below average, which generally makes lenders more comfortable with the sector.

NAICS 541711 · Professional Services

SBA loans for research and development in biotechnology

158 SBA loans worth $90.0M have been approved in this industry since FY2010 - the #590 most-financed NAICS code in the country.

Median loan

$212,500

+18% vs all industries

Typical range

$25K-$1.5M

Middle 80%

Median rate

6.00%

7(a) initial note rate

Median term

7 yr

Charge-off rate

3.3%

vs 7.6% all industries

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA data, as of 2026-06-30. Approvals from FY2010 onward. How we calculate this.

Lenders

Most active in this industry

Lender	Loans	Approved
Wells Fargo Bank	20	$9.4M
Banc of California	6	$8.4M
CDC Small Business Finance Corp.	5	$7.2M
Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc.	2	$5.7M
JPMorgan Chase Bank	12	$5.4M
Enterprise Bank	2	$4.6M
Truist Bank	4	$3.4M
U.S. Bank	6	$3.2M
Business Development Corporation (BDC)	1	$3.0M
Peapack Private Bank and Trust	2	$2.8M

Geography

Where these loans were made

State	Loans	Share
California	26
Massachusetts	18
Florida	15
New York	9
Ohio	9
Pennsylvania	9
New Jersey	8
Texas	7

Approvals by fiscal year

’10

’11

’12

’13

’14

’15

’16

’17

’18

’21

’23

’24

Loan count. Final bar is a partial fiscal year.

Loan sizes

Under $50K
16%
$50K - $150K
20%
$150K - $350K
24%
$350K - $1M
25%
$1M - $2M
5%
Over $2M
9%

Nearby

Other professional services industries

See the sector

Offices of Lawyers11,836 · $144,350 All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services8,195 · $200,000 Veterinary Services7,303 · $514,600 Offices of Certified Public Accountants6,420 · $177,000 Engineering Services5,789 · $200,000 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services5,634 · $93,000 Custom Computer Programming Services5,171 · $150,000 Other Computer Related Services4,654 · $160,000

Common questions

How much do SBA lenders typically lend to a research and development in biotechnology business?: The median SBA approval in NAICS 541711 is $212,500, with the middle 80% of loans between $25,000 and $1,500,000. Across all industries the median is $180,000.
Which lenders are most active in research and development in biotechnology?: By dollars approved: Wells Fargo Bank, Banc of California, CDC Small Business Finance Corp., Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank. A lender's experience in your NAICS code matters - underwriters who have seen a hundred deals like yours ask better questions and move faster.
Is research and development in biotechnology considered a risky industry by SBA lenders?: Of FY2010-FY2019 approvals in this industry that have reached a terminal status, 3.3% were charged off, versus 7.6% across all SBA lending. That is below average, which generally makes lenders more comfortable with the sector.

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