UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 20‑F

 

(Mark one)

Registration statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

or

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018

or

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

or

Shell company report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Commission file number: 001-37518

 

Benitec Biopharma Limited

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Australia

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

99 Mount Street, Suite 1201

North Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Dr. Jerel Banks

Chief Executive Officer

99 Mount Street, Suite 1201

North Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia

Tel: +61 2 9555 6986

Fax: +612 9818 2238

(Name, telephone, e‑mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing twenty Ordinary Shares*

 

The NASDAQ Capital Market

Warrants, each exercisable for one American Depositary Share

 

The NASDAQ Capital Market

 

*

Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares.

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

 


Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the date of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

257,029,426 Ordinary Shares at June 30, 2018

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well‑known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes    No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Yes    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) for the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes     No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S‑T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).   Ye s    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non‑accelerated filer or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act:

 

 

Large accelerated filer 

Non‑accelerated filer 

 

 

 

 

Accelerated filer 

Emerging growth company 

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP 

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued

Other 

 

by the International Accounting Standards Board 

 

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.  Item 17    Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes    No

 

 

 

 


Table of contents

 

Part I

Item 1.

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

3

Item 2.

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

3

Item 3.

Key Information

3

Item 4.

Information on Benitec

49

Item 4A.

Unresolved Staff Comments

93

Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

94

Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

106

Item 7.

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

116

Item 8.

Financial Information

118

Item 9.

The Offer and Listing.

119

Item 10.

Additional Information.

121

Item 11.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

134

Item 12.

Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities.

135

Part II

Item 13.

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

137

Item 14.

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and the Use of Proceeds

137

Item 15.

Controls and Procedures

137

Item 16A.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

138

Item 16B.

Code of Ethics

138

Item 16C.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

138

Item 16D.

Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees.

139

Item 16E.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

139

Item 16F.

Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

139

Item 16G.

Corporate Governance

139

Item 16H.

Mine Safety Disclosure

141

Part III

Item 17.

Financial Statements

142

Item 18.

Financial Statements

142

Item 19.

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 


EXPLANATO RY NOTES

Unless otherwise indicated or the context implies otherwise:

 

“we,” “us,” “our” or “Benitec” refers to Benitec Biopharma Limited, an Australian corporation, and its subsidiaries;

 

“shares” or “ordinary shares” refers to our ordinary shares;

 

“ADSs” refers to American Depositary Shares, each of which represents 20 ordinary shares;

 

“ADRs” refers to American Depositary Receipts, which evidence the ADSs; and

 

“Warrant” refers to a warrant to purchase one ADS at an exercise price of US$5.50 per ADS, exercisable from the date of issuance until five years thereafter.

Our reporting and functional currency is the Australian dollar. Solely for the convenience of the reader, this Annual Report on Form 20-F contains translations of some Australian dollar amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates. Except as otherwise stated in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, all translations from Australian dollars to U.S. dollars are based on the rate published by the Reserve Bank of Australia on the date indicated. See Item 3.A “Key Information—Selected Financial Data.” No representation is made that the Australian dollar amounts referred to in this Annual Report on Form 20-F could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at such rate.

Unless otherwise noted, all industry and market data in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, including information provided by independent industry analysts, are presented in U.S. dollars. Unless otherwise noted, all other financial and other data related to Benitec Biopharma Limited in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are presented in Australian dollars. All references to “$” in this Annual Report on Form 20-F refer to Australian dollars or U.S. dollars, as the context requires based on the foregoing. All references to “A$” in this Annual Report on Form 20-F mean Australian dollars. All references to “US$” in this Annual Report on Form 20-F mean U.S. dollars.

Our fiscal year end is June 30. References to a particular “fiscal year” are to our fiscal year ended June 30 of that calendar year.

Unless otherwise indicated, the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards and also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB, which differ in certain significant respects from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, or GAAP. See Item 3.A “Key Information—Selected Financial Data.”

TRADEMARKS AND TRADENAMES

We have proprietary and licensed rights to trademarks used in this Annual Report on Form 20-F which are important to our business, many of which are registered under applicable intellectual property laws. These trademarks are as follows:

 

BENITEC BIOPHARMA ®

 

BENITEC ®

 

SILENCING GENES FOR LIFE ®

Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Annual Report on Form 20-F appear without the “ ® ” or “™” symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent possible under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend use or display of other companies' trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. Each trademark, trade name or service mark of any other company appearing in this Annual Report on Form 20-F is the property of its respective holder.

 


FORWARD-LOOKIN G STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project,” or the negative of these terms, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and important factors currently known by us and our expectations of the future, about which we cannot be certain.

Forward-looking statements may include statements about:

 

our plans to develop and potentially commercialize our product candidates;

 

the timing of the initiation and completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials;

 

the timing of patient enrollment and dosing in any future clinical trials;

 

the timing of the availability of data from clinical trials;

 

the timing of expected regulatory filings;

 

the development of novel AAV vectors;

 

expectations about the plans of licensees of our technology;

 

the clinical utility and potential attributes and benefits of ddRNAi and our product candidates, including the potential duration of treatment effects and the potential for a “one shot” cure;

 

potential future out-licenses and collaborations;

 

our expectations regarding expenses, ongoing losses, future revenue, capital needs and needs for additional financing;

 

the length of time over which we expect our cash and cash equivalents, including the proceeds from our U.S. initial public offering, to be sufficient; and

 

our intellectual property position and the duration of our patent portfolio.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 20-F. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this Annual Report on Form 20-F are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, objectives, expectations or intentions will be achieved. We disclose important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations under Item 3.D “Key Information—Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

The forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 20-F relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

2


PA RT I

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

Not applicable.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

Item 3. Key Information

A.

Selected Financial Data.

The following tables set forth summary historical financial data for the periods indicated.

The following selected consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2018 and 2017 and for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. The selected consolidated financial data as of June 30, 2016, 2015, and 2014 and for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which are not included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

Our financial statements have been prepared in Australian dollars and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Our financial statements comply with IFRS, as issued by the IASB.

3


You should read the selected consolidated financial data in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, including Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 18. Financial Statements.”   Our historical results do not necessarily indicate our expected results for any future periods.

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

For the year ended June 30

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue and other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

A$

 

620

 

 

A$

 

586

 

 

A$

 

464

 

 

A$

 

1,081

 

 

A$

 

598

 

Other income

 

 

 

4,087

 

 

 

 

10,507

 

 

 

 

3,590

 

 

 

 

2,891

 

 

 

 

776

 

Total revenue and other income

 

 

 

4,707

 

 

 

 

11,093

 

 

 

 

4,054

 

 

 

 

3,972

 

 

 

 

1,374

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalties and license fees

 

 

 

(451

)

 

 

 

(272

)

 

 

 

(139

)

 

 

 

(40

)

 

 

 

(193

)

Research and development

 

 

 

(6,890

)

 

 

 

(6,925

)

 

 

 

(13,287

)

 

 

 

(6,228

)

 

 

 

(3,758

)

Employment related

 

 

 

(5,094

)

 

 

 

(5,015

)

 

 

 

(6,283

)

 

 

 

(3,425

)

 

 

 

(2,444

)

Share based expenses

 

 

 

(434

)

 

 

 

(386

)

 

 

 

(1,746

)

 

 

 

(1,503

)

 

 

 

(355

)

Travel related expenses

 

 

 

(468

)

 

 

 

(629

)

 

 

 

(1,023

)

 

 

 

(1,039

)

 

 

 

(585

)

Consultants costs

 

 

 

(783

)

 

 

 

(976

)

 

 

 

(1,020

)

 

 

 

(882

)

 

 

 

(653

)

Occupancy costs

 

 

 

(587

)

 

 

 

(550

)

 

 

 

(500

)

 

 

 

(275

)

 

 

 

(122

)

Depreciation

 

 

 

(194

)

 

 

 

(217

)

 

 

 

(290

)

 

 

 

(61

)

 

 

 

(13

)

Corporate expenses

 

 

 

(1,360

)

 

 

 

(1,540

)

 

 

 

(1,139

)

 

 

 

(957

)

 

 

 

(633

)

Net loss foreign exchange

 

 

 

(44

)

 

 

 

(266

)

 

 

 

(414

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(111

)

IPO costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,191

)

 

 

 

(1,071

)

 

 

 

 

Change in market value of listed investment

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Write-off of clinical trial prepayment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,800

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income tax

 

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

 

(24,778

)

 

 

 

(11,509

)

 

 

 

(7,493

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

454

 

Loss for the period

 

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

 

(24,778

)

 

 

 

(11,509

)

 

 

 

(7,039

)

Loss per share, basic and diluted

 

 

 

(0.0553

)

 

 

 

(0.0324

)

 

 

 

(0.1741

)

 

 

 

(0.0996

)

 

 

 

(0.0778

)

Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted

 

 

210,454,829

 

 

 

175,433,909

 

 

 

142,312,486

 

 

 

115,507

 

 

 

90,432

 

4


 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

2014

 

Statement of Financial Position Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

A$

16,085

 

 

A$

17,375

 

A$

18,230

 

A$

21,787

 

A$

31,359

 

Total current assets

 

 

20,895

 

 

 

22,162

 

 

19,384

 

 

25,064

 

 

34,448

 

Total assets

 

 

21,339

 

 

 

22,666

 

 

19,890

 

 

25,520

 

 

34,496

 

Net assets

 

 

 

18,744

 

 

 

21,506

 

 

18,837

 

 

23,878

 

 

33,541

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

2,547

 

 

 

1,125

 

 

1,035

 

 

1,642

 

 

 

955

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,595

 

 

 

1,160

 

 

1,053

 

 

1,642

 

 

 

955

 

Total equity

 

 

18,744

 

 

 

21,506

 

 

18,837

 

 

23,878

 

 

33,541

 

 

Exchange Rate Information

The Australian dollar is convertible into U.S. dollars at freely floating rates. There are no legal restrictions on the flow of Australian dollars between Australia and the United States. Any remittances of dividends or other payments by us to persons in the United States are not and will not be subject to any exchange controls.

Our financial statements are prepared and presented in Australian dollars.

The table below sets forth for the periods identified the number of U.S. dollars per Australian dollar as published by the Reserve Bank of Australia. We make no representation that any Australian dollar or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Australian dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all.

 

 

 

At Period

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End (1)

 

 

Rate (2)

 

 

High (3)

 

 

Low (4)

 

Fiscal year ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

0.7391

 

 

 

0.7753

 

 

 

0.8121

 

 

 

0.7353

 

2017

 

 

0.7692

 

 

 

0.7542

 

 

 

0.7724

 

 

 

0.7202

 

2016

 

 

0.7426

 

 

 

0.7272

 

 

 

0.7812

 

 

 

0.6867

 

2015

 

 

0.7680

 

 

 

0.8288

 

 

 

0.9458

 

 

 

0.7590

 

2014

 

 

0.9420

 

 

 

0.9148

 

 

 

0.9672

 

 

 

0.8716

 

Month ended:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2018

 

 

0.7222

 

 

 

0.7203

 

 

 

0.7296

 

 

 

0.7103

 

August 31, 2018

 

 

0.7260

 

 

 

0.7326

 

 

 

0.7441

 

 

 

0.7213

 

July 31, 2018

 

 

0.7431

 

 

 

0.7406

 

 

 

0.7467

 

 

 

0.7360

 

June 30, 2018

 

 

0.7391

 

 

 

0.7494

 

 

 

0.7664

 

 

 

0.7353

 

May 31, 2018

 

 

0.7564

 

 

 

0.7527

 

 

 

0.7588

 

 

 

0.7435

 

April 30, 2018

 

 

0.7570

 

 

 

0.7698

 

 

 

0.7804

 

 

 

0.7545

 

 

(1)

Determined by the published rate on the last trading day of the month or fiscal year indicated, as applicable.

(2)

Determined by averaging the published rate on the last trading day of each full month during the fiscal year indicated or by averaging the published rates for all trading days during the month indicated, as applicable.

(3)

Determined by the highest published rate during the month or fiscal year indicated, as applicable.

(4)

Determined by the lowest published rate during the month or fiscal year indicated, as applicable.

B.

Capitalization and Indebtedness .

Not applicable.

5


C.

Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds .

Not applicable.

D.

Risk Factors .

An investment in the ADSs involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, the trading price of the ADSs could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Financial Condition, Capital Requirements and Largest Shareholder

We have incurred significant net losses. We anticipate that we will continue to incur significant net losses for the foreseeable future and we may never achieve or maintain profitability.

We are a biotechnology company and have not yet generated significant revenue. We have incurred losses of A$11.6 million, A$5.7 million and A$24.8 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We have not generated any revenues from sales of any of our product candidates.

As of June 30, 2018, we had accumulated losses of A$146.8 million. We have devoted most of our financial resources to research and development, including our clinical and preclinical development activities. To date, we have financed our operations primarily through the issuance of equity securities (including a private placement in May 2018 as well as an entitlement offer in June 2018), research and development grants from the Australian government and payments from our collaboration partners. We have not generated, and do not expect to generate, any significant revenue for the foreseeable future, and we expect to continue to incur significant operating losses for the foreseeable future due to the cost of research and development, preclinical studies and clinical trials and the regulatory approval process for product candidates. The amount of our future net losses is uncertain and will depend, in part, on the rate of our future expenditures. Our ability to continue operations will depend on, among other things, our ability to obtain funding through equity or debt financings, strategic collaborations or additional grants.

We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and we may incur operating losses for the foreseeable future. We anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially if and as we:

 

continue our research and preclinical development of our product candidates;

 

expand the scope of our current preclinical studies for our product candidates or initiate clinical, additional preclinical or other studies for product candidates;

 

seek regulatory and marketing approvals for any of our product candidates that successfully complete clinical trials;

 

further develop the manufacturing process for our product candidates;

 

change or add additional manufacturers or suppliers;

 

seek to identify and validate additional product candidates;

 

acquire or in-license other product candidates and technologies, which may or may not include those related to our ddRNAi technology and delivery vectors for our therapeutic candidates;

 

maintain, protect and expand our intellectual property portfolio;

 

create additional infrastructure to support our operations as a public company in the United States and our product development and future commercialization efforts; and

 

experience any delays or encounter issues with any of the above.

6


The net losses we incur may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year, such that a period-to-period comparison of our results of operations may not be a good indication of our future performance. In any particular quarter or quarters, our operating results could be below the expectations of securities analysts or investors, which could cause the price of the ADSs to decline.

We have never generated any revenue from product sales and may never be profitable.

Our ability to generate significant revenue and achieve profitability depends on our ability to, alone or with strategic collaboration partners, successfully complete the development of and obtain the regulatory approvals for our product candidates, to manufacture sufficient supply of our product candidates, to establish a sales and marketing organization or suitable third-party alternative for the marketing of any approved products and to successfully commercialize any approved products on commercially reasonable terms. All of these activities will require us to raise sufficient funds to finance business activities.

We may receive milestone payments from our collaborative partners in the foreseeable future. However, we do not anticipate generating revenue from commercializing product candidates for the foreseeable future, if ever.

Our ability to generate future revenues from commercializing product candidates depends heavily on our success in:

 

establishing proof of concept in preclinical studies and clinical trials for our product candidates;

 

successfully initiating and completing clinical trials of our product candidates;

 

obtaining regulatory and marketing approvals for product candidates for which we complete clinical trials;

 

maintaining, protecting and expanding our intellectual property portfolio, and avoiding infringing on intellectual property of third parties;

 

establishing and maintaining successful licenses, collaborations and alliances with third parties;

 

developing a sustainable, scalable, reproducible and transferable manufacturing process for our product candidates;

 

establishing and maintaining supply and manufacturing relationships with third parties that can provide products and services adequate, in amount and quality, to support clinical development and commercialization of our product candidates, if approved;

 

launching and commercializing any product candidates for which we obtain regulatory and marketing approval, either by collaborating with a partner or, if launched independently, by establishing a sales, marketing and distribution infrastructure;

 

obtaining market acceptance of any product candidates that receive regulatory approval as viable treatment options;

 

obtaining favorable coverage and reimbursement rates for our products from third-party payers;

 

addressing any competing technological and market developments;

 

identifying and validating new product candidates; and

 

negotiating favorable terms in any collaboration, licensing or other arrangements into which we may enter.

The process of developing product candidates for ddRNAi-based and antisense RNA-based therapeutics contains a number of inherent risks and uncertainties. For example, with regard to ddRNAi, it may not be possible to identify a target region of a disease-associated gene that has not been previously identified and/or patented by others, resulting in restrictions on freedom to operate for that target sequence. Silencing the target gene may not ultimately result in curing the disease as there may be more factors contributing to the development of the disease than the target gene. Silencing the target gene using ddRNAi may lead to short-term or long-term adverse effects that were not predicted or observed in preclinical studies. The delivery of the DNA construct to the target cells may not be possible, or complete or adequate to provide sufficient therapeutic benefit.

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Even if one or more of our product candidates is approved for commercial sale, we may incur significant costs associated with commercializing any approved product candidate. As one example, our expenses could increase beyond expectations if we are required by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, or other regulatory agencies, domestic or foreign, to perform clinical and other studies in addition to those that we currently anticipate. Even if we are able to generate revenues from the sale of any approved products, we may not become profitable and may need to obtain additional funding to continue operations, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We will need to continue our efforts to raise additional funding, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to obtain capital when needed may negatively impact our ability to continue as a going concern.

Developing ddRNAi products is expensive, and we expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we advance our product candidates in preclinical studies and in future clinical trials and as we undertake preclinical studies of new product candidates.

As of June 30, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents were A$16.1 million. We estimate that our cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our operations until approximately the end of calendar 2020. However, our operating plan may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned, through public or private equity or debt financings, government grants or other third-party funding, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or a combination of these approaches. In addition, because the length of time and activities associated with successful development of our product candidates is highly uncertain, we are unable to estimate the actual funds we will require for development and any approved marketing and commercialization activities. In any event, we will require additional capital to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates and to commercialize any product candidates that receive regulatory approval.

Any additional fundraising efforts may divert our management from their day-to-day activities, which may compromise our ability to develop and commercialize our product candidates. In addition, we cannot guarantee that future financing will be available in sufficient amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. Moreover, the terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of our shareholders, and the issuance of additional securities, whether equity or debt, by us, or the possibility of such issuance, may cause the market price of our ordinary shares, ADSs and Warrants to decline. If we incur indebtedness we may be required to agree to restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, limitations on our ability to acquire, sell or license intellectual property rights and other operating restrictions that could compromise our ability to conduct our business. We could also seek financing through arrangements with collaborative partners at an earlier stage than would otherwise be desirable and we may be required to relinquish rights to some or all of our technologies or product candidates or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to us.

If we are unable to obtain funding on a timely basis or on acceptable terms, we may be required to significantly curtail, delay or discontinue one or more of our research or development programs or the commercialization of any approved product candidates.

Nant Capital, LLC is our largest shareholder and may have interests that are different from Benitec's and our other shareholders.

Following the October 2016 and March 2017 private placements of an aggregate 58,611,638 shares to Nant Capital, LLC and an entitlement offer subscribed by Nant Capital for additional 29,305,819 ordinary shares, Nant Capital holds 34.21% of our outstanding ordinary shares. Nant Capital is entitled to appoint, and has appointed, a director to Benitec’s board of directors. Nant Capital's representative on the Board, Dr. Jerel Banks, also became Chief Executive Officer of Benitec in June 2018.

We have also entered into an exclusive sublicense agreement with an affiliate of Nant Capital and a research collaboration agreement with Nant Capital pursuant to which we have agreed to develop and commercialize an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, or EGFR, antisense product candidate for HNSCC, which we call BB-401. We are required to make periodic, milestone and royalty payments to Nant Capital pursuant to the exclusive sublicense agreement in connection with the development and sale of BB-401.  

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As a result of its ownership of our ordinary shares and its nomination of a director to our board of directors, Nant Capital may exert influence over Benitec, including election of our board of directors, corporate transactions and strategic decisions. The interests of Nant Capital may differ from or conflict with the interests of our other shareholders. In the future, if Nant Capital does not support a merger, tender offer, sale of assets or other business combination because it judges that transaction to be inconsistent with Nant Capital’s investment strategy, Benitec may be unable to enter into or consummate a transaction that would enable other shareholders to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market prices for our ordinary shares. Furthermore, if Nant Capital sells substantial amounts of the Benitec’s ordinary shares to enhance its liquidity position, fund alternative investments or for other reasons, the trading price of Benitec’s ADSs and the Warrants could decline significantly and other shareholders may be unable to sell their ADSs or Warrants at favorable prices. We cannot predict or control how Nant Capital may use the influence it has as a result of its ordinary share holdings.

Nant Capital may also exert influence over the product candidates we decide to develop, which could result in Benitec focusing on the development of BB-401 (for which we would owe payments to Nant Capital, including annual and milestone payments prior to the generation of any revenue from such product candidates, pursuant to the exclusive sublicense agreement) instead of our other product candidates. Our research collaboration agreement with Nant Capital requires us to allocate the A$5.4 million received from Nant Capital in connection with the March 2017 private placement to the development of BB-401 and future product candidates for HNSCC. Nant Capital will have a controlling vote on the committee that directs and oversees such development until those funds have been expended. As a result, Nant Capital may require us to pursue a research program that we do not believe to be in the best interest of Benitec or its other shareholders. In that case, we may be unable to pursue fully the development of our other product candidates with our limited resources of capital and staff. This could result in a change in the focus of the company and/or less diversity in our product candidate pipeline, which could delay the development of our ddRNAi technology. If Nant Capital decides to prioritize other projects or does not perform its obligations under the research collaboration agreement, we may not be able to continue development of BB-401 or other product candidates, may lose our intellectual property rights under the exclusive sublicense agreement and may suffer other losses.

We will be unable to conduct and conclude clinical trials for our product candidates for HNSCC, AMD and hepatitis B if we are unable to raise additional financing.

We plan to develop our pipeline of product candidates using our ddRNAi technology and our antisense RNA technology to deliver therapeutics for a number of life-threatening conditions. We intend to advance our product candidates through clinical trials, but we will need additional financing to do so. The A$5.4 million raised as part of our strategic partnership with Nant Capital is required to be allocated to the development of BB-401 and BB-501 for the treatment of HNSCC. We expect that such funds will not be sufficient to advance BB-401 through planned clinical trials or to complete discovery studies intended to identify a ddRNAi product candidate for HNSCC. Additional funds will be required as well to advance our product candidates for wet AMD and hepatitis B. In order to complete the planned preclinical proof of concept studies for our lead ddRNAi product candidates and planned future product candidates, to complete planned clinical trials for our BB-401, our EGFR antisense product candidate and to build the infrastructure that we believe will be necessary to commercialize our lead product candidates and planned future product candidates, we will require substantial additional funding. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we could be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs for these product candidates.

We receive Australian government research and development grants. If we lose funding from these research and development grants, we may encounter difficulties in the funding of future research and development projects, which could harm our operating results.

We have historically received, and expect to continue to receive, grants through the Australian federal government's Research and Development Tax Incentive program, under which the government provides a cash refund for the 43.5% (2017:43.5%) of eligible research and development expenditures by small Australian entities, which are defined as Australian entities with less than A$20 million in revenue, having a tax loss. The Research and Development Tax Incentive grant is made by the Australian federal government for eligible research and development purposes based on the filing of an annual application. We expect to receive a Research and Development Tax Incentive grant of A$4.0 m for the period end 30, June 2018. We have received Research and

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Development Tax Incentive grants in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 of A$10.5 million, A$3.6 million and A$2.3 million, respectively. This grant is available for our research and development activities in Australia, as well as activities in the United States to the extent such U.S.-based expenses relate to our activities in Australia, do not exceed half the expenses for the relevant activities and are approved by the Australian government. To the extent our research and development expenditures are deemed to be "ineligible," then our grants would decrease. In addition, the Australian government may in the future decide to modify the requirements of, reduce the amounts of the grants available under, or discontinue the Research and Development Tax Incentive program. Following a 2016 review of the Research and Development Tax Incentive, in the 2018-19 Federal Budget the Australian government announced reforms to the Research and Development Tax Incentive that will apply for fiscal years starting on or after July 1, 2018. If implemented, these measures would reduce the rate of refundable offset for small companies such as Benitec to 41% of eligible research and development expenditures, based on Benitec’s corporate income tax rate of 27.5% plus a premium of 13.5%. Cash refunds will also be capped at a maximum of A$4 million per annum. However, it is currently proposed that refundable Research and Development tax offsets from Research and Development expenditure on clinical trials will not count towards this cap.  This measure may therefore not cap the refund we obtain from our research and development activities in Australia; however, the proposed draft legislation has not yet been introduced to Parliament. The proposed change to the refundable offset rate in the Research and Development Tax Incentive program could have a material adverse effect on our future cash flows and financial position.

