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Meet IamFluidics' new CEO Leonard van Bokhorst

In March 2024, Leonard van Bokhorst took on the CEO role at IamFluidics, and Michiel van Alst, our previous CEO, became a member of the company's Supervisory Board. Leonard is an experienced executive who joined the company in September 2023 as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer and has worked for over 15 years in life sciences and R&D-related industries. He also worked at The Boston Consulting Group, managing strategic advisory projects in life sciences, focusing on growth strategies and M&A. With a solid background in leadership, transformational management, M&A, and investor relations, Leonard's experience spans across Europe and the Americas.

Now, four months into the role, we interviewed Leonard about the strategy and direction of IamFluidics.

What are the main challenges that the industry is facing right now and how can IamFluidics help?

A key challenge I see is that many of the life-saving cell therapies in the development pipeline struggle to come to market at scale. Many challenges are new to the industry, both in manufacturing as well as in transporting and implanting this relatively new category of therapies. As a result, some therapies do not make it to market as they cannot be manufactured at scale and others are available only to a fraction of the patients that need them. From having to set up decentralized production to handling live treatments, it is not the traditional practice for pharma companies.

At IamFluidics, we see great opportunities to solve these challenges with our technology in co-development with the pharma companies. We have published part of what we see as the start of a potential solution in a Nature Communications paper in 2023

What excites you most about the company's future?

I see the IamFluidics platform as a game-changer for the life sciences industry. I am excited about the potential to revolutionize microencapsulation through the application of IN-AIR MICROFLUIDICS™ technology, and I am eager to drive the company’s growth by exploring unique applications in life sciences and adjacent markets. 

What changes in the company's strategy and vision?

Under my leadership, IamFluidics is entering a new phase of its strategic plan, shifting its focus from food and cosmetics applications to life science applications. This move aligns with the company’s original vision, as its technology was initially developed for stem cell research. With successful proof-of-concepts and scalable technology, IamFluidics is poised to address the industry’s current challenges. 

What are the most important strategic priorities for IamFluidics over the next three years?

We have set ambitious goals for ourselves and are well on track to achieve them. For now, I can share that we are exploring opportunities related to scaling 3D cell culture and the development of novel pharmaceutical applications. In parallel, we continue to expand our CDMO project portfolio with customized solutions for advanced microencapsulation. 

How would you describe your leadership style and how does it impact the business operation?

My leadership style is collaborative, believing in the power of a team to deliver results greater than the sum of its parts. I emphasize transparency and clear communication of priority objectives across the organization. 

Drawing from my strategy consulting experience, I am committed to helping team members reach their full potential, fostering a supportive development cycle for all. With such a superb team at IamFluidics, I am confident that there is much more to come!