Welly Biotech ‘n’ Beers: Speaker Series – March 2026
BioTech N Beers: Speaker Series is back for another year!
Big kudos to everyone who supported us last year, from our speakers, to hosts, to sponsors, thanks to your support we are up and running for another year.
Once a quarter we will be running a fireside chat with those that have been there done that, the up and coming and everything in-between.
Our first speaker of the year is Grant Hummel, a partner at HWLE who is going to share his experience in capital raising and the dos and don’ts of listing a biotech on the ASX.
Kindly hosted by Lab-Works, and generously sponsored by FB Rice, come along for a yarn, some war stories, and drinks and kai.
Check out Grant’s bio below and we hope to see you there!
Grant Hummel:
Grant is Head of Corporate (Sydney) at HWLE and is in his twentieth year of partnership at that firm. He has a sector focus on the health industry in his practice of law as well as being a director of a private hospital, an ASX listed medtech and a cancer treatment start-up. With extensive experience in capital raisings, securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and ASX compliance, Grant advises major primary health, allied health, medtech and biotech clients. He holds an honours degree in life sciences, with a research focus on DNA fingerprinting. Grant brings a unique blend of legal expertise and scientific insight which has led to successful IPO and ASX listings for clients like Tetratherix, Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Xenith IP Group, Careteq, Next Science, and Atomo Diagnostics.
FB Rice is a leading independent intellectual property firm with a strong focus on biotechnology and the life sciences. With more than 75 years of experience and a dedicated Wellington office, we’re proud to support New Zealand’s growing biotech community through local presence and expertise.
Our Biotechnology Group brings deep scientific and industry knowledge across areas such as gene therapy, diagnostics, biologics, vaccines, and medical technologies. We work closely with clients across academia, research, and industry to protect innovation and support commercial success—offering strategic advice on patentability, prosecution, due diligence, and portfolio management.
As active participants in New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem, we value collaboration and are committed to helping the local biotech sector thrive.
With over 30 years’ experience, Lab-works Architecture are New Zealand’s leading laboratory design architects, with a proven track record across research, teaching, healthcare, and analytical facilities. We believe well-designed laboratories and support spaces enhance capability, productivity, and competitive advantage, so we ensure our clients benefit from best practice in facility planning, design, and technology. Science is always evolving, and so are we—continuously updating our skills and staying at the forefront of new research to deliver leading-edge projects. Through active involvement in international conferences, standards committees, and ongoing research and development in the built environment, we provide design and technical solutions that are robust, fit-for-purpose, and future-focused.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, 11 March 2026
- Location: Lab-Works, Level 10, 76 Manners Street, Wellington
- Time: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- Speaker: Grant Hummel
- Description: Capital Raising: The Dos and Don’ts of taking Biotechs Public
