The Umbrella Corporation is a British-based international
pharmaceutical company in the Resident Evil universe.
Founded in 1968 by prominent British royal descendants Oswell E.
Spencer and Edward Ashford, along with Dr. James Marcus,
it is portrayed in the series as a major international player in pharmaceutical goods
and medical supplies, along with more clandestine
perations utilizing genetic engineering.
Their legitimate status is only a front for their secret research of
"bio-organic weapons" (B.O.W.s), developed through
the use of a unique mutagenic virus discovered
by the company founders known as the Progenitor Virus.
The company is also presented as having a more public face,
producing cosmetics, consumer products, and foods. Umbrella established
multiple secret research facilities to help develop various bio-weapons.
Its most prominent research facility is located in the Arklay Mountains,
just outside Raccoon City, which was able to develop the "T-virus",
a powerful mutagen that could dramatically alter living and recently dead organisms.
The virus leaked and contaminated most of the Arklay Facility and its surrounding area,
setting the stage for the first Resident Evil game.
Following the destruction of Raccoon City,
all of Umbrella's assets were frozen by the U.S. Government
with its trading rights revoked, effectively terminating its operations.
However, it did not stop the rise of several bioterrorist organizations around the world,
some of them making use of its research, leading to the foundation of BSAA.
In Resident Evil 7: Biohazard reveals that Umbrella's American branch was revitalized
as the nick-named “Blue Umbrella”,
serving as a support company for legal anti-B.O.W. organizations.
Resident Evil Village reveals Umbrella's origins
are indirectly connected to Mother Miranda.