The recording of our recent webinar on listing biotech companies, specialist technology companies, and issuers with weighted voting rights (WVR) structures on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) is now available to view on our YouTube channel.
The session provides a detailed, practical walkthrough of HKEX's specialist listing regimes and the related Listing Rule amendments that took effect on 24 July 2026, following the conclusion of the Exchange's Listing Framework Competitiveness Review. These reforms are designed to relax eligibility requirements and strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness against US and mainland exchanges in attracting Chinese technology IPOs and homecoming listings.
Key topics covered in the recording include:
- Chapter 18A eligibility requirements for biotech companies, including core product, clinical trial, and regulatory milestone requirements
- Sophisticated investor, public float, and free-float requirements for biotech listing applicants
- Chapter 18C requirements for specialist technology companies, distinguishing commercial and pre-commercial applicants
- Sophisticated independent investor (SII) benchmarks and the "credible path to commercialisation" test
- Chapter 8A weighted voting rights (WVR) eligibility, governance safeguards, and rules for Greater China and overseas issuers
- The 24 July 2026 reforms, including lowered financial thresholds, the new 20:1 voting ratio cap, and the new Business Model innovative company test
- Changes to secondary listing thresholds and new flexibility for eligible specialist companies to list under Chapters 18A/18C
- Additional amendments on US GAAP reporting and ownership continuity guidance
The webinar is essential viewing for legal practitioners, compliance professionals, investment bankers, sponsors, and company executives navigating Hong Kong's evolving listing framework for innovative companies.
The full recording can be found on our Publications & Presentations page.