Founded in 1968 by Lord Ozwell E. Spencer, Sir Edward Ashford and Dr. James Marcus, the Umbrella Corporation is a fictional bioengineering pharmaceutical company in the Resident Evil universe. It is a major international  player in a number of markets including pharmaceuticals, medical hardware, defense, and computers along with more clandestine operations utilizing genetic engineering and accused bio-weaponry. The company also has a more public face, producing cosmetics, consumer products and foods.