Chinmayee Shah

Developed and implemented a human ex-vivo tissue culture platform to evaluate Bicycle TICA efficacy on patient-derived tumor samples, driving its advancement for potential clinical application (Company goal). Led project execution, managed CROs and collaborations to deliver high-impact data for key decision-making.

• Designed detailed project plans & studies, including key readouts to assess therapeutic response
• Established and optimized ex vivo histoculture method, 12plex immunophenotyping assay and cytokine response assay
• Drove the development and optimization of an immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay for comprehensive tumor tissue phenotyping
• Utilized the ex-vivo platform to evaluate the efficacy and response of Bicycle TICA on NSLSC tumor tissue.
• Effectively managed CROs for IHC and Nanostring readouts and collaboration with Brigham for clinical samples
• Performed in-depth analysis of all readouts, consolidating data for clear and concise presentations at company, board, and external meetings
• Collaborated with the translational group to gather insights on …
• Trained and mentored junior scientists supporting the ex vivo project

Developed cell-based and analytical assays to support preclinical pipeline and IND-enabling studies

• Developed and performed cell based & analytical assays to support IND enabling studies
• Developed DC based MLR assay and NK signaling assay to understand target MOA and efficacy of Bicycle TICA
• Contributed to writing IND reports and manuscripts
• Managed a Co-op supporting ex-vivo and preclinical projects
• Active contributor to literature deep dives to support target discovery efforts

Led biology efforts for a successful novel target nomination. Spearheaded functional assay development as a Biology lead to understand target MOA and screen antibody candidates. Collaborated cross-functionally to guide program strategy.

• Led early in-vitro proof of concept studies of a novel target on NK, myeloid and T cells to achieve program nomination
• Developed and executed strategy to understand mechanism of action of the target on immune cells and evaluate antibody candidates
• Developed NK cytotoxicity, ADCC and T cell signaling assay to screen functional antibodies
• Led the biology team of junior scientists, overseeing functional assay development & data analysis to guide next steps
• Collaborated with cross functional teams to analyze and curate program data, informing strategic direction of biology team's experiments
• Prepared and presented experimental results and research plans to senior leadership team
• Mentored and trained co-ops and junior scientists

Supported the translational biology team for six months on a clinical trial and COVID-19 studies

• Developed and executed T cell proliferation assay on clinical trial patient samples to assess T-cell function post antibody stimulation (EMERGE Trial)
• Performed PBMC phenotyping on CoViD-19 subjects and evaluated effect of ICOS stimulation on Covid-19 T cell function using antigen recall assay

Cross-functionally supported antibody discovery and biology teams on multiple projects. Led antibody generation and screening efforts to identify target specific clones. Developed key in vitro functional assays to characterize antibody candidates for lead candidate nomination.

• Co-developed and established hybridoma generation platform to support in-house antibody discovery efforts
• Generated reagents and developed ELISA and Octet based screening & blocking assays tailored to specific target
• Led hybridoma antibody generation and HT screening campaign utilizing orthogonal assays.
• Developed and optimized key functional assays like CD8 T-cell proliferation and myeloid cell differentiation assay to characterize antibodies for lead selection
• Researched literature for novel assays & to support assay development
• Trained team members on Tecan for HT screening and implemented protocols to support HT assays for analytical and protein purification teams
• Presented antibody discovery and in-vitro assay development data regularly in team and company-wide meetings
• Managed two co-ops and coordinated company's science meetings

Contributed to early stage discovery across multiple projects from target validation, therapeutic antibody screening to antibody characterization for lead candidate selection. Implemented new & innovative automation workflow for hands-off antibody screening.

• Characterized and validated target proteins to support target selection rationale
• Performed high throughput screening of antibodies generated from hybridomas and primary B-cell cultures as well as arrayed libraries from display technologies to identify lead clones
• Designed and executed bioanalytical characterization assays on lead clones, humanized and affinity matured antibodies to support therapeutic lead selection
• Developed and implemented HT ELISA and FACS screening protocols on Tecan EVO150 (30+ plates)
• Designed and integrated a fully automated multi-instrument workflow on Tecan to screen antibodies (First integrated EVO150 system in USA)
• Analyzed and interpreted data independently, presented results to cross-functional teams, generated SOPs, on-boarded and trained co-op students

Supported in-house B-cell cloning platform for antibody generation, high-throughput cell based screening & characterization assays for therapeutic lead selection across multiple projects.

• Maintained 10+ human cancer and overexpressing cell lines for transfection and screening assays
• Performed high throughput FACS screening for on/off target binding of antibody drug candidates using Tecan
• Optimized method for quantitative receptor analysis on cell lines, enabling efficient target selection for ADCC assays
• Conducted ADCC cytotoxicity assay to evaluate antibody drug conjugate (ADC) candidates against various targets
• Supported HT transient transfection for antibody expression using Tecan and quantified titers
• Supported the antibody generation workflow through animal immunization, tissue processing, B-cell isolation and sorting