Benitec Biopharma Inc. Announces Closing of $30 Million Underwritten Public Offering

HAYWARD, Calif., Aug. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Benitec Biopharma Inc. (Nasdaq: BNTC) (“Benitec” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage, gene therapy-focused, biotechnology company developing novel genetic medicines based on its proprietary DNA-directed RNA interference ("ddRNAi") “Silence and Replace” platform, today announced it closed its previously announced underwritten public offering of 15,544,041 shares of its common stock (or pre-funded warrants to purchase common stock in lieu thereof) and accompanying warrants to purchase up to 15,544,041 shares of common stock. Each share of common stock was sold together with one common warrant to purchase one share of common stock at a combined offering price of $1.93 and each pre-funded warrant was sold together with one common warrant to purchase one share of common stock at a combined offering price of $1.9299. The pre-funded warrants are immediately exercisable until exercised in full at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share of common stock. The common warrants are immediately exercisable at an exercise price of $3.86 per share of common stock and will expire on the fifth anniversary of such initial exercisable date. In addition, Benitec has granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase an additional 2,331,606 shares of common stock and/or common warrants to purchase up to an additional 2,331,606 shares of common stock at the public offering price, less discounts and commissions. As of the date hereof, the underwriter has partially exercised this over-allotment option and purchased 458,134 additional shares of common stock and 458,134 additional common warrants to purchase up to an additional 458,134 shares of common stock.

The aggregate gross proceeds to Benitec from the public offering were approximately $30.9 million (after giving effect to the 458,134 additional shares of common stock and 458,134 additional common warrants sold pursuant to the underwriter’s partial exercise of its over-allotment option), prior to deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and other estimated offering expenses. The institutional investors that participated in the offering included Adage Capital Partners LP, Janus Henderson Investors and Suvretta Capital, as well as other new and existing investors.