The Umbrella Corporation is an American-based international pharmaceuticalcompany 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 operations 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.
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