Risks Related to the Product Development and Regulatory Approval of Our Product Candidates

Except for BB-401, our product candidates are based on ddRNAi technology. Currently, no product candidates utilizing ddRNAi technology have been approved for commercial sale and our approach to the development of ddRNAi technology may not result in safe, effective or marketable products.

We have concentrated our product research and development efforts on our ddRNAi technology, and our future success depends on successful clinical development of this technology. We plan to develop a pipeline of product candidates using our ddRNAi technology and deliver therapeutics for a number of chronic and life-threatening conditions, including AMD and hepatitis B.

The scientific research that forms the basis of our efforts to develop product candidates is based on the therapeutic use of ddRNAi, and the identification, optimization and delivery of ddRNAi-based product candidates is relatively new. The scientific evidence to support the feasibility of successfully developing therapeutic treatments based on ddRNAi is preliminary and limited. There can be no assurance that any development and technical problems we experience in the future will not cause significant delays or unanticipated costs, or that such development problems can be solved. We may be unable to reach agreement on favorable terms, or at all, with providers of vectors needed to optimize delivery of our product candidates to target disease cells and we may also experience unanticipated problems or delays in expanding our manufacturing capacity or transferring our manufacturing process to commercial partners, any of which may prevent us from completing our preclinical trials, initiating clinical trials or commercializing our products on a timely or profitable basis, if at all.

Only a few product candidates based on ddRNAi have been tested in either animals or humans, and a number of clinical trials conducted by other companies using other forms of RNAi technologies have not been successful. We may discover that application of ddRNAi does not possess properties required for a therapeutic benefit, such as the ability to continually express shRNAs for the period of time required to be maximally effective or the ability of viral vectors or other technologies to effectively deliver ddRNAi constructs to target cells in therapeutically relevant concentrations. In addition, application of ddRNAi-based products in humans may result in safety issues. We currently have only limited data, and no conclusive evidence, to suggest that we can effectively produce effective therapeutic treatments using our ddRNAi technology.

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We are early in our product development efforts and all of our current product candidates are still in preclinical or early clinical development. We may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals for the commercialization of some or all of our product candidates.

The research, testing, manufacturing, labeling, approval, selling, marketing and distribution of biologics is subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory authorities, and these regulations differ from country to country. We do not have any products on the market and are early in our development efforts. All of our ddRNAi product candidates are in preclinical development and our EGFR antisense RNA product candidate, BB-401, is in early clinical development. All of our current and future product candidates are subject to the risks of failure typical for development of biologics. The development and approval process is expensive and can take many years to complete, and its outcome is inherently uncertain. In addition, the outcome of preclinical testing and early clinical trials may not be predictive of the success of later clinical trials, and interim results of a clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results.

We have not submitted a marketing application, or received marketing approval, for any of our product candidates and will not submit any applications for marketing approval for several years. We have limited experience in conducting and managing clinical trials necessary to obtain regulatory approvals, including marketing approval by the FDA. To receive marketing approval, we must, among other things, demonstrate with evidence from clinical trials that the product candidate is both safe and effective for each indication for which approval is sought, and failure can occur in any stage of development. Satisfaction of the marketing approval requirements typically takes several years and the time needed to satisfy them may vary substantially, based on the type, complexity and novelty of the biopharmaceutical product. We cannot predict if or when we might receive regulatory approvals for any of our product candidates currently under development.

The FDA and foreign regulatory authorities also have substantial discretion in the biopharmaceutical product approval process. The numbers, types and sizes of preclinical studies and clinical trials that will be required for regulatory approval varies depending on the product candidate, the disease or condition that the product candidate is designed to address and the regulations applicable to any particular product candidate. Approval policies, regulations or the type and amount of clinical data necessary to gain marketing approval may change during the course of a product candidate's clinical development and may vary among jurisdictions, and there may be varying interpretations of data obtained from preclinical studies or clinical trials, any of which may cause delays or limitations in the marketing approval or the decision not to approve an application. Regulatory agencies can delay, limit or deny marketing approval of a product candidate for many reasons, including:

 

the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with the design or implementation of any future clinical trials;

 

we may be unable to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities that a product candidate is safe and effective for its proposed indication;

 

the results of any future clinical trials may not meet the level of statistical or clinical significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval;

 

the patients recruited for a particular clinical program may not be sufficiently broad or representative to assure safety and effectiveness in the full population for which we seek approval;

 

the results of any future clinical trials may not confirm the positive results from earlier preclinical studies or clinical trials;

 

we may be unable to demonstrate that a product candidate's clinical and other benefits outweigh its safety risks;

 

the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may disagree with our interpretation of data from preclinical studies or clinical trials;

 

the data collected from any future clinical trials of our product candidates may not be sufficient to the satisfaction of FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities to support the submission of a biologics license application, or BLA, or other comparable submission in foreign jurisdictions or to obtain regulatory approval in the United States or elsewhere;

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the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may only agree to approve a product candidate under conditions that are so restrictive that the product is not commercially viable;

 

regulatory agencies might not approve or might require changes to our manufacturing processes or facilities; or

 

regulatory agencies may change their approval policies or adopt new regulations in a manner rendering our clinical data insufficient for approval.

Any delay in obtaining or failure to obtain required approvals could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenue from the particular product candidate, which likely would result in significant harm to our financial position and adversely impact the price of the ADSs and Warrants. Furthermore, any regulatory approval to market a product may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which we may market the product. These limitations may limit the size of the market for the product.

We are not permitted to market our product candidates in the United States or in other countries until we receive approval of a BLA from the FDA or marketing approval from applicable regulatory authorities outside the United States. Obtaining approval of a BLA can be a lengthy, expensive and uncertain process. If we fail to obtain FDA approval to market our product candidates, we will be unable to sell our product candidates in the United States, which will significantly impair our ability to generate revenues. In addition, failure to comply with FDA and non-U.S. regulatory requirements may, either before or after product approval, if any, subject us to administrative or judicially imposed sanctions, including:

 

restrictions on our ability to conduct clinical trials, including full or partial clinical holds on ongoing or planned trials;

 

restrictions on the products, manufacturers or manufacturing process;

 

warning letters;

 

civil and criminal penalties;

 

injunctions;

 

suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals;

 

product seizures, detentions or import bans;

 

voluntary or mandatory product recalls and publicity requirements;

 

total or partial suspension of production;

 

imposition of restrictions on operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements; and

 

refusal to approve pending BLAs or supplements to approved BLAs.

Even if we do receive regulatory approval to market a product candidate, any such approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which we may market the product. It is possible that none of our existing product candidates or any product candidates we may seek to develop in the future will ever obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals necessary for us or our collaborators to commence product sales. Any delay in obtaining, or an inability to obtain, applicable regulatory approvals would prevent us from commercializing our product candidates, generating revenues and achieving and sustaining profitability.

Because our ddRNAi product candidates and BB-401, our EGFR antisense RNA product candidate, are considered gene therapies, it is difficult to predict the time and cost of product candidate development as well as subsequently obtaining regulatory approval.

The clinical trial requirements of the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities and the criteria these regulators use to determine the safety and efficacy of a product candidate vary substantially according to the type, complexity, novelty and intended use and market of such product candidates. The regulatory approval process for novel product candidates such as ours can be more expensive and take longer than for other pharmaceutical product

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candidates. The FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities have relatively limited experience with ddRNAi-based therapeutics, which makes it difficult to determine how long it will take or how much it will cost to obtain regulatory approvals for our product candidates in the United States or other countries. We and our current collaborators, or any future collaborators, may never receive approval to market and commercialize any product candidate. Even if we or a collaborator obtain regulatory approval, the approval may be for disease indications or patient populations that are not as broad as we intended or desired and may require labeling that includes significant use or distribution restrictions or safety warnings.

Regulatory requirements governing gene and cell therapy products have changed frequently and may continue to change in the future. Also, before a clinical trial can begin at any institution, that institution's institutional review board, or IRB, and its institutional biosafety committee, or IBC, if it has one, have to review the proposed clinical trial to assess the safety of the trial. In addition, adverse developments in clinical trials of gene therapy products conducted by others may cause the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory bodies to change the requirements for approval of any of our product candidates.

These committees and advisory groups and the new guidelines they promulgate and new requirements they may impose may lengthen the clinical development and regulatory review process, require us to perform additional studies, increase our development costs, lead to changes in regulatory positions and interpretations, delay or prevent approval and commercialization of these product candidates or lead to significant post-approval limitations or restrictions. As we advance our product candidates, we will be required to consult with these regulatory committees and advisory groups, and comply with applicable guidelines and requirements as they may change from time to time. If we fail to do so, we may be required to delay or discontinue development of our product candidates. These additional processes may result in a development, review and approval process that is longer than we otherwise would have expected for our product candidates. Delay or failure to obtain, or unexpected costs in obtaining, the regulatory approval necessary to bring a potential product to market would delay or prevent us from commercializing our product candidates, generating revenues and achieving and sustaining profitability.

Positive results from preclinical studies of our product candidates are not necessarily predictive of the results of our planned clinical trials of our product candidates.

Positive results in preclinical proof of concept and animal studies of our product candidates may not result in positive results in clinical trials in humans. Many companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in clinical trials after achieving positive results in preclinical development or early stage clinical trials, and we cannot be certain that we will not face similar setbacks. These setbacks have been caused by, among other things, preclinical findings made while clinical trials were underway or safety or efficacy observations made in clinical trials, including adverse events. Moreover, preclinical and clinical data are often susceptible to varying interpretations and analyses, and many companies that believed their product candidates performed satisfactorily in preclinical studies and clinical trials nonetheless failed to obtain FDA or other regulatory authority approval. If we fail to produce positive results in our clinical trials of our product candidates, the development timeline and regulatory approval and commercialization prospects for our product candidates, and, correspondingly, our business and financial prospects, would be negatively impacted.

Issues that may impact delivery of our therapeutics to the cell could adversely affect or limit our ability to develop and commercialize product candidates.

Successful clinical development of ddRNAi-based therapeutics is largely dependent on using the appropriate delivery methodologies, including viral vectors, to obtain therapeutically relevant concentrations of the DNA constructs that express the shRNAs in the appropriate target cells. To develop effective product candidates, we will need to license delivery technologies from third parties or develop delivery technologies with research collaborators. Similarly, delivery approaches for our EGFR antisense RNA HNSCC program may involve direct intratumoral injection into the diseased tissues. Although delivery technologies, including AAV vectors, have been identified and are well defined for specific tissue types, we continue to seek vectors with ideal delivery properties for other indications we are pursuing, including OPMD. The tissue tropism and other physical properties of AAV vectors are limited and may not be effective for other product candidates or delivery into a wide array of tissues types. AAV vectors can also trigger immune responses in some patients, and those patients will not derive clinical benefit from administration of a product candidate unless steps are taken to clinically address the issue. If we or our collaborators

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are not successful in identifying effective delivery methodologies to achieve a therapeutically relevant concentration for our product candidates in the target tissues, we may not succeed in developing marketable products. In addition, if we are unable to reach agreement on favorable terms, or at all, with providers of any effective vectors that we do identify, we may not succeed in completing our clinical trials or commercializing our products on a timely or profitable basis, if at all. We have only one such agreement in place that allows us to use a vector both for clinical trials and for commercialization, and that agreement is with respect to our program for the treatment of AMD.

We use AAV vectors as part of our ddRNAi approach for several indications. As such, we require licenses and the ability to manufacture large quantities of AAV particles under the FDA's current good manufacturing practices, or cGMP, requirements and those of comparable foreign regulatory authorities in order to commercialize a product candidate using an AAV vector.

We may find it difficult to enroll patients in our current and any future clinical trials, and patients could discontinue their participation in our current and any future clinical trials, which could delay or prevent our current and any future clinical trials of our product candidates and make those trials more expensive to undertake.

Identifying and qualifying patients to participate in current and any future clinical trials of our product candidates is critical to our success. The timing of our clinical trials depends on the speed at which we can recruit patients to participate in testing our product candidates. Patients may be unwilling to participate in any future clinical trials because of negative publicity from adverse events in the biotechnology, RNAi or gene therapy industries. Patients may be unavailable for other reasons, including competitive clinical trials for similar patient populations, and the timeline for recruiting patients, conducting trials and obtaining regulatory approval of potential products may be delayed. If we have difficulty enrolling a sufficient number of patients to conduct any future clinical trials as planned, we may need to delay, limit or discontinue those clinical trials. Clinical trial delays could result in increased costs, slower product development, setbacks in testing the safety and effectiveness of our technology or discontinuation of the clinical trials altogether.

We may not be able to identify, recruit and enroll a sufficient number of patients, or those with required or desired characteristics to achieve diversity in a trial, to complete any future clinical trials in a timely manner. Patient enrollment is affected by factors including:

 

finding and diagnosing patients;

 

severity of the disease under investigation;

 

design of the clinical trial protocol;

 

size and nature of the patient population;

 

eligibility criteria for the trial in question;

 

perceived risks and benefits of the product candidate under study;

 

proximity and availability of clinical trial sites for prospective patients;

 

availability of competing therapies and clinical trials;

 

clinicians' and patients' perceptions of the potential advantages of the product being studied in relation to other available therapies, including any new products that may be approved for the indications we are investigating;

 

patient referral practices of physicians; and

 

ability to monitor patients adequately during and after treatment.

For example, we experienced some difficulties in enrolling patients in our clinical trial of TT-034, which was discontinued for commercial reasons. These difficulties were due to several factors, including sudden changes in patients' viral load, liver enzymes and other clinical parameters immediately prior to their dosing, as well as late withdrawal due to personal reasons. We believe the increased availability of new and effective therapies such as

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Sovaldi and Harvoni, which were approved for treatment of the hepatitis C virus in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and the fact that the early lower-dose cohort patients receive a sub-therapeutic dose of TT-034, may also have been contributing factors. We may face similar difficulties enrolling patients in future clinical trials for other product candidates for these and other reasons.

We or our collaborators plan to seek initial marketing approval for our product candidates in the United States, Australia and Europe. We may not be able to initiate or continue any future clinical trials in a timely manner if we cannot enroll a sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in the clinical trials required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory agencies. Our ability to successfully initiate, enroll and complete a clinical trial in any foreign country is subject to numerous risks unique to conducting business in foreign countries, including:

 

difficulty in establishing or managing relationships with contract research organizations, or CROs, clinical sites and physicians;

 

different standards for the conduct of clinical trials;

 

our inability to locate and engage qualified local consultants, physicians and partners; and

 

the potential burden of complying with a variety of foreign laws, medical standards and regulatory requirements, including the regulation of biopharmaceutical and biotechnology products and treatments.

In addition, patients enrolled in current and any future clinical trials may discontinue their participation at any time during the trial as a result of a number of factors, including experiencing adverse events, which may or may not be judged related to our product candidates under evaluation. The discontinuation of patients in any one of our trials may cause us to delay or discontinue our clinical trial, or cause the results from that trial not to be positive or sufficient to support either partnering with a pharmaceutical or biotechnology company to further develop and commercialize the product candidate or filing for regulatory approval of the product candidate.

We may encounter substantial delays in current and any future clinical trials or we may fail to demonstrate safety and efficacy to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities.

Before obtaining marketing approval from regulatory authorities for the sale of any of our product candidates, we must conduct extensive clinical trials to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the product candidates in humans. Clinical trials are expensive and time-consuming, and their outcome is uncertain. We cannot guarantee that any clinical trials will be initiated or conducted as planned or completed on schedule, if at all. A failure of one or more clinical trials can occur at any stage of testing. Events that may prevent successful or timely completion of clinical development include:

 

inability to generate sufficient preclinical, toxicology or other data to support the initiation of human clinical trials;

 

delays in reaching consensus with regulatory agencies on trial design;

 

identifying, recruiting and training suitable clinical investigators;

 

delays in reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs and clinical trial sites;

 

delays in obtaining required IRB or IBC approval at each clinical trial site;

 

delays in recruiting suitable patients to participate in our clinical trials;

 

imposition of a clinical hold by regulatory agencies, including after an inspection of our clinical trial operations or trial sites;

 

failure by our CROs, other third parties or us to adhere to clinical trial requirements;

 

failure to perform in accordance with the FDA's good clinical practices, or GCP, or applicable regulatory requirements in other countries;

 

inability to manufacture, test, release, import or export for use sufficient quantities of our product candidates for use in clinical trials;

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failure to manufacture our product candidate in accordance with cGMP requirements or applicable regulatory guidelines in other countries;

 

delays in the testing, validation and manufacturing of our product candidates;

 

delays in the delivery of our product candidates to the clinical trial sites;

 

delays in having patients complete participation in a trial or return for post-treatment follow-up;

 

clinical trial sites dropping out of a trial;

 

occurrence of serious adverse events associated with the product candidate that are viewed to outweigh its potential benefits;

 

changes in regulatory requirements and guidance that require amending or submitting new clinical trial protocols; or

 

clinical trials of our product candidates may produce negative or inconclusive results, and we may decide, or regulators may require us, to conduct additional clinical trials or discontinue product development programs.

Further, a clinical trial may be suspended or discontinued by us, our collaborators, the IRBs or the IBCs at the sites in which such trials are being conducted, the data safety monitoring board, or DSMB, for such trial, or by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities due to a number of factors, including the imposition of a clinical hold or termination of a trial due to failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with regulatory requirements or our clinical protocols, unforeseen safety issues or adverse side effects of our product candidate, or a product candidate from another company that shares similar properties, failure to demonstrate adequate benefit from using a product candidate, changes in governmental regulations or administrative actions or lack of adequate funding to continue the clinical trial. If we experience discontinuation of, or delays in the completion of, any clinical trial of our product candidates, the commercial prospects of our product candidates may be harmed, and our ability to generate product revenues from any of these product candidates may be eliminated or delayed. Furthermore, many of the factors that lead to a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of our product candidates.

In addition, if we or our third-party collaborators make significant manufacturing or formulation changes to our product candidates, we or they may need to conduct additional studies to bridge the modified product candidates to earlier versions to ensure comparability, safety and efficacy of the two different product candidates.

Any inability to successfully complete preclinical and clinical development could result in additional costs to us or impair our ability to commercialize our programs and product candidates. Clinical trial delays could also shorten any periods during which we may have the exclusive right to commercialize our product candidates or allow our competitors to bring products to market before we do, which could impair our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidates.

If the results of our current or any future clinical trials are inconclusive or if there are safety concerns or adverse events associated with our product candidates, we may:

 

fail to obtain, or be delayed in obtaining, marketing approval for our product candidates;

 

obtain approval for indications or patient populations that are not as broad as intended or desired;

 

obtain approval with labeling that includes significant use or distribution restrictions or safety warnings;

 

need to change the way the product is administered;

 

be required to perform additional clinical trials to support approval or be subject to additional post-marketing testing requirements;

 

have regulatory authorities withdraw their marketing approval of the product after granting it;

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have regulatory authorities impose restrictions on distribution of the product in the form of a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, or modified REMS, that limit our ability to commercialize the product;

 

be subject to the addition of labeling statements, such as warnings or contraindications;

 

be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; or

 

experience damage to our reputation.

Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of our product candidates and impair our ability to commercialize our product candidates.

In addition, principal investigators for our clinical trials may serve as scientific advisors or consultants to us from time to time and may receive cash or equity compensation in connection with such services. If these relationships and any related compensation result in perceived or actual conflicts of interest, or the FDA concludes that the financial relationship may have affected the interpretation of any particular study, the integrity of the data generated at the applicable clinical trial site may be questioned and the utility of the clinical trial itself may be jeopardized, which could result in the delay or rejection of any BLA we submit to the FDA or any comparable foreign regulating authorities. Any such delay or rejection could prevent us from commercializing our product candidates.

Our product candidates and the process for administering our product candidates may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval, limit the commercial profile of an approved label, or result in significant negative consequences following any potential marketing approval.

Treatment with our product candidates may produce undesirable side effects or adverse reactions or events. For example, the AAV vector and related capsid protein, which we are currently using to deliver many of our ddRNAi product candidates, could cause adverse immunological side effects due to preexisting and/or recall responses to the naturally occurring virus from which the vector is engineered, or to the DNA construct product itself. These responses may also interfere with therapeutic efficacy if not identified and managed optimally. Preexisting immune responses to AAV manifesting as neutralizing antibodies are common within the general population and may be a limitation to the enrollment of patients in gene therapy clinical trials using AAV vectors, the successful use of AAV vectors in gene therapy clinical trials and the market acceptance of product candidates, if approved, that are delivered using AAV vectors. Patients with neutralizing antibodies to AAV will not derive clinical benefit from administration of such a product candidate unless steps are taken to clinically address the issue and those treatments themselves may cause adverse effects. In previous clinical trials undertaken by other companies involving systemic administration of AAV viral vectors for gene therapy, some subjects experienced adverse events, including the development of a negative T cell response against the AAV capsid protein. If our vectors cause similar adverse events, we may be required to delay or discontinue further clinical development of our product candidates. It is also possible that we may discover new adverse events related to AAV or other vectors, which could potentially enhance the risk to patients who use our product candidates delivered with that vector.

If any such adverse events occur, our current and any future clinical trials could be suspended or discontinued and the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could order us to cease further development or deny approval of our product candidates for any or all targeted indications. The product-related side effects could affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial. If we elect or are required to delay, suspend or discontinue any clinical trial of any of our product candidates, the commercial prospects of such product candidates will be harmed and our ability to generate product revenues from any of these product candidates will be delayed or eliminated. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects significantly.

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Additionally, if any of our biopharmaceutical product candidates receive marketing approval, the FDA could require us to adopt a REMS to ensure that the benefits of the product outweigh its risks, which may include, among other things, a medication guide outlining the risks of gene therapies for distribution to patients and a communication plan to patients and healthcare practitioners. Other elements to assure safe use in a mandated REMS could include, but are not limited to, restrictions upon distribution and prescribing, additional prescriber training, establishment of patient registries and other measures that could limit commercialization of the product. Comparable foreign regulating authorities might require adoption of measures similar to a REMS. Furthermore, if we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by our product candidate, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including:

 

regulatory authorities may withdraw approvals of such product candidate;

 

regulatory authorities may require additional warnings on the label;

 

we may be required to create a medication guide outlining the risks of such side effects for distribution to patients;

 

we may be required to change the way a product candidate is administered or conduct additional clinical trials;

 

we could be sued and held liable for harm caused to patients; and

 

our reputation may suffer.

Any of these events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of our product candidates and could significantly harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

If we are unable to successfully develop related diagnostics for our therapeutic product candidates, or experience significant delays in doing so, we may not achieve marketing approval or realize the full commercial potential of our therapeutic product candidates.

We may develop related diagnostics for some of our therapeutic product candidates. Such related diagnostics are subject to regulation by the FDA and typically to comparable foreign regulatory authorities as medical devices and typically require separate regulatory approval or clearance prior to commercialization. Marketing approval or clearance of the diagnostic will require sufficient data to support its safety and efficacy. In addition, at least in some cases, the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities may require the development and regulatory approval or clearance of a related diagnostic as a condition to approving our therapeutic product candidates. While we have some, limited experience in developing diagnostics, we plan to rely in large part on third parties to perform these functions. We may seek to enter into arrangements with one or more third parties to create a related diagnostic for use with our current or future product candidates.

If we or any third parties that we engage to assist us, are unable to successfully develop or obtain marketing approval or clearance for related diagnostics for our therapeutic product candidates, or experience delays in doing so:

 

the development of relevant product candidates may be delayed or impaired altogether if we are unable to appropriately select patients for enrollment in our clinical trials;

 

our relevant therapeutic product candidate may not receive marketing approval if its effective use depends on a related diagnostic in the regulatory authority’s judgment; and

 

we may not realize the full commercial potential of any therapeutic product candidates that receive marketing approval if, among other reasons, we are unable to appropriately identify patients with the specific genetic alterations targeted by our therapeutic product candidates.

