Health Tech of the Week: Poland as a Forge of Medical Innovation: Insights Following the Publication of the TOP20 in the 4th Edition of MCSC

Health Tech of the Week: Poland as a Forge of Medical Innovation: Insights Following the Publication of the TOP20 in the 4th Edition of MCSC

In this edition of Healthtech of the Week, we take a closer look at the top twenty entries in the MCSC Hospital Leadership Innovation competition. This selection highlights how the medtech sector is currently experiencing a phase of dynamic scaling. According to data from PAIH and PARP, the value of the medical device market in Poland reached approximately USD 11 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to over USD 13.8 billion by 2026, with an annual growth rate exceeding 10 percent. Simultaneously, exports of Polish medical products have nearly tripled over six years, signaling that local innovations are beginning to play a significant role in international markets.

 

This growth would not be possible without the emergence of innovative medtech companies. The recently published TOP20 list from the fourth edition of the competition organized by the Institute of Mother and Child illustrates the current direction of modern medicine.

 

TOP20 as a Mirror of Industry Transformation

The companies that made it into the MCSC TOP20 represent diverse yet complementary trends in modern medical technology. Notably, this year’s edition attracted as many as 90 applicants from around the world! One of the most prominent areas of development is artificial intelligence algorithms that support radiological image analysis, biological signal processing, and laboratory data interpretation. These technologies have broad applications in neurology, cardiology, and dermatology, often building systems that analyze ECG signals and MRI images in cloud-based environments.

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At the same time, we’re witnessing rapid progress in digital therapeutics and remote patient monitoring solutions. Startups are designing smart wound dressings that measure physicochemical wound parameters in real time, as well as rapid diagnostics based on biosensors. Others focus on comprehensive cancer patient care by integrating AI with e-health platforms. This diversity demonstrates how valuable and justified the decision to introduce categories in this edition was.

One must also acknowledge the importance of next-generation hardware solutions. Innovations such as non-invasive real-time glucose monitoring, flexible biomedical sensors, and automated neonatal care tools often fall into the classification of Class IIb or higher medical devices.

 

Support Ecosystem and the Path to Globalization

Importantly, many of these startups declare early readiness for certification and are already developing business models aimed at international expansion, including into Scandinavia and the United States. This approach requires a deep understanding of regulations, data interoperability, and advanced quality management—evidence of the maturity of these innovations and the above-average competencies of the teams behind them.

And rightly so. As the MedTech Europe 2024 report points out, medical technologies are the most innovative industrial sector in Europe, as evidenced by the highest number of patent applications filed with the European Patent Office. Globally, the importance of Real-World Evidence is increasing, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) applications are on the rise, and new regulations are enforcing transparency and auditability of medical algorithms.

Against this backdrop, Poland—through initiatives like MCSC—aligns with key global trends. This competition not only showcases domestic innovation but also educates and motivates companies to think globally and in line with international regulatory standards. Most importantly, it gives them the opportunity to present their ideas to potential investors and implement their solutions in real clinical environments.

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Challenges on the Horizon

Despite its successes and growing interest from industry investors, the medtech sector in Poland still faces systemic challenges. Key issues include a limited number of MDR-notified bodies in the country, the absence of a unified public support strategy, and inadequate legal frameworks for clinical research involving software-based medical devices. Nevertheless, MCSC demonstrates that even in the face of these barriers, it is possible to create innovative products with export potential that meet stringent quality and medical standards.

The startups featured in MCSC’s TOP20 not only reflect the current trends in technological transformation in medicine but also actively shape Poland’s international standing in this strategic field. The competition itself proves that with proper support—technical, clinical, and regulatory—Polish innovations can effectively compete with global leaders and help shape the future of healthcare through technology, precision, and personalization. We eagerly await the announcement of the TOP10 and the upcoming Demo Day!

Stay tuned for more in the “Health Tech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].

Health Tech of the Week: 3D Printing Technology and Modern Outpatient Solution Join Forces Against Fistulas with Semiflex

Health Tech of the Week: 3D Printing Technology and Modern Outpatient Solution Join Forces Against Fistulas with Semiflex

Modern medicine has struggled for decades to effectively treat perianal fistulas, especially in patients with Crohn’s disease. This complication, not only burdensome and painful but also psychologically and economically taxing, remains one of the most insufficiently addressed clinical challenges. In response to this need, the Semiflex was developed—an innovative vacuum-assisted therapy that is redefining standards for treating tunnelling wounds. Behind this project stands an interdisciplinary team led by Sława Madelska, co-founder and CEO of the company.

