With a deep passion for developing practical applications of advanced technologies, especially in medicine, Tomasz’s work has impacted fields ranging from beauty, with Science4Beauty, to medicine, with NanoGroup and Stenocoat, offering insights into the challenges of turning scientific innovation into marketable products.

Tomasz’s roots are deeply connected to Warsaw, where his family is originally from. “They moved away after the Second World War. But my brother and I managed to get back to Warsaw, and now we live and work here.” In 1991, he joined the Warsaw University of Technology, where he built a long-standing and impactful career as a professor and researcher in the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering. He dedicated himself to the practical applications of chemical engineering, focusing on advancing medical technologies. His research journey has taken him to several locations worldwide, from studying experimental physics in Vienna, Austria, to developing laser and cloud‑modeling technologies and researching medical applications of chemical engineering at the Technical University of Delft, in the Netherlands.

Today, as the head of the Biotechnology Division at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering at the Warsaw University of Technology, he focuses on researching drug-delivery systems, biomaterials and medical device coatings. His work has led to several patented innovations and industry collaborations. He also mentors the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs, guiding his doctoral students through academic and industrial projects and leading them into forming university spin-offs, many of which have brought groundbreaking technologies to market​. 

His commitment to making a tangible difference in people’s lives has always been at the forefront of his work. For example, during an event to promote scientific applications in Warsaw, he was approached by a woman who was seeking help for her seven-year-old daughter. She told him, “You’re doing interesting experiments, but you have to do something useful. My daughter has diabetes, and I have to catheterize her every couple of days.” This process, she told him, was excruciating for her daughter. At the time, Tomasz and his team had been working on developing medical coatings that would prevent coagulation during heart procedures, but he was immediately inspired to solve this problem. “We bought every catheter available in the market and checked how they worked.” The idea was to modify the medical coating and apply it to catheters. “We did it, and it worked,” he says. The prototype reduced the friction, and thus reduced the pain, and also drastically reduced the likelihood of urinary tract infections. “It took two weeks to solve the problem but six months to transfer it to industrial practice,” he says. That was the beginning of Stenocoat, which specializes in coatings for urological medical devices (catheters, stents, ureteral access sheaths, and guide wires) and for cardiological stents.

One of the major challenges Tomasz faced throughout his career was navigating the complex path from scientific discovery to commercialization, especially in the heavily regulated medical industry. Bringing an innovation from the lab to the market can be a lengthy and intricate process, with numerous bureaucratic, financial and technical hurdles along the way. “In medical products, innovation changes very slowly because the market is very regulated,” he says, noting how regulations have become even more stringent over time. This makes it particularly difficult for small companies like his to break through, because they lack the resources to meet the increasingly demanding regulatory standards; however, larger companies are less interested in innovation. “For them, it’s good enough as it is,” he says. “They earn a lot of money already. The small companies are the ones who force them to develop new technologies.”

Another challenge arose when he explored the creation of synthetic blood to preserve human organs and the use of nanoparticles for cancer diagnostics and treatment. Under the holding NanoGroup, listed in the Warsaw Stock Exchange, he founded three spin-off companies, NanoVelos, NanoThea and NanoSanguis, to pursue these groundbreaking innovations. However, despite early successes in animal testing, the journey to human trials and commercialization proved to be lengthy and resource-intensive. Nevertheless, “the main job of scientists is to do something and finish it,” he says. And so with NanoVelos, the team is waiting to start the first human trials of a nanoparticle drug that detects ovarian cancer. And with NanoSanguis, the team has now succeeded in creating a synthetic blood emulsion capable of transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide, potentially extending the life span of organ-transplant patients. 

Despite the time-consuming bureaucracy he has faced, his determination to see his ideas through to completion became a defining trait of his entrepreneurial career. His “youngest child” is the company Science4Beauty, which focuses on the genetic engineering of bacteria for new drug research. Originally, the goal was to treat migraines, but Tomasz and his students soon pivoted to skincare in order to have a product in the market quickly. They modified bacteria to produce small protein based on a component of the toxin found in Conus magnus (cone snail) venom. This protein is a sodium channel inhibitor of skeletal muscles, small enough to penetrate the skin without injection, and it can be used to relax facial muscles, thus reducing lines. “Unlike substances like Botox, this venom-derived toxin relaxes only smooth muscles, not skeletal muscles,” he says. “It penetrates the skin maybe two or three millimeters. It’s a completely new substance for the cosmetic industry.” The research took four years but now they have a cream that effectively smoothes wrinkles – Tomasz calls it “the only working face cream on the market.” 

