About
James Li joined Frazier Life Sciences as a Venture Partner in 2024, with more than 30 years in biotech investing, company building, and management, and a focus on cross-border opportunities. He co-founded and served as CEO of JW Therapeutics (2016–2024), a cell therapy company behind China's first domestically developed CAR-T therapy, and previously held the founding General Manager role for Greater China at Amgen. Earlier, he was a Partner in the life sciences practice at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and spent over 15 years at Merck & Co. in clinical research, regulatory affairs, and product development roles. He holds an M.D. from Shanghai Medical University and an M.S. in Microbiology from the University of Montana.
Invests in
Biotech
Experience
- Frazier Life SciencesVenture Partnercurrent2024 — presentUnited States
- JW Therapeutics 药明巨诺Co-Founder and Non-Executive Board Membercurrent2024 — present
- JW Therapeutics 药明巨诺Interim Board Chairman2024
- JW Therapeutics 药明巨诺Co-Founder and CEO2016 — 2024Shanghai, China
- AmgenVice President and General Manager, Greater China2012 — 2015Shanghai, China
- Kleiner Perkins Caufield & ByersPartner2006 — 2011
- MerckFranchise Head, Hypertension, AP1991 — 2006
Skills & more
Immunology10Due Diligence12Mergers4Vaccines10Biotechnology53Pharmaceutical Industry43Corporate Development15Technology Transfer26Start-ups16Financial Modeling4Lifesciences33Valuation9
+1 more
Business StrategyFrom James's professional profile.
Colleagues at Frazier Life Sciences
Adam Simpson
Venture Partner at Frazier Life Sciences
Aditya Kohli
Partner at Frazier Life Sciences
Albert Cha
Managing Partner at Frazier Life Sciences
Ali Jackson
Vice President and Counsel, Public Funds at Frazier Life Sciences
Amanda Wilson
Senior Tax Manager at Frazier Life Sciences
Angel Martin
Senior Associate at Frazier Life Sciences
Angie You
Senior Advisor at Frazier Life Sciences
Anna H. Chen
Partner at Frazier Life Sciences
Frequently asked questions
- Who is James Li?
- James Li joined Frazier Life Sciences as a Venture Partner in 2024, with more than 30 years in biotech investing, company building, and management, and a focus on cross-border opportunities. He co-founded and served as CEO of JW Therapeutics (2016–2024), a cell therapy company behind China's first domestically developed CAR-T therapy, and previously held the founding General Manager role for Greater China at Amgen. Earlier, he was a Partner in the life sciences practice at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and spent over 15 years at Merck & Co. in clinical research, regulatory affairs, and product development roles. He holds an M.D. from Shanghai Medical University and an M.S. in Microbiology from the University of Montana.
- Where does James Li work?
- James Li is Venture Partner at Frazier Life Sciences.
- What does James Li invest in?
- James Li invests in Biotech.
- Where did James Li go to school?
- James Li studied at Shanghai Medical University, China (Medical Degree, Medicine); University of Montana (Master of Science (M.S.), Microbiology).
Founder mafias
Kleiner Perkins mafia54
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Raphael RouvinovEngineering FellowFounded Luminopia +1Rebecca LeeKleiner Perkins FellowFounded Elayne +1Jesse HuEngineering FellowFounded Abundant +1Ted SchleinGeneral PartnerFounded GetReal SecurityMuzzammil (MZ) ZaveriPartnerFounded ProxinoDr. Cheryl MartinExecutive in ResidenceFounded Renmatix
+ 47 more
Frazier Life Sciences mafia14
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Christian SchadeSenior AdvisorFounded Halda Therapeutics +2Maria FardisVenture PartnerFounded Airnexis Therapeutics Inc +1Scott ByrdEntrepreneur-in-ResidenceFounded Outpost Medicine +1Aditya KohliPartnerFounded Phathom PharmaceuticalsTao FuVenture PartnerFounded Attovia Therapeutics
+ 8 more
University of Montana mafia2
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Same school
Also attended University of Montana8
John ConnorsManaging Partner at Ignition PartnersDanielle deBouverBrand Communications Manager at Ibex InvestorsKellanGeneral Partner at FUSEKristina KlaasPartner at Chloe CapitalSamantha DrenskiVenture Platform Intern at Rev1 VenturesNathaniel MontanaPartner at Liquid Ventures
+ 2 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Amgen79
Parker ConradCo-founder & CEO of RipplingSeth LieblichInvestment Team at 8VCSean BruichChief Technology Officer at Flare Capital PartnersSteph ScottVice President at Questa CapitalBeth SeidenbergFounding Managing Director at Westlake Village BioPartnersKelli McKeirnanDirector of Administration at Westlake Village BioPartners
+ 73 more
Also worked at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers180
John DoerrChairman of Kleiner PerkinsMary MeekerFounder & General Partner at BONDAileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesMamoon HamidPartner at Kleiner PerkinsAlex TranInvestment Team at General CatalystJordan OrmontPartner, Talent at Menlo Ventures
+ 174 more
Also worked at Merck128
Anika GuptaInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Sam BlackmanEntrepreneur in Residence at GV (Google Ventures)Catherine Pearce, DHSc, MBAAdvisor at CincyTechDavid MollerInvestor at Third Rock VenturesAlan EzekowitzInvestor at Third Rock VenturesAndrea van ElsasInvestor at Third Rock Ventures
+ 122 more