 

At Healthtech of the Week, we aim to showcase the varied challenges that modern medicine faces, particularly those born from the real experiences of patients, surgeons, and caregivers, whose combined perspectives formed the foundation of this breakthrough. As Madelska explains, it is a truly unique innovation.

What sets the Semiflex apart from existing solutions is its distinctive design and targeted purpose. It is the world’s first vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) device specifically engineered to treat perianal fistulas. The system’s key components are flexible silicone catheters, produced using 3D printing technology in up to thirty different sizes, allowing precise tailoring to the depth and shape of each fistula – parameters that have long been a limiting factor for effective treatment – explains the CEO.

By leveraging parametric design and additive manufacturing technologies, the team created a solution that simultaneously meets stringent clinical requirements and can be used outside the operating room. With no need for anesthesia, the therapy’s ambulatory nature, and the ability to be managed at home, the system not only enhances patient comfort but also significantly relieves healthcare systems.

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A Response to Suffering

Semiflex holds particular significance for patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease. In this population, fistulas are notoriously difficult to heal—even after multiple surgeries—and patients often endure years of pain, discomfort, and deteriorating quality of life.

Research indicates that 73% of patients with fistulas experience depressive episodes. Repeated recurrences, multiple procedures, and no real prospect of recovery compound feelings of helplessness. Fistulas are not only a health issue; they also present an economic burden, with treatment costs in Europe alone exceeding €5 billion annually.

– Patients suffering from fistulas face a wall every day, as too many treatments only temporarily alleviate symptoms – underscores Madelska. – Our goal was to design a system that offers a genuine chance at lasting remission.

 

Breakthrough or Revolution in Waiting?

In 2023, the Amsterdam University Medical Center—one of Europe’s leading centers for IBD treatment—conducted a pilot study involving 20 patients with perianal fistulas. Most had been battling the disease for an average of five years and had seen no improvement despite prior therapeutic attempts.

The results using the Semiflex were highly promising, demonstrating both efficacy and safety. In 65% of patients, the treatment was feasible and well tolerated, indicating high clinical acceptability. For half of the participants, clinical closure of the fistula was achieved, a significant therapeutic success in persistent and hard-to-treat cases. Notably, 45% of treatments were managed at home, drastically reducing the need for hospitalization and associated costs and burden on healthcare resources. Additionally, patients reported an average pain score of just 1.6 out of 10 on the VAS scale, underscoring the system’s minimal invasiveness and high treatment comfort.

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From Lab to Patient

Developing this innovative system—which fulfills both medical and user requirements—required overcoming numerous technological hurdles. The Semiflex team used advanced tools like 3D printing and rapid prototyping to iterate and refine the drain design quickly. The system’s technological flexibility will allow further personalization to individual patient anatomy and fast implementation of design improvements based on new clinical data.

Although the current system does not incorporate predictive algorithms or artificial intelligence, Madelska emphasizes that this is a key direction for future development. Conceptual work is also underway to integrate Semiflex with remote patient monitoring systems, such as mobile apps that track pain levels, wound healing status, and overall quality of life. Such digital support could not only boost treatment effectiveness but also enable individualized care at home.

 

Toward Global Certification and Deployment

Semiflex is now in an advanced development phase. The product was designed in close collaboration with clinical teams, has passed functional testing, filed for patent protection, and completed pilot clinical trials. The next steps include obtaining certification under the European MDR framework and initiating regulatory approval processes with the FDA (USA) and EMA.

The system’s creators are actively seeking strategic partners who can support global deployment, both in regulatory terms and on the commercial front. The Semiflex exemplifies how interdisciplinary collaboration, technological boldness, and patient-centered empathy can yield a genuine therapeutic breakthrough. It is not just a product innovation but a new paradigm for managing chronic, debilitating conditions, with safe, effective, and home-appropriate treatment.

If forthcoming studies affirm the current results, Semiflex could become the new gold standard in treating perianal fistulas, especially in patients with IBD. For many of them, it will not only represent a shift in therapy but, above all, a new hope for a life free from pain and helplessness.

