Leadership Team

Henry Ji brings 25+ years of experience in the biotechnology and life sciences industry. Dr. Ji is currently serving as Executive Chairman of Semnur Pharmaceuticals as well as Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Scilex Holding Company . Dr. Ji has been Chairman of Scilex from March 2019 to present and served as the CEO of Scilex Pharmaceuticals from November 2016 to March 2019. 

Dr. Ji co-founded Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. and has served as a director since 2006, as its CEO and President since September 2012, and as Chairman of its board of directors since 2017. Dr. Ji also founded Vivasor Inc. and has served as CEO and President, and as Chairman of its board of directors since 2024.

During his tenure at Sorrento, he has engineered and led a phenomenal growth of Sorrento through acquisition and mergers including Bioserv, Scilex Pharmaceuticals, Concortis Biotherapeutics, Levena Biopharma, LACEL, TNK Therapeutics, Virttu Biologics, Ark Animal Health and Sofusa Lymphatic Delivery Systems. Dr. Ji has served as Sorrento’s Chief Scientific Officer from November 2008 to September 2012 and as its Interim CEO from April 2011 to September 2012.

Prior to Sorrento, he held senior executive positions at CombiMatrix, Stratagene, co-founded Stratagene Genomics, a subsidiary of Stratagene, and served as its President CEO and a member of the board of directors. Henry Ji received a doctorate from the University of Minnesota and an undergraduate degree from Fudan University.

Stephen Ma serves as the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President since September 2023. Prior to that, Mr. Ma served as the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer and Vice President of Finance. Mr. Ma has more than 20 years of finance and operational expertise across pharmaceuticals and venture backed biotechnology companies. He most recently served as Director of Finance and Operations for Anwita Biosciences, Inc., a clinical stage company, from August 2019 to January 2022. Prior to that, from May 2016 to August 2019, he served as Sr. Director of Finance and Controller for Semnur Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the clinical and commercial development of innovative products that meet the needs of pain management practitioners and their patients,which was acquired by the Company in March 2019. Prior to that, he served as Controller for Globavir and part of the management team that worked on its IPO process. He also served as the Controller for Ardelyx, which went public in 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Ma served in various finance positions at PDL BioPharma and Hyperion Therapeutics. Mr. Ma began his career with more than 10 years in high technology companies and has a wealth of experience in finance, strategic planning, commercial launching, debt financing, public offerings and M&A transactions. Mr. Ma holds a B.S. in Finance and M.A. in Economics from San Jose State University.

Dmitri Lissin currently serves as Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, of Semnur Pharmaceuticals (2015 – present). Prior to Semnur, Dmitri worked for Scilex Holding Company from 2019 to 2025. Prior to that, from 2011-2015, Dmitri was Vice President of Clinical Development at Xenoport, responsible for conduct of multiple clinical research programs in neurology and dermatology. From 2006-2011 Dmitri directed a clinical research team and served as member of the Executive Committee at DURECT Corporation, designing and executing clinical trials in chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and acute post-operative pain, which led to successful licensing deals and NDA filings. From 1998-2006 Dmitri managed various clinical R&D programs at Titan Pharmaceuticals, Aerogen, and Synarc. Dr. Lissin has a broad expertise with proprietary drug-delivery technologies applied to therapeutic products spanning numerous clinical areas including pain and neurological disorders. Most of his experience involves clinical development of novel oral, transdermal, implantable, and injectable formulations containing existing active pharmaceutical ingredients, using 505(b)(2) drug approval pathway. He has participated in many Pre-IND, End of Phase 1, End of Phase 2, and Pre-NDA meetings, negotiating clinical development programs with the FDA Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Addiction Products (DAAAP), Division of Neurology Products, and Division of Dermatology and Dental Products. He received his post-doctoral training at the University of California San Francisco, and his medical degree through an exchange program between Russian National Medical University and Harvard Medical School.

Suketu D. Desai, Ph.D. has 25+ years of experience in the Biologics and Pharmaceutical Industry. Suketu is Chief Technical Officer and Senior Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls, Regulatory CMC, and Quality Assurance at Semnur Pharmaceuticals (2015 – present). Prior to Semnur, Suketu worked for Scilex Holding Company from 2019 to 2025. Prior to that, Suketu was Vice President of Biologics Development and Manufacturing for biologics drug substance and drug product, technical due diligence and commercial technical operations at Allergan, Inc. (2014-2015), which was acquired by Actavis, plc. Before Allergan, Suketu was a CMC consultant in 2013. Suketu was Vice President, Biotechnology Technical Operations for biologics drug substance and drug product, analytical, manufacturing and technical due diligence at Cephalon, Inc. (2010-2012), which was acquired by Teva Pharmaceuticals. During 2007-2010, Suketu was Ception Therapeutics, Inc., Vice President, Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls and Quality Assurance responsible for biologics drug substance and drug product development, analytical, manufacturing, quality, regulatory CMC, and technical due diligence for business development. Ception was acquired by Cephalon (2010). Suketu was Principal Scientist, Process Sciences/Technical Operations for late-stage and commercial biologics drug substance and drug product at Centocor, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary (2003-2006); Assoc. Director, Pharmaceutical and Biologic Formulations at AAI Pharma Development Services (2001-2003); Director/Sr. Manager at Aronex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (1996-2001); and Senior Scientist II/I at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, formerly Alcon Labs, Inc., (1992-1996). Suketu has contributed to several commercial biologic products (Botox, Cinquair, Simponi, Remicade, ReoPro, Retavase, and Eprex) and pharmaceutical products (Azopt and Volfenol) and late-stage development products including placulumab, abicipar pegol/DARPin, and Innotox. Dr. Desai received his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ and Master’s in Pharmacology and Bachelor’s in Pharmacy from the University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India.

Gigi DeGuzman is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in human resources, operations management, facilities management, event planning, executive coordination, and administrative operations.  She has played a significant role over the years, working in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, medical aesthetics, high-tech, and solar firms. Gigi has demonstrated leadership and expertise throughout her career.  She is Vice President and Chief People Officer at Semnur Pharmaceuticals.  Before joining Scilex Holding, Ms. DeGuzman became the Business Office Manager at Semnur Pharmaceuticals in 2016, a pain treatment specialist pharmaceutical firm acquired by Scilex Holding in March 2019. Gigi has played many roles during her time at Semnur , her journey at Semnur has been marked by impactful leadership and dedication to fostering growth and progress. She has also pursued studies in hospitality and tourism, facilities management, and human resources, further strengthening her expertise across multiple disciplines.