MedTech marvel AnthroTek answers Hollywood call

AnthroTek is set to wow ‘audiences’ from Hollywood to healthcare with its pioneering hyper-realistic silicone innovation for leading roles in the medical, robotics and cinema arenas.

Operating from new facilities in Cambridge and Newmarket, AnthroTek is at the forefront of hyper-realistic artificial skin, face and body part manufacturing, leveraging cutting-edge AI, 3D tech and advanced material science.

As well as its on-screen success, the company is also collaborating with leading medical innovators, surgical training providers and global device manufacturers, bridging the gap between scientific research and hands-on medical applications.

AnthroTek’s journey began in the world of practical special effects where the team crafted hyper-realistic prosthetics for blockbuster films. Its deep expertise in biomimicry and technical artistry naturally led to an expansion into medical simulation and human-centric design designed to solve critical challenges in surgical training, prosthetics, and robotics.

At its core, AnthroTek is powered by a highly skilled technical team. Since moving into its new premises last October the company has delivered projects for some of the world’s largest medical and surgical device manufacturers, including a recent collaboration with a leading global surgical tool manufacturer.

The co-founders are Nazmus Tareque and Dr. Raoul Peltier. Tareque says the story of AnthroTek’s inception is a “testament to Cambridge’s unique entrepreneurial spirit.”

He said: “I met Raoul while he was leading DNA Synthesis at Evonetix Ltd., and we connected through mutual friends. We later worked together professionally but the real spark for AnthroTek happened in a way that’s quintessentially Cambridge.

“In early 2024, Raoul left Evonetix to pursue his passion for crafting SFX prosthetics for the cinema industry. He founded The Face Forge, a fine mask-making studio out of his garage.

“In a short span, The Face Forge became a respected brand, securing contracts with major cinematic productions and organically ranking on Google’s first page as a premier UK-based artisan siliconemask-maker.

“At the time, I was involved with Antler, an early-stage VC firm, working on multiple projects. One afternoon, Raoul and I found ourselves punting on the River Cam, and started discussing our creative interests only to realise we have very complementary skills.

“A business lunch soon followed, and one conversation led to another. Eventually, I proposed the idea of AnthroTek – a company that merges Raoul’s scientific and technical expertise with my commercial and technology-driven insights – to provide novel solutions for silicone replication applied to the cinema, medical, and robotics industries.

“Fast forward four months, and we’ve secured funding, acquired a commercial lease, set up our Newmarket workshop, built a team of five, delivered projects for blockbuster films and landed contracts with major medical device and surgical training providers.”

The Face Forge brand has now been integrated into AnthroTek Ltd., with the company operating under two distinct brands:-

• AnthroTek – Focused on medical simulation, robotics, and prosthetics
• The Face Forge – Specialising in cinema SFX and fine mask-making

Bridging Industries: A Material Scientist’s Perspective

Dr. Peltier adds: “What excites me most about AnthroTek is how we are fusing expertise across industries – combining insights from SFX artistry, advanced material science, AI, and 3D printing to address unmet needs.

“In academia, there’s extensive material science research breakthroughs, but much of it remains untapped outside research labs. Meanwhile, the cinema industry holds a rich tradition of artisanal craftsmanship in special effects and prosthetics.

“Now, with AI and 3D technology, we can also enhance, scale, and innovate manufacturing processes in ways that were previously unimaginable.

“Our mission is to take these disparate disciplines and integrate them into groundbreaking solutions for medical simulation, humanoid robotics, and surgical prosthetics – pushing the boundaries of realism, functionality, and application.

“At AnthroTek, we are not just manufacturing silicone products – we’re shaping the future of sustainable material innovation. Our research collaboration with Professor Sébastien Perrier at Warwick University marks a pivotal step toward developing high-performance, eco-friendly silicone solutions.”

Tareque added: “The partnerships and collaborations we’re building are more than just milestones – they are a testament to AnthroTek’s real-world impact and commitment to pioneering a more sustainable future. AnthroTek is a company to watch.”

AnthroTek recently appointed Dr. Paul Stanley as Chief Science Officer. Dr. Stanley, who holds a PhD in Chemistry and Material Science, has spent the past five years as a technical lead at a company specialising in 3D-printed DNA. His expertise in 3D modelling, advanced materials and additive manufacturing will further accelerate AnthroTek’s R & D efforts in next-generation medical simulation and robotic skin technologies.