Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) "Graham" Patent Granted In Japan

Melbourne, Mar 12, 2010 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF) today announced that a patent "Control of Gene Expression", part of the Graham patent family of RNA interference (RNAi) patents was granted in Japan.

The "Control of Gene Expression patent" is a patent in the foundational Graham RNAi patent family and is related to the '099 patent currently under reexamination at the USPTO.

"We are delighted that the Japanese patent office has recognized the importance of these patent claims and accepted this important patent. This patent has broad coverage and leverage in the field of RNAi therapeutics" said Sue MacLeman, Chief Executive Officer, Benitec Ltd.

The granted claims of the patent broadly include a genetic construct for expressing a ribonucleic acid (RNA) to silence a target gene in a eukaryotic cell. The Japanese patent number is 4460600.

"The granting of this patent is an important step for licensing and collaborations in Japan. We are expanding our business development efforts in Asia and, with this patent grant, there is an opportunity to drive increased revenues from these activities. Benitec assigned this patent family to CSIRO in 2006 however retains a worldwide non-revocable right to the human field" she added.

Contact

Sue MacLeman Benitec Limited Chief Executive Officer Tel: +61-437-211-200