If any of these events were to occur, our business would be harmed.

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Even if we complete the necessary preclinical studies and clinical trials, we cannot predict when or if we will obtain regulatory approval to commercialize a product candidate or the approval may be for a more narrow indication than we expect.

We cannot commercialize a product until the appropriate regulatory authorities have reviewed and approved the product candidate. Even if our product candidates demonstrate safety and efficacy in clinical trials, the regulatory agencies may not complete their review processes in a timely manner, or we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval. Additional delays may result if an FDA Advisory Committee or comparable foreign regulatory authority recommends non-approval or restrictions on approval. In addition, we may experience delays or rejections based upon additional government regulation from future legislation or administrative action, or changes in regulatory agency policy during the period of product development, clinical trials and the review process. Regulatory agencies may also approve a treatment candidate for fewer or more limited indications than requested, may not approve the price we intend to charge for our product candidate, may limit our ability to promote the product, may impose significant limitations upon the approval of the product, including, but not limited to, narrow indications, significant warnings, precautions or contraindications with respect to conditions of use, or may grant approval subject to the performance of post-marketing studies. In addition, regulatory agencies may not approve the labeling claims that are necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of our product candidates. The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities may impose a REMS or other conditions upon our approval that limit our ability to commercialize the product candidate.

Even if we obtain regulatory approval for a product candidate, our products will remain subject to regulatory scrutiny.

Even if we obtain regulatory approval in a jurisdiction, the regulatory authority may still impose significant restrictions on the indicated uses or marketing of our product candidates, or impose ongoing requirements for potentially costly post-approval studies or post-market surveillance. For example, the holder of an approved BLA is obligated to monitor and report to the FDA adverse events and any failure of a product to meet the specifications in the BLA. FDA guidance advises that patients treated with some types of gene therapy undergo follow-up observations for potential adverse events for as long as 15 years. The holder of an approved BLA must also submit new or supplemental applications and obtain FDA approval for certain changes to the approved product, product labeling or manufacturing process. Advertising and promotional materials must comply with FDA rules and are subject to FDA review, in addition to other potentially applicable foreign, federal and state laws.

In addition, product manufacturers and their establishments, products and applications are subject to payment of user fees/or and continual review and periodic inspections by the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities for compliance with cGMP and comparable foreign requirements, and adherence to commitments made in the BLA. If we or a regulatory agency discover previously unknown problems with a product such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the facility where the product is manufactured, a regulatory agency may impose restrictions relative to that product or the manufacturing facility, including requiring recall or withdrawal of the product from the market or suspension of manufacturing.

If we fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements following approval of any of our product candidates, a regulatory agency may:

 

issue a warning letter asserting that we are in violation of the law;

 

seek an injunction or impose civil or criminal penalties or monetary fines;

 

suspend or withdraw regulatory approval;

 

suspend any ongoing clinical trials;

 

refuse to permit government reimbursement of our product by government-sponsored third-party payers;

 

refuse to approve a pending BLA or supplements to a BLA submitted by us for other indications or new product candidates;

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seize our product; or

 

refuse to allow us to enter into or continue supply contracts, including government contracts.

Any government investigation of alleged violations of law could require us to expend significant time and resources in response and could generate negative publicity. The occurrence of any event or penalty described above may inhibit our ability to commercialize our product candidates and generate revenues.

Even if we obtain and maintain approval for our product candidates from the FDA, we may never obtain approval for our product candidates outside of the United States, which would limit our market opportunities and adversely affect our business.

Approval of a product candidate in the United States by the FDA does not ensure approval of such product candidate by regulatory authorities in other countries or jurisdictions, and approval by one foreign regulatory authority does not ensure approval by regulatory authorities in other foreign countries or by the FDA. Sales of our product candidates outside of the United States will be subject to foreign regulatory requirements governing clinical trials and marketing approval. Even if the FDA grants marketing approval for a product candidate, comparable regulatory authorities of foreign countries must also approve the manufacturing and marketing of the product candidates in those countries. Approval procedures vary among jurisdictions and can involve requirements and administrative review periods different from, and greater than, those in the United States, including additional preclinical studies or clinical trials. In many countries outside the United States, a product candidate must be approved for reimbursement before it can be approved for sale in that country. In some cases, the price that we intend to charge for our products, if approved, is also subject to approval. Even if a product candidate is approved, the FDA or comparable regulatory authorities in other countries, as the case may be, may limit the indications for which the product may be marketed, require extensive warnings on the product labeling or require expensive and time-consuming clinical trials or reporting as conditions of approval. Regulatory authorities in countries outside of the United States also have requirements for approval of product candidates with which we must comply prior to marketing in those countries. Obtaining foreign regulatory approvals and compliance with foreign regulatory requirements could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for us and could delay or prevent the introduction of our product candidates in certain countries.

Further, clinical trials conducted in one country may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other countries. Regulatory approval of a product candidate in one country does not ensure approval in any other country, but a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one country may have a negative effect on the regulatory approval process in other countries. Also, regulatory approval for any of our product candidates may be withdrawn based on adverse events reported or regulatory decisions made in other countries. If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements in international markets and/or fail to receive applicable marketing approvals, our target market will be reduced, our ability to realize the full market potential of our product candidates will be compromised and our business may be adversely affected.

Our future prospects may also depend on our or our collaborators' ability to successfully develop a pipeline of additional product candidates, and we and our collaborators may not be successful in efforts to use our platform technologies to identify or discover additional product candidates.

The success of our business depends primarily upon our ability to identify, develop and commercialize products based on our platform technology. We do not have any products on the market and are early in our development efforts. All of our product candidates are in preclinical development or early clinical development. Our product candidates derived from our platform technology may not successfully complete investigational new drug, or IND, enabling studies, and our research programs may fail to identify other potential product candidates for clinical development for a number of reasons. Our and our collaborators' research methodology may be unsuccessful in identifying potential product candidates, our potential product candidates may not demonstrate the necessary preclinical outcomes to progress to clinical studies, or our product candidates may be shown to have harmful side effects or may have other characteristics that may make the products unmarketable or unlikely to receive marketing approval.

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If any of these events occur, we may be forced to discontinue our development efforts for a program or programs. Research programs to identify new product candidates require substantial technical, financial and human resources. We may focus our efforts and resources on potential programs or product candidates that ultimately prove to be unsuccessful.

We may not be able to obtain orphan drug exclusivity, where relevant, in all markets for our product candidates.

Of our current pipeline product candidates, only our ddRNAi therapeutic for the treatment of OPMD has been designated with orphan drug status. In January 2018, the FDA granted such designation after OPMD had been designated an orphan drug in January 2017 by the European Commission. Regulatory authorities in some jurisdictions, including the United States, may designate drugs or biological products for relatively small patient populations as orphan drugs. Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may designate a product as an orphan drug if it is a product intended to treat a rare disease or condition, which is generally defined as a patient population of fewer than 200,000 individuals annually in the United States. The FDA may also designate a product as an orphan drug if it is intended to treat a disease or condition of more than 200,000 individuals in the United States and there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making a drug or biological product available in the United States for this type of disease or condition will be recovered from sales of the product candidate. Generally, if a product with an orphan drug designation subsequently receives the first marketing approval for the indication for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to a period of marketing exclusivity, which precludes the FDA from approving another marketing application for the same drug for such indication for that time period. The applicable period is seven years in the United States. Orphan drug exclusivity may be lost if the FDA or EMA determines that the request for designation was materially defective or if the manufacturer is unable to assure sufficient quantity of the drug to meet the needs of patients with the rare disease or condition. While there is no guarantee, FDA orphan drug designation may provide a range of benefits, including a potential fast track process for clinical regulatory approval, potential tax credits for qualified clinical trials and an exemption from FDA application user fees.

Even if we obtain orphan drug exclusivity for a product in the United States or for additional products in the European Union, that exclusivity may not effectively protect the product from competition because different drugs can be approved for the same condition, and the same drug could be approved for a different condition. Even after an orphan drug is approved, the FDA can subsequently approve the same drug, made by a competitor, for the same condition if the FDA concludes that the competitive product is clinically superior in that it is shown to be safer, more effective or makes a major contribution to patient care. In the European Union, the European Medicines Agency, or the EMA, can approve a competitive product if the orphan drug no longer meets the criteria for orphan designation (including sufficient profitability), if the competitive product is safer, more effective or otherwise clinically superior, or if the orphan drug cannot be supplied in sufficient quantities.

Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties

Our prospects for successful development and commercialization of our products are dependent to varying degrees upon the research, development, commercialization, and marketing efforts of our collaborators.

We rely on third parties for certain aspects of the research, development, commercialization and marketing of our current and any future product candidates. Other than as provided for in our collaboration agreements, we have no control over the resources, time and effort that our collaborators may devote to the development of product candidates. We are dependent on our collaborators to conduct some aspects of the research and development of each of our product candidates, and expect to need access to them to facilitate and/or to complete the regulatory process. We will likely rely on a pharmaceutical company for the successful marketing and commercialization of any such product candidates for which they/we receive approval, if any. There can be no guarantee at this stage that we will conclude a partnership with such a company on favorable terms, or at all, nor even if we do so, that success will be achieved.

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Our ability to recognize revenues from successful collaborations may be impaired by multiple factors including:

 

a collaborator may shift its priorities and resources away from our programs due to a change in business strategies, or a merger, acquisition, sale or downsizing of its company or business unit;

 

a collaborator may cease development in an area that is the subject of a collaboration agreement;

 

a collaborator may change the success criteria for a particular program or product candidate in development, thereby delaying or ceasing development of such program or product candidate in development;

 

a collaborator with commercialization obligations may not commit sufficient financial or human resources to the marketing, distribution or sale of a product;

 

a collaborator with manufacturing responsibilities may encounter regulatory, resource or quality issues and be unable to meet demand requirements;

 

a collaborator may exercise its rights under the agreement to discontinue our collaboration;

 

a dispute may arise between us and a collaborator concerning the development and commercialization of a product candidate in development, resulting in a delay in milestones, royalty payments, or discontinuation of a program and possibly resulting in costly litigation or arbitration that may divert management attention and resources;

 

a collaborator may not adequately protect the intellectual property rights associated with a product candidate; and

 

a collaborator may use our proprietary information or intellectual property in such a way as to expose us to litigation from a third party.

If our collaborators do not perform in the manner we expect or fulfill their responsibilities in a timely manner, or at all, the development, regulatory and commercialization process could be delayed or discontinued or otherwise be unsuccessful. Conflicts between us and our collaborators may arise. In the event of discontinuation of one or more of our collaboration agreements, it may become necessary for us to assume the responsibility for any such product candidates at our own expense or seek new collaborators. In that event, we likely would be required to limit the size and scope of one or more of our independent programs or increase our expenditures and seek additional funding, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, and our business may be harmed.

We rely on third parties to conduct our preclinical studies and clinical trials.  

We do not have the ability to conduct all aspects of our preclinical testing or our current or any future clinical trials ourselves. We are dependent on third parties to conduct the preclinical studies for our product candidates and will depend on third parties to conduct our current and any future clinical trials for our product candidates, and therefore the timing of the initiation and completion of these trials and studies is reliant on third parties and may occur at times substantially different from our estimates or expectations.

In the case of clinical trials, we expect to rely on CROs and third-party collaborators to conduct any future clinical trials in accordance with our clinical protocols and regulatory requirements. We expect our CROs, investigators and third-party collaborators will play a significant role in the conduct of these trials and subsequent collection and analysis of data. There is no guarantee that any CROs, investigators or the other third-party collaborators on which we rely for administration and conduct of our current and any future clinical trials will devote adequate time and resources to such trials or perform as contractually required. If any of these third parties fails to meet expected deadlines, fails to adhere to our clinical protocols, fails to meet regulatory requirements or otherwise performs in a substandard manner, any future clinical trials may be extended, delayed or terminated. If our current or any of our future clinical trial sites terminates for any reason, we may lose all of the information on subjects enrolled in any such clinical trials.

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If we cannot contract with acceptable third parties on commercially reasonable terms, or if these third parties do not carry out their contractual duties, satisfy legal and regulatory requirements for the conduct of preclinical studies or clinical trials or meet expected deadlines, our clinical development programs could be delayed or discontinued.

In all events, we are responsible for ensuring that each of our preclinical studies, our current clinical trials and any future clinical trials are conducted in accordance with the general investigational plan and protocols for the study or trial. The FDA requires clinical trials to be conducted in accordance with current GCP, including for conducting, recording and reporting the results of clinical trials to assure that data and reported results are credible and accurate and that the rights and confidentiality of clinical trial participants are protected. Our reliance on third parties that we do not control does not relieve us of these responsibilities and requirements, and any failure to satisfy these responsibilities and requirements, whether caused by us or by third parties upon whom we rely, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Because we rely on third-party manufacturing and supply partners, our supply of research and development, preclinical and clinical development materials may become limited or interrupted or may not be of satisfactory quantity or quality.

We rely on third-party supply and manufacturing partners to manufacture and supply the materials for our research and development and preclinical and clinical study supplies. We do not own manufacturing facilities or supply sources for such materials.

There can be no assurance that our supply of research and development, preclinical and clinical development biologics and other materials will not be limited, interrupted or restricted in certain geographic regions, be of satisfactory quality or continue to be available at acceptable prices. Replacement of a third-party manufacturer could require significant effort, cost and expertise because there may be a limited number of qualified replacements.

The manufacturing process for a product candidate is subject to FDA and foreign regulatory authority review. Suppliers and manufacturers must meet applicable manufacturing requirements and undergo rigorous facility and process validation tests required by regulatory authorities in order to comply with regulatory standards, such as cGMP. In the event that any of our suppliers or manufacturers fails to comply with such requirements or to perform its obligations to us in relation to quality, timing or otherwise, or if our supply of components or other materials becomes limited or interrupted for other reasons, we may be forced to manufacture the materials ourselves or enter into an agreement with another third party, which would be costly and delay any future clinical trials.

In some cases, the technical skills or technology required to manufacture our product candidates may be unique or proprietary to the original manufacturer and we may have difficulty, or there may be contractual restrictions prohibiting us from, transferring such skills or technology to another third party. These factors increase our reliance on our manufacturers and may require us to obtain a license from a manufacturer in order to have another third-party manufacture our product candidates. If we are required to change manufacturers for any reason, we will be required to verify that the new manufacturer maintains facilities and procedures that comply with quality standards and with all applicable regulations and guidelines of the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities. The delays and costs associated with the verification of a new manufacturer could increase our costs and delay the development of our product candidates.

We expect to continue to rely on third-party manufacturers for preclinical and clinical grade product candidates and if we receive regulatory approval for any product candidate. To the extent that we have existing, or enter into future, manufacturing arrangements with third parties, we will depend on these third parties to perform their obligations in a timely manner consistent with contractual and regulatory requirements, including those related to quality control and assurance. If we are unable to obtain or maintain third-party manufacturing for product candidates, or to do so on commercially reasonable terms, we may not be able to develop and commercialize our product candidates successfully. Our or a third party's failure to execute on our manufacturing requirements could adversely affect our business in a number of ways, including:

 

an inability to conduct necessary preclinical studies to progress our product candidates to clinical trials;

 

an inability to initiate or continue any future clinical trials of product candidates under development;

 

delay in submitting regulatory applications, or receiving regulatory approvals, for product candidates;

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loss of the cooperation of a collaborator;

 

subjecting our product candidates to additional inspections by regulatory authorities;

 

requirements to cease distribution or to recall batches of our product candidates; and

 

in the event of approval to market and commercialize a product candidate, an inability to meet commercial demands for our products.

We and our collaborators may disagree over our right to receive payments under our collaboration agreements, potentially resulting in costly litigation and loss of reputation.

Our ability to receive payments under our collaboration agreements depends on our ability to clearly delineate our rights under those agreements. We have out-licensed portions of our intellectual property to our collaborators with the intent that our collaborators will develop product candidates based on our ddRNAi technology to address specific conditions, including HIV/AIDS, and certain cancers. However, a collaborator may use our intellectual property without our permission, dispute our ownership of intellectual property rights, or argue that our intellectual property does not cover, or add value to, any product candidates they develop. If a dispute arises, it may result in costly patent office procedures and litigation, and our collaborator may refuse to pay us while the dispute is ongoing. Furthermore, regardless of any resort to legal action, a dispute with a collaborator over intellectual property rights may damage our relationship with that collaborator and may also harm our reputation in the industry. Even if we are entitled to payments from our collaborators, we may not actually receive these payments, or we may experience difficulties in collecting the payments to which we believe we are entitled. After our collaborators launch commercial products containing our licensed traits, we will need to rely on the good faith of our collaborators to report to us the sales they earn from these products and to accurately calculate the payments we are entitled to, a process that will involve complicated and difficult calculations. Although we seek to address these concerns in our collaboration agreements by reserving our right to audit financial records, such provisions may not be effective.

We have only limited experience in regulatory affairs and intend to rely on consultants and other third parties for regulatory matters, which may affect our ability or the time we require to obtain necessary regulatory approvals.

We have limited experience in filing and prosecuting the applications necessary to gain regulatory approvals for gene therapy or ddRNAi product candidates. Moreover, the product candidates that are likely to result from our development programs are based on novel technologies that have not been extensively tested in humans. The regulatory requirements governing these types of product candidates may be less well defined or more rigorous than for conventional products. As a result, we may experience a longer regulatory process in connection with obtaining regulatory approvals of any products that we develop. We intend to rely on independent consultants for purposes of our regulatory compliance and product development and approvals in the United States and elsewhere. Any failure by our consultants to properly advise us regarding, or properly perform tasks related to, regulatory compliance requirements could compromise our ability to develop and seek regulatory approval of our product candidates.

Our reliance on third parties requires us to share our trade secrets, which increases the possibility that a competitor will discover them or that our trade secrets will be misappropriated or disclosed.

Because we rely on third parties to manufacture our product candidates, and because we collaborate with various organizations and academic institutions on the advancement of our technology and product candidates, we may, at times, share trade secrets with them. We seek to protect our proprietary technology in part by entering into confidentiality agreements and, if applicable, material transfer agreements, collaborative research agreements, consulting agreements or other similar agreements with our collaborators, advisors, employees and consultants prior to beginning research or disclosing proprietary information. These agreements typically limit the rights of the third parties to use or disclose our confidential information, such as trade secrets. Despite these contractual provisions, the need to share trade secrets and other confidential information increases the risk that such trade secrets become known by potential competitors, are inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. Given that our proprietary position is based, in part, on our know-how and trade secrets, discovery by a third party of our trade secrets or other unauthorized use or disclosure would impair our intellectual property rights and protections in our product candidates.

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In addition, these agreements typically restrict the ability of our collaborators, advisors, employees and consultants to publish data potentially relating to our trade secrets. Our academic collaborators typically have rights to publish data, provided that we are notified in advance and may delay publication for a specified time in order to secure our intellectual property rights arising from the collaboration. In other cases, publication rights are controlled exclusively by us. In other cases we may share these rights with other parties. Despite our efforts to protect our trade secrets, our competitors may discover our trade secrets, either through breach of these agreements, independent development or publication of information including our trade secrets in cases where we do not have proprietary or otherwise protected rights at the time of publication.

Risks Related to Commercialization of Our Product Candidates

We have not entered into agreements with any third-party manufacturers to support commercialization of our product candidates.

We have not yet secured manufacturing capabilities for commercial quantities of our product candidates or established facilities in the desired locations to support commercialization of our product candidates. We intend to rely on third-party manufacturers for commercialization, but have not entered into any agreements with such manufacturers to support our product candidates currently in development. We may be unable to negotiate agreements with third-party manufacturers to support our commercialization activities on commercially reasonable terms.

We may encounter technical or scientific issues related to manufacturing or development that we may be unable to resolve in a timely manner or with available funds. Currently, we do not have the capacity to manufacture our product candidates on a commercial scale. In addition, our product candidates are novel, and no manufacturer currently has experience producing our product candidates on a large scale. If we are unable to engage manufacturing partners to produce our product candidates on a larger scale on reasonable terms, our commercialization efforts will be harmed.

Even if we timely develop a manufacturing process and successfully transfer it to the third-party manufacturers of our product candidates, if such third-party manufacturers are unable to produce the necessary quantities of our product candidates, or do so in compliance with cGMP or with pertinent foreign regulatory requirements, and within our planned time frame and cost parameters, the development and sales of our product candidates, if approved, may be impaired.  In some jurisdictions, approval of the manufacturer may be required.  There is no guarantee such approval can be obtained.

If we are unable to enter into agreements with third parties to commercialize our product candidates or establish sales and marketing capabilities to market and sell our product candidates, we may be unable to generate any revenues.

We currently have no sales and marketing organization and have no experience selling and marketing pharmaceutical products. To successfully commercialize any product candidates that may be approved, we will need to develop these capabilities, either through our relationships with collaborators or our own. We may seek to enter into collaborations with other entities to utilize their marketing and distribution capabilities, but we may be unable to enter into marketing agreements on favorable terms, if at all. If our future collaborators do not commit sufficient resources to commercialize our future products, if any, and we are unable to develop the necessary marketing capabilities on our own, we will be unable to generate sufficient product revenue to sustain our business. The establishment and development of our own sales force or the establishment of a contract sales force to market any products we may develop will be expensive and time-consuming and could delay any product launch. Moreover, we cannot be certain that we will be able to successfully develop this capability. We will be competing with many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded marketing and sales operations to recruit, hire, train and retain marketing and sales personnel. We also face competition in our search for third parties to assist us with the sales and marketing efforts of our product candidates. Without an internal team or the support of a third party to perform marketing and sales functions, we may be unable to compete successfully against these more established companies.

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Physicians, patients, third-party payers or others in the medical community may not be receptive to our product candidates, and we may not generate any future revenue from the sale or licensing of our product candidates.

Even if we obtain approval for a product candidate, we may not generate or sustain revenue from sales of the product if the product cannot be sold at a competitive cost or if it fails to achieve market acceptance by physicians, patients, third-party payers or others in the medical community. These market participants may be hesitant to adopt a novel treatment based on ddRNAi or antisense RNA technology, and we may not be able to convince the medical community and third-party payers to accept and use, or to provide favorable reimbursement for, any product candidates developed by us or our existing or future collaborators. Market acceptance of our product candidates will depend on, among other factors:

 

the safety and efficacy of our product candidates;

 

our ability to offer our products for sale at competitive prices;

 

the relative convenience and ease of administration of our product candidates;

 

the prevalence and severity of any adverse side effects associated with our product candidates;

 

the terms of any approvals and the countries in which approvals are obtained;

 

limitations or warnings contained in any labeling approved by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities;

 

conditions upon the approval imposed by FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities, including, but not limited to, a REMS;

 

the willingness of patients to try new treatments and of physicians to prescribe these treatments;

 

the availability of government and other third-party payer coverage and adequate reimbursement; and

 

availability of alternative effective treatments for the disease indications our product candidates are intended to treat and the relative risks, benefits and costs of those treatments.

Since we are focused on the emerging therapeutic modality of ddRNAi, these risks may increase if new competitors are able to market ddRNAi-based therapeutics or if these treatments become less favored in the commercial marketplace. In addition, we believe that one of the benefits of our ddRNAi technology is the expected length of time of its effect. If our treatments do not have a long-term effect after administration, such a development would likely significantly and adversely affect market acceptance of our product candidates, if approved.

Additional risks apply in relation to any disease indications we pursue which are classified as rare diseases and allow for orphan drug designation by regulatory agencies in major commercial markets, such as the United States or European Union. If pricing is not approved or accepted in the market at an appropriate level for any approved product for which we pursue and receive an orphan drug designation, such product may not generate enough revenue to offset costs of development, manufacturing, marketing and commercialization despite any benefits received from the orphan drug designation, such as market exclusivity, for a period of time. Orphan exclusivity could temporarily delay or block approval of one of our products if a competitor obtains orphan drug designation for its product first. However, even if we obtain orphan exclusivity for one of our products upon approval, our exclusivity may not block the subsequent approval of a competitive product that is shown to be clinically superior to our product.

