Professor Asif Iqbal is an experimental immunologist with over 15 years of research experience investigating the molecular mechanisms that govern immune cell trafficking, vascular inflammation, and immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). His work has defined how immune-stromal interactions, inflammatory mediators, and leukocyte trafficking shape the initiation, persistence, and resolution of inflammation, providing a mechanistic foundation for biomarker discovery and therapeutic development.
He leads a translational research programme spanning discovery science to early phase therapeutic innovation. His group was the first to establish Galectin 9 as a regulator of monocyte, macrophage, and platelet function in cardiovascular disease and IMIDs, positioning it as both a biomarker and therapeutic target. He also leads the development of next generation IL 17 therapeutics, including a patented IL 17 neutralising antibody and novel small molecule inhibitors, a first in class approach for IMIDs.
His research integrates patient cohorts, experimental medicine platforms, and advanced multi omics to accelerate translation for patient benefit.