Salma Shaker

General Info

What will be your most valuable contribution to your TechWomen mentorship?

I bring a diverse range of experiences to TechWomen mentorship. Successfully navigating my startup from ideation to product-market-fit phase amidst numerous challenges, I'm well-equipped to share Hands-on experiences for overcoming pharmaceutical industry hurdles. As a certified Design Thinking Trainer, I'll foster innovative-ways-of-thinking within the TechWomen community. My consultancy with over 40 companies, coupled with an entrepreneurship fellowship, enables me to drive strategic growth and seize opportunities. Additionally, my involvement in "JAMII Femmes" connects me with 7,000 female entrepreneurs, will infuse the mentorship with global perspectives and cultural exchanges. I'm eager to share these insights and facilitate a productive mentorship experience.

The Top Three Things I Would Like to Learn or Experience During my Mentorship

1. Acquire hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies in natural drug discovery, from target identification to commercialization.
2. Enhance entrepreneurship and strategic thinking skills by visualizing how unicorn companies achieve growth. This involves learning to assess the feasibility of product prototypes, address patent regulations, validate pitch decks, conduct due diligence, and enhance investment readiness.
3. Gain firsthand insights into the latest trends in drug discovery, particularly the integration of AI to boost cost-effective strategies. Acquire in-depth knowledge of "pharmacoeconomics" to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of drugs, and participate in macro-level discussions with the stakeholders to assess the value of the pharmaceutical sector and its impact on healthcare systems, patient health outcomes, and national policies.

Mentorship Characteristic

• Visit an office or attend a site-visit
• Identify workshops or certificate programs to further my learning after the program has ended
• Expand on a project that I’m working on in my current role at home
• Have exposure to specialized industry techniques
• Exposes me to new tools and platforms

Ideal Company Type

My ideal host company would be in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, supporting the entire natural drug discovery lifecycle from target identification to commercialization. I seek exposure to synthesizing bioactive products from plants and marine organisms, focusing on extraction methods, action modes, and drug scalability. Ideally, the company has a proven track record in business model development, product design, regulatory affairs, and integrating advanced technologies like AI in drug discovery. A mid-sized to large company that fosters a culture of like-minded entrepreneurial scientists, offering hands-on knowledge and best practices, would help me validate my MVPs and boost my startup's journey.

What are three adjectives that best describe you in the work place?

1. Trailblazing
2. Energetic
3. Persistent

What impact will your mentorship have on your career and professional path?

TechWomen mentorship will keep me updated with state-of-the-art technologies in drug discovery, best practices from leading U.S. pharmaceutical companies, insights from world-class academic and research institutions, access to the latest clinical trials software, and networking with industry professionals and experts in IP. Panel discussions with pharmaceutical policymakers, workshops in entrepreneurship, and interactions with biotech venture capitalists will refine my business strategies and recognize global pharmaceutical challenges. Additionally, building a strategic network with 103 like-minded-emerging-leaders will unlock potential collaborations on pharmaceutical projects in our home countries, yielding mutual benefits. Overall, TechWomen will broaden my horizons and drive my startup's market reach.

After participating in the TechWomen program, how will you leverage your mentorship experience to make an impact in your home country?

Upon returning to Egypt, I'll implement a multifaceted strategy encompassing knowledge transfer, leveraging hands-on experiences and cutting-edge-technologies gained from the brightest minds in the pharmaceutical sector. I'll engage with stakeholders to bridge the gap between global advancements and local needs, addressing real-world challenges in Egypt's pharmaceutical sector. I'll transfer the know-how acquired in the US to my R&D team, expand my startup's product portfolio, and maintain open lines of communication with professionals and ELs for scalable partnerships. I'm committed to giving back by sharing program insights and my experiences with female scientists and entrepreneurs, empowering the next generation of TechWomen.

Work History

Years of Full-time Work Experience

13

Primary Professional Focus

• Bio or medical technology
• Individual contributor leading innovation
• Scientist and researcher in technical science and/or engineering discipline

Education History