Market size is also a variable in disease indications not classified as rare. Our estimates regarding potential market size for any indication may be materially different from what we discover to exist at the time we commence commercialization, if any, for a product, which could result in significant changes in our business plan and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

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We face competition from entities that have developed or may develop product candidates for our target disease indications, including companies developing novel treatments and technology platforms based on modalities and technology similar to ours.

The development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products is highly competitive. We compete with a variety of multinational pharmaceutical companies and specialized biotechnology companies, as well as technology being developed at universities and other research institutions. Our competitors have developed, are developing or could develop product candidates and processes competitive with our product candidates. Competitive therapeutic treatments include those that have already been approved and accepted by the medical community, patients and third-party payers, and any new treatments that enter the market.

There may be a significant number of products that are currently under development, and may become commercially available in the future, for the treatment of conditions for which we are developing, and may in the future try to develop, product candidates.  

This increasingly competitive landscape may compromise the development of our product candidates. For example, improvements in the efficacy, delivery and success rates of competitors’ product candidates, in conjunction with a reduction in the price and duration of their treatments, diminished partnering interest from pharmaceutical companies in our product candidate TT-034 for the treatment of the hepatitis C virus, or HCV. This caused us to announce in February 2016 the discontinuation of our program to develop TT-034 before the conclusion of its clinical trial.

We are aware of multiple companies that are working in the field of RNAi therapeutics, including Alnylam, Arbutus, Arrowhead, Silence Therapeutics plc, RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Quark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Marina Biotech, Inc. and Dicerna. Arrowhead, Arbutus and Alnylam are all developing siRNA-based therapeutics for HBV. All of our current product candidates, if approved, would compete with approved and currently marketed treatments.

In addition, our ddRNAi-based product candidates would compete with antisense and other RNA-based pharmaceutical products currently under development. Like RNAi therapeutics, antisense products target mRNA with the objective of suppressing the activity of specific genes. The development of antisense products is more advanced than that of RNAi therapeutics, and antisense technology may become the preferred technology for products that target mRNAs. Our HNSCC product candidate BB-401 is based on antisense RNA technology.

Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and supply resources and experience than we have. If we successfully obtain approval for any product candidate, we will face competition based on many different factors, including the safety and effectiveness of our products, the ease with which our products can be administered and the extent to which patients accept relatively new routes of administration, the timing and scope of regulatory approvals for these products, the availability and cost of manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities, price, reimbursement coverage and patent position.

Competing products could present superior treatment alternatives, including by being more effective, safer, less expensive or marketed and sold more effectively than any products we may develop. Competitive products may make any products we develop obsolete or non-competitive before we recover the expense of developing and commercializing our product candidates. Such competitors could also recruit our employees, which could negatively impact our level of expertise and our ability to execute our business plan.

A variety of risks associated with international operations could hurt our business.

If any of our product candidates are approved for commercialization, it is our current intention to market them on a worldwide basis, either alone or in collaboration with others. In addition, we conduct development activities in various jurisdictions throughout the world. We expect that we will be subject to additional risks related to engaging in international operations, including:

 

different regulatory requirements for approval of biopharmaceutical products in foreign countries;

 

reduced protection for intellectual property rights;

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unexpected changes in tariffs, trade barriers and regulatory requirements;

 

economic weakness, including inflation, or political instability in particular foreign economies and markets;

 

compliance with tax, employment, immigration and labor laws for employees living or traveling abroad;

 

foreign currency fluctuations, which could result in increased operating expenses and reduced revenue, and other obligations incident to doing business in another country;

 

workforce uncertainty in countries where labor unrest is more common than in Australia or the United States;

 

production shortages resulting from any events affecting raw material supply or manufacturing capabilities abroad; and

 

business interruptions resulting from geopolitical actions, including war and terrorism, or natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires.

The insurance coverage and reimbursement status of newly approved products is uncertain.

The availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement by governmental and private payers is essential for most patients to be able to afford expensive treatments. Sales of our product candidates will depend substantially, both in the United States and abroad, on the extent to which the costs of our product candidates will be paid by health maintenance, managed care, pharmacy benefit and similar healthcare management organizations, or reimbursed by third-party payers. If reimbursement is not available, or is available only to limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our product candidates. Even if coverage is provided, the reimbursement amounts approved by third-party payers may not be high enough to allow us to establish or maintain pricing sufficient to realize a return on our investment.

There is significant uncertainty related to the insurance coverage and reimbursement of newly approved products. In the United States, the principal decisions about reimbursement for new medicines are typically made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as CMS decides whether and to what extent a new medicine will be covered and reimbursed under Medicare. Private payers tend to follow CMS to a substantial degree. It is difficult to predict what CMS will decide with respect to reimbursement for fundamentally novel products such as ours, as there is no body of established practices and precedents for these new products.

The intended use of a biopharmaceutical product by a physician can also affect pricing. For example, CMS could initiate a National Coverage Determination administrative procedure, by which the agency determines which uses of a therapeutic product would and would not be reimbursable under Medicare. This determination process can be lengthy, thereby creating a long period during which the future reimbursement for a particular product may be uncertain.

Outside the United States, international operations are generally subject to extensive governmental price controls and other market regulations, and we believe the increasing emphasis on cost-containment initiatives in Europe, Canada and other countries is likely to put pressure on the pricing and usage of any of our product candidates that may be approved for marketing in the future. In many countries, the prices of medical products are subject to varying price control mechanisms as part of national health systems. In general, the prices of medicines under such systems can be substantially lower than in the United States. Other countries allow companies to fix their own prices for medicines, but monitor and control company profits. In some countries, we or our collaborators may be required to conduct a clinical trial or other studies that compare the cost-effectiveness of our product candidates to other available therapies in order to obtain or maintain reimbursement or pricing approval. Additional foreign price controls or other changes in pricing regulation could restrict the amount that we are able to charge for our product candidates. Accordingly, in markets outside the United States, the reimbursement for our products may be reduced compared with the United States and may be insufficient to generate commercially reasonable revenue and profits.

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Moreover, increasing efforts by governmental and other third-party payers, in the United States and abroad, to cap or reduce healthcare costs, have resulted in legislation and reforms such as, in the United States, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act, or the ACA. The ACA may cause such organizations to limit both coverage and level of reimbursement for new products approved and, as a result, they may not cover or provide adequate payment for our product candidates. In addition, other legislative changes have been adopted since the ACA was enacted. These changes included aggregate reductions to Medicare payments to providers of up to 2% per fiscal year effective April 2013 that, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, will stay in effect through 2024 unless additional Congressional action is taken. Additionally, in January 2013, former President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to several providers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. These new laws may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other healthcare funding, which could negatively affect coverage or reduce the reimbursement for any of our product candidates that receive regulatory approval.

We expect to experience pricing pressures in connection with the sale of any of our product candidates due to the trend toward managed healthcare, the increasing influence of health maintenance organizations and additional legislative changes. The downward pressure on healthcare costs in general, particularly prescription pharmaceutical products and surgical procedures and other treatments, has become very intense. As a result, increasingly high barriers are being erected to the entry of new products. We cannot predict what healthcare reform initiatives may be adopted in the future. Further federal, state and foreign legislative and regulatory developments are likely, and we expect ongoing initiatives to increase pressure on biopharmaceutical product pricing. Such reforms could depress pricing for any product candidates that we may successfully develop and for which we may obtain regulatory approval and may negatively affect our overall financial condition and ability to develop additional product candidates.

Our relationships with third-party payers, healthcare professionals and customers in the United States and elsewhere may be subject to anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, false claims, transparency, health information privacy and security and other healthcare laws and regulations, which could expose us to significant penalties.

Our relationships with third-party payers, healthcare professionals and customers may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the federal False Claims Act, that may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we sell, market and distribute any biopharmaceutical products for which we obtain marketing approval. In addition, we may be subject to transparency laws and patient privacy regulation by the federal government and by the U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions in which we conduct our business. The applicable federal, state and foreign healthcare laws and regulations that may affect our ability to operate include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits, among other things, persons and entities from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind, to induce or reward, or in return for, either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, order or recommendation of, any good or service, for which payment may be made under federal and state healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid;

 

federal civil and criminal false claims laws and civil monetary penalty laws, including the federal False Claims Act, which impose criminal and civil penalties, including civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the federal government, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs, claims for payment that are false or fraudulent or making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the federal government;

 

the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, which imposes criminal and civil liability for, among other things, executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program or making false statements relating to healthcare matters;

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HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, or HITECH, and their respective implementing regulations, which impose obligations on covered healthcare providers, health plans and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as their business associates that create, receive, maintain or transmit individually identifiable health information for or on behalf of a covered entity, with respect to safeguarding the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information;

 

the federal Open Payments program, created under the ACA, and its implementing regulations, which requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, with specific exceptions, to report annually to the CMS information related to payments or other transfers of value made to physicians, and applicable group purchasing organizations to report annually to CMS ownership and investment interests held by the physicians and their immediate family members by the 90th day of each subsequent calendar year, and disclosure of such information will be made by CMS on a publicly available website; and

 

analogous state and foreign laws and regulations, such as state anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may apply to sales or marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by non-governmental third-party payers, including private insurers; state and foreign laws that require biopharmaceutical or biotechnology companies to comply with the industry voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the federal government or otherwise restrict payments that may be made to healthcare providers; state and foreign laws that require biopharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturers to report information related to payments and other transfers of value to physicians and other healthcare providers or marketing expenditures; and state and foreign laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and often are not preempted by HIPAA, thus complicating compliance efforts.

Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements with third parties will comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations may involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of these laws or any other governmental regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, including, without limitation, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. If any of the physicians or other healthcare providers or entities with whom we expect to do business is found not to be in compliance with applicable laws, they may be subject to criminal, civil or administrative sanctions, including exclusions from participation in government healthcare programs, which could also materially affect our business.

Negative public opinion and increased regulatory scrutiny of gene therapy and genetic research may damage public perception of our product candidates or compromise our ability to conduct our business or obtain regulatory approvals for our product candidates.

Gene therapy remains a novel technology and no gene therapy product utilizing ddRNAi has been approved to date in the United States. Public perception may be influenced by claims that gene therapy is unsafe, and gene therapy may not gain the acceptance of the public or the medical community. In particular, our success will depend upon physicians specializing in the treatment of those diseases that our product candidates target prescribing treatments that involve the use of our product candidates in lieu of, or in addition to, existing treatments they are already familiar with and for which greater clinical data may be available. More restrictive government regulations or negative public opinion would have a negative effect on our business or financial condition and may delay or impair the development and commercialization of our product candidates or demand for any products we may develop. Our product candidates, including our viral delivery systems, could produce adverse events. Adverse events in our clinical trials or following approval of any of our product candidates, even if not ultimately attributable to our product candidates, could result in increased governmental regulation, unfavorable public perception, potential regulatory delays in the testing or approval of our product candidates, stricter labeling requirements for those product candidates that are approved and a decrease in demand for any such product candidates.

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Risks Related to Our Business Operations

We may not successfully engage in strategic transactions or enter into new collaborations, which could adversely affect our ability to develop and commercialize product candidates, impact our cash position, increase our expenses and present significant distractions to our management.

From time to time, we may consider additional strategic transactions, such as collaborations, acquisitions, asset purchases or sales and out- or in-licensing of product candidates or technologies. In particular, we will evaluate and, if strategically attractive, seek to enter into additional collaborations, including with major biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. The competition for collaborators is significant, and the negotiation process is time-consuming and complex. Any new collaboration may be on terms that are not optimal for us, and we may not be able to maintain any new or existing collaboration if, for example, development or approval of a product candidate is delayed, sales of an approved product candidate do not meet expectations or the collaborator discontinues the collaboration. Any such collaboration, or other strategic transaction, may require us to incur non-recurring or other charges, increase our expenditures, pose significant integration or implementation challenges or disrupt our management or business.

These transactions would entail numerous operational and financial risks, including exposure to unknown liabilities, incurrence of substantial debt or dilutive issuances of equity securities to pay transaction consideration or costs, higher than expected collaboration, acquisition or integration costs, write-downs of assets or goodwill or impairment charges, increased amortization expenses, difficulty and cost in facilitating the collaboration or combining the operations and personnel of any acquired business, impairment of relationships with key suppliers, manufacturers or customers of any acquired business due to changes in management and ownership and the inability to retain key employees of any acquired business.

Accordingly, although there can be no assurance that we will undertake or successfully complete any additional transactions of the nature described above, any transactions that we do complete may be subject to the foregoing or other risks and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. Conversely, any failure to enter any collaboration or other strategic transaction that would be beneficial to us could delay and make more expensive the development and potential commercialization of our product candidates and have a negative impact on the competitiveness of any product candidate that reaches market.

Any inability to attract and retain qualified key management and technical personnel would impair our ability to implement our business plan.

Our success largely depends on the continued service of key management and other specialized personnel, including Dr. Jerel Banks (Chief Executive Officer) and Ms. Megan Boston (Executive Director and Head of Operations Australia). The loss of one or more members of our management team or other key employees or advisors, if not adequately replaced, could delay or increase the cost of our research and development programs and materially harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The relationships that our key managers have cultivated within our industry make us particularly dependent upon their continued employment with us. We are dependent on the continued service of our technical personnel because of the highly technical nature of our product candidates and the specialized nature of the regulatory approval process for our product candidates. Because our management team and key employees are not obligated to provide us with continued service, they could terminate their employment with us at any time without penalty. We do not maintain key person life insurance policies on any of our management team members or key employees. Our future success will depend in large part on our continued ability to attract and retain other highly qualified scientific, technical and management personnel, as well as personnel with expertise in clinical testing, manufacturing, governmental regulation and commercialization. We face competition for personnel from other companies, universities, public and private research institutions, government entities and other organizations.

Our collaborations with outside scientists and consultants may be subject to restriction and change.

We work with medical experts, chemists, biologists and other scientists at academic and other institutions, and consultants who assist us in our research, development and regulatory efforts, including the members of our scientific advisory board. In addition, these scientists and consultants have provided, and we expect that they will continue to provide, valuable advice regarding our programs and regulatory approval processes. These scientists and

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consultants are not our employees and may have other commitments that would limit their future availability to us. If a conflict of interest arises between their work for us and their work for another entity, we may lose their services. In addition, we are limited in our ability to prevent them from establishing competing businesses or developing competing products. For example, if a key scientist acting as a principal investigator in any of our future clinical trials identifies a potential product or compound that is more scientifically interesting to his or her professional interests, his or her availability to remain involved in any future clinical trials could be restricted or eliminated.

We may experience difficulties in managing our growth and expanding our operations.

We have limited experience in development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. As our product candidates continue to advance through preclinical studies and any future clinical trials and potentially toward regulatory approval and commercial sale, we will need to expand our development, regulatory, manufacturing and sales capabilities or contract with other organizations to provide these capabilities for us. In the future, we expect to have to manage additional relationships with collaborators or partners, suppliers and other organizations. Our ability to manage our operations and future growth will require us to continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls, reporting systems and procedures. We may not be able to implement improvements to our management information and control systems in an efficient or timely manner and may discover deficiencies in existing systems and controls.

Our employees, independent contractors, principal investigators, CROs, consultants and vendors may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including noncompliance with regulatory standards and insider trading.

We are exposed to the risk of fraud or other misconduct by our employees, independent contractors, principal investigators, CROs, consultants, commercial partners and vendors. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional failures to comply with the regulations of the FDA and comparable foreign regulators, provide accurate information to the FDA and comparable foreign regulators, comply with healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations in the United States and abroad, report financial information or data accurately or disclose unauthorized activities to us. In particular, sales, marketing and business arrangements in the healthcare industry are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive programs and other business arrangements. Such misconduct could also involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of any future clinical trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause serious harm to our reputation. We have adopted a code of conduct applicable to all of our employees, but it is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with these laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us, and we are not successful in defending ourselves or asserting our rights, those actions could have a significant impact on our business, including the imposition of civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, monetary fines, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, and curtailment of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.

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We could face potential product liability and, if successful claims are brought against us, we may incur substantial liability and costs.  

The use of our product candidates in clinical trials and the sale of any products for which we may in the future obtain marketing approval exposes us to the risk of product liability claims. Product liability claims might be brought against us by consumers, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies or others selling or otherwise coming into contact with our product candidates. There is a risk that our product candidates may induce adverse events. If we cannot successfully defend against product liability claims, we could incur substantial liability and costs. In addition, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, product liability claims may result in:

 

impairment of our business reputation;

 

withdrawal of clinical trial participants;

 

costs due to related litigation;

 

distraction of management's attention from our primary business;

 

substantial monetary awards to patients or other claimants;

 

the inability to commercialize our product candidates;

 

decreased demand for our product candidates, if approved for commercial sale; and

 

increased cost, or impairment of our ability, to obtain or maintain product liability insurance coverage.

We carry combined public and products liability (including human clinical trials extension) insurance of A$20 million per occurrence with a A$20 million aggregate limit. We believe our product liability insurance coverage is sufficient in light of our current clinical programs. However, we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses due to liability. If we obtain marketing approval for any product candidates, we intend to expand our insurance coverage to include the sale of commercial products, but we may not be able to obtain or maintain product liability insurance on commercially reasonable terms or in adequate amounts. On occasion, large judgments have been awarded against other pharmaceutical companies in class action lawsuits based on pharmaceutical products, or medical treatments that had unanticipated adverse effects. A successful product liability claim or series of claims brought against us could cause the price of the ADSs and Warrants to decline and, if judgments exceed our insurance coverage, could materially and adversely affect our financial position.

During the course of treatment, patients may suffer adverse events, including death, for reasons that may be related to our product candidates. Such events could subject us to costly litigation, require us to pay substantial amounts of money to injured patients, delay, negatively impact or end our opportunity to receive or maintain regulatory approval to market our products, or require us to suspend or discontinue our commercialization efforts. Even in a circumstance in which we do not believe that an adverse event is related to our product candidate, the investigation into the circumstance may be time-consuming or inconclusive. These investigations may harm our reputation, delay our regulatory approval process, limit the type of regulatory approvals our product candidates receive or maintain, and compromise the market acceptance of any of our product candidates that may in the future receive regulatory approval. As a result of these factors, a product liability claim, even if successfully defended, could hurt our business and impair our ability to generate revenue.

We and our development partners, third-party manufacturers and suppliers use biological materials and may use hazardous materials, and any claims relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of these materials could be time consuming or costly.

We and our development partners, third-party manufacturers and suppliers may use hazardous materials, including chemicals and biological agents and compounds that could be dangerous to human health and safety or the environment. Our operations and the operations of our third-party manufacturers and suppliers also produce hazardous waste products. National, state and local laws and regulations in the United States, Australia and other countries govern the use, generation, manufacture, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and wastes. Compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations may be expensive, and current or future environmental laws and regulations may impair our product development and commercialization efforts. In addition,

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we cannot entirely eliminate the risk of accidental injury or contamination from these materials or wastes. We do not carry specific biological or hazardous waste insurance coverage, and our property, casualty and general liability insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for damages and fines arising from biological or hazardous waste exposure or contamination. Accordingly, in the event of contamination or injury, we could be held liable for damages or be penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources, and any future clinical trials, regulatory approvals or product commercialization progress could be suspended.

We may use our limited financial and human resources to pursue a particular research program or product candidate and fail to capitalize on programs or product candidates that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.

Because we have limited resources, we may forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with certain programs or product candidates or for indications that later prove to have greater commercial potential. Our resource allocation decisions may cause us to fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities. Our spending on current and future research and development programs for product candidates may not yield any commercially viable products. If we do not accurately evaluate the commercial potential or target market for a particular product candidate, we may relinquish valuable rights to that product candidate through strategic collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been more advantageous for us to retain sole development and commercialization rights to such product candidate, or we may allocate internal resources to a product candidate in a therapeutic area in which it would have been more advantageous to enter into a collaboration arrangement.

Our internal computer and information technology systems, or those of our collaborators and other development partners, third-party CROs or other contractors or consultants, may fail or suffer security breaches, which could result in a disruption of our product development programs.

Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer and information technology systems and those of our current and any future CROs and other contractors, consultants and collaborators are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, cyber-attacks, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. Such events could cause interruptions of our operations. While we have not experienced any material system failure, accident or security breach to date, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a disruption of our development programs and our business operations, whether due to a loss of our trade secrets or other similar disruptions. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from ongoing or future clinical trials or data from preclinical studies could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. Likewise, we rely on third parties to manufacture our product candidates and will rely on third parties to conduct future clinical trials, and similar events relating to their computer systems could also have similar consequences to our business. To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of, or damage to, our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and the further development and commercialization of our product candidates could be delayed and become more expensive.

Our current laboratory operations are concentrated in one location and any events affecting this location may seriously compromise our ability to operate our business and continue the development of our product candidates.

Our current laboratory operations are located in our facility situated in Hayward, California. Any unplanned event, such as flood, fire, explosion, earthquake, extreme weather condition, medical epidemics, power shortage, telecommunication failure or other natural or manmade accidents or incidents that result in us being unable to fully utilize the facility, may compromise our ability to operate our business, particularly on a daily basis, cause us financial losses and inhibit or delay our continued development of our product candidates. Loss of access to this facility may result in increased costs, delays in the development of our product candidates or interruption of our business operations. As part of our risk management policy, we maintain insurance coverage at levels that we believe are appropriate for our business. However, in the event of an accident or incident at this facility, we cannot assure you that the amounts of insurance will be sufficient to satisfy any damages and losses. If our facility is unable to operate because of an accident or incident or for any other reason, even for a short period of time, any or all of our research and development programs may be harmed. Any business interruption may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and prospects.

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The investment of our cash and cash equivalents is subject to risks which may cause losses and affect the liquidity of these investments.

As of June 30, 2018, we had A$16.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. We historically have invested substantially all of our available cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds of our U.S. initial public offering, in cash deposits meeting the criteria of our investment policy, which is focused on the preservation of our capital. These investments are subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks. We may realize losses in the fair value of these investments, which would have a negative effect on our financial results. In addition, should our investments cease paying or reduce the amount of interest paid to us, our interest income would suffer. The market risks associated with our investment portfolio may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

Our ability to utilize our net operating losses and certain other tax attributes may be limited.

We have substantial carried forward tax losses which may not be available to offset any future assessable income. In order for an Australian corporate taxpayer to carry forward and utilize tax losses, the taxpayer must pass either the continuity of ownership test, or COT, or, if it fails the COT, the same business test, or SBT, in respect of relevant tax losses.

We have not carried out any analysis as to whether we have met the COT or, failing the COT, the SBT over relevant periods. In addition, future shareholding changes may result in a significant ownership change for us. It is therefore uncertain as to whether any of our tax losses carried forward as of June 30, 2018 will be available to be carried forward and available to offset our assessable income, if any, in future periods.

Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property

If we are unable to obtain or protect intellectual property rights related to our product candidates, we may not be able to obtain exclusivity for our product candidates or prevent others from developing similar competitive products.

We rely upon a combination of patents, know-how, trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect the intellectual property related to our product candidates.

The patent application process, also known as patent prosecution, is expensive and time-consuming, and we and our current or future licensors and licensees may not be able to prepare, file, and prosecute all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner. It is also possible that we or our current licensors or licensees, or any future licensors or licensees, will fail to identify patentable aspects of inventions made in the course of development and commercialization activities before it is too late to obtain patent protection on them. Therefore, our patents and patent applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business. It is possible that defects of form in the preparation or filing of our patents or patent applications may exist, or may arise in the future, for example with respect to proper priority claims, inventorship, claim scope, patent term adjustments, etc., although we are unaware of any such defects. If we or our current licensors or licensees, or any future licensors or licensees, fail to establish, maintain or protect such patents and other intellectual property rights, such rights may be reduced or eliminated. If our current licensors or licensees, or any future licensors or licensees, are not fully cooperative or disagree with us as to the prosecution, maintenance or enforcement of any patent rights, such patent rights could be compromised. If there are material defects in the form or preparation of our patents or patent applications, such patents or applications may be invalid and unenforceable. Any of these outcomes could impair our ability to prevent competition from third parties, which may have an adverse impact on our business.