He credits these successes to the energy and dedication of his students, many of whom were key contributors. “I live for young people,” he says. “I think they are the salt of the earth. They keep me in Warsaw, and I live for them.” His mentorship-driven approach has been instrumental in helping his ventures thrive, but he also emphasizes staying true to one’s passions and pursuing goals with unwavering determination. He warns against being swayed by external influences or chasing after shallow goals that don’t align with one’s true calling. His philosophy is to “Have a dream and follow it.” He also believes that courage is essential for success in entrepreneurship. “Life will help you,” he says. These mindsets have been at the heart of his own journey, from the laboratory to the boardroom, and it continues to drive him forward. 

Warsaw itself has also played a critical role in Tomasz’s entrepreneurial journey. Over the years, he has witnessed the city’s transformation, mainly driven by Poland’s integration into the European Union. “Warsaw has changed a lot,” he says. “The main skeleton, the city tissue, remains the same, but the city’s improved a lot. It’s a lot more colorful now.” Warsaw’s infrastructure, resources and support for innovation have grown significantly, making it a fertile ground for both academic research and entrepreneurship. It has also fostered a collaborative environment where scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs can exchange ideas and push the boundaries of innovation. 

Beyond the professional benefits, Warsaw and its history is intertwined with his own family stories. One of his favorite places is Mokotów Field, a park that used to be an airport. He often walks through this area, reflecting on how the city has transformed over the years. “I love to walk to this park because I remember when it was an airport,” he says. “And during the Second World War, my grandmother planted some potatoes in this area to survive the Germans.” Many simple, everyday locations in the city are steeped in his family history​, but his family is also creating new memories there. Tomasz’s daughter also loves the city, “and what’s more important than young people?” he says. “It’s a vibrant city due to them. They actually talk to each other. If you can work with young people, please do; otherwise, at least mentally, you risk being frozen in time.” 

The Old Town, with its rich history and reconstructed buildings, also holds a special place in Tomasz’s heart. He often walks through this part of the city, marveling at its reconstruction. “The atmosphere there is lovely and youthful,” he says. The city continues to inspire him and drive his commitment to innovation even further. 

In his free time, Tomasz enjoys exploring green spaces, such as those around the Wilanów Palace, the former residence of Polish royalty. It’s part of a neighborhood that he describes as both historic and scenic. “I love to walk or bicycle around. There’s wonderful nature, with lots of water and nice scenery.” With so much natural beauty, finding a perfect spot for reflection and relaxation is easy, and he can cycle to a nearby forest in fifteen minutes. This connection to nature provides him with a balance that helps manage the demands and stresses of his work in biotechnology and academia.

This vibrant community of young people and the dynamic startup ecosystem were key factors in his decision to stay and continue his work in Warsaw, and he remains optimistic about the future both locally and beyond, as the city is poised to play a leading role in the global innovation landscape. 

What’s your favorite book?

The Egyptian by Finnish author Mika Waltari and Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jansson.

What do you do to start your day well?

I drink coffee and have a short chat with my coworkers or students.

What do you listen to for better focus?

Classical music, Chopin, Mozart, and sometimes Metallica.

When did you found your first spin off?

I stopped my doctorate to build devices to measure electric fields produced by high‑voltage energy lines, but I was kicked out of the market by a big electronic company and got back to science.

Favorite coffee shop:

Some of the old Warsaw sweetmakers, Blikle or Wedel.

Favorite museum:

Strong people should go to the Warsaw Uprising Museum.

Local food recommendations:

Pierogi (polish dumplings) and kasza gryczana (Polish buckwheat).

Favorite place to deep work or creative thinking:

Wilanów Palace area.

One thing newcomers need to be aware of:

That the beautiful Old Town you see was completely rebuilt after WW2.

NanoGroup is an innovative biotech company that merges disruptive innovation in nanotechnology with unique risk management opportunities. It is globally protected by several patents.

science4beauty.net

nanogroup.eu

This article is included in The Explorer Series Warsaw, alongside more founder stories and expert insights. Order your copy now!

Written by Yessica Klein

Photography by Sebastian Rzepka