Stay tuned for more in the “Health Tech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].

Health Tech of the Week: From App to Chatbot – How MAMENO is redefining perimenopausal care

Health Tech of the Week: From App to Chatbot – How MAMENO is redefining perimenopausal care

Is technology female? It just might be. In the first July edition of Healthtech of the Week, we present MAMENO, a groundbreaking project led by two women: Aleksandra Laudańska, CEO of FemTechnology Group and the originator of the initiative, and Martina Tararuj. Their shared mission goes beyond technological innovation. I t’s about fundamentally changing the paradigm around menopause and women’s health in midlife.

 

What began as a mobile app supporting women during menopause is now evolving into a digital doula – an empathetic, AI-powered tool rooted in evidence-based knowledge.

Menopause affects up to 80% of women, yet remains a taboo topic. For many, it means a sudden decline in quality of life, physically, emotionally, and socially. This is where MAMENO comes in.

Aleksandra Laudańska emphasizes that from day one, the goal was education and improving women’s lives through personalized support. The project aimed to guide users with lifestyle medicine recommendations tailored to their health status, emotional state, and personal needs. At its core was to be an AI-based algorithm learning from symptom diaries and daily check-ins to deliver accurate, actionable insights.

But after four years of intense development and conversations with hundreds of women, the MAMENO team decided to pivot. The key insight? Women going through perimenopause don’t need another app. They need real hormonal support. Lifestyle adjustments, though essential, should be complementary, not central. Another turning point was the rapid rise of large language models (LLMs), which revolutionized how people access health information and make decisions. As a result, MAMENO transformed into a digital menopause doula – an intelligent chatbot that not only answers questions but also offers emotional support, education, and companionship through the transition.

Importantly, the chatbot’s content is based on verified sources, including Laudańska’s book „Menopause Biohacking: Understand the Change, Embrace It, and Thrive in Health” and the latest scientific research. The goal is to minimize AI “hallucinations”, misleading or false responses — by maintaining strict control over its knowledge base.

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Digital trust and safe conversation space

One of MAMENO’s most striking insights is that women often feel safer and more open talking to a bot than to another human being.

– Anonymity, lack of judgment, and an empathetic tone with personalized dialogue create a space that encourages honesty and self-reflection. This is especially crucial when it comes to menopause, which for many remains a shame-laden, sensitive topic. Here, the chatbot acts as a mirror – a daily “check-in” that helps users notice patterns in symptoms and behaviors often overlooked in daily routines – explains Laudańska.

Developing a pioneering women’s health solution has not been without challenges. The first hurdle was social stigma – menopause is still seen as the domain of “older women” and largely absent from mainstream health discussions. Many women don’t even recognize the first hormonal shifts they’re experiencing.

The second barrier was the lack of understanding from investors and grantmakers. Women’s health, especially intimate health – is still perceived as a niche. Yet we’re talking about half the population and a massive, unmet need in healthcare. The third challenge was the pace of technological change. Digital health tools evolve so rapidly that what was innovative yesterday often needs to be reimagined today. The MAMENO team had to remain agile and unafraid to radically reinvent their own concept.

Although AI has the potential to play a vital role in prevention and health education, the MAMENO team stresses that it should not replace doctors or therapists. Data quality is key. Medicine has historically been biased toward the male body as the “default.” That’s why controlled, curated knowledge sources are crucial, as is combining AI with human traits like empathy, sensitivity, and relational understanding. In MAMENO’s vision, technology supports a woman’s relationship with herself, not replaces it.

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A female perspective in medtech

MAMENO is also a statement in the ongoing conversation about the role of women leaders in medical technology. As Laudańska points out, women bring a unique perspective – greater sensitivity to patient needs, a deep understanding of life’s cyclical nature, and emotional nuance. This leads to more realistic, empathetic, and grounded products. Ironically, however, realism and specificity are often less appealing to investors than flashy, far-fetched visions. Though often more accurate and needed, the female approach requires more effort to break into the mainstream innovation space.

MAMENO is not just a technology project – it’s a call for systemic change in women’s healthcare. As a public health expert, Laudańska advocates that every woman over 45 should have access to coordinated medical care. A comprehensive health screening, specialists trained in hormone replacement therapy, dietitians, physical therapists, and mental health professionals should all be standard. Supporting women during menopause is an investment in long-term public health.