The strength of patents in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical field involves complex legal and scientific questions and can be uncertain. The patent applications that we own or in-license may fail to result in issued patents with claims that cover our product candidates in the United States or other jurisdictions. In addition, we cannot guarantee that any patents will issue from any pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us. There is no assurance that all of the potentially relevant prior art relating to our patents and patent applications has been found. If such prior art exists, it can invalidate a patent or prevent a patent from issuing from a pending patent application. Even if patents do successfully issue and even if such patents cover our product candidates, third parties

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may initiate opposition, interference, re-examination, post-grant review, inter partes review, nullification or derivation action in court or before patent offices or similar proceedings challenging the validity, enforceability or scope of such patents, which may result in the patent claims being narrowed or invalidated. For example, three of our patents licensed from CSIRO that expire in 2019 have been subject to oppositions before the European Patent Office (EPO), and these oppositions have resulted in appealable decisions to maintain one of the European patents and to revoke two others. Each of those EPO decisions has been appealed. One of the appeals filed by CSIRO has been dismissed and the relevant European patent was revoked. The remaining two appeals are still underway and we cannot know whether these appeals, if carried through, will be decided favorably for us. Furthermore, even if our patents and patent applications are unchallenged, they may not adequately protect our intellectual property, provide exclusivity for our product candidates or prevent others from designing around our claims. Any of these outcomes could impair our ability to prevent competition from third parties.

If the patent applications we hold or have in-licensed with respect to our programs or product candidates fail to issue, or are revoked, if the breadth or strength of our patent protection is threatened, or if our patent portfolio fails to provide meaningful exclusivity for our product candidates, it could dissuade companies from collaborating with us to develop product candidates and threaten our ability to commercialize future products. Any successful opposition to any patents owned by or licensed to us could deprive us of rights necessary for the successful commercialization of any product candidates that we may develop. Further, if we encounter delays in regulatory approvals, the period of time during which we could market a product candidate under patent protection could be reduced. Since patent applications in the United States and most other countries are confidential for a period of time after filing, and some remain so until issued, we cannot be certain that we or our licensors were the first to file any patent application related to a product candidate. Furthermore, if third parties have filed such patent applications before March 16, 2013, an interference proceeding in the United States can be initiated by such third parties to determine who was the first to invent any of the subject matter covered by the patent claims of our applications. If third parties have filed such applications on or after March 16, 2013, a derivation proceeding in the United States can be initiated by such third parties to determine whether our invention was derived from theirs. Even where we have a valid and enforceable patent, we may not be able to exclude others from practicing our invention where the other party can show that they used the invention in commerce before our filing date or the other party benefits from a compulsory license. In addition, patents have a limited lifespan. In the United States, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years after it is filed. Various extensions may be available, but the life of a patent, and the protection it affords, is limited. Even if patents covering our product candidates are obtained, once the patent life has expired for a product, we may be open to competition from competitive medications, including biosimilar or generic medications. This risk is material in light of the length of the development process of our products and lifespan of our current patent portfolio.

In addition to the protection afforded by patents, we rely on trade secret protection and confidentiality agreements to protect proprietary know-how that is not patentable or that we elect not to patent, processes for which patents are difficult to enforce and any other elements of our product candidate discovery and development processes that involve proprietary know-how, information or technology that is not covered by patents. However, trade secrets can be difficult to protect. What constitutes a trade secret and what protections are available for trade secrets varies from state to state in the United States and country by country worldwide. We seek to protect our proprietary technology and processes, in part, by entering into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants, scientific advisors and contractors. We also seek to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of our data and trade secrets by maintaining physical security of our premises and physical and electronic security of our information technology systems. Security measures may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any breach. In addition, our trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors. Although we expect all of our employees and consultants to assign their inventions to us, and all of our employees, consultants, advisors and any third parties who have access to our proprietary know-how, information or technology to enter into confidentiality agreements, we cannot provide any assurances that all such agreements have been duly executed or that our trade secrets and other confidential proprietary information will not be disclosed or that competitors will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques. Misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of our trade secrets can be difficult to detect, could impair our competitive position and may have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, if the steps taken to maintain our trade secrets are deemed inadequate, we may have insufficient recourse against third parties for misappropriating the trade secret. In addition, others may independently discover our trade secrets and proprietary information. For example, the FDA, as part of its Transparency Initiative, is currently considering

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whether to make additional information publicly available on a routine basis, including information that we may consider to be trade secrets or other proprietary information, and it is not clear at the present time how the FDA's disclosure policies may change in the future, if at all.

Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. Further, the laws of some foreign countries such as India and China do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent or in the same manner as the laws of the United States. As a result, we may encounter significant problems in protecting and defending our intellectual property both in the United States and abroad. If we are unable to prevent material disclosure of the non-patented intellectual property related to our technologies to third parties, and there is no guarantee that we will have any such enforceable trade secret protection, we may not be able to establish or maintain a competitive advantage in our markets.

We rely on license relationships with a number of third parties for portions of our intellectual property, including platform technology patents relating to our ddRNAi technology.

We have in-licensed certain ddRNAi-related and antisense RNA intellectual property from third-party licensors. We rely on some of these third parties to file and prosecute patent applications and maintain patents and otherwise protect the intellectual property we license. We have not had and do not have primary control over these activities for certain of our patents or patent applications and other intellectual property rights we license, and therefore cannot guarantee that these patents and applications will be prosecuted or enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business. We cannot be certain that such activities by third parties have been or will be conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or will result in valid and enforceable patents and other intellectual property rights. Additionally, we may not be able to control the publication or other disclosures of research carried out by our licensors relating to technology that could otherwise prove patentable. Pursuant to the terms of some of our license agreements with third parties, some of our third-party licensors have the right, but not the obligation, to control enforcement of our licensed patents or defense of any claims asserting the invalidity of these patents. Even if we are permitted to pursue such enforcement or defense, we will require the cooperation of our licensors, and cannot guarantee that we would receive it and on what terms. We cannot be certain that our licensors will allocate sufficient resources or prioritize their or our enforcement of such patents or defense of such claims to protect our interests in the licensed patents. If we cannot obtain patent protection, or enforce existing or future patents against third parties, our competitive position and our financial condition could suffer.

Third-party claims of intellectual property infringement may prevent or delay our development and commercialization efforts.

Our commercial success depends in part on our avoiding infringement of the patents and proprietary rights of third parties. There is a substantial amount of litigation, both within and outside the United States, involving patent and other intellectual property rights in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, including patent infringement lawsuits, interferences, oppositions and inter partes review proceedings before the USPTO, and corresponding foreign patent offices. Numerous U.S. and foreign issued patents and pending patent applications, which are owned by third parties, exist in the fields in which we are pursuing development candidates. As the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries expand and more patents are issued, the risk increases that our product candidates may be subject to claims of infringement of the patent rights of third parties.

Third parties may assert that we are employing their proprietary technology without authorization. There may be third-party patents or patent applications with claims to materials, formulations, methods of manufacture or methods for treatment related to the use or manufacture of our product candidates. Because patent applications can take many years to issue, there may be currently pending patent applications which may later result in issued patents that our product candidates may be accused of infringing. In addition, third parties may obtain patents in the future and claim that use of our technologies infringes upon these patents. If any third-party patents were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover the manufacturing process of any of our product candidates, any DNA constructs formed during the manufacturing process or any final product itself, the holders of any such patents may be able to block our ability to commercialize such product candidate unless we obtained a license under the applicable patents, or until such patents expire. Similarly, if any third-party patents were held by a court of competent jurisdiction to cover aspects of our formulations, processes for manufacture or methods of use, the holders of any such patents may be able to block our ability to develop and commercialize the applicable product candidate unless we obtained a license or until such patent expires. In either case, such a license may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

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Parties making claims against us may obtain injunctive or other equitable relief, which could effectively block our ability to further develop and commercialize one or more of our product candidates. Defense of these claims, regardless of their merit, would involve substantial litigation expense and would be a substantial diversion of management and employee resources from our business. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us, we may have to pay substantial damages, including treble damages and attorneys' fees for willful infringement, pay royalties, redesign our infringing products or obtain one or more licenses from third parties, which may be impossible or require substantial time and monetary expenditure. Even if a license can be obtained on acceptable terms, the rights may be non-exclusive, which could give our competitors access to the same technology or intellectual property rights licensed to us. If we fail to obtain a required license, we may be unable to effectively market product candidates based on our technology, which could limit our ability to generate revenue or achieve profitability and possibly prevent us from generating revenue sufficient to sustain our operations.

We may not be successful in obtaining or maintaining necessary rights to gene therapy product components and processes for our development pipeline through acquisitions and in-licenses.

Presently we have rights to intellectual property to develop our current gene therapy product candidates. However, our product candidates may require specific formulations to work effectively and efficiently and rights to such formulations may be held by others. In addition, we may need additional intellectual property rights as we develop future therapy product candidates. We may be unable to acquire or in-license any compositions, methods of use, processes or other third-party intellectual property rights from third parties that we identify on terms that we find acceptable, or at all. The licensing and acquisition of third-party intellectual property rights is a competitive area, and a number of more established companies are also pursuing strategies to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights that we may consider attractive. These established companies may have a competitive advantage over us due to their size, cash resources and greater clinical development and commercialization capabilities.

For example, we sometimes collaborate with U.S. and foreign academic institutions to accelerate our preclinical research or development under written agreements with these institutions. Typically, these institutions provide us with an option to negotiate a license to any of the institution's rights in technology resulting from the collaboration. Regardless of such right of first negotiation for intellectual property, we may be unable to negotiate a license within the specified time frame or under terms that are acceptable to us. If we are unable to do so, the institution may offer the intellectual property rights to other parties, potentially blocking our ability to pursue our program.

In addition, companies that perceive us to be a competitor may be unwilling to assign or license rights to us. We also may be unable to license or acquire third-party intellectual property rights on terms that would allow us to make an appropriate return on our investment. If we are unable to successfully obtain rights to required third-party intellectual property rights, our business, financial condition and prospects for growth could suffer.

We may enter into license agreements with third parties, and if we fail to comply with our obligations in such agreements under which we license intellectual property rights from third parties or otherwise experience disruptions to our business relationships with our licensors, we could lose license rights that are important to our business.

We may need to obtain licenses from third parties to advance our research or allow commercialization of our product candidates, and we have done so from time to time. We may fail to obtain any of these licenses at a reasonable cost or on reasonable terms, if at all. In that event, we may be required to expend significant time and resources to develop or license replacement technology. If we are unable to do so, we may be unable to develop or commercialize the affected product candidates.

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In many cases, patent prosecution of our in-licensed technology is controlled solely by the licensor. If our licensors fail to obtain and maintain patent or other protection for the proprietary intellectual property we license from them, we could lose our rights to the intellectual property or our exclusivity with respect to those rights, and our competitors could market competing products using the intellectual property. In some cases, we control the prosecution of patents resulting from licensed technology. In the event we breach any of our obligations related to such prosecution, we may incur significant liability to our licensing partners. Licensing of intellectual property is of critical importance to our business and involves complex legal, business and scientific issues and is complicated by the rapid pace of scientific discovery in our industry. Disputes may arise regarding intellectual property subject to a licensing agreement, including:

 

the scope of rights granted under the license agreement and other interpretation-related issues;

 

the extent to which our technology and processes infringe on intellectual property of the licensor that is not subject to the licensing agreement;

 

the sublicensing of patent and other rights under any collaboration relationships we might enter into in the future;

 

our diligence obligations under the license agreement and what activities satisfy those diligence obligations;

 

the ownership of inventions and know-how resulting from the joint creation or use of intellectual property by our licensors and us and our partners; and

 

the priority of invention of patented technology.

If disputes over intellectual property that we have licensed prevent or impair our ability to maintain our current licensing arrangements on acceptable terms, we may be unable to successfully develop and commercialize the affected product candidates.

We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or the patents of our licensors, which could be expensive, time-consuming and unsuccessful, and issued patents covering our product candidates could be found invalid or unenforceable if challenged in court.

Competitors may infringe our patents or the patents of our licensors. To counter infringement or unauthorized use, we may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming. In addition, in an infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent of ours or our licensors is not valid, is unenforceable or is not infringed, or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our patents do not cover the technology in question. An adverse result in any litigation or defense proceedings could put one or more of our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and could put our patent applications at risk of not issuing.

For example, in patent litigation in the United States, defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity or unenforceability are commonplace. Grounds for a validity challenge could be an alleged failure to meet any of several statutory requirements, for example, lack of novelty, obviousness or non-enablement. Grounds for an unenforceability assertion could be an allegation that someone connected with prosecution of the patent withheld relevant information from the USPTO, or made a misleading statement, during prosecution. The outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability during patent litigation is unpredictable. With respect to the validity question, for example, we cannot be certain that there is no invalidating prior art, of which we and the patent examiner were unaware during prosecution. Third parties may also raise similar claims before administrative bodies in the United States or abroad, even outside the context of litigation. Such mechanisms include re-examination, post grant review, and equivalent proceedings in foreign jurisdictions, such as opposition proceedings. Such proceedings could result in revocation, amendments to our patent claims or statements being made on the record such that our claims may no longer be construed to cover our product candidates. For example, three of our patents licensed from CSIRO have been subject to oppositions before the EPO, and these oppositions have resulted in appealable decisions to maintain one European patent and to revoke two others. Each of those EPO decisions has been appealed. One of the appeals filed by CSIRO has been dismissed and the relevant European patent was revoked. The remaining two appeals are still underway. Outcomes or statements on the record in one country could have a disadvantageous effect on prosecution or enforcement of a patent or patent application in another country. The outcome following legal

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assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable. With respect to the validity question, for example, we cannot be certain that no invalidating prior art exists or that the patent examiner was aware of all material prior art during prosecution. Moreover, in some circumstances, we do not have the right to control the preparation, filing and prosecution of patent applications, or to maintain, enforce or defend the patents, covering technology that we license from third parties. Therefore, these patents and applications may not be prosecuted, enforced and defended in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business. If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity or unenforceability, we could lose at least part, and perhaps all, of the patent protection on one or more of our products or certain aspects of our platform technology. Such a loss of patent protection could have a material adverse impact on our business. Patents and other intellectual property rights also will not protect our technology if competitors design around our protected technology without legally infringing our patents or other intellectual property rights. Even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to intellectual property claims may cause us to incur significant expenses, and could distract our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, enforcement of a favorable decision by a court can depend on cooperation of a governmental authority which may or may not be available in every jurisdiction. There could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments, and if securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could depress the market price of our ADSs and Warrants. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce the resources available for development activities or any future sales, marketing or distribution activities.

For our patents and patent applications filed in the United States before March 16, 2013, interference proceedings provoked by third parties or brought by us may be necessary to determine the priority of inventions with respect to our patents or patent applications or those of our licensors. An unfavorable outcome could require us to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. Our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us a license on commercially reasonable terms. Litigation or interference proceedings may result in a decision adverse to our interests and, even if successful, may result in substantial costs and distract our management and other employees. We may not be able to prevent, alone or with our licensors, misappropriation of our intellectual property rights, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect those rights as fully as in the United States.

Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could cause the trading price of our ADSs and Warrants to fall.

Our results of operations will be affected by the level of royalty payments that we are required to pay to third parties.

We are a party to license agreements that require us to remit royalty payments and other payments related to in-licensed intellectual property. Under our in-license agreements, we may pay up-front fees and milestone payments and be subject to future royalties. We cannot precisely predict the amount, if any, of royalties we will owe in the future, and if our calculations of royalty payments are incorrect, we may owe additional royalties, which could negatively affect our results of operations. As our product sales increase, we may, from time to time, disagree with our third-party collaborators as to the appropriate royalties owed, and the resolution of such disputes may be costly, may consume management's time, and may damage our relationship with our collaborators. Furthermore, we may enter into additional license agreements in the future, which may also include royalty, milestone and other payments.

The licenses we grant to our collaborators to use our ddRNAi technology are exclusive to the development of product candidates for certain conditions.

Some of the out-licenses we grant to our collaborators to use our ddRNAi technology are exclusive to the development of product candidates for certain conditions, so long as our collaborators comply with certain requirements. That means that once our ddRNAi technology is licensed to a collaborator for a specified condition, we are generally prohibited from developing product candidates for that condition and from licensing the ddRNAi to any third party for that condition. The limitations imposed by these exclusive licenses could prevent us from expanding our business and increasing our development of product candidates with new collaborators, both of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

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We may be subject to claims that our employees, consultants or independent contractors have wrongfully used or disclosed confidential information of third parties or that our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged trade secrets of their former employers.

Certain of our key employees and personnel are or were previously employed at universities, medical institutions or other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although we try to ensure that our employees, consultants and independent contractors do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may be subject to claims that we or our employees, consultants or independent contractors have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed intellectual property, including trade secrets or other proprietary information, of any of our employee's former employer or other third parties. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Furthermore, universities or medical institutions who employ some of our key employees and personnel in parallel to their engagement by us may claim that intellectual property developed by such person is owned by the respective academic or medical institution under the respective institution intellectual property policy or applicable law. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs, be a distraction to management and other employees, and damage our relationships with the academic and medical institutions.

We may be subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our patents and other intellectual property.

We may be subject to claims that former employees, collaborators or other third parties have an ownership interest in our patents or other intellectual property. We may in the future have ownership disputes arising, for example, from conflicting obligations of consultants or others who are involved in developing our product candidates. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these and other claims challenging inventorship or ownership. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, such as exclusive ownership of, or right to use, valuable intellectual property. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.

Obtaining and maintaining our patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

Periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees and various other governmental fees on patents and applications are required to be paid to the USPTO and various governmental patent agencies outside of the United States in several stages over the lifetime of the patents and applications. The USPTO and various corresponding governmental patent agencies outside of the United States require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other similar provisions during the patent application process and after a patent has issued. There are situations in which non-compliance can result in abandonment or lapse of the patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction.

Changes in U.S. patent law could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our products.

As is the case with other biotechnology companies, our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the biotechnology industry involve both technological and legal complexity, and it therefore is costly, time-consuming and inherently uncertain. In addition, on September 16, 2011, the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the Leahy-Smith Act, was signed into law. The Leahy-Smith Act includes a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law, including provisions that affect the way patent applications will be prosecuted and may also affect patent litigation.

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An important change introduced by the Leahy-Smith Act is that, as of March 16, 2013, the United States transitioned to a "first-to-file" system for deciding which party should be granted a patent when two or more patent applications are filed by different parties claiming the same invention. A third party that files a patent application in the USPTO after that date but before us could therefore be awarded a patent covering an invention of ours even if we had made the invention before it was made by the third party. This will require us to be cognizant going forward of the time from invention to filing of a patent application. It is not clear what, if any, impact the Leahy-Smith Act will have on the operation of our business. However, the Leahy-Smith Act and its implementation could increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of our patent applications and the enforcement or defense of our issued patents.

Among some of the other changes introduced by the Leahy-Smith Act are changes that limit where a patentee may file a patent infringement suit and providing opportunities for third parties to challenge any issued patent in the USPTO. This applies to all of our U.S. patents, even those issued before March 16, 2013. Because of a lower evidentiary standard in USPTO proceedings compared to the evidentiary standard in U.S. federal court necessary to invalidate a patent claim, a third party could potentially provide evidence in a USPTO proceeding sufficient for the USPTO to hold a claim invalid even though the same evidence would be insufficient to invalidate the claim if first presented in a district court action. Accordingly, a third party may attempt to use the USPTO procedures to invalidate our patent claims that would not have been invalidated if first challenged by the third party as a defendant in a district court action.

Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings such as Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Myriad I); BRCA1- &BRCA2-Based Hereditary Cancer Test Patent Litig. (Myriad II); and Promega Corp. v. Life Technologies Corp. have also narrowed the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances and weakened the rights of patent owners in some situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents, once obtained. Depending on decisions by the U.S. Congress, the federal courts, and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that would weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents that we might obtain in the future.

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to protect our intellectual property and our technologies outside the United States.  

Our commercial success depends, in part, on our ability to obtain and maintain patent and trade secret protection for our technologies, our traits, and their uses, as well as our ability to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others outside the United States. If we do not adequately protect our intellectual property, competitors may be able to use our technologies and erode or negate any competitive advantage we may have, which could harm our business and ability to achieve profitability.

Filing, prosecuting and defending patents on product candidates in all countries around the world would be prohibitively expensive, and our intellectual property rights in some countries outside the United States can be less extensive than those in the United States. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. In addition, we may at times in-license third-party technologies for which limited international patent protection exists and for which the time period for filing international patent applications has passed. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Potential competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products and further, may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection, but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States. These products may compete with our product candidates, if approved, and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents, trade secrets and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to biotechnology products, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Proceedings to enforce our patent

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rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.

Risks Related to the ADSs and Warrants

The market price and trading volume of the ADSs and Warrants may be volatile and may be affected by economic conditions beyond our control.

The market price of the ADSs and Warrants may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. In addition, the trading volume of the ADSs and Warrants may fluctuate and cause significant price variations to occur. If the market price of the ADSs or Warrants declines significantly, you may be unable to resell your ADSs or Warrants at or above your purchase price, if at all. We cannot assure you that the market price of the ADSs or Warrants will not fluctuate or significantly decline in the future.

Some specific factors that could negatively affect the price of the ADSs and Warrants or result in fluctuations in their price and trading volume include:

 

actual or expected fluctuations in our operating results;

 

changes in market valuations of similar companies;

 

changes in our key personnel;

 

changes in financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;

 

trading prices of our ordinary shares on the ASX;

 

changes in trading volume of ADSs or Warrants on The NASDAQ Capital Market, or NASDAQ, and of our ordinary shares on the ASX;

 

sales of the ADSs or Warrants or ordinary shares by us, our executive officers or our shareholders in the future; and

 

conditions in the financial markets or changes in general economic conditions.

An active trading market for the ADSs or Warrants may not continue to develop or may not be liquid enough for you to sell your ADSs or Warrants quickly or at market price.

Prior to our U.S. initial public offering, our securities were not listed on any U.S. stock exchange, we were not a reporting company under the Exchange Act and there had been only a limited public market in the United States for the ADSs and no public market in the United States for the Warrants. Although the ADSs and Warrants are listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market, if an active public market in the United States for the ADSs and Warrants does not continue to develop, the market price and liquidity of the ADSs and Warrants may be adversely affected. The initial public offering price for the ADSs and Warrants was determined by negotiation between us and the underwriter. The price at which the ADSs are traded has declined below the initial public offering price, and the price at which the Warrants are traded has not exceeded the Warrant exercise price. The ADS price and/or the Warrant price may continue to decline, which means you may experience a decrease in the value of your ADSs and Warrants regardless of our operating performance or prospects. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, shareholders often instituted securities class action litigation against that company. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert the attention of senior management and, if adversely determined, could cause us significant financial harm.

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The dual listing of our ordinary shares and the ADSs and Warrants may adversely affect the liquidity and value of the ADSs and Warrants.

Our ADSs and Warrants are listed on NASDAQ, and our ordinary shares are listed on the ASX. We cannot predict the continued effect of this dual listing on the value of our ordinary shares, ADSs and Warrants. However, the dual listing of our ordinary shares, ADSs and Warrants may dilute the liquidity of these securities in one or both markets and may impair the development of an active trading market for the ADSs and Warrants in the United States. The trading price of the ADSs and Warrants could also be adversely affected by trading in our ordinary shares on the ASX.

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted and we expect to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain NASDAQ requirements applicable to domestic issuers.  

As a foreign private issuer whose ADSs and Warrants are listed on NASDAQ, we will be permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain NASDAQ requirements. For example, we may follow home country practice with regard to the composition of the board of directors and quorum requirements applicable to shareholder meetings. A foreign private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed with the SEC the requirements with which it does not comply followed by a description of its applicable home country practice. The Australian home country practices described above may afford less protection to holders of the ADSs and Warrants than that provided under NASDAQ rules. See Item 16G “Corporate Governance.”

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to file less information with the SEC than a company incorporated in the United States.  

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act, that impose disclosure requirements as well as procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and "short-swing" profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as a company that files as a U.S. company whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, nor are we required to comply with the SEC's Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material non-public information. Accordingly, there may be less information publicly available concerning us than there is for a company that files as a domestic issuer.

