Shaima Hamidaddin is an inspiring CEO and Co-founder of CamelX. Her dedication to making her time and efforts meaningful, and how she contributes to doing something that genuinely impacts humanity, is what makes Shaima special. Having spent more than half her career in the non-profit sector, Shaima’s path began not with a desire for entrepreneurship, but with a drive for meaningful work. Her motivation comes from missions that matter, by causes that connect science, culture, and human progress in a deeper way, and Camel became that bridge for her.
Shaima expresses, “It’s such a powerful symbol in our culture, resilient, humble, and deeply spiritual. For generations, it has represented endurance and balance with nature. But beyond its cultural legacy, with the support of my fellow co-founders, Dr. Mohammed Diriye and Professor Eltayeb Eid, I discovered its scientific brilliance. Camels don’t just survive the desert; they master it.
Role of Camel in Modern Science To Help People’s Health
Camels produce special single-chain antibodies known as nanobodies, smaller and more stable than human antibodies, now being used in cancer therapy, immune disorders, and even COVID-19 research. Their oval-shaped red blood cells withstand extreme dehydration, helping scientists understand better blood substitutes and plasma design.
CamelX has successfully secured patent allowance for a first-in-class, camel-derived drug, marking a significant milestone in advancing Saudi Arabia’s pharmaceutical sovereignty agenda. This scientific breakthrough is characterized by a higher molecular weight and an enhanced safety profile, positioning CamelX to reshape the future of global anticoagulant development and clinical application.
Rapid Growth Of CamelX
Shaima attributes CamelX’s rapid growth to two main factors.
The first is Saudi Arabia’s strong national momentum in biotechnology. The Kingdom’s focus on localizing pharmaceutical and therapeutic development reflects a commitment to drug security, sustainability, and national sovereignty. Through the National Biotechnology Strategy, part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to become a regional hub by 2030 and a global leader by 2040. Centered on vaccine manufacturing, biomanufacturing, genomics, and plant optimization, the strategy will generate thousands of jobs and boost the non-oil economy.
The second factor is scientific and deeply personal. The more they study the Camel, the more they discover its unique potential. Each collaboration and research project unlocks new biological insights that could transform modern medicine. The Camel never fails to amaze biologically and that sense of discovery drives CamelX forward every day.
How INSEAD Shaped Shaima As a Leader
Shaima still remembers all her fellow INSEAD alums and unexpected experiences. She joined INSEAD expecting to learn primarily about how to lead people and manage projects. But what she learned, and what proved far more valuable, was how to lead and manage herself.
INSEAD helped her to know herself both professionally and personally, and to gain clarity about what kind of leader she wanted to be. She learned to identify her strengths and blind spots, cultivate adaptability, and make confident decisions in uncertain environments.
She added, “I learned to take the frameworks and tools from the classroom and translate them into real-world decision-making: taking calculated risks, trusting my instincts, and maintaining confidence even when the path isn’t fully defined”. In other words, “learning how to fly the plane while still building it:”.
Role at Museums Commission
Her journey is a unique mix of private sector, public, and non-profit spaces, and international education. This mix has shaped a hybrid mindset that understands how each sector operates and how they can unite for real impact.
She says, “Working on cultural and heritage projects in Saudi Arabia has been captivating. Being part of an organization that shapes informal learning in museums feels purposeful”. For Shaima, Museums are living bridges connecting government, private sector, and people, making knowledge accessible through stories, creativity, and shared experiences.
Serving on committees and boards has helped her grow by teaching her to look beyond day-to-day tasks and focus on steering the ship in the right direction.
Addressing Challenges
Shaima describes startup life as continuously challenging, with AI’s rapid evolution being a particular focus. CamelX is exploring how AI can optimize research and enhance drug discovery, while balancing automation with human expertise.
Other ongoing challenges include building a world-class team and ensuring top-tier quality amid biotech’s fast-paced changes. Responsible use of technology remains central to their mission.
Balancing Tradition With Modern Science
One of the best practices at CamelX is staying grounded in ethics and respect. The Camel holds deep cultural, religious, and historical meaning in this region. It has served people for centuries with grace and resilience, and they carry that responsibility very seriously.
At CamelX, the team upholds strict ethical research standards and sustainability, viewing their stewardship of the Camel’s legacy as both scientific and cultural. Every step forward blends ancient wisdom with new possibilities, guided by Islamic values and respect for tradition.
Five-Year Vision
Shaima envisions CamelX as a biotech R&D leader in camel-based and indigenous therapies, exploring not only camels but also resources like quinine tree bark, perhaps one of the oldest known therapies, used for over 400 years. A traditional remedy now being reimagined through modern science. For her, CamelX is more than a company: it is a bridge uniting heritage and healing, tradition and technology, and she hopes it inspires a new approach to biotech rooted in ancient wisdom. As Shaima expresses, “we are rooted in culture, driven by science, and designed for the future.”
Life Outside Work
Shaima embraces her work, but beyond that, her small world revolves around her family. Her children have this beautiful way of always keeping her humble and grounded.
She expressed, “My happiest moments are the quiet, ordinary ones, family gatherings or watching movies with my kids. Those are the moments that keep me centered. They remind me that success isn’t just about achievement, it’s about having these meaningful relationships and a sense of community”. That is my backbone.
Not only her family but her parents’ example, marked by integrity and humility, has guided Shaima throughout her life. Leadership, for her, means trust, purpose, and doing what’s right, not hierarchy. Professionally, exposure to various fields and leaders taught her that growth comes from listening, observing, and constant learning.
Personal Goals and Legacy
The legacy she hopes to leave is lasting and meaningful, rooted in values like kindness, purpose, and a sense of responsibility to something greater. She wants her children to know that success is about how you build, with commitment, empathy, and respect. Her dream is to create an endowment fund supporting health and education, helping empower others with the same values that shaped her journey.
Advice for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
Shaima encourages women with her words, “Women have an incredible intuition, an inner compass that’s both emotional and intelligent. We are naturally hard-working and driven, going the extra mile not to prove ourselves, but because we care deeply about doing things well.”
“My advice is to trust that instinct and believe in yourself, even when things feel uncertain. You’ll face times when the path isn’t clear, but your values will guide you. There’s no true balance between family and career; it’s about priorities that constantly shift with each situation”.
Shaima sums up her philosophy in her own words: “Think solutions, not obstacles.”
