In 1986, The Biomedical Research Foundation (BRF) was founded. The BRF is an independent, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization founded through a recommendation from the Mt. Auburn Study, an economic development report that identified new initiatives to diversify the Shreveport-Bossier economy.

Seed funding for the creation of the Foundation was provided by the Caddo Parish Commission and the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.