The Institute was founded by Dr. Bernardo Houssay in 1968 with the aim of developing basic and applied research in Pharmacology, as well as the training of qualified human resources for this disciplinary field.

In 2005, by Resolution (CS) No. 4864/05 of the Superior Council of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) the Framework Agreement subscribed with The National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) was regulated. This document expresses the decision to deepen the actions of reciprocal complementation between both institutions for the promotion and execution of tasks related to scientific and technological research and the training of human resources tending to favor the development of knowledge in the framework of active co-participation between the aforementioned institutions.