Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised CITIC Securities (Hong Kong) Limited as the sole sponsor on HJ Science Co., Ltd. (06132.HK)’s listing on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
“Hong Kong continues to play an important role in connecting healthcare and other research-intensive companies from mainland China with international capital,” said Hong Kong partner Matt Emsley.
“For businesses built on long-term research and development, access to deep pools of international capital remains important to supporting innovation and future growth.”
HJ Science is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on the research and development of therapies for autoimmune, metabolic and oncology diseases. The company has a portfolio of self‑developed, small‑molecule NMPA Category 1 innovative drug candidates across these therapeutic areas, including three core product candidates and a pipeline of additional clinical‑stage and preclinical candidates.
This is another listing for the firm under Chapter 18A, the Hong Kong listing regime introduced in 2018 for qualifying biotech companies seeking to list on the Main Board.
“We are delighted to have supported the sole sponsor on HJ Science’s IPO and congratulate the company on its successful listing,” said Beijing partner Stanley Xie.
“The transaction required careful coordination across Hong Kong and mainland China legal and regulatory processes, and drew on our team’s capital markets execution experience.”
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has a strong track record advising healthcare and pharmaceutical companies on Hong Kong listings. Over the past eight years, the firm has advised on more than 30 healthcare and pharmaceutical IPOs in Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong listings for innovative and growth companies, including in healthcare and biotechnology, remain an important part of our capital markets practice,” said partner Jeremy Shen.
“We are pleased to continue supporting sponsors and issuers on specialist transactions that require careful judgement and strong execution.”
Partners Matt Emsley, Stanley Xie, Jeremy Shen and Jin Kong* led a cross-office team advising the sole sponsor, supported by Maisie Ko, Sean Ji, Gigi Lo, Angel Shi, Mia Zheng, Ariel Liu, Justin Qiu, Sammi Kwan, Francis Wang and Suzy Ju.
Legal manager Marine Jin led Herbert Smith Freehills Kewei Joint Operation's Digital Legal Delivery business to provide high-efficiency solutions for verification and other document-intensive processes during the listing, assisted by Huidan Luo and Xiaojing Ye.
*Due to regulatory requirements in Hong Kong, Jin Kong's official title is Senior Registered Foreign Lawyer.