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Adam Koster is the founder of Iris Dx (Iris). Iris is focused on harnessing the power of extracellular vesicles for diagnostics and therapeutics. Once thought to be a waste mechanism of the cells in our bodies, these nanosized envelopes have been elucidated as a primary mitigator of intra and extracellular communication. In this interview, Adam shares his thought on entrepreneurship.��

Adam, from the description at the beginning of this article, the technology you are working on sounds complex. If you were at a cocktail party, how might you describe what Iris does so the average party guest might understand it?��

“We collect and analyze data from human biofluids and leverage that information to engineer diagnostic tests that will hopefully identify cancer and brain diseases much earlier in the treatment paradigm. We plan to leverage our diagnostics expertise to offer an exosomes-based precision drug delivery platform.”��

What excites you most about what your company does?��

“We are hijacking our body's own natural delivery mechanism or the communication mitigators of our cells: exosomes.”��

Deciding to research extracellular vesicles is probably not a common career goal for many young people. How did you become interested in what you’re doing now?��

“I started my career with aspirations to become a chef and slowly transitioned from food scientist to neuroscientist after completing my education. My innate curiosity and interest in molecular biology, DNA, RNA, and the language of who we are led me to better understand how to deliver change to chronic diseases with a precise method.”��

Being an entrepreneur is very hard work. Vacations may be few and far between for you, but if you could take a 2-week vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?��

“I would go back to Spain, as my favorite city in the world is Barcelona. The food, people, culture, landscape, and history are hard to match.”��

What do you find most challenging about leading a start-up company?��

“Ensuring that our people do not get overwhelmed and stay on task. It can be difficult to transition from a larger organization into a start-up, as the people we hire need to be owners in process generation and execution.”��

The challenges of being an entrepreneur are hopefully balanced by the joys. What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect about being an entrepreneur?��

“I get bored very easily. Being an entrepreneur allows me to wear so many hats every day. We all want to make a positive impact and I get to make a positive impact every day with vendors, employees, facility staff, clients, and so many others. Long term, the rewards we hope to reap rest in improving quality of life for those living with rare genetic diseases or chronic conditions.”��

How long has your company been in the Innovation Center?��

“We launched in Kalamazoo in February of 2021.”��

What do you like most about being a client of the Innovation Center?��

“I enjoy the camaraderie knowing that everyone in the building has a common goal of improving life in some way, shape or form and you can feel that energy in the halls. Random run-ins in those halls are often my favorite part of the Innovation Center. We are so grateful to the Innovation Center and all of our local supporters”

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