NAICS Code Description


54171 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Top Businesses by Annual Sales for 54171 – Click for Complete Profiles:

Iqvia Holdings IncIncyte Corporation
Battelle Memorial InstituteInventiv Health Inc
Syneos Health IncEMD Millipore Corporation
Charles River Labs Intl IncResearch Fndtion For The State
PRA Health Sciences IncVir Biotechnology Inc

This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in conducting research and experimental development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, such as agriculture, electronics, environmental, biology, botany, biotechnology, computers, chemistry, food, fisheries, forests, geology, health, mathematics, medicine, nanotechnology, oceanography, pharmacy, physics, veterinary, and other allied subjects.

Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--

  • Providing veterinary testing services--are classified in Industry 54194, Veterinary Services;
  • Providing medical laboratory testing for humans--are classified in Industry 62151, Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories;
  • Raising funds for health related research--are classified in Industry 81321, Grantmaking and Giving Services;
  • Providing physical, chemical, or other analytical testing services (except medical or veterinary), such as acoustics or vibration testing, calibration testing, electrical and electronic testing, geotechnical testing, mechanical testing, nondestructive testing, or thermal testing--are classified in Industry 54138, Testing Laboratories and Services;
  • Creating and developing industrial designs and specifications that optimize the use, value, and appearance of automobiles, furniture, and other products--are classified in Industry 54142, Industrial Design Services;
  • Manufacturing products (e.g., apparel, electronic equipment, automotive equipment) using nanomaterials--are classified in Sector 31-33, Manufacturing, according to the process of the specific product made;
  • Manufacturing vaccines, toxoids, blood fractions, and culture media of plant or animal origin (except diagnostic use) and/or uncompounded medicinal chemicals and their derivatives (i.e., enzyme proteins and antibiotics for pharmaceutical use)--are classified in Industry 32541, Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing; and
  • Laboratory animal production (e.g., guinea pigs, mice, rats)--are classified in Industry 11299, All Other Animal Production.

NAICS Codes that fall under 54171 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences