It was established on 7 November 1899 with the aim of protecting against scourging infections and was named after Lt. Col. W. G. King, the then Sanitary Commissioner of the Madras Presidency.

The main red building that houses the Director's office has been identified as a heritage structure and has been brought under Indian Archaeological Society.

The institute functions under Director of Medical Education and Department of Health and Family Welfare (Tamil Nadu).

Various wings at the institute include International Vaccination Centre, Board of Paramedical Education, and school of laboratory technology.

Activities at the institute include quality control of schedule C and C1 drugs, manufacturing of anti–snake venom serum, diagnostic reagents (antigens and antisera), maintenance and supply of bacterial cultures, small animals, bacterial and virological diagnosis, and food sample testing.