Julian Ma

Julian Ma holds the Hotung Chair of Molecular Immunology and serves as Director of the Institute for Infection and Immunity at St George's University of London. His pioneering research develops recombinant pharmaceuticals using plant biotechnology ('molecular pharming') to improve global medicine access. Current projects focus on monoclonal antibodies against HIV, rabies, and chikungunya, plus novel vaccine candidates for tuberculosis and dengue.

Research pillars:

• Antibody engineering and expression in transgenic plants
• Affordable biologic development for global health
• Plant-derived monoclonal antibodies for infectious diseases
• Molecular engineering of complex vaccine candidates

He leads major international consortia including Pharma-Factory (€8.3M EU Horizon 2020) and previously coordinated Pharma-Planta (€12M EU FP6). As founding president of the International Society for Plant Molecular Farming, he advances regulatory frameworks for plant-derived pharmaceuticals.