If we lose our status as a "foreign private issuer", then we will be subject to additional reporting obligations and costs like a U.S. domestic issuer under U.S. securities laws.  

As discussed above, as long as we are a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (i) the majority of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents; (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States. We are required to determine our status as a foreign private issuer on an annual basis at the end of our second fiscal quarter.

If we were to lose that status, then the exemptions under the Exchange Act that we currently enjoy would no longer be available and, as a result, our costs for complying with the requirements of the Exchange Act would increase.

We are an "emerging growth company" (as defined in the JOBS Act) and the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make the ADSs or Warrants less attractive to investors and, as a result, adversely affect the price of the ADSs or Warrants.

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. For example, we rely on an exemption from the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act relating to internal control over financial reporting, and we will not provide such an attestation from our auditors for so long as we qualify as an emerging growth company.

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We may avail ourselves of these disclosure exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We cannot predict whether investors will find the ADSs or Warrants less attractive because of our reliance on some or all of these exemptions. If investors find the ADSs or Warrants less attractive, it may cause the trading price of the ADSs or Warrants to decline and there may be a less active trading market for the ADSs or Warrants.

We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of:

 

the end of the fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of completion of our initial public offering in the United States occurs, or June 30, 2021;

 

the end of the first fiscal year in which the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the end of the second quarter of such fiscal year;

 

the end of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1.0 billion; and

 

the date on which we have issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities in any rolling three-year period.

If we fail to establish and maintain proper internal financial reporting controls, our ability to produce accurate financial statements or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired.

Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that our management assess and report annually on the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and identify any material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting. Although Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires our independent registered public accounting firm to issue an annual report that addresses the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, we rely on the exemption provided in the JOBS Act, and consequently will not be required to comply with SEC rules that implement Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until such time as we are no longer an emerging growth company and are an accelerated or large accelerated filer.

The presence of any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting could result in financial statement errors which, in turn, could lead to errors in our financial reports and/or delays in our financial reporting, which could require us to restate our operating results. We might not identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal controls in connection with evaluating our compliance with Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, we will need to expend significant resources and provide significant management oversight. Implementing any appropriate changes to our internal controls may require specific compliance training of our directors and employees, entail substantial costs in order to modify our existing accounting systems, take a significant period of time to complete and divert management's attention from other business concerns. These changes may not, however, be effective in maintaining the adequacy of our internal control.

If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in our operating results, the price of the ADSs or Warrants could decline and we may be subject to litigation or regulatory enforcement actions. In addition, if we are unable to meet the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the ADSs and Warrants may not be able to remain listed on NASDAQ.

ADS holders and Warrant holders may be subject to additional risks related to holding ADSs and Warrants rather than ordinary shares.

ADS holders and Warrant holders do not hold ordinary shares directly and, as such, are subject to, among others, the following additional risks:

 

As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not be able to exercise shareholder rights, except through the ADR depositary as permitted by the deposit agreement. As a Warrant holder, you will have no rights as an ADS holder until you exercise your Warrant.

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Distributions, if any, on the ordinary shares represented by your ADSs will be paid to the ADR depositary, and before the ADR depositary makes a distribution to you on behalf of your ADSs, any withholding taxes that must be paid will be deducted. Additionally, if the exchange rate fluctuates during a time when the ADR depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.

 

We and the ADR depositary may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without the ADS holders' consent in a manner that could prejudice ADS holders. We may also amend the ADS Warrant Agent Agreement without the consent of any Warrant holder for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained in the ADS Warrant Agent Agreement or adding or changing any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under that agreement as we and the Warrant Agent deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the Warrant holders. We may also modify or amend the ADS Warrant Agent Agreement in other respects with the vote or written consent of the holders of at least 65% of the then outstanding Warrants.

The Warrants are a risky investment. You may be unable to exercise your Warrants for a profit.

The value of the Warrants will depend on the value of our ADSs, which will depend on factors related and unrelated to the success of our commercialization and product development activities, and cannot be predicted at this time, as well as the factors described herein that may affect the value of our ordinary shares. The Warrants have an exercise period of 5 years.

If the price of our ADSs does not increase to an amount sufficiently above the exercise price of the Warrants during the exercise period of the Warrants, you may be unable to recover any of your investment in the Warrants. In addition, because we are an Australian corporation whose ordinary shares are listed on the ASX, the anti-dilution adjustments included in the Warrants are limited to those permitted by the rules of the ASX. As a result, the Warrants do not include any value-weighted average price or similar adjustment provision for issuances of ADSs at a price below the exercise price of the Warrants or the market price of our ADSs or ordinary shares. There can be no assurance that any of the factors that could impact the trading price of our ADSs will result in the trading price increasing to an amount that will exceed the exercise price or the price required for you to achieve a positive return on your investment in the Warrants.

You must act through the ADR depositary to exercise your voting rights and, as a result, you may be unable to exercise your voting rights on a timely basis. Holders of Warrants will have no rights as ADS holders until they acquire ADSs.

As a holder of ADSs (and not the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs), we will not treat you as one of our shareholders, and you will not be able to exercise shareholder rights. The ADR depositary will be the holder of the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs, and ADS holders will be able to exercise voting rights with respect to the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs only in accordance with the deposit agreement relating to the ADSs. There are practical limitations on the ability of ADS holders to exercise their voting rights due to the additional procedural steps involved in communicating with these holders. For example, holders of our ordinary shares will receive notice of shareholders' meetings by mail and will be able to exercise their voting rights by either attending the shareholders meeting in person or voting by proxy. ADS holders, by comparison, will not receive notice directly from us. Instead, in accordance with the deposit agreement, we will provide notice to the ADR depositary of any such shareholders meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon at least 30 days in advance of the meeting date. If we so instruct, the ADR depositary will mail to holders of ADSs the notice of the meeting and a statement as to the manner in which voting instructions may be given by holders as soon as practicable after receiving notice from us of any such meeting. To exercise their voting rights, ADS holders must then instruct the ADR depositary as to voting the ordinary shares represented by their ADSs. Due to these procedural steps involving the ADR depositary, the process for exercising voting rights may take longer for ADS holders than for holders of ordinary shares. The ordinary shares represented by ADSs for which the ADR depositary fails to receive timely voting instructions will not be voted.

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Until you acquire ADSs upon exercise of the Warrants, you will have no rights with respect to our ADSs or the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs, including the right the receive dividend payments, vote or respond to tender offers. Upon exercise of your Warrants, you will be entitled to exercise the rights of ADS holders as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date. See Item 12.B “Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities—Warrants and Rights.”

Although we are required to use our reasonable best efforts to have an effective registration statement covering the issuance of the ADSs underlying the Warrants at the time that holders of our Warrants exercise their Warrants, we cannot guarantee that a registration statement will be effective, in which case holders of our Warrants may not be able to receive freely tradable ADSs upon exercise of the Warrants.

Holders of our Warrants will be able to exercise the Warrants and receive freely tradable shares only if (i) a current registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the ADSs underlying the Warrants is then effective, or an exemption from such registration is available, and (ii) such ADSs are qualified for sale or exempt from qualification under the applicable securities laws of the states in which the various holders of Warrants reside, as further described in the ADS Warrant Agent Agreement. Although we have undertaken in the ADS Warrant Agent Agreement, and therefore have a contractual obligation, to use our reasonable best efforts to maintain a current registration statement covering the ADSs underlying the Warrants to the extent required by federal securities laws, we may not be able to do so. If we are not able to do so, holders will not be able to exercise their Warrants and receive freely tradable ADSs but rather will have the exercise price for the Warrants returned to them. The value of the Warrants may be greatly reduced if a registration statement covering the ADSs issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is not kept current.

The Warrants may not have any value.

The Warrants will expire on August 21, 2020, the 5 year anniversary of the closing of our U.S. initial public offering. In the event the price of the ADSs does not exceed the exercise price of the Warrants during the period in which the Warrants are exercisable, the Warrants may not have any value.

If we are classified as a "passive foreign investment company," then our U.S. shareholders could suffer adverse tax consequences as a result.

Generally, if, for any taxable year, at least 75% of our gross income is passive income or at least 50% of the average quarterly value of our gross assets is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, including cash, we would be characterized as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For purposes of these tests, passive income includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. If we are characterized as a PFIC, a U.S. holder of our ordinary shares or ADSs may suffer adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, including having gains realized on the sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs treated as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, the loss of the preferential rate applicable to dividends received on our ordinary shares or ADSs by individuals who are U.S. holders, and having interest charges added to their tax on distributions from us and on gains from the sale of our ordinary shares or ADSs. See Item 10.E “Additional Information – Taxation.”

We believe we were likely a PFIC in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017. This arose due to the decline in the value of our shares and the fact that the applicable PFIC rules treat our working capital as a passive asset for purposes of the PFIC asset test.

We do not intend to provide U.S. holders with the information that would permit such investors to make a qualified electing fund, or QEF, election. However, U.S. holders may be able to make a timely "mark-to-market" election that would mitigate some of the adverse U.S. tax consequences associated with our PFIC status. U.S. holders should discuss this with their tax advisors.

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We also note that U.S. holders in a PFIC are subject to additional U.S. information reporting rules. If a U.S. holder owns ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants during any year in which we were a PFIC, the U.S. holder generally will be required to file an IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a PFIC or Qualified Electing Fund), generally with the U.S. holder's federal income tax return for that year. Since our fiscal year ends June 30, calendar year U.S. holders would typically need to file the IRS Form 8621 with their 2017 U.S. federal tax return. Any new U.S. holders that acquired our stock in the past year should consider whether they can (or wish to) make a timely PFIC mark to market election with their 2016 or 2017 U.S. federal tax return. Since the PFIC tests are applied only at the end of a taxable year, no assurance of our PFIC status can be provided for fiscal 2018 or future years. We strongly urge U.S. holders to discuss this matter with their tax advisors.  

If a U.S. person is treated as owning at least 10% of our equity, such holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.

If a U.S. person is treated as owning (directly, indirectly or constructively) at least 10% of the value or voting power of our equity, such person may be treated as a “United States shareholder” with respect to each “controlled foreign corporation” in our group (if any).  If our group includes one or more U.S. subsidiaries, certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries could be treated as controlled foreign corporations (regardless of whether we are or are not treated as a controlled foreign corporation) with respect to such United States shareholders, such that these United States shareholders will be subject to the controlled foreign corporation rules.  A United States shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation may be required to annually report and include in such shareholder's U.S. taxable income such shareholder's pro rata share of “Subpart F income,” “global intangible low-taxed income” and investments in U.S. property by controlled foreign corporations, whether or not we make any distributions.  An individual that is a United States shareholder with respect to a controlled foreign corporation generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a United States shareholder that is a U.S. corporation. A failure to comply with the foregoing obligations may subject you to significant monetary penalties and may prevent the statute of limitations from starting with respect to your U.S. federal tax return for the year for which reporting was due. We cannot provide any assurances that we will assist investors in determining whether any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries are treated as a controlled foreign corporation or whether any investor is treated as a United States shareholder with respect to any of such controlled foreign corporations, or furnish to any United States shareholders information that may be necessary to comply with the aforementioned reporting and tax paying obligations.  United States investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of the foregoing rules to its investment in ordinary shares, ADSs and Warrants.

Currency fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our ordinary shares, ADSs and Warrants.

Our ordinary shares are quoted in Australian dollars on the ASX and the ADSs and Warrants are quoted in U.S. dollars on NASDAQ. Movements in the Australian dollar/U.S. dollar exchange rate may adversely affect the U.S. dollar price of the ADSs and Warrants. In the past year the Australian dollar has generally weakened against the U.S. dollar. However, this trend may not continue and may be reversed. If the Australian dollar weakens against the U.S. dollar, the U.S. dollar price of the ADSs and Warrants could decline, even if the price of our ordinary shares in Australian dollars increases or remains unchanged.

We have never declared or paid dividends on our ordinary shares and we do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares. For the foreseeable future, we currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to compliance with applicable laws and covenants under current or future credit facilities, which may restrict or limit our ability to pay dividends, and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future. As a result, a return on your investment in the ADS and the Warrants will only occur if our ADS price appreciates.

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You may not receive distributions on our ordinary shares represented by the ADSs or any value for such distribution if it is illegal or impractical to make them available to holders of ADSs.

While we do not anticipate paying any dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future, if such a dividend is declared, the depositary for the ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of our ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, in accordance with the limitations set forth in the deposit agreement, it may be unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to holders of ADSs. We have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of the ADSs, ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of the ADSs. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our ordinary shares or any value from them if it is unlawful or impractical to make them available to you. These restrictions may have a material adverse effect on the value of your ADSs.

Australian takeover laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of a significant position in our ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants.

We are incorporated in Australia and are subject to the takeover laws of Australia. Among other things, we are subject to the Australian Corporations Act 2001, or the Corporations Act. Subject to a range of exceptions, the Corporations Act prohibits the acquisition of a direct or indirect interest in our issued voting shares if the acquisition of that interest will lead to a person's voting power in us increasing to more than 20%, or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%. Australian takeover laws may discourage takeover offers being made for us or may discourage the acquisition of a significant position in our ordinary shares. This may have the ancillary effect of entrenching our board of directors and may deprive or limit our shareholders', ADS holders' or Warrant holders' opportunity to sell their ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants and may further restrict the ability of our shareholders, ADS holders and Warrants holders to obtain a premium from such transactions. See Item 10.B “Additional Information – Memorandum and Articles of Association.”

Our Constitution and Australian laws and regulations applicable to us may adversely affect our ability to take actions that could be beneficial to our shareholders.

As an Australian company, we are subject to different corporate requirements than a corporation organized under the laws of the states of the United States. Our Constitution, as well as the Australian Corporations Act, set forth various rights and obligations that are unique to us as an Australian company. These requirements may operate differently than those of many U.S. companies. You should carefully review the summary of these matters set forth under Item 10.B “Additional Information – Memorandum and Articles of Association.”

Item 4. Information on Benitec

A.

History and Development of the Company .

Benitec Biopharma Limited was incorporated under the laws of Australia in 1995 and has been listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX, since 1997. Since we were incorporated in Australia in 1995, we have devoted the majority of our resources to development efforts relating to ddRNAi. While we have established some licensing arrangements, we do not have any products approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales. We have funded our operations primarily from private placements of ordinary shares, including A$31.5 million of gross proceeds raised from private placements in February 2014 as well as A$8.1 million of aggregate gross proceeds raised from private placements to Nant Capital in October 2016 and March 2017 , and from our U.S. initial public offering in August 2015, the gross proceeds of which equaled US$13.8 million (A$18.84m). We have also been awarded research and development grants from the Australian federal government, totaling A$3.6 million in fiscal 2016, A$10.5 million in fiscal 2017 and we expect to receive A$4.0 million in 2018. We have earned licensing revenue from licensing our ddRNAi technology to five biopharmaceutical companies, totaling A$0.3 million in fiscal 2017 and A$0.4 million in fiscal 2018.

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In October 2012, we acquired Tacere Therapeutics, Inc., or Tacere, an RNA interference therapeutics company based in California with a development program focused on hepatitis C. As consideration for the acquisition, we issued a total of 4,092,854 ordinary shares (taking into account a 25:1 share consolidation that became effective in July 2013), representing 9.8% of our issued capital immediately after the transaction, having an aggregate value of A$1.5 million.

In November 2014, we entered into a collaboration research and license agreement with 4DMT to develop a delivery vector for a ddRNAi-based therapy that we are developing for the treatment of wet AMD, which is designated BB-201.

In August 2015, we completed our U.S. initial public offering in which we issued 30,000,000 ordinary shares (represented by 1,500,000 ADSs) and 575,000 Warrants. The ADSs and Warrants are listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market.

In October 2016, we entered into a strategic engagement with Nant Capital. The strategic engagement included a scientific collaboration in clinical programs and an immediate private placement to Nant Capital, LLC of 29,305,819 ordinary shares in Benitec, representing 19.9% of our outstanding capital (for a post-issuance holding of 16.7%). The shares were priced at A$0.0895 per share, representing the 7-day volume weighted average price of the ordinary shares on the ASX prior to the execution of a share purchase subscription agreement. We received A$2.62 million in gross proceeds from Nant Capital in connection with the October 2016 issuance.

In March 2017, an additional 29,305,819 fully paid ordinary shares were issued to Nant Capital at A$0.1859 per share. We received A$5.45 million in gross proceeds from Nant Capital in connection with the March 2017 issuance.

In May 2018, we issued 15,444,020 fully paid ordinary shares representing 772,201 American Depositary Shares (ADS) at a market price of A$0.17 per share to Highbridge Capital Management LLC ("Highbridge"). We received A$2,625,483 in gross proceeds. On June 4, 2018, we issued 36,442,672 in a 1-for-2 entitlement offer, with Nant Capital subscribing 29,305,819 ordinary shares. We received A$6,195,254 in gross proceeds. As a result of the institutional placement and the entitlement offer, Nant Capital increased its holding to 34.21% of Benitec's issued capital.

In fiscal 2018, we underwent a restructuring of our management team. In January 2018, Dr. Cliff Hollway resigned as Chief Business and Operations Officer. In June 2018, Mr. Greg West resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary. Mr. West was replaced by Dr. Jerel Banks as Chief Executive Officer and by Mr. Oliver Kidd, as Company Secretary. In June 2018, Ms. Megan Boston was appointed to the role of Executive Director as Head of Operations Australia. In June 2018, Dr. David Suhy resigned as Chief Scientific Officer. This restructuring, together with the partnership with Axovant Sciences, is part of our strategy to redefine the core proprietary programs on which we will focus our efforts.

Our headquarters are located at 99 Mount Street, Suite 1201, North Sydney, New South Wales, 2060 Australia. Our telephone number is +61 2 9555 6986. Our website address is www.benitec.com.   Our agent for service of process in the United States is Tacere Therapeutics, Inc., 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, CA 94545.

B.

Business Overview .

Overview

Benitec Biopharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel genetic medicines.  The proprietary platform, called DNA-directed RNA interference, or ddRNAi, combines RNA interference, or RNAi, with gene therapy to create medicines that facilitate sustained silencing of disease-causing genes following a single administration.

The ddRNAi-based genetic medicines under development by Benitec represent a pipeline of proprietary and partnered product candidates that can, potentially, be used to meaningfully improve upon the existing standards of care for chronic and life-threatening human diseases. The primary research and development efforts of the Company have been directed towards disorders that include head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or HNSCC,

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oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, or OPMD, wet age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, and hepatitis B. Moreover, research and development aimed at the development of ddRNAi-based therapeutics for new programs partnered with Axovant Sciences are expected to begin during fiscal 2019. See " Collaboration Programs with Axovant" below in this section for more information .

Through the combination of the targeted gene silencing effect of RNAi together with the durable gene expression associated with the use of modified viral vectors, ddRNAi has the potential to produce durable silencing of disease-causing genes following a single administration of the proprietary genetic medicine. This novel attribute of the investigational agents emerging from the platform could facilitate the achievement of robust clinical activity while greatly reducing the dosing frequencies traditionally expected for medicines employed for the management of chronic diseases. Additionally, the establishment of chronic gene silencing via ddRNAi-based genetic medicines could significantly reduce the risk of patient non-compliance during the course of medical management of potentially fatal disorders.

We will require additional financing to progress our product candidates through to key inflection points. In addition, we have licensed our ddRNAi technology to other biopharmaceutical companies whose pipeline programs are progressing towards, or are in, clinical development for applications including HIV/AIDS, and cancer immunotherapy.

Our objective is to become the leader in discovering, developing, clinically validating and commercializing ddRNAi-based therapeutics for a range of human diseases with high unmet clinical need or large patient populations and, as a result, provide a better life for patients with these diseases.

Many human diseases are known to be caused by the inappropriate expression of a gene or multiple genes. It has been observed that RNAi is a potential mechanism to specifically turn off, or silence, genes whose sequences are known. Thus, RNAi can potentially be used to treat or cure diseases with a genetic basis by targeting a specific region of the molecular sequence of the disease-causing gene. RNAi is potentially applicable to over 20,000 human genes and a large number of disease-causing microorganism-specific genes. The mechanism of action of RNAi involves the introduction of pre-synthesized complexes of duplex short interfering RNA, or siRNA, into a cell. The siRNA's sequence is constructed to match a short region of the target gene. The siRNA is processed by the cell's own enzymes to destroy the target gene's messenger RNA, or mRNA, thus preventing the disease-causing gene from being expressed. This occurs as long as the siRNA remains prevalent in the cell.

In this standard RNAi approach, double-stranded siRNA is produced synthetically and subsequently introduced into the target cell either by chemical modification of the RNA or by a range of other delivery methods. While clinical efficacy has been demonstrated for a number of indications utilizing this approach, it has a number of limitations, including:

 

treatment requires repeat administration for multiple cycles in order to maintain its efficacy;

 

patient adherence challenges due to dosing frequency and treatment duration;

 

therapeutic concentrations of siRNA are not stably maintained because the levels of synthetic siRNA in the cells decrease over time;

 

novel chemical modifications or novel delivery materials are typically required to introduce the siRNA into the target cells, making it complicated to develop therapeutics;

 

can have an adverse immune response, or interferon response, potentially resulting in serious adverse effects;

 

requirement for specialized delivery formulations for those diseases caused by multiple disease-causing genes; and

 

siRNA only acts to silence genes, but cannot be used to replace defective genes with normally functioning genes.

This siRNA approach is being developed by several other companies, including Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. or Alnylam, Arbutus Biopharma Corporation, or Arbutus (formerly known as Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation before its name change and integration with OnCore BioPharma), and Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Dicerna.

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Our ddRNAi technology differs from the standard siRNA approach and is designed to utilize the specificity and gene silencing effect of RNA interference while overcoming many of the limitations associated with the ongoing administration of siRNA. Our ddRNAi approach combines the specificity of gene silencing using RNAi with the delivery capability of gene therapy vectors. Unlike siRNA, our ddRNAi technology starts with a DNA construct. Gene therapy vectors, which are carrier molecules, often viruses, that deliver genetic material into the cell, are used to deliver the DNA construct to the nucleus of the targeted cells. The DNA construct then generates double-stranded short hairpin RNAs, or shRNAs, which are processed by the cell resulting in the conversion of the shRNA into siRNAs, which in turn silence the disease-associated genes. Advantages of our ddRNAi approach include:

 

when paired with gene therapy delivery vectors, ddRNAi is designed to produce sustained, long-lasting silencing of the disease-causing gene, following a single administration, leading to the potential for "one shot" cures for a wide range of diseases, which could eliminate the requirement for patient compliance to take regular doses of medicine for long-term management of their disease;

 

ddRNAi technology can potentially use a range of clinically validated gene therapy vectors, enabling it to target a wide range of tissues, including, but not limited to, the liver;

 

because ddRNAi uses the cell's own transcriptional mechanisms to produce shRNA, a constant level of shRNA can potentially be produced so that intracellular levels of siRNA do not fall below threshold levels required for disease suppression;

 

modulation of transcriptional activity in the cells can potentially be fine-tuned to achieve optimal concentrations of shRNA;

 

off-tissue effects may be minimized by the use of tissue specific promoters;

 

the DNA constructs are shielded in gene therapy vectors that could potentially be designed to avoid activating the interferon response;

 

ddRNAi provides the option to both silence the defective gene and replace the defective gene with a normal version, using the same gene therapy vector, thus the silencing and replacement of the mutant gene occurs in the same cell, which we believe is ideally suited to developing therapeutics for a number of genetic disorders;

 

ddRNAi constructs can be designed to express multiple siRNAs in the same cell, targeting either a single gene at several different sites to maximize gene silencing or multiple genes in distinct cellular pathways, potentially enabling treatment of complex genetic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease; and

 

ddRNAi constructs can potentially be designed to simultaneously express siRNAs as well as other genetic sequences, such as those that encode for proteins.

Our strategy is to discover, develop and commercialize treatments that leverage the capabilities of ddRNAi. We intend to do so by progressing our pipeline of ddRNAi-based therapeutics designed to treat and cure a number of human diseases, thereby demonstrating the broad clinical application of ddRNAi.

