The Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI) was established in January 2002 to function as Center of Excellence in the field of biotechnology at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). The establishment of BRI is in tandem with the nation's efforts to promote research and development in biological or life sciences for the improvement of the quality of human life in relations to medicine, food, agricultural science and environmental protection. The temporary building of BRI was at the School of Science and Technology (Now Faculty of Science and Natural Resources). It was later, in 2011 that the institute was moved to permanent location at the Biotechnology Research Institute Research Complex.