Ji Ma
About Ji Ma
Ji Ma serves as the Vice President of Preclinical Development at Brii Biosciences, where he specializes in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) for small molecules and biologics. With over 20 years of experience in analytical chemistry, he has contributed to the development of therapies for postpartum depression and HIV.
Work at Brii Biosciences
Currently, Ji Ma serves as the Vice President of Preclinical Development at Brii Biosciences, a position held since 2019. In this role, Ji Ma specializes in the discovery and early development of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK) support for both small molecule and biologics programs. Ji Ma provides bioanalytical support for various in vivo studies related to discovery and early development projects. This includes conducting in vitro and in vivo biotransformation evaluations of peptide and protein therapeutics using advanced biochemical and mass spectrometry tools. Ji Ma has also contributed to the development of therapies aimed at improving treatment options for conditions such as postpartum depression and HIV.
Education and Expertise
Ji Ma holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Medicinal Chemistry from China Pharmaceutical University, where studies were completed from 1993 to 1998. Prior to that, Ji Ma earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Chemistry from Wuhan University, studying from 1989 to 1993. With over 20 years of experience in analytical chemistry, Ji Ma possesses strong analytical instrumentation skills in various LC-MS and lab automation platforms. Ji Ma is proficient in designing and analyzing pharmacokinetics (PK), toxicokinetics (TK), and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) data using Winnonlin/Phoenix.
Background
Before joining Brii Biosciences, Ji Ma worked at Amgen as a Principal Scientist for 15 years, from 2004 to 2019. In this capacity, Ji Ma focused on drug discovery and development, particularly in preparing DMPK documents for regulatory filing. Ji Ma also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Virginia from 1998 to 2001. This extensive background in both academic and industry settings has equipped Ji Ma with a comprehensive understanding of drug development processes.
Achievements
Ji Ma has been involved in significant research initiatives, including the development of BRII-296, a therapy for postpartum depression. Additionally, Ji Ma has contributed to the development of BRII-732 and BRII-778, which are aimed at treating HIV. Ji Ma's research focuses on advancing treatment options, including a first-of-its-kind investigational oral long-acting combination treatment for HIV. This work underscores Ji Ma's commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for patients with complex medical needs.