For selected product candidates, at the appropriate stage, we may collaborate with large pharmaceutical companies to further co-develop and, if approved, commercialize our ddRNAi products to achieve broad product distribution. For certain disease indications we deem to be outside of our immediate focus, we will continue to out-license, where appropriate, applications of our ddRNAi technology for the development of a range of therapeutics, which we believe could provide further validation of our technology's potential to address numerous diseases.

Our cash and cash equivalents will advance our product candidates for HNSCC, AMD and hepatitis B. We expect that our cash expenditures to particular product candidates would be reduced to the extent we enter into collaborative partnerships.

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Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma - HNSCC

In October 2016, we entered into a strategic relationship with Nant Capital. As part of that strategic relationship, we issued Nant Capital a total of 58,611,638 of our ordinary shares for a combined total consideration of A$8.1 million in private placements in October 2016 and March 2017. In December 2016, we entered into an exclusive sublicense agreement with NantWorks, LLC, or NantWorks, an affiliate of Nant Capital, pursuant to which we acquired rights to intellectual property, including preclinical and clinical data, relating to a product candidate, now named BB-401, for the treatment of HNSCC. In January 2017, we entered into a research collaboration agreement with Nant Capital pursuant to which we will manage the clinical development of BB-401, a recombinant DNA construct that produces an antisense RNA with specificity against Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, or EGFR, for the treatment of HNSCC. EGFR is the cell-surface receptor for members of the epidermal growth factor family of extracellular protein ligands. EGFR is a well-validated oncology target and has been shown to be a key driver of the growth of HNSCC lesions with more than 80% of HNSCC lesions exhibiting significantly elevated levels of EGFR versus concentrations found in non-malignant tissues. The mechanism of action of BB-401 is considered to be post-transcriptional gene silencing.

We have also initiated a discovery stage program, called BB-501, using our ddRNAi platform to develop follow-on ddRNAi DNA constructs designed to target EGFR. The research collaboration agreement with Nant Capital allocates the A$5.4 million received from Nant Capital in the March 2017 private placement to the development of BB-401 for the treatment of HNSCC and to the development of BB-501, a ddRNAi product candidate for the treatment of HNSCC. Nant Capital will have a controlling vote on the joint steering committee that directs and oversees such development of BB-401 and BB-501 until those funds have been expended. We expect to use the clinical data obtained from the BB-401 program to inform the development of this follow-on product candidate. Our goal in that development is to increase the efficacy of target EGFR silencing using our ddRNAi technology. In March 2018, we commenced a Phase II study designed to explore the safety, tolerability and efficacy of BB-401

We expect to use the clinical data obtained from the BB-401 program to inform the development of this follow-on product candidate. Our goal in that development is to increase the efficacy of target EGFR silencing using our ddRNAi technology.

Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy - OPMD

Our product candidate for the treatment of OPMD is BB-301 (now AXO-AAV-OPMD). In April 2017, in vivo efficacy data using a dual AAV vector system were published in the scientific journal, Nature Communications. These results, which come from a collaboration with the Royal Holloway University in London, demonstrated that a dual vector approach to 'silence and replace' the mutant poly-A binding protein N1, or PABPN1, gene could correct many of the key clinical features of OPMD in A17 mice. The A17 mouse model is a well validated in vivo system that mimics most of the features of human OPMD patients. We believed these results supported our technology's design to 'silence' the expression from a mutant gene and concomitantly express a normal copy of that same gene to restore function. Therefore, in August 2017, we announced a new vector designed to ‘silence and replace’ the disease-causing gene in a single construct similar to the dual vector system in which the ‘silence’ and ‘replace’ are delivered in separate vectors.  We believe a single vector product would simplify the regulatory process and reduce the complexity of the clinical strategy for the type of product candidate we are developing. In line with our development strategy, in July 2018, we entered into a license agreement with Axovant Sciences ("Axovant"). In particular, this agreement allows us to enhance AXO-AVV-OPMD as a single vector gene therapy construct system which uses the unique "silence-and-replace" methodology we have been developing. We believe this agreement will further the development of our core "silence-and-replace" platform - See Item 10C "Material Contracts" for a summary of our agreement with Axovant .

Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration - AMD

Our AMD product candidate, BB-201, is comprised of a novel adeno associated virus, or AAV, capsid that delivers a recombinant DNA cassette engineered to express steady state levels of three shRNA that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor-a, or VEGF-a, vascular endothelial growth factor-b, or VEGF-b, and placental growth factor, or PlGF, three clinically validated genes whose inappropriate expression is shown to lead to the progression of wet AMD. We have established collaborations with third parties to use directed evolution to identify novel viral capsids with the potential for delivery to the retinal cells that express these proteins using direct intravitreal injection, a commercially attractive route of administration. In 2017 we tested the efficacy of our vectors and the selected capsids in a laser-induced model of neovascularization in non-human primates. After completion of molecular analyses from this study, we determined that additional work will be required if we are to continue the development of the AMD program.

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Hepatitis B

We are also developing BB-103 (previously known as BB-HB-331) for the treatment of the hepatitis B virus, or HBV. HBV is a small DNA virus that, according to the World Health Organization, or WHO, infects up to 240 million people worldwide and results in up to 780,000 deaths per year. Infection with HBV occurs in phases ranging from a silent, acute phase that may be resolved by the immune system, to a persistent chronic infection requiring life-long therapy. In the case of a chronic HBV infection, the presence of viral particles and proteins, particularly the s-antigen, causes hepatic inflammation leading to liver dysfunction, acute hepatic failure, cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients suffering from HBV have limited treatment options from therapies consisting of antivirals and, less commonly, interferon therapy. These treatments require adherence to strict recurrent treatment regimens, may cause HBV to mutate and develop antiviral drug resistance, and may only provide viral suppression through the course of administration, and not a cure. The long-term use of interferon, particularly in high doses, may also be associated with significant side effects, including nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue, that can cause patients to deviate from the course of treatment. There is a need for safe and convenient novel therapeutics that restore host immune response through targeted HBV surface antigen, or HBsAg, knockdown offering HBV patients the potential for ‘functional cures' by eliminating virus producing cells. BB-103 is designed to be a single administration ddRNAi-based therapy that is delivered using a gene therapy vector that targets the liver and inhibits viral replication and s-antigen production on a long-term basis. We believe that combining BB-103 with a nucleoside inhibitor, or NUC, a class of drug currently used to treat HBV in infected individuals, will help spur the patient’s own immune system to produce anti-s-antigen antibodies and may eliminate their requirement for daily antiviral treatments to control the disease.

In March 2016, we announced results of our in vivo study of BB-102, a first-generation HBV ddRNAi therapeutic predecessor to BB-103. Key findings of the in vivo study indicate that a single BB-102 treatment can result in suppression of HBV in the PhoenixBio, or PXB, chimeric mouse model, in which a substantial portion of the mouse liver cells have been replaced with human hepatocytes making the animals susceptible to HBV infection. We believe these results demonstrate the potential utility of an approach that combines RNAi with gene therapy to treat HBV.  In December 2016, we announced efficacy results of a follow on in vivo study in the PXB chimeric mouse model using a single administration of BB-101, BB-102, or BB-103 combined with a daily dosing regimen of an antiviral agent which is the current standard of care used to treat HBV. We believe the key findings of this follow-on study demonstrated even further and more durable suppression of HBV in an in vivo model when paired with current standard of care agents for treatment of HBV and support progression of our lead product candidate for treatment of HBV, BB-103, toward clinical trials.

In April 2017, we completed a pre-IND submission with the FDA in which the feedback provided by the agency included a defined path towards the clinic. We have been working with opinion leaders and clinicians to finalize the study design. In October 2017, we were granted a new patent in the US regarding our HBV program with respect to the use of the RNAi agent to treat Hepatitis B infection. The Company is seeking partnerships to support the progression of BB-103 into the clinic.

We have completed a Phase I/IIa clinical trial for our now discontinued product candidate, TT-034, which we were developing to treat patients chronically infected with the most common genotype of HCV, before winding down the program for commercial reasons. We believe the clinical trial results for TT-034 provide support for the safety of our platform technology.

Collaboration Programs with Axovant

In July 2018, we also entered into a collaboration agreement that will allow us and Axovant to collaborate on five research plans regarding investigational gene therapy products for neurological disorders. Axovant will fully fund each of the five research plans and will have exclusive global rights to products developed under these research plans. The first investigational gene therapy product will focus on developing a single vector silence-and-replace gene therapy product targeting the C9orf72 gene, which is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ASL) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) - See Item 10C "Material Contracts" for a summary of our agreement with Axovant .

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Our Strengths

We believe that the combination of our proprietary ddRNAi technology and our deep expertise and know-how in designing and clinical development of gene therapy, and specifically ddRNAi-based therapeutics, will enable us to achieve and maintain a leading position in gene silencing for treatment of human disease. Our key strengths include:

 

a first mover advantage for ddRNAi-based therapeutics;

 

exclusive rights to a novel, proprietary ddRNAi technology platform that is potentially the basis of single-administration therapies with sustained, long-term silencing of disease-causing genes;

 

a pipeline of programs focused on life threatening or chronic diseases with either large patient populations, including hepatitis B and AMD, or rare disease status potentially supporting an orphan drug classification;

 

collaborations with third parties to expand the technology platform and develop additional expertise in DNA delivery technologies, in scalable manufacturing, in DNA construct design and in developing related diagnostics to help identify the most appropriate patient populations to benefit from these novel treatments;

 

out-licensing agreements with third parties utilizing our ddRNAi technology to develop therapies outside of our core research areas, which we believe could provide further validation of our technology's potential to address numerous diseases;

 

our development team has significant experience in designing and developing ddRNAi therapeutics;

 

ability to leverage our gene therapy expertise to develop additional gene silencing therapeutics, including our EGFR antisense RNA product; and

 

rights to intellectual property that includes a patent portfolio protecting our ddRNAi technology platform in numerous jurisdictions through 2019, and a growing portfolio of patents protecting improvements to our ddRNAi technology and product candidates in numerous jurisdictions through at least 2025.

Our Strategy

Benitec endeavours to become the leader in discovering, developing, and commercializing ddRNAi-based therapeutics for a range of human diseases with high unmet clinical need. The following strategy has been put in place to drive the company towards these goals:

 

Selectively develop proprietary and partnered pipeline programs

Benitec will continue to enroll patients onto the BB-401 Phase II clinical study. BB-401, the EGFR-targeted antisense RNA product, is undergoing clinical evaluation in a Phase II study for the treatment of patients with advanced HNSCC.  BB-401 is a plasmid-derived antisense agent and, as such, is fundamentally aligned with the internal research and development expertise of the Benitec team which has historically focused on the discovery and development of gene therapy and gene silencing agents. BB-401 functions via post transcriptional gene silencing and could, potentially, provide compelling proof-of-concept data to support the development of a ddRNAi-based second generation therapeutic to treat patients with HNSCC and other advanced solid tumors.

Benitec will work in concert with Axovant Sciences to complete the preclinical development work and the core development work underlying the achievement of FDA-compliant chemistry, manufacturing, and controls-related processes and Good Manufacturing Practices for AXO-AAV-OPMD (formerly designated as BB-301).

Preclinical research efforts supporting the development of proprietary ddRNAi-based therapeutics targeted towards the treatment of HBV and AMD have continued, and research and development activities geared towards the development of ddRNAi-based therapeutics for the five programs partnered with Axovant Sciences, C9orf72  gene-related ALS and FTD, are slated to begin over the coming months - See Item 10C "Material Contracts" for a summary of our agreement with Axovant .

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Identify new clinical indications for which our proprietary ddRNAi-based genetic medicines have a high probability of biological, clinical, and commercial success

Following the recent restructuring of the management team, and the execution of the transformative research, development, and commercial partnership with Axovant Sciences, the senior leadership team of Benitec will work to redefine the core proprietary programs on which our efforts will focus.

Benitec will provide additional details on the strategic direction of the research and development efforts of the Company over the next six months.

 

Continue to explore and secure research and development partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies supported by the differentiated nature of our scientific platform and intellectual property portfolio

Our senior leadership team will continue to explore partnership opportunities with global pharmaceutical companies, as we expect the unique attributes of the proprietary ddRNAi approach and the breadth of potential clinical applications to support the formation of collaborations over a broad range of disorders with significant unmet medical need. Our development team has significant experience in designing and developing ddRNAi therapeutics.

We actively protect our intellectual property and proprietary technology that are important to our business, which includes seeking and maintaining patents claiming our ddRNAi technology, and other inventions relating to our specific products in development, or otherwise commercially and/or strategically important to the development of our business. We have rights to intellectual property that includes a patent portfolio protecting our ddRNAi technology platform in numerous jurisdictions through 2019, and a growing portfolio of patents protecting improvements to our ddRNAi technology and product candidates in numerous jurisdictions through at least 2025.

Our Technology—ddRNAi

Our proprietary technology platform is called DNA-directed RNA interference, or ddRNAi, which is designed to produce long-term silencing of disease-causing genes, by combining RNA interference, or RNAi, with delivery agents typically associated with gene therapy.

Standard gene therapy is normally used to compensate for abnormal or malfunctioning genes or to make a beneficial protein to address a defect. If a mutated gene causes a necessary protein to be faulty or missing, gene therapy is used to introduce a wild type, or normal, copy of the gene to restore the function of the protein. This is the approach to gene therapy taken by a number of other companies to date.

With our ddRNAi approach, gene therapy vectors are used to deliver a DNA construct that produces shRNAs, which are processed by the cell into siRNAs, which then silence the disease-associated genes.

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Overview of RNAi and siRNA approach

Many diseases are known to be caused by the inappropriate expression of a gene or multiple genes. These disease-associated genes can be turned off, or silenced, by the use of RNAi, resulting in a treatment or cure of the disease. Thus, RNAi provides the ability to develop therapeutics against diseases caused by inappropriate gene expression, by targeting a specific region of the molecular sequence of the disease-causing gene. RNAi is potentially applicable to over 20,000 human genes and a large number of disease-causing microorganism-specific genes.

The mechanism of action of RNAi involves the introduction of siRNA into a cell. The siRNA's sequence is constructed to match a short region of the target gene. The siRNA is processed by the cell's own enzymes to destroy the target gene's mRNA, thus preventing the disease-causing gene from being expressed. This occurs as long as the siRNA remains prevalent in the cell. In the standard RNAi approach, siRNA is produced synthetically in the laboratory and introduced into the target cell either by chemical modification of the RNA or by a range of delivery materials. A number of other companies, including Alnylam, Arbutus, and Dicerna, utilize this approach in their RNAi product candidates.

Figure 1. The siRNA approach.

 

 

A small double stranded RNA, or dsRNA, molecule (A), comprising one strand known as the sense strand and another strand known as the antisense strand, which are complementary to each other, is synthesized in the laboratory. These small dsRNAs are called small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs. The sequence of the sense strand corresponds to a short region of the target gene mRNA. The siRNA is delivered to the target cell (B), where a group of enzymes, referred to as the RNA Interference Specificity Complex, or RISC, process the siRNA (C), where one of the strands (usually the sense strand) is released (D). RISC uses the antisense strand to find the mRNA that has a complementary sequence (E) leading to the cleavage of the target mRNA (F). As a consequence, the output of the mRNA (protein production) does not occur (G).

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Our Approach to Gene Silencing—ddRNAi

Our ddRNAi technology is designed to utilize the specificity and gene silencing effect of RNAi while overcoming many of the limitations of siRNA. Our ddRNAi approach combines RNA interference with gene therapy vectors to deliver a DNA compound to the target diseased tissue in order to silence the disease-associated genes.

Gene therapy

Gene therapy is designed to introduce genetic material into cells, usually to compensate for abnormal or malfunctioning genes or to make a beneficial protein to address a defect. If a mutated gene causes a necessary protein to be faulty or missing, gene therapy is used typically to introduce a normal copy of the gene to restore the function of the protein. Genetic material that is inserted directly into a cell usually does not function. Instead, a carrier called a vector is genetically engineered to deliver the gene. Certain viruses are often used as vectors because they can deliver the new gene by infecting the cell. The vector viruses are designed not to cause disease when used in people. Some types of vector viruses, such as lentivirus, integrate their genetic material, including the new gene, into a chromosome in the human cell. Other vector viruses, such as adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses, or AAV, introduce their DNA into the nucleus of the cell, but the DNA of the vector virus is not integrated into a chromosome; only the therapeutic gene is integrated. Most of our ddRNAi programs utilize AAV as the delivery vector. A number of viral vectors can produce gene expression for months or years following a single administration, depending on the target tissue.

The vector can be given intravenously or injected directly into a specific tissue in the body, where it enters individual cells. Alternatively, a sample of the patient's cells can be removed and exposed to the vector in a laboratory setting. The cells containing the vector are then returned to the patient where they produce the expressed RNA or protein.

ddRNAi

Our ddRNAi technology utilizes DNA as the therapeutic molecule designed to generate shRNAs continuously in the target cell. A range of viral and non-viral gene therapy vectors can be used to deliver the DNA construct into the cell's nucleus. Once delivered, the DNA sequence codes for specific shRNAs, which are then processed by the cell's endogenous machinery into siRNA. The siRNA created by the cell then completes the RNAi cycle described above by cleaving the mRNA of the target gene thus preventing the disease-causing gene from being expressed.

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Figure 2. The ddRNAi approach.

 

A DNA construct is delivered to the target cell's nucleus by a gene therapy vector (A) such as an AAV. Once in the nucleus, the DNA construct continuously produces shRNAs (B) which are processed by an enzyme called Dicer into siRNAs (C). The processed siRNA is incorporated into RISC and silences the target gene using the same mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Our Pipeline

We are developing a portfolio of product candidates based on our proprietary ddRNAi gene silencing technology focused on chronic and life-threatening conditions with disease-associated genes.

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In-House Programs

The following table sets forth our product candidates and their development status.

 

Our cash and cash equivalents will advance our product candidates for HNSCC, AMD and hepatitis B. We expect that our cash expenditures to particular product candidates would be reduced to the extent we enter into collaborative partnerships. Our hepatitis C program was terminated in February 2016.

BB-401 and BB-501 for the Treatment of HNSCC

Overview

BB-401 is a DNA plasmid that expresses an antisense RNA molecule targeting the EGFR mRNA, thus, preventing its translation into its cognate protein via post-transcriptional gene silencing. Benitec acquired the rights to BB-401 from Nant Capital in 2016, and BB-401 is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in a Phase 2 study in patients with advanced HNSCC. EGFR is the cell-surface receptor for members of the epidermal growth factor family, or EGF family, of extracellular protein ligands. EGFR is a well-validated oncology target and has been shown to be a key driver of the growth of HNSCC lesions with more than 80% of HNSCC lesions exhibiting significantly elevated levels of EGFR versus concentrations found in non-malignant tissues.

Head and neck cancers often begin in the moist mucosal surfaces inside the head and neck, such as inside the mouth and the throat.  The global incidence of HNSCC is expected to increase from approximately 119,000 cases in 2016 to over 136,000 cases in 2026.  Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck accounts for more than 90% of all head and neck cancers, and more than 50% of HNSCC patients present with Stage III or higher disease (locally advanced or metastatic), which has higher potential for progression and recurrence.  For patients with recurrent of metastatic HNSCC the median overall survival is 7.8 months and the five-year survival rate is 3.6%.

Total drug sales in the HNSCC markets in the seven major markets (United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Japan) are expected to increase from $579.4 million in 2016 to just over $4.1 billion in 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.6% (GlobalData Report (March 2018): Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma – Opportunity Analysis and Forecast to 2026).

Our HNSCC Therapeutic – BB-401

BB-401 drives the expression of a 39-base pair oligonucleotide that is an antisense molecule to EGFR mRNA, and this investigational agent is currently being developed for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC in

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patients who have failed all available standard therapies. Treatment comprises antisense DNA molecules that correspond to a 39-base pair sequence of DNA derived from human EGFR contained within a plasmid construct.  BB-401 plasmids containing the EGFR-targeted antisense DNA will be injected into malignant tumors of patients with advanced HNSCC. BB-401 will be administered weekly as a direct intratumoral injection.

Ongoing Development Plans for BB-401

The first Phase 1 study involved 20 patients with lesions that were unresponsive to standard anti-cancer therapies. In this study, BB-401 (referred to as EGFR-AS) was administered to target malignant lesions once per week for four weeks. Seventeen patients completed the planned, four-week, course of dosing and were evaluable for response to therapy. Key observations of this study included:

 

Disease responses described below as defined by reductions in the sizes of the injected malignant lesions.

 

Five of the patients experienced an Objective Response which provides for an Objective Response Rate of 29.4%. Two patients experienced a 100% reduction in the size of the injected lesions by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, or RECIST, leading to a Complete Response Rate of 11.8%, and three patients experienced Partial Responses which is defined by a reduction in the size of the injected lesion of 30% or greater by RECIST, and these data supported a Partial Response Rate of 17.6%.

 

Additionally, two patients had reductions in the sizes of the injected lesions of between 19%-to-29% of the original size, defined as a Stable Disease Rate of 11.8%.

 

These data demonstrated that seven patients, or 41.2% of the evaluable clinical trial participants, achieved a definable Clinical Benefit.

 

The mean duration of anti-tumor response was 6.5 months.

 

No grade 3 or grade 4 dose-limiting toxicities were noted in the Phase I study.

A second Phase 1 study of 6 patients evaluated the potential for BB-401 to improve the efficacy of an existing multi-agent anti-cancer treatment regimen comprised of cetuximab along with intensity-modulated radiotherapy, which has been approved for treatment of locally or regionally advanced HNSCC. The combination of cetuximab with radiation therapy has a demonstrated Objective Response Rate of 74%. In five of six patients treated with BB-401 in combination with radiation therapy and cetuximab the Objective Response rate was 83%.

Key milestones achieved and next steps include:

 

The Company is investigating the single agent activity of BB-401 in a Phase II clinical study which is designed as an open label study to explore the safety, tolerability and efficacy of BB-401 following intratumoral injections.  The Phase 2 study patients are refractory to all standard therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The study is being conducted at 5-to-8 sites in Australia and Russia. As of June 30, 2018, all regulatory and ethics committee approvals have been received in Australia and Russia and the study is underway.

 

In parallel to returning BB-401 to the clinic, the Company has initiated a discovery stage program using its proprietary ddRNAi platform, to develop follow-on anti-EGFR strategies. The clinical data obtained from the BB-401 program will be used to inform the development pathway of BB-501 and ddRNAi therapeutic designed to silence the expression of EGFR. It is thought that the efficiency of target knockdown will be significantly greater with RNA interference as opposed to the post transcriptional gene silencing mechanism of BB-401.

As EGFR is a key oncoprotein in many epithelial malignancies, Benitec intends to explore other potential clinical indications, including rare cancers.

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Our ddRNAi-based HNSCC Therapeutic – BB-501

We intend to use our ddRNAi proprietary technology to develop BB-501, which is designed to silence the expression of EGFR. The clinical data obtained from the past and our planned future clinical trials for BB-401 will be used to inform the development pathway for BB-501. Our hypothesis is that, if EGFR can be silenced, then the HNSCC lesions may shrink or could possibly be eradicated completely because EGFR has been shown to be a driver of HNSCC legion growth. As of June 30, 2018, selection and optimization of shRNAs was completed and in vivo testing in mouse xenograft models in order to test for in vivo efficacy continues. We anticipate IND-enabling studies for BB-501 may be initiated in calendar 2019.

AXO-AAV-OPMD for Treatment of Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy

We are developing AXO-AAV-OPMD for the treatment of OPMD, an autosomal-dominant inherited, slow-progressing, late-onset degenerative muscle disorder that usually starts in patients during their 50s or 60s. The disease is manifested by progressive swallowing difficulties, or dysphagia, and eyelid drooping, or ptosis, due to specific effects on the pharyngeal and cricopharyngeal muscle, which is located at the top of the esophagus. The disease is caused by a specific mutation in the poly(A)-binding protein nuclear 1, or PABPN1, gene. The main pathological characteristic of OPMD is the presence of dense intranuclear inclusions of mutated PABPN1 protein.

AXO-AAV-OPMD utilizes a "silence and replace" approach designed to silence the mutant PABPN1 gene with a ddRNAi construct and replace the mutant gene with the normal PABPN1 gene, delivered with an AAV vector.