 

Menopause without taboo

In the next decade, the MAMENO team dreams of a world where menopause is no longer marginalized but fully integrated into healthcare systems. In their vision, a woman entering this stage of life will receive structured support, from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and psychological care.

Like them, well-designed, evidence-based technology can make this journey more personal, less stigmatized, and far more effective. The digital menopause doula is just the beginning of a new era in women’s health, and here at Healthtech of the Week, we’re cheering them on.

Stay tuned for more in the “Health Tech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].

Health Tech of the Week: AI in Medicine Is Not the Future. It’s the Present and a Necessity for the Development of the Healthcare System. Key Takeaways from the “Top Disruptors in Healthcare 2025” Report.

Health Tech of the Week: AI in Medicine Is Not the Future. It’s the Present and a Necessity for the Development of the Healthcare System. Key Takeaways from the “Top Disruptors in Healthcare 2025” Report.

June brought the medtech industry a particularly interesting report: “Top Disruptors in Healthcare 2025”, published by AI in Health as part of the AI & MEDTECH CEE conference. This report delivered a wealth of insights, which we aim to highlight in this edition of Healthtech of the Week. It clearly shows that artificial intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept or an experimental niche tool. Data collected from 146 medical startups reveal that over 60% actively use AI and machine learning as the foundation of their business and technology models.

 

An analysis of the solutions developed by Polish startups shows a clear dominance of AI applications in areas such as imaging diagnostics, clinical data processing, therapy personalization, and virtual medical assistants. The medtech sector has evolved from simple telemedicine tools to solutions based on natural language processing, predictive algorithms, and patient behavioral analysis.

The most common medical fields where AI is being implemented include cardiology (21%), oncology (19%), and psychiatry/psychology (17%). These areas are characterized by a high level of diagnostic and therapeutic complexity, making them natural candidates for data-driven systems. But is that enough?

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Data Security as a Prerequisite for AI Implementation

Although slightly over half of the startups declare a high level of digital security, nearly 40% indicate that cybersecurity remains a significant challenge. This is alarming, considering that AI in healthcare operates on the most sensitive personal data.

– AI cannot function without trust. And trust in healthcare starts with data. If we fail to protect it properly, the entire value of the technology is undermined – says Dr. Katarzyna Węgrzyn, a medical innovation expert.

The report also shows that for 50% of the analyzed startups, the main challenge remains securing funding, while 44% cite effective commercialization and reaching the end user. Despite a high level of technological innovation, a lack of sales and marketing competencies is an insurmountable barrier for many tech teams.

Let’s not forget that the main users of medtech solutions are healthcare professionals (66%), followed by patients (59%). This requires not only advanced technology but also the ability to design solutions aligned with everyday clinical practice. To be effective, AI must be intuitive and supportive—not disruptive—to medical work. This seems to be one of the key barriers behind the lack of trust in AI among specialists.

 

Collaboration with the Public Sector Remains Limited

Despite growing interest in digital solutions in the healthcare system, only 13.2% of Polish hospitals have implemented AI technologies, though that’s twice as many as the previous year. This indicates rising potential but also substantial untapped opportunity. One of the major barriers for startups remains the lack of access to public funding and the limited openness of public institutions to pilot projects and testing new technologies.

The report makes it clear: AI is now a fundamental component of any competitive medical startup. Failing to implement these technologies may mean falling behind the main current of innovation. Furthermore, data protection must be an integral part of any technology project—cybersecurity is not a bonus; it’s a requirement.

Commercialization should be planned in parallel with technological development. Startups need interdisciplinary teams—not just programmers but also marketing, sales, UX, and regulatory experts. And collaboration with doctors? It is essential as early as the MVP design stage, since they are not just users but co-creators of the solutions.

A systemic change in how innovations are introduced into the public healthcare system is also urgently needed. Unfortunately, current regulatory and procedural barriers prevent effective testing and scaling of AI in public hospitals.

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AI as the New Standard of Tomorrow’s Medicine

The “Top Disruptors in Healthcare 2025” report leaves no doubt: AI is not an add-on to healthcare—it is an essential component. Accelerating technology adoption, developing digital competencies among doctors, robust data protection, and regulatory support are the four pillars that will determine whether Poland can become a medtech leader in Central and Eastern Europe. All signs are promising, especially as the latest edition of the MCSC competition, organized by the Institute of Mother and Child, recently closed with a record number of global submissions. This reflects the enormous potential at the intersection of medicine and artificial intelligence.

