Benitec Biopharma Limited

The Directors of Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) are pleased to provide this update on the progress of the re-examination of United States Patent 6,573,099 ("'099 Graham Patent"), titled "Control of Gene Expression", currently on appeal at the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO")'s Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences ("Appeals Board").

Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) are pleased to provide this update on the progress of the patent family "Control of Gene Expression" in a number of countries around the world. The "Control of Gene Expression" patents are part of the foundational Graham RNAi patent family.

Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) are pleased to announce that US Patent 7727970 "Multiple promoter expression cassettes for simultaneous delivery of RNAi agents targeted to Hepatitis C virus" has been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The granted claims cover the use of an RNA interference construct (with multiple promoters) to inhibit the level of Hepatitis C virus in animal cells, tissues and organs. Moreover, the USPTO has granted Benitec an additional 805 days patent term in recognition of the delays in examining the patent application. Additional related applications remain pending to extend the scope of protection.

Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) are pleased to announce that the results of Benitec's US-based HIV/AIDS pilot clinical trial have been published in the prestigious scientific journal Science Translational Medicine, a journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) are pleased to announce the publication of a paper in the prestigious scientific journal Cancer Research by Associate Professor Maria Kavallaris from Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research (CCIA) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), relating to the association between beta tubulin and chemotherapy resistance in cancers.

Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) PINK:BNIKF) are pleased to announce that Dr Peter French has been appointed CEO of Benitec, effective immediately. Dr French has been Benitec's Chief Scientific Officer since August 2009.

Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) provides the following update on the USA Patent Re-examination of the "Graham" patent 6,573,099. In response to the formal Request for Oral Hearing filed in March 2010 and as announced in our market update on 9 March 2010, the Company has been notified that the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences of the United States Patent and Trademark Office will hold an oral hearing re this matter on Wednesday 4 August 2010.

Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Iain Ross to the Board.

The Directors of Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) announced today that its second HIV-targeted clinical trial is open for recruitment following favourable review and approval of the protocol and associated documents by the Institutional Review Board of City of Hope, California, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) are delighted to announce the signing of a convertible note facility with La Jolla Cove Investors, Inc. to provide up to US$6 million in funding. La Jolla Cove Investors, Inc. is a California (US) based private investment company that invests in small to mid sized market capitalised publicly traded companies. Benitec commenced discussions with La Jolla Cove Investors in January 2010 and over the last few months they have completed their due diligence and have agreed to provide this important investment.