Aria Cohen
Vice President, Head of Market Access | Boston, Massachusetts
Professional Overview
Aria Cohen is an accomplished pharmaceutical executive with over 15 years of experience driving market access and commercialization strategies for innovative therapies. As the Vice President and Head of Market Access at Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., she leverages her deep expertise in reimbursement, payer relations, and field-based market access to ensure optimal patient access and commercial success for the company's pipeline.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As Vice President and Head of Market Access at Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Aria is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive market access strategies to support the launch and commercialization of the company's ophthalmic and rare disease products. She leads a team of market access professionals and collaborates cross-functionally to secure favorable payer coverage, secure reimbursement, and drive patient affordability. Under her leadership, Aria has secured market access for two of Alkeus Pharmaceuticals' novel therapies, resulting in increased patient reach and improved health outcomes.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Aria served as the Executive Director and Head of Market Access at Alkeus Pharmaceuticals, where she established the company's market access function and built a high-performing team. Before that, she held senior market access and payer strategy roles at Apellis Pharmaceuticals and Sobi - North America, where she was instrumental in securing coverage and reimbursement for several specialty and rare disease products. Aria's earlier experience includes roles in sales and marketing at BIOTRONIK, Boston Scientific, and Sanofi, providing her with a well-rounded understanding of the pharmaceutical industry.
Academic Background
Aria holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she graduated summa cum laude.
Areas of Expertise
- Market access strategy and execution
- Payer relations and contracting
- Reimbursement and patient affordability programs
- Product launch and commercialization
- Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
- Rare disease and specialty pharmaceutical market
Professional Impact
Under Aria's leadership, Alkeus Pharmaceuticals has successfully launched two novel ophthalmic therapies, achieving market access for over 75% of covered lives within the first 12 months of launch. Her strategic initiatives have resulted in improved patient affordability, increased patient reach, and enhanced health outcomes. Aria is a respected industry thought leader, frequently speaking at industry conferences and contributing to publications on market access best practices.
Conclusion
Aria Cohen is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with a proven track record of driving market access, reimbursement, and commercialization strategies for innovative therapies. Her deep expertise, strategic vision, and cross-functional leadership make her a valuable asset to Alkeus Pharmaceuticals as they continue to advance their pipeline and enhance patient access to their transformative therapies.