At Healthtech of the Week, we unanimously agree: both the private and public sectors must work together to create a healthcare system prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. Because AI-powered medicine is no longer a vision of the future—it’s a necessity of the present.

Stay tuned for more in the “Health Tech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].

Health Tech of the Week: Antibodies on Demand: How Genotic is Revolutionizing Biotechnology with AI

Health Tech of the Week: Antibodies on Demand: How Genotic is Revolutionizing Biotechnology with AI

In this week’s edition of Healthtech of the Week, we’re spotlighting a true game-changer. In the age of precision medicine and personalized therapies, Polish biotech company Genotic is emerging as a global leader in the transformation of biotechnology. Through a groundbreaking AI-driven approach, Genotic radically shortens the time required to design and produce antibodies, key molecules in modern therapeutics and diagnostics. While traditional methods can take 6 to even 12 months, Genotic’s technology enables the creation of a new, ready-to-use antibody in just 21 days.

 

At the core of Genotic’s innovation is de novo antibody design, meaning from scratch, with no need for animal use. The entire process happens in silico—in a digital environment—leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence models. With its proprietary compute cluster (over 200 GPUs, including NVIDIA H100s—Genotic is a member of the NVIDIA Inception for Startups program), the company can design a new antibody in under 48 hours.

– The designed antibodies are highly specific, capable of binding precisely to a selected antigen epitope, and are engineered to minimize the risk of cross-reactivity. This process eliminates the need for animals, significantly reduces costs, accelerates development, and increases outcome predictability – explains Genotic.

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Digital design is a game-changer

Genotic delivers not only antibody designs but also fully validated, ready-to-use products. Thanks to its integrated lab infrastructure, the company produces and validates antibodies in-house, performing a full suite of quality tests—from SDS-PAGE and chromatography to BLI analysis. The result? Approximately 98% of AI-designed projects succeed in yielding functional antibodies—a remarkably high rate.

According to Genotic, digital antibody design is a true industry game-changer. The AI-driven process allows for a lightning-fast transition from the target protein structure to a validated antibody. This process is exceptionally precise, enabling the design of molecules that bind to precisely selected epitopes while minimizing cross-reactivity risks.

A key advantage is safety. Eliminating animal testing entirely and predicting undesirable properties at the digital modeling stage reflects the company’s professionalism. Moreover, this digital-first approach enables substantial cost reductions and full budget predictability. The entire process is also highly scalable, making Genotic’s technology a perfect fit for modern research labs, the pharmaceutical industry, and the future of medicine.

 

AI as the foundation of success

According to the Healthtech of the Week team, Genotic’s technology has the potential to greatly accelerate the discovery and development of new antibody-based drugs. With the ability to design and test antibodies rapidly and accurately, the company is laying the groundwork for the future of personalized medicine. For instance, in oncology, it becomes possible to design antibodies tailored to the tumor markers of an individual patient—a truly customized solution previously unavailable at scale.

Genotic employs state-of-the-art algorithms inspired by breakthroughs in protein modeling—a field that has even been recognized with a Nobel Prize. These models are continuously learning, analyzing lab data from each newly developed antibody to further improve the platform’s precision and efficacy.

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Though headquartered in Poland, Genotic has operated with global ambitions from the beginning. The company is now focusing on expanding into the U.S. and EU markets, responding to growing demand for fast, precise solutions in R&D, diagnostics, and therapy.

 

Real impact on public health

Of course, scaling AI-driven technology comes with challenges—from expanding computing infrastructure to meeting strict regulatory standards (like CE-IVD for diagnostic applications). But Genotic’s team says they’re ready. With proven technology, their own lab, advanced GPU infrastructure, and an experienced team, they’re well-equipped.

The company’s technology could revolutionize not only therapeutic development but diagnostics as well. Antibodies are increasingly important in diagnostic tools, and their fast, on-demand production is crucial, particularly in rapidly growing fields like Spatial Biology. We have a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more about Genotic very soon.

Stay tuned for more in the “Health Tech of the Week” series, where we’ll continue to uncover fascinating stories from the world of medical technologies that are changing the face of healthcare. If you’re working on an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].