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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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

An SBA 7(a) lender for loans this size

61% of the SBA loans approved in research and development in biotechnology since FY2010 were under $350,000. SmartBiz makes SBA 7(a) loans up to $500,000. It is shown here as a separate, labelled option, outside the data rankings on this page. You apply on their site - we do not take applications and never see your information.

Check options with SmartBiz

We may be paid if you apply through this link. It does not change what we publish, and no lender can buy a place in our rankings. Details.

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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