Cosette Pharmaceuticals Names Erika Tooman as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Enhancing Leadership to Support Growth and Strategic Expansion
Cosette Pharmaceuticals, a U.S.-based branded specialty pharmaceutical company, has announced the appointment of Erika Tooman as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. The leadership addition reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its executive team as it advances a long-term strategy focused on growth, portfolio expansion, and sustained value creation in an increasingly competitive pharmaceutical landscape.
The appointment comes at a time when Cosette Pharmaceuticals is actively scaling its operations, integrating new assets, and pursuing strategic acquisitions and partnerships. As part of this next phase, the company is placing a strong emphasis on governance, compliance, and legal oversight—areas that are critical to managing the complexities associated with expansion in the biopharmaceutical sector. In her new role, Tooman will oversee all legal, compliance, governance, and risk management functions, while also serving as a key strategic advisor to both the executive leadership team and the company’s Board of Directors.
Tooman brings more than two decades of experience across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, having built a career that spans legal strategy, intellectual property, corporate governance, and high-stakes transactions. Her track record includes guiding companies through periods of transformation, navigating regulatory challenges, and supporting large-scale business development initiatives. This breadth of experience positions her to play a central role in helping Cosette execute its strategic roadmap while maintaining robust operational and compliance frameworks.
According to Apurva Saraf, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Tooman’s appointment aligns closely with the company’s evolving needs. Saraf emphasized that her career has been defined by work at the intersection of law, corporate strategy, and enterprise value creation. He noted that as Cosette continues to expand its portfolio and integrate new assets, the ability to navigate legal and operational complexity will be essential.
Saraf further highlighted that Tooman will serve as a critical partner to the leadership team as the company executes on its long-term vision. With increasing activity in mergers and acquisitions, as well as partnerships across the pharmaceutical ecosystem, having experienced legal leadership is vital to ensuring that transactions are structured effectively and aligned with broader strategic objectives. In addition, strong governance practices will be key to maintaining stakeholder confidence and supporting sustainable growth.
Before joining Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Tooman most recently served as Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer at Radius Health. During her tenure, she was an integral member of the executive team and played a significant role in shaping the company’s legal and strategic direction. Her contributions included leading major litigation efforts, supporting royalty monetization transactions, and advising on strategic mergers and acquisitions. These experiences provided her with deep insight into the complexities of corporate transactions and value realization within the life sciences industry.
Earlier in her career, Tooman held senior leadership positions at Currax Pharmaceuticals and Pernix Therapeutics, where she contributed to organizational growth and operational scaling. In these roles, she was involved in a wide range of legal and compliance matters, including regulatory strategy, intellectual property management, and corporate governance. Her ability to operate effectively across multiple functional areas has been a consistent theme throughout her career.
She also served as Senior Patent Counsel at Ikaria, where she played a key role in securing exclusivity extensions and enhancing the value of the company’s intellectual property portfolio. Her work contributed to significant value creation ahead of Ikaria’s eventual acquisition, demonstrating her capacity to align legal strategy with broader business objectives. This experience in intellectual property and transactional strategy is particularly relevant in the pharmaceutical industry, where patent protection and lifecycle management are central to commercial success.
In commenting on her appointment, Tooman expressed enthusiasm about joining Cosette Pharmaceuticals at what she described as a pivotal moment in the company’s evolution. She noted that Cosette has established a strong platform and articulated an ambitious vision for growth, making it an attractive opportunity for a legal executive with a strategic mindset. Tooman emphasized her interest in working with a leadership team that values rigor, collaboration, and long-term thinking.
She also highlighted her commitment to helping the company navigate complexity as it expands its operations and pursues new opportunities. By supporting strategic initiatives and ensuring a strong governance framework, Tooman aims to contribute to the creation of durable value for patients, partners, and shareholders. Her perspective reflects a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry, where legal and compliance leaders are increasingly expected to play a proactive role in shaping business strategy rather than simply managing risk.
Tooman’s academic and professional credentials further underscore her qualifications for the role. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School, as well as a Master of Biotechnology from Columbia University. In addition, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Franklin & Marshall College, providing her with a strong scientific foundation that complements her legal expertise. This combination of legal and scientific training is particularly valuable in the life sciences sector, where understanding complex biological concepts is often essential to effective decision-making.
She is admitted to practice law in both New York and New Jersey and is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, reflecting her expertise in intellectual property matters. Over the course of her career, Tooman has also received recognition for her leadership and contributions to the industry. She has been named a Trailblazing Woman by Thomson Reuters and has been recognized by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association for leadership excellence.
The appointment of Erika Tooman comes as Cosette Pharmaceuticals continues to build momentum in executing its strategic priorities. The company has been focused on expanding its branded product portfolio, identifying acquisition opportunities, and strengthening its operational capabilities. In this context, the addition of an experienced General Counsel is expected to enhance the company’s ability to manage risk, navigate regulatory requirements, and execute complex transactions with confidence.
As the pharmaceutical industry continues to evolve, companies are increasingly required to balance innovation with regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and stakeholder expectations. Legal leaders play a crucial role in ensuring that organizations can adapt to these challenges while maintaining a strong ethical and governance framework. Tooman’s experience across multiple dimensions of the industry positions her to help Cosette Pharmaceuticals meet these demands and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Ultimately, the strengthening of Cosette’s executive leadership team reflects a broader commitment to long-term growth and value creation. By bringing in a seasoned legal executive with deep industry experience, the company is reinforcing its foundation for future expansion. As Cosette Pharmaceuticals continues to pursue its strategic vision, Erika Tooman’s leadership is expected to be instrumental in guiding the company through its next phase of development, supporting both operational excellence and sustained innovation in the specialty pharmaceutical space.
About Cosette Pharmaceuticals
Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a U.S.-based, leading specialty pharmaceutical company providing some of the most trusted and well-known brands in medicine — developing, and delivering products that make a difference in patients’ lives. Cosette’s strong growth has been driven by its best-in-class marketing, promotion, and strategic distribution capabilities, enabling the company to scale efficiently while continuing to invest in high-quality, patient-centered therapies.
Cosette has corporate headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey and is supported by 350+ dedicated team members across all functional areas. Cosette is backed by Avista Healthcare Partners, a healthcare focused private equity firm, and funds managed by Hamilton Lane, a private markets investment management firm (Nasdaq: HLNE).
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