OPMD is a rare disease and has been reported in at least 33 countries. Patients suffering with OPMD are well identified and are aggregated in particular regions, which we believe should simplify clinical development and commercialization of AXO-AAV-OPMD, if it is approved. The largest OPMD cluster is in the French-Canadian population, with estimated prevalence of one in every one thousand people, and its highest prevalence is among Bukhara Jews living in Israel, where it affects one in six hundred people. In Europe, the estimated prevalence is one in one hundred thousand people. The relatively low abundance of patients afflicted by this disease allows this indication to be characterized as a rare disease. In January 2017, the European Commission granted orphan drug designation for AXO-AAV-OPMD as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of OPMD. In January 2018, AXO-AVV-OPMD received orphan drug designation in the United States. In July 2018, we licensed AXO-AAV-OPMD to Axovant for continued development.

Current OPMD Treatments and Products in Development

The therapies for OPMD currently available and under development consist of a symptomatic surgical intervention called cricopharyngeal myotomy, an intravenous trehalose injection, Cabaletta, and cell transplantation. Each of these therapies has treatment limitations.

Cricopharyngeal myotomy is used to address ptosis and improve swallowing in moderate-to-severely affected individuals. It is the only current treatment to improve swallowing in OPMD patients but does not correct the progressive degradation of the pharyngeal musculature, which often leads to death from swallowing difficulties and choking.

The Institut de Myologie in Paris has undertaken a Phase I/II trial of a cell transplantation therapy, grafting autologous myoblasts isolated from spared muscles into the pharyngeal muscle. This is a significantly invasive procedure requiring surgery in two different sites of a patient's body.

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Our ddRNAi-Based OPMD Therapeutic — AXO-AAV-OPMD

We are developing AXO-AAV-OPMD, a single administration ddRNAi-based gene therapy, to correct the gene defect which causes the disease and to address many of the limitations of therapeutic approaches currently available and those in development for OPMD. AXO-AAV-OPMD is a monotherapy delivered using an AAV vector and is designed to silence the expression of the mutant PABPN1 gene in esophageal muscle cells of OPMD patients while simultaneously introducing a silencing-resistant normal form of the gene to restore its original function. We believe OPMD is well suited for this "silence and replace" approach since the genetic mutation is well characterized and the target tissue is relatively small. Once validated, we believe a similar approach could be applied to other inherited disorders.

AXO-AAV-OPMD —Design and Mechanism of Action

AXO-AAV-OPMD is designed to target three distinct regions of the PABPN1 mRNA, by generating three separate shRNAs from a single DNA construct, and to express a silencing-resistant version of the normal PABPN1 gene (Figure 4) .

Figure 4. AXO-AAV-OPMD AAV "silence and replace" combination vector

 

AXO-AAV-OPMD is comprised of a ddRNAi DNA construct expressing three separate shRNAs targeting three separate regions of the PABPN1 gene, designed to silence the defective PABPN1 gene in OPMD patients, combined with a gene expression construct that produces a silencing-resistant version of the normal PABPN1 gene, delivered using an AAV vector.

In collaboration with researchers at the Royal Holloway University of London and the Institut de Myologie in Paris, we have observed effective silencing of the PABPN1 gene in vitro by the ddRNAi construct. Furthermore, we have generated a gene expression construct that produces a silencing-resistant version of the normal PABPN1 gene. The mechanism of action of AXO-AAV-OPMD is shown in Figure 5.

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Figure 5. The mechanism of action of AXO-AAV-OPMD

 

The DNA construct is delivered to the affected muscle cells via an AAV vector. Upon reaching the nucleus, the construct expresses one or two independent shRNAs that are processed by the cell's endogenous machinery to produce siRNAs that cleave the mutant PABPN1 mRNA and silence the expression of the mutant gene. In addition, the PABPN1 gene expression construct expresses a silencing-resistant version of the normal PABPN1 gene, which we believe may promote restoration of muscle function to the cell.

In in vivo studies using a transgenic mouse model of OPMD at the Royal Holloway University of London and the Institut de Myologie, we observed a normalization of muscle strength following administration of the ddRNAi and gene expression constructs ( Figure 6 ). The full results of the studies were published in Nature Communications in April 2017.

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Figure 6. Restoration of muscle function in vivo following gene silencing and replacement

 

Restoration of muscle function in vivo following suppression of the mutant PABPN1 and replacement with the normal PABPN1 gene, with muscle function measured by specific tetanic force (Po). Neither the expression of a triple hairpin construct to down-regulate the mutant form of the PABPN1 protein, nor the expression of the normal protein, was sufficient by itself to restore specific force levels. The combination of the silencing of the mutant gene with the triple hairpin construct and replacement with the normal gene was observed to restore specific force capacity to healthy levels.

Ongoing Development Plans for AXO-AAV-OPMD

In August 2017, following the results of the in vitro studies conducted by researchers at the Royal Holloway University of London and the Institut de Myologie in Paris, we announced our innovative vector design to ‘silence and replace’ the disease-causing gene in a single construct. The single vector system has shown activity consistent with the dual vector system in which the ‘silence’ and ‘replace’ are delivered in separate vectors.

In January 2018, the FDA granted BB-301 (now named AXO-AVV-OPMD) orphan drug designation.

In line with our strategy, in July 2018, we entered into a license agreement with Axovant. Pursuant to the agreement, Axovant has been granted an exclusive license to the global rights for AXO-AAV-OPMD. Under the agreement, Axovant will assume all future development costs. Our collaboration with Axovant allows us to enhance AXO-AVV-OPMD as a single vector gene therapy construct system which uses the unique "silence-and-replace" methodology we have been developing. Axovant plans to initiate a placebo-controlled clinical study in 2019. We believe this agreement will further the development of our core "silence-and-replace" platform. We believe that AXO-AAV-OPMD, as a single vector gene therapy construct system, simplifies the regulatory process and reduces the complexity of the clinical strategy necessary to its development - See Item 10C "Material Contract" for a summary of our agreement with Axovant .

BB-201 for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Overview

We are developing a ddRNAi-based therapy for the treatment of wet AMD, which is designated BB-201.  The delivery vector for BB- 201 is comprised of a novel AAV capsid that has been developed in collaboration with 4DMT and is designed to deliver ddRNAi constructs to the retina using a direct intravitreal injection. The aim of this program is to develop a therapeutic that provides long-term treatment of AMD from a single intravitreal injection. We believe this could replace the need for regular subretinal injections of protein based therapeutics into the eye, which is the current standard of care.

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AMD is one condition that leads to the deterioration of the eye's macula. The macula is a small area in the retina that is responsible for central vision. AMD is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in older adults, often involving blood vessel overgrowth and damage to the retina resulting in the loss of vision in the central visual field. The vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF-a, is responsible for stimulating the new blood vessel growth. The disease occurs in two forms, wet and dry. Dry AMD is the most common type of macular degeneration and affects 85% to 90% of the people with AMD. Dry AMD often develops into wet AMD.

Wet AMD is the more advanced type of AMD. In wet AMD, which is also called exudative, or neovascular, AMD, the Bruch's membrane underlying the retina thickens, then breaks. The oxygen supply to the macula is disrupted and, as a result, new abnormal blood vessels grow through the subretinal membrane towards the macula, often raising the retina. The blood vessels are fragile, and often leak fluids that damage the macula. VEGF-a is a key molecule known to stimulate the new blood vessel growth in wet AMD. Although the wet form of the disease affects only 10% to 15% of those who have AMD, wet AMD accounts for 90% of the severe vision loss caused by macular degeneration.

According to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology , AMD is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the United States, affecting an estimated 1.75 million people. It is estimated that 196 million people will be affected by AMD worldwide by 2020 according to a study published in The Lancet Global Health .

There are a number of treatments currently available for wet AMD. According to GlobalData, the annual wet AMD treatment market across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Japan will almost double from US$5.1 billion in 2013 to US$10.1 billion by 2023.

Current AMD Treatments

According to GlobalData, the global AMD treatment market is dominated by anti-VEGF drugs, including Lucentis, Avastin and Eylea.

 

Lucentis (ranibizumab) is an antibody fragment, or macromolecule, that directly inhibits VEGF-a by binding to it and thus preventing its binding to the corresponding receptor in the retina. The main challenge for Lucentis is that it requires frequent administration, typically monthly or bimonthly, via intravitreal injections.

 

Avastin (bevacizumab) is a monoclonal antibody that also binds to VEGF-a. Although approved only for use in colon cancer, it is used off label for AMD. It is also injected intravitreally and requires ongoing regular injections to maintain its effect.

 

Eylea (aflibercept) is a recombinant fusion protein consisting of portions of human VEGF receptors 1 and 2 extracellular domains fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1. It is recommended to be injected intravitreally every four weeks for the first three months and every eight weeks thereafter. Eylea is thought to work by inhibiting VEGF-a, VEGF-b and PlGF.

 

Macugen (pegaptanib) is an RNA aptamer that is directed against VEGF-a. It is recommended to be injected intravitreally every six weeks.

All four treatments have similar risks and potential for adverse events, due primarily to their use of frequent intravitreal injection. Risks of intravitreal injections include increase in intra-ocular pressure, retinal detachment and endophthalmitis, or inflammation of the internal chambers of the eye. Patients and doctors dislike ocular injections and tend to prefer treatments that require these injections less frequently. The use of VEGF inhibitors can also cause blood clots.

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A number of companies are developing gene therapy-based treatments for AMD. In general, these approaches involve the delivery of genes expressing proteins that are designed to inhibit new blood vessel formation, which is one of the hallmarks of the disease. The genes that are being developed include genes that express VEGF inhibitors in addition to other factors that activate new blood vessel formation. In contrast, our approach is designed to directly silence the gene responsible for producing VEGF-a. We believe this could be more effective than other gene therapy approaches as our approach is to design ddRNAi-based therapeutics to prevent the production of VEGF-a rather than to deliver a new gene that expresses a new protein to inhibit VEGF-a after it has been produced. Furthermore, we believe that most of the other gene therapy approaches are delivered using subretinal injections. This route of administration presents challenges, including the requirement for hospitalization as a result of general anesthesia and the length of time required to complete the complicated surgical procedure.

Our ddRNAi-based AMD Therapeutic—BB-201

There are several challenges in the development of AMD therapeutic market and we believe that our ddRNAi technology has the potential to address and overcome a number of these challenges, including:

 

The relatively short half-life of current standard-of-care therapies results in the need for regular administration by intravitreal injection every four to eight weeks. We believe our ddRNAi-based therapeutics have the potential for sustained inhibition of disease progression, possibly for months or years, from a single intravitreal injection.

 

AMD therapeutic programs under development at a number of other gene therapy companies focus on administering the product to target cells by subretinal injection. We are co-developing with 4DMT AAV vectors to target the subretinal cells following intravitreal injection, which we believe is a more commercially viable and less invasive route of administration and is the route used in most current anti-VEGF therapies.

BB-201 Design and Mechanism of Action

 

We are developing a ddRNAi-based product candidate for wet AMD, called BB-201. BB-201 has been designed to address many of the limitations for therapeutics for AMD currently on the market or under development.

 

BB-201 is a ddRNAi construct expressing a three independent shRNAs that inhibit the expression of genes that encode for the VEGF-a, VEGF-b and PGF ( Figure 7 ). VEGF-a is responsible for stimulating the new blood vessel growth in wet AMD.

Figure 7. Our AMD ddRNAi construct

 

BB-201 is a construct that uses three independent promoters to drive the expression of short hairpin RNA that target VEGF-a, VEGF-b and PGF and is intended for use in subjects with wet AMD.

We have observed in in vitro studies that BB-201 ( Figure 8 ) is effective at "silencing" the target genes.

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Figure 8. Effects of BB-201 on VEGF-a, VEGF-b and PGF in vitro .

 

VEGF-a

 

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VEGF-b

 

PGF

A retinal pigment epithelial cell line cultured in vitro was treated with adenovirus harboring the BB-201 expression construct and monitored for up to 144 hours for inhibition of protein (light bars) and mRNA (black bars) as well as expression of the shRNA produced (triangles). "MOI" represents the multiplicity of infection. The production of anti-VEGF-a, VEGF-b and PGF shRNAs inside of the cells correlated with significant silencing of the respective target mRNA.

Ongoing Development Plan for AMD – Development of Novel Delivery Vector

The Company is exploring the development of a ddRNAi-based therapy for the treatment of wet AMD, which is designated BB-201.  The delivery vector for BB- 201 is comprised of a novel AAV capsid that has been developed in collaboration with 4DMT and is designed to deliver ddRNAi constructs to the retina using a direct intravitreal injection. The aim of this program is to develop a therapeutic that provides long-term treatment of AMD from a single intravitreal injection. We believe this could replace the need for regular intravitreal injections of protein based therapeutics into the eye, which is the current standard of care.

We completed in vivo preclinical proof of concept studies in fiscal 2017. In fiscal 2018, we completed the molecular analyses of the retinal tissue from an in-vivo proof of concept study in a non-humane primate. These data indicated that additional optimization work on the BB-201 AMD program was required to progress the program forward. We intend to continue to review these plans internally.

BB-103 for the Treatment of Hepatitis B

We are developing BB-103 for the treatment of HBV.  Results of in vivo and in vitro studies, from December 2016, March 2016 and December 2015, have, we believe, demonstrated the potential utility of an approach that combines RNAi with gene therapy to treat HBV, and we intend to advance the HBV program towards the clinic. However, we will likely need to seek additional financing to support the additional IND-enabling work and to proceed with clinical trials for BB-103.

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We have completed a Phase I/IIa clinical trial for our now discontinued product candidate, TT-034, which we were developing to treat patients chronically infected with the most common genotype of HCV. The trial achieved its primary end point of safety of TT-034 in HCV patients, based on safety within the liver and other organs of the nine patients that were dosed in the study. There was one serious adverse event observed, a pulmonary embolism resulting from a fall, and it was classified as unrelated to the therapy. That event was resolved within four weeks. Three other adverse events (diarrhoea, light-headedness and bradycardia) were also observed and considered possibly treatment related. All of those events were mild in nature and resolved completely. No adverse event met the pre-defined criteria for a dose-limiting toxicity. In addition, no T-cell capsid response was seen in any of the subjects, as has been previously reported at similar high-dose levels in other systemic trials with AAV. While transduction of hepatic tissues was seen, there was no reduction in viral load in treated patients, which was a secondary endpoint of the study. We believe that our experience with the TT-034 clinical trial will be of value in designing and implementing our other programs, in particular HBV, as both HBV and HCV replicate in the liver. We have designed certain aspects of BB-103 to mimic the design elements of TT-034.

The human hepatitis B virus is a small DNA virus that, according to the WHO, infects up to 240 million people worldwide, resulting in up to 780,000 deaths per year. Infection with HBV occurs in phases ranging from a silent, acute phase that can be resolved by the immune system to a persistent chronic infection requiring life-long therapy. In the case of a chronic HBV infection, the presence of viral proteins, particularly the s-antigen, causes hepatic inflammation leading to liver dysfunction, acute hepatic failure, cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma.

Current Hepatitis B Treatments

HBV predominantly exists as eight genotypes, designated A through H, with distinct geographic distribution. We believe the keys to developing a successful HBV therapeutic are to stop viral replication and to prevent production of or clear specific antigens generated by the virus, in particular the HBV surface antigen, or HBsAg.

According to GlobalData, a market research firm, the global hepatitis B therapeutics market was worth $2.4 billion in 2014, and is expected to reach a total of $3.0 billion by 2024 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 2.4%. The current therapies used as standard of care for HBV consist of antivirals composed of nucleotide and nucleoside analogues, or NUC, and, less commonly, interferon therapy.

The most common anti-viral medications are taken as tablets each day for a year or longer and primarily act to inhibit viral replication:

 

Lamivudine (Zeffix). There are almost no side effects to Lamivudine, however a significant concern is the possible development of hepatitis B virus mutations and antiviral drug resistance after long-term use.

 

Adefovir (Hepsera). Adefovir is often used for people who have developed a hepatitis B virus mutation after taking Lamivudine. There are almost no side effects except for the possibility of developing hepatitis B virus mutations and antiviral drug resistance.

 

Entecavir (Baraclude). Entecavir has potent activity against chronic hepatitis B. There are almost no side effects except for the possibility of developing hepatitis B virus mutations and antiviral drug resistance.

 

Tenofovir (Viread). Tenofovir has potent activity against chronic hepatitis B. It is particularly useful in patients who have developed drug resistance to other medications.

 

Pegylated Interferon (Pegasys). Interferon is given by injection once a week, usually for six months to a year. The drug has many potential side effects, such as flu symptoms and depression, but is reported to control the hepatitis B virus in a third of patients without need for long-term medication.

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Most of these therapies can provide long-term viral load suppression but have low cure rates and have the additional risk of drug-resistant mutations. The long-term use of interferon, particularly in high doses, may also be associated with significant side effects, including nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue, adding to issues with patient compliance for the course of treatment. We believe that there is significant unmet medical need for HBV treatment due to the following factors:

 

inability of existing therapies to address the risk of recurrence of the infection, once an antiviral therapeutic is removed, due to the persistence of HBV covalently closed circular DNA, or cccDNA. cccDNA is a supercoiled DNA molecule that is present in the nucleus of HBV-infected cells and acts as a reservoir for further HBV infectivity. cccDNA is responsible for persistence of infection in the natural course of chronic HBV infection and during prolonged antiviral therapy;

 

mutations in the HBV genome conferring resistance to existing therapies; and

 

long treatment regimens and, in some cases, significant debilitating side effects associated with current therapies, which lead to a risk of patient non-compliance.

A problem inherent to all of the current HBV antiviral treatment approaches is their inability to achieve a curative outcome. According to a study published in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis in 2014, HBsAg clearance occurs in only 3% of patients treated with a NUC and 7.8% of patients treated with interferon . Sustained suppression of HBV cccDNA by treatment with a NUC is only possible with continued treatment for many years, and clear-cut guidelines on when to stop treatment are not yet available. The study's authors concluded that there is a need for alternative therapeutic approaches such as drugs that can preferentially target stages in the life cycle of HBV, referred to as direct acting anti-virals, or DAAs, as well as new immunotherapeutic approaches. BB-103 is designed to be single administration ddRNAi-based therapy that is delivered using a gene therapy vector that targets the liver and inhibits viral replication and s-antigen production on a long-term basis. We believe that combining BB-103 with a NUC, a class of drugs currently used to treat the HBV in infected individuals, will help spur the patient’s own immune system to produce anti-s-antigen antibodies and eliminate their daily anti-viral treatments to control disease.

There are three late-stage pipeline agents in development for the treatment of hepatitis B, including TAF, GS-9620 and GS-4774. These products aim to fulfill key unmet needs by targeting improvements in safety and tolerability, and by more effectively lowering serum HBsAg which may indicate better long term disease outcomes.

Our ddRNAi-based Hepatitis B Therapeutic—BB-103

We are developing BB-103 to address many of the limitations of therapeutics for HBV currently on the market and those in development. BB-103 is designed to be a single administration ddRNAi-based therapy that is delivered using a gene therapy vector that targets the liver and inhibits viral replication and s-antigen production on a long-term basis. Although initially developed as a monotherapy, we believe that combining BB-103 with a NUC, a class of drugs currently used to treat the HBV in infected individuals, will help spur the patient’s own immune system to produce anti-s-antigen antibodies and eliminate their daily anti-viral treatments to control disease.

BB-103 has been designed to target the liver and produce steady state levels of anti-HBV shRNAs that inhibit viral replication and viral protein production. This includes the hepatitis B surface-antigen, or s-antigen, which is thought to be the principal component of the long-term immunosuppression and chronicity associated with disease progression. The BB-103 therapeutic vector is being developed to be used in combination with other anti-viral compounds.

BB-103 has been designed to mimic certain design elements of TT-034, our now discontinued product candidate for the treatment of HCV, and we believe useful information was obtained from the TT-034 clinical trial which could be beneficial for the clinical development of BB-103, the IND-enabling studies, the design and regulatory approval pathway for initial clinical trials, and potentially the starting clinical dose, in light of the similarities between TT-034 and BB-103. Although HBV and HCV are a DNA and RNA virus respectively, both replicate predominantly in the hepatocytes of infected subjects, the target tissue for BB-103 and TT-034:

 

both use identical AAV8 capsids for delivery;

 

many of the components of the recombinant expression construct remain unchanged including the use of three simultaneously expressed ddRNAi components directed to cleave viral RNA;

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the data from the TT-034 clinical study has provided a solid understanding of the safety of a ddRNAi product in humans as well as establishing a relationship between the dose administered and the level of DNA transduction and transgene expression; and

 

the extensive pre-clinical toxicology package from the development of TT-034 provides relevant information for BB-103.

BB-103—Design and Mechanism of Action

The design of the BB-103 DNA construct takes advantage of the structure of the HBV genome. The hepatitis B virus is a small DNA virus with four overlapping open reading frames, meaning several genes are produced from the same DNA sequence by shifting the starting point of the translation process (Figure 10) . These four genes are known as the core, surface, X and polymerase genes. The core gene encodes the core nucleocapsid protein, which is important in viral packaging and thought to help stabilize cccDNA, and hepatitis B e-antigen. The surface gene encodes proteins, including s-antigen. The X gene encodes the X protein, which has properties that may be important in liver carcinogenesis. The polymerase gene encodes a large protein with functions critical for viral packaging and replication. Although HBV is a DNA virus, it replicates through an RNA intermediate. BB-103 targets the viral mRNA at three overlapping regions of the genome (Figure 10) , simultaneously silencing the surface, X, core and polymerase genes. As a result, we believe that the long-term suppression of HBV viral replication, through silencing of the polymerase gene and targeting the HBV RNA used for replication, the inhibition of HBV viral proteins production, including the s-antigen production, through silencing of the surface gene, and the inhibition of the cccDNA, through silencing of the core protein gene, could lead to eradication of HBV infection in patients by a single administration of BB-103 when paired with a NUC.

In vitro Development Highlights

Our bioinformatics analysis of the major HBV genotypes, A through H, has identified several well-conserved regions of the genome for targeting with ddRNAi therapeutics. We have designed numerous shRNAs to target these regions, and we have identified lead candidates based on several factors, including activity, hyperfunctionality, meaning the highest activity at lowest levels, and the ability of the shRNA strand to be incorporated into the cell's natural RNA processing mechanism. The final clinical construct we have chosen is illustrated in Figure 11.

Figure 10. The design for BB-103

 

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A

 

B

The design for BB-103 is based on the design of TT-034, utilizing an AAV capsid and a triple construct targeting three separate conserved regions on the HBV mRNA (A); The shRNAs target regions on the overlapping reading frames of the HBV genome (B), allowing simultaneous targeting of the mRNAs that express viral proteins including DNA polymerase, s-antigen and core proteins.

Figure 11. The mechanism of action of BB-103

 

The DNA construct is delivered to the nucleus of hepatocytes via an AAV vector. Upon reaching the nucleus the construct expresses three different types of shRNAs (B) that are processed by the cell's endogenous machinery to produce siRNAs that cleave the HBV mRNA and thus prevent the virus from replicating and producing viral proteins.

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In vivo Development Highlights and Ongoing Development Plan for BB-103

Benitec is developing BB-103 for the treatment of HBV. Results of in vivo and in vitro studies, from December 2016, March 2016 and December 2015, demonstrated the potential utility of an approach that combines RNAi with gene therapy to treat HBV. In April 2017, we completed a pre-IND submission with the FDA in which the feedback provided by the agency included details regarding steps required to initiate a clinical trial for BB-103 . We have been working closely with key opinion leaders and clinicians to finalize the design of the protocol for the BB-103 human study and we are seeking partnerships to allow us to begin clinical trials for BB-103. In October 2017, we were granted a new patent in the United States regarding our HBV program for the use of the RNAi agent to treat Hepatitis B infection.

TT-034 for the Treatment of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a complex public health problem, characterized by a high prevalence of chronic infection by an RNA virus, an increasing burden of HCV-associated disease, low rates of testing and treatment, and the prospect of increasing incidence associated with injectable drug abuse. According to the WHO, over 170 million individuals worldwide have chronic hepