Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) To Broaden Research And Development Pipeline

Melbourne, Sep 3, 2010 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Benitec Limited (ASX:BLT) (PINK:BNIKF), a leading Australian based company specialising in RNA interference (RNAi) technology, is pleased to announce a strategy update and broadening of its R&D pipeline following the recent Board and management changes announced earlier this year.

Until recently Benitec's research focus was solely based on its HIV/AIDS program at City of Hope in Duarte, California. Following encouraging Phase I results from the HIV/AIDS stem cell trial using a triple RNA-based construct, conducted by researchers at City of Hope and recently published in Science Translational Medicine, Benitec is now committed to further demonstrating the power of its ddRNAi technology for gene silencing in a variety of diseases, including hepatitis B, non-small cell lung cancer, hepatitis C (licensed to Tacere Therapeutics) and HIV/AIDS.

Benitec CEO, Dr Peter French said: "Benitec has a growing pipeline of valuable assets backed by a strong IP position. The Company is entering an exciting new era, using its predominant patent position in RNAi to build a broad portfolio of clinical and pre-clinical programs to demonstrate the power and the range of its ddRNAi technology."

A previously announced pilot study of safety and feasibility of using the same construct to transfect T cells in HIV/AIDS patients who have failed HAART therapy has been put on hold primarily due to patient recruitment challenges arising from the trial's eligibility requirements. Benitec and City of Hope are now in discussions to redesign the program with an objective of partnering or out-licensing the program to an industry partner with an interest in HIV/AIDS therapeutics.

Contact

Peter French Chief Executive Officer Benitec Limited Mob: +61-412-457-595 Email: pfrench@benitec.com http://www.benitec.com