Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Publications
Interests
Timeline
Generic

MAHESH BACHU, PhD

Princeton,NJ

Summary

Accomplished Translational Immunologist with 10+ years experience connecting innate immune regulation and biomarker science in academic and industry settings. Specializes in cytokine signaling (IFN-gamma, IL-10, TNF), macrophage and T cell biology, and transcriptional regulators (IRF1, IRF8). Instrumental at Genmab in developing and leading translational strategies for CD3- and 4-1BB-based immunotherapies, including Epcoritamab (CD3×CD20) NHL-1 trial. Recognized for integrating cutting-edge technologies like multiparameter flow cytometry, TCR-seq, and transcriptomics to analyze immune dynamics in peripheral and tumor microenvironments. Extensive research at NIH and HSS uncovered crucial epigenetic mechanisms controlling macrophage activation and immune tolerance, leading to novel biomarkers for autoimmune and rare immune-mediated diseases. Skilled in shaping strategic direction, enhancing operational efficiency, and providing scientific insight in drug discovery and development. Published in top journals like Nature Immunology and Nature Communications, translating complex immune mechanisms into promising therapeutic avenues.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Scientist,Translational Science

Genmab
01.2022 - Current
  • - Developed and implemented innovative translational biomarker strategies for CD3- and 4-1BB-based immunotherapies across lymphoma and solid tumor trials, ensuring operational efficiency.
  • - Delivered critical mechanistic insights into the clinical activity of Epkinly (CD3×CD20), PD-L1×4-1BB, and CD40×4-1BB DuoBodies.
  • - Led and optimized PBMC profiling using advanced multiparameter flow cytometry (OMIQ), identifying immune activation and exhaustion states predictive of CD3 response, and overseeing assay development and validation.
  • - Integrated FFPE-based RNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and TCR sequencing to characterize tumor-immune interactions and peripheral clonal dynamics, applying cutting-edge research technologies.
  • - Spearheaded cross-functional collaborations with clinical, biomarker operations, and translational leads, providing scientific direction to support regulatory and clinical development and guiding team members on data application.
  • - Contributed significantly to the overall department's strategic direction for translational science approaches, including identifying and piloting emerging technical approaches.

Research Associate – Immunology & Inflammation

Hospital for Special Surgery / Weill Cornell Medicine
01.2018 - 12.2021
  • - Investigated how pro- and anti-inflammatory signals reprogram human monocyte and macrophage gene expression, focusing on IFN-gamma and IL-10 signaling.
  • - Delineated how IFN-gamma "licenses" monocytes to a heightened inflammatory state by engaging IRF1, which cooperates with NF-κB to amplify TLR-inducible genes (e.g., IL-12) through specific chromatin co-activator recruitment (Nature Communications, 2019).
  • - Spearheaded research on innate immune tolerance, discovering that IL-10 targets and inhibits the expression and DNA-binding of IRF1 and IRF5 to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine and interferon pathways (Nature Immunology, 2025).
  • - Applied integrative epigenomic analyses (RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, histone mark profiling) to mechanistically link cytokine signaling with chromatin accessibility and immune activation states.
  • - Identified gene signatures (e.g., IRF1-dependent inflammatory gene clusters) in human primary monocytes with potential for translational biomarkers in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Postdoctoral Fellow – Innate Immunity & Epigenomics

National Institutes of Health (NIH), NICHD
01.2013 - 01.2018
  • - Researched innate immune signaling and epigenetic gene regulation in macrophages and myeloid cells, focusing on the essential role of Interferon Regulatory Factors (IRFs) like IRF8.
  • - Examined the role of bromodomain protein BRD4 and the replacement histone H3.3 in innate immunity, uncovering how chromatin state and histone exchange influence inflammatory gene programs.
  • - Developed deep expertise in immune transcriptional pathways, coordinating macrophage activation and interferon-driven antiviral responses, setting foundational knowledge for later translational studies.

Ph.D. Researcher – Molecular Virology & Immunology

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)
01.2006 - 01.2012
  • - Studied HIV-1 subtype C promoter regulation and immune evasion via NF-κB.
  • - Integrated virology and host immune transcriptional mechanisms with applications in vaccine development and viral pathogenesis.

Education

Ph.D. - Molecular Virology & Immunology

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre For Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)
Bengaluru, India
01.2012

M.Sc. - Biotechnology

University of Hyderabad
Hyderabad, India
01-2005

Skills

    Core Scientific Expertise

  • Cytokine Signaling: IFN-γ, IL-10, TNF-α, TLR pathways
  • Immune Cell Biology: T cell subsets (effector, exhausted, memory), Monocyte/Macrophage polarization, Dendritic cells, γδ T cells, B cells
  • Innate & Adaptive Immunity: Pathways of inflammation, immune tolerance, and immune activation in cancer and autoimmune contexts
  • Transcriptional Regulation: IRF1, IRF8, NF-κB, STATs in immune gene expression
  • Mechanisms of Action: Understanding immunotherapy effects using immune profiling and tissue biology

    • Translational & Biomarker Science

  • Biomarker Discovery & Strategy: Preclinical through Phase II/III trials
  • Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers: Peripheral immune monitoring, tumor microenvironment profiling
  • Predictive Biomarkers: Patient stratification, baseline immune correlates
  • Mechanistic Insights: Translating immune regulation into hypotheses for drug efficacy/resistance

    • Technologies & Platforms

  • Multiparameter Flow Cytometry: High-dimensional immune profiling, OMIQ, FlowJo
  • TCR/BCR Sequencing: T-cell clonality, repertoire dynamics, response prediction
  • Bulk & Single-Cell RNA-Seq: Immune transcriptomics in blood and tissue
  • Spatial Transcriptomics: GeoMx, Visium platforms, FFPE integration
  • Epigenomics: ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, enhancer mapping
  • ctDNA & WES: Liquid biopsy integration with immune profiling

    • Bioinformatics & Data Integration

  • Multi-Omics Analysis: Integration of flow, RNA-seq, spatial, and TCR data
  • Dashboards & Visualization: Translating complex datasets for clinical and regulatory audiences
  • Data Tools: R (tidyverse), Python (basic), GraphPad, Cytobank, Prism

    • Clinical & Operational Experience

  • Clinical Trial Support: Biomarker strategy, sample collection planning, data QC
  • CRO Oversight: Assay validation, data review, troubleshooting
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with clinical, regulatory, biostatistics, and discovery teams
  • Translational Leadership: Contributions to programs like Epkinly (CD3×CD20), PD-L1×4-1BB, CD40x4-1BB

Publications

  • Mishra B*, Bachu M*, Yuan R et al. Nature Immunology, 2025
  • Bachu M*, Kang K et al. Nature Communications, 2019
  • Panda D, Bachu M et al. Frontiers in Immunology, 2019
  • Ricker E, Bachu M et al. Nature Communications, 2021

Interests

  • Growing herbs, vegetables, or fruits in home gardens
  • Train Travel
  • Tennis
  • Pickle ball

Timeline

Senior Scientist,Translational Science

Genmab
01.2022 - Current

Research Associate – Immunology & Inflammation

Hospital for Special Surgery / Weill Cornell Medicine
01.2018 - 12.2021

Postdoctoral Fellow – Innate Immunity & Epigenomics

National Institutes of Health (NIH), NICHD
01.2013 - 01.2018

Ph.D. Researcher – Molecular Virology & Immunology

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)
01.2006 - 01.2012

Ph.D. - Molecular Virology & Immunology

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre For Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR)

M.Sc. - Biotechnology

University of Hyderabad

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