Palo Alto, Calif.– Frazier Life Sciences (FLS), a venture capital firm specializing in innovative therapeutics, has appointed Gordon Empey as Chief Operating Officer. Empey, who has been a Partner and General Counsel at FLS since 2017, will take on expanded responsibilities while continuing in his current roles.
In his new position, Empey will oversee the firm’s enterprise functions, including legal, compliance, investor relations, operations, human resources, and IT. He will also work closely with FLS’s investment and finance teams to ensure operational alignment with the firm’s strategic priorities.
“Gordon has played an important role in FLS’ strategic expansion,” said Patrick Heron, Managing Partner at FLS. “His leadership in developing our long-only public fund strategy and launching FLS Public Funds makes this appointment a natural progression.”
Since joining the firm, Empey has been instrumental in shaping FLS’s growth across multiple venture funds, including Frazier Life Sciences IX, X, and XI—collectively representing more than $2 billion in committed capital. He has led investment structuring efforts, advised portfolio companies on corporate strategy and transactions, and supported the launch of the firm’s SPAC, Frazier Lifesciences Acquisition Corporation, where he served as Vice President and General Counsel.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside the FLS team during a time of meaningful growth,” said Empey. “I’m excited to continue supporting our mission to build transformative life sciences companies that can improve patients’ lives.”
Before joining FLS, Empey was a partner at Cooley LLP, a leading biotechnology and technology law firm. He also held executive legal roles at Radiant Research and served in the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General Corps. He holds a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law and graduated magna cum laude from Colgate University.
