Management Team

Barbara White, MD, joined SFJ Pharmaceuticals® as Chief Medical Officer in September 2021, and became President and CEO in 2024. Barbara has 18 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, following a productive career as a physician scientist in academia. Barbara’s industry experience includes pre-clinical drug development, Phase 1-3 and post-approval clinical development, translational medicine, and medical affairs. Prior to joining SFJ, Barbara was Chief Medical Office and Head of Research at Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., SVP and Head of R&D at Stiefel, a GSK company, and held leadership roles at UCB, MedImmune, and Amgen. Before starting her pharmaceutical career, Barbara was Professor of Medicine and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Medicine, at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Barbara received her medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and is board certified in internal medicine, rheumatology and allergy/clinical immunology. She did postdoctoral studies in basic cellular immunology at the National Cancer Institute, NIH. Barbara was recently elected Master, American College of Rheumatology.

Mr. DeBenedetto joined SFJ Pharmaceuticals® in August, 2014, overseeing FP&A activities including helping to close and operationalize over $400 million of structured financing transactions. Prior to joining SFJ Pharmaceuticals, Inc., he was with Cytori Therapeutics, a biotechnology company pioneering treatments with adipose-derived regenerative cells, where he developed process/policy improvements, which included a temporary assignment to Japan, and helped the close of a $500+ million licensing transaction.  Mr. DeBenedetto earned a B.S. in Finance-Economics from Bentley University.

Michele LaRussa has over 30 years of global pharmaceutical and life science experience. Ms. LaRussa joined SFJ Pharmaceuticals in July 2022 as Senior Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer.  Prior to joining SFJ, Ms. LaRussa served as the Chief Regulatory Officer for Atox Bio and led the NDA submission and subsequent meetings and discussions with the FDA and EMA. Prior to Atox Bio, Ms. LaRussa was an Officer and Global Head of Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance for Kala Pharmaceuticals. She led the submission and successful approval for the companies first NDA/marketed product. Prior, Ms. LaRussa held various roles of increasing responsibilities at GSK, Allergan, and Novartis.  Ms. LaRussa worked and lived in Switzerland for 7 years at Novartis HQ. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of South Florida.

Dr. Mark Wright joined SFJ Pharmaceuticals® in November 2022 as the Head of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC). Dr. Wright brings to SFJ over 20 years of development and manufacturing experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry.  In his role, Dr. Wright is responsible for providing strategic oversight of manufacturing and analytical testing activities for SFJ and its partners focused on assuring successful supply and approval of medicines. Prior to joining SFJ Pharmaceuticals®, Dr. Wright held leadership positions in technical and operational roles at Piramal Healthcare and Nordic Nanovector.  Dr. Wright holds a Bachelor of Science degree and PhD in biochemistry.