The society was founded in 1911 by Benjamin Moore, W.D. Halliburton and others, under the name of the Biochemical Club. It acquired the existing Biochemical Journal in 1912.
The society name changed to the Biochemical Society in 1913.
In 2005, the headquarters of the society moved from Portland Place to purpose-built offices in Holborn.
In 2009, the headquarters moved again to Charles Darwin House, near Gray's Inn Road.
Past presidents include Professor Ron Laskey, Sir Philip Cohen, and Sir Tom Blundell.