15 years of firsthand experience
From scientific discovery to technology transfer
every step, from the inside
Expertise
Based in Münster, Germany, Cysal supports startups and established companies in the life science and biotech sector with expert consulting and selective project support — drawing on Cysal's firsthand experience across the full science and technology development cycle, from early-stage science to successful technology transfer and implementation.
Focus
IP · Regulatory · Licensing · Transfer
Cysal's core expertise covers the bridges between science and market — and particularly the areas within where projects most often fail or underperform
- Science-to-business transition — speed or precision
- IP strategy — patent or company secret
- Regulatory navigation — time to market or market value
- Business development & licensing — opportunity or commitment
- Technology transfer and deal structuring — take it or negotiate
.png/:/rs=w:1209,h:909,cg:true,m/cr=w:1209,h:909/fx-gs)
Unique model
One partner. Full responsibility
Cysal acts as sole contractor and responsible partner for client projects — providing a single point of contact from initial scoping through to final delivery. Rather than referring clients to third parties, Cysal assumes full project responsibility and coordinates the right combination of direct expertise and a curated network of partners.
This model offers clients the agility and personal commitment of a founder-led consultancy, backed by the depth and infrastructure of an established academic and industrial network — and without the overhead costs of a large organisation.
About
Funding from public grants and private VC investors
Cysal was founded in 2012 as a spin-off of the Institute of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology at WWU Münster, supported by an EXIST start-up grant and backed by leading German VC investors including HTGF and Gründerfonds Münsterland. The company was built by an experienced multidisciplinary scientific team combining expertise across microbiology, biochemistry, and bioprocess engineering.
Granted in multiple countries
Over the following years, Cysal conducted intensive R&D and validation work spanning multiple scientific disciplines and application fields — including human and animal nutrition, skin health, and related medical applications — in collaboration with academic and industry partners across Europe, earning the 2015 Sybille-Hahne-Entrepreneurship Award for scientific innovation.
Technology acquired by global industry leader
In 2019, Cysal out-licensed its developed IP and know-how to a leading global player in the field of functional ingredients, followed by full technology acquisition by the licensee in 2024. The founding team remained engaged throughout, culminating in a successful technology transfer to industry.
In industrial biotechnology
Following the technology exit, Cysal continues as an independent company, available for selective project engagements — taking on projects as sole contractor and employing the right combination of direct expertise and a curated network of partners to deliver results.
Your contact
fffff.png/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:365,h:486.6666666666667,cg:true/fx-gs)
Dr. Ahmed Sallam
Founder
Ahmed holds a doctorate in Molecular Microbiology & Biotechnology from WWU Münster, with an interdisciplinary background spanning Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology. As lead inventor of Cysal's patent portfolio and architect of its technology out-licensing and exit strategy, he brings over 15 years of firsthand experience at the
Founder
Ahmed holds a doctorate in Molecular Microbiology & Biotechnology from WWU Münster, with an interdisciplinary background spanning Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology. As lead inventor of Cysal's patent portfolio and architect of its technology out-licensing and exit strategy, he brings over 15 years of firsthand experience at the interface of scientific research and industrial biotechnology.
Beyond his work at Cysal, Ahmed has been continuously engaged in academic knowledge transfer — through guest lectures on biotechnology, intellectual property and entrepreneurship at WWU Münster, supervision of Bachelor and Master theses, and informal mentoring of early-stage founding teams within the university's startup community.