Exagen Appoints Michael Mahler, PhD, as Chief Scientific Officer to Boost Autoimmune Diagnostics Leadership
Company - People | Jun 23, 2025 | Tullis-Dickerson & Co Inc

Exagen Inc., a pioneer in autoimmune disease diagnostics, has appointed Dr. Michael Mahler as Chief Scientific Officer. With a robust background in immunology, Dr. Mahler is expected to drive the strategic initiatives at Exagen, aiming to enhance diagnostics for autoimmune diseases. Having held prominent roles in various diagnostic firms, Dr. Mahler's past work has significantly contributed to the discovery of new autoantigens and advanced diagnostic solutions, amassing over 300 peer-reviewed publications and numerous patents. Exagen's President and CEO, John Aballi, expressed enthusiasm over Dr. Mahler's appointment, anticipating his role to be pivotal in advancing the company's diagnostic capabilities. Dr. Mahler himself is eager to integrate his 20 years of experience with Exagen's patient-focused approach, working on innovative projects to revolutionize autoimmune disease management. Exagen's flagship product, AVISE CTD, offers more precise diagnosis for complex autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, while the company’s focus remains on research, education, and patient-centered care. Yet, Exagen cautions of inherent risks, including issues related to reimbursement decisions, regulatory delays, and market acceptance, stressing the uncertainty of achieving forward-looking statements.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Healthcare Diagnostics
- Pharmaceutical Research
Geography
- United States – Relevant as Exagen Inc. is based in San Diego County, California, and operates primarily within the U.S.
- Germany – Related to Dr. Michael Mahler's academic background from the University of Heidelberg.
Industry
- Biotechnology – The sector is relevant due to Exagen's focus on developing innovative diagnostic solutions for autoimmune diseases.
- Healthcare Diagnostics – Pertinent to Exagen’s operations in providing autoimmune diagnostic solutions and the enhancement of precision diagnostics.
- Pharmaceutical Research – Related to Dr. Mahler’s work in autoimmune research and the company's advancements in autoimmune disease diagnostics.
Financials
- – No specific financial details such as deal price or target revenue were mentioned in the article.
Participants
Name | Role | Type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Exagen Inc. | Target Company | Company | A leading provider of innovative autoimmune testing, focused on enhancing diagnostics for autoimmune diseases. |
Michael Mahler, PhD | Chief Scientific Officer | People | Appointed as Chief Scientific Officer at Exagen, with a background in immunology and autoimmune research. |
John Aballi | President and CEO | People | President and CEO of Exagen, expressing enthusiasm about Dr. Mahler's appointment. |
Tullis-Dickerson & Co Inc. | PE Firm | Company | Private equity firm mentioned in relation to Exagen. |
Werfen | Former Employer | Company | Dr. Mahler's previous employer where he served as Senior VP of Research Development and Business Development. |