(a) A taxpayer may, to the extent authorized pursuant to the life sciences tax incentive program established by section 5 of chapter 23I, be allowed a credit against its excise due under this chapter equal to the sum of 10 per cent of the excess, if any, of the qualified research expenses for the taxable year, over the base amount, and 15 per cent of the basic research payments determined pursuant to section 41(e)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code. The terms qualified research expenses, base amount, qualified organization base period amount, basic research and any other terms affecting the calculation of the credit shall, unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated in this section, have the same meanings as under said section 41 of said Code. In determining the amount of the credit allowable under this section, the commissioner of revenue may aggregate the activities of all corporations that are members of a controlled group of corporations, as defined by 41(f)(1)(A) of said Code, and may aggregate the activities of all entities, whether or not incorporated, that are under common control, as defined in section 41(f)(1)(B) of said Code.