Read the Conversation
EF: Can you tell us about the University of Warsaw Faculty of Medicine?
KZ: After over 70 years, His Magnificence, Prof. Dr. Hab. Alojzy Nowak, the Rector, established the Medical Faculty, reinstating the opportunity to educate future doctors at the University of Warsaw. This move aligns with our discussion today, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation in medical fields for our country's strength. This new faculty positions us as a prominent medical research hub, complementing our Ochota campus's proximity to the Warsaw Medical University and many Institutes of the Polish Academy of Science. Now, with our distinct entity, we are deeply engaged in healthcare and biotechnology; proudly partnering with the BioInMed association. This addition fills a crucial gap, enhancing our University's contributions to the field of life science.
EF: Do you view the coming year as a challenge, an opportunity, or a combination of the two?
KZ: As the CNBCh UW, we are excited about the chance to contribute to the healthcare ecosystem in Poland. While we recognize we are just one part of this larger ecosystem, our new Faculty of Medicine enables us to play a more active role. Previously, we were present but not directly involved in healthcare programs. We enthusiastically and confidently step into this vital area, which feels very promising.
EF: Can you elaborate more on your role as vice director of CNBCh UW?
KZ: 10 years ago, I joined the University after spending 11 years in the business sector. My current boss, Professor Ewa Bulska, the director of CNBCh UW, and I met during an EU project on food safety. She invited me to join her for a short-term project, but it has been a decade now, and I still love this job. Back then, the University lacked the tools and resources to engage with businesses or the broader community effectively. But in these 10 years, we have made remarkable progress in opening to society, local authorities, and business, focusing on four main areas of collaboration. We are a multidisciplinary center covering biology, chemistry, physics, and forensics—realizing that business challenges often require a mix of expertise. We have also restructured internally, establishing an R&D office within the administration, and introduced a new role in Polish academia: scientific managers. These individuals bridge the gap between science and business, a crucial role I am passionate about nurturing for the future.
We have identified four key areas for our business efforts. First up is the food sector, specifically eco-friendly food. Then, there is the medical and pharmaceutical realm, where health ties everything together. Our third focus is on catalysts and new energy sources, where biology and chemistry play crucial roles. We are closely partnered with Polish and international companies to explore these avenues. The fourth area is about environmental protection and sustainable development. Additionally, we are deeply engaged with mathematicians and computer experts, leveraging AI to enhance our work in these domains.
EF: What are your current business initiatives to transfer scientific knowledge and technology into the business world? Are you working on any initiatives right now?
KZ: We have established over 100 business relations, emphasizing meaningful technology transfers. In Poland, big companies often prefer acquiring knowledge and know-how over patents. While this model might differ in the medical field, our experience with biotechnological companies and members of the BioInMed Association aligns with this approach. Companies typically buy know-how, and once they use our product or service, it becomes a tangible example of successful technology transfer. One notable instance is a national champion company Orlen in the catalyst area, a fruitful collaboration that brings much-needed resources to the University. In biotechnology, we engage with companies from the inception of molecules, partnering with them for various purposes, including testing in our laboratories and aiding in developing compounds. It is a win-win, addressing our financial needs while fostering strong collaboration with R&D departments.
We constantly strive to improve, acknowledging our center's budgetary challenges each year. Our center operates partly like a commercial unit, where earning through commercialization is important. Being financially responsible is a must, making us more business-oriented. Initially, Polish companies did not grasp the scientific perspective, seeking low-cost solutions. Even wealthy backers in biotech wanted quick returns, which is not feasible given the complexity of our work. Educating the market on the investment required in biotechnology is crucial, something that e.g. members of BioInMed handle here in Poland. Unlike in the US, where mindsets differ, we are in an earlier stage of investing in long-term return investments in Central Europe, facing unique challenges. A decade ago, the health tech sector, especially biotech, was not mature, but now we are witnessing a transformation. The synergy between academia and industry has strengthened, requiring academia to offer more innovative solutions to an already brilliant workforce. We are navigating a fine balance as both sectors continue to evolve.
EF: Do you have any success stories about specific companies you are collaborating with?
KZ: Among the noteworthy companies in BioInMed, we have Molecure S.A., WPD Pharmaceuticals and ExploRNA Therapeutics. ExploRNA is particularly fascinating as its RNA capsule was invented at the University of Warsaw, a notable achievement by the renowned Prof. Jacek Jemielity. The University proudly showcases this success story, highlighting its involvement in ExploRNA's work to develop this groundbreaking capsule further. However, it should be emphasized that this is just one of many success stories; many of them cannot be revealed due to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
EF: How do you see future executive positions such as chief scientific officers (CSOs) functioning within companies, and how will universities support this position?
KZ: My scientific research revolves around this topic, and with experts from the Faculty of Management and the Faculty of Chemistry, I conduct training sessions for CSOs. Unlike the typical healthcare-focused MBA, we are shaping a new role in science administration. In future, I hope to see the introduction of the Master of Science Administration degree. Instead, it is about cultivating expertise in managing innovation and growth. The role of the CSO is evolving from a rather technical focus to a strategic, business-oriented one. We have noticed a need to equip those from scientific backgrounds with management skills while also training seasoned managers in scientific principles. This new CSO drives research innovation and aligns scientific goals with business objectives. Their scientific experience helps them persuade others and facilitates relationships, often as the initial link between academia and companies. It plays an influential role in reshaping our research approach and industry collaboration.
EF: How have AI tools in digital medicine, like those showcased by the Center for Digital Medicine grant, influenced healthcare and science?
I want to share Reginal Center for Digital Medicine grant examples emphasizing the significance of AI tools in digital medicine. Collaborating with the Medical Military Institute in Warsaw, we applied for a Center for Digital Medicine ABM’s (Agency for Medical Research) grant worth nearly 30 million PLN (6.9M Euro), aligning our knowledge with their clinical data. This collaborative effort, facilitated by MDs., data and life scientists and science managers, is crucial in evolving healthcare practices.
EF: Could you provide us with instances of successful collaborations with UW's medical or biotechnological spinoff companies that had a significant impact on society and community engagement?
I have a visible example. Through our spinoff, Warsaw Genomics, we established a COVID-testing laboratory, highlighting the value of partnering with universities to demonstrate meaningful societal contributions. It goes beyond mere profit; companies have the potential to create a positive influence.
EF: Are you currently collaborating with investors or teaching them how to invest in healthcare companies?
KZ: This part involves other university entities: the Technology and Knowledge Transfer Center and UWRC Ltd, which is the university’s spin-off company. We collaborate closely, although our roles are slightly different. They handle spinoff companies and patents, while we at the Biological and Chemical Research Centre often assist scientists seeking to venture into startups and create entrepreneurial ambience. One notable collaboration is with the Maj Institute of Pharmacology PAS in Krakow and the University of Warsaw, focusing on a peptide neuropathic painkiller. It is a challenging stage, typically requiring external funding, but incredibly promising. We have facilitated connections with investors, and they have secured EU funding, thus making significant strides in development. This patent-protected discovery, which has been showcased already, offers hope, particularly for chronic pain patients. At CNBCh UW we are avid supporters of human-to-human (H2H) interaction.
EF: In your experience, what would further enhance investors' interest in Poland as an investment place?
KZ: From an investor's viewpoint, perspectives vary across different scales. Politically, post-election changes in Poland appear to position the country favorably within the European Union. Geopolitical turbulence, especially in Ukraine, has underscored Poland's logistical strength. Due to COVID-related supply disruptions from China, the Polish government has initiated a program to manufacture antibiotics (and other important API substances) domestically. Companies like Polfa Tarchomin, a state-owned company, play a crucial role in this context, displaying Poland's viability for investment.
Furthermore, from a scientific standpoint, Poland boasts a robust infrastructure and a rapidly growing biotech sector. We are collaborating with professionals from the United States and witnessing a surge in AI companies, focusing e.g. on solutions for cancer targeting using AI-powered protein-based trackers. This scientific growth and technological advancement offer another compelling reason to consider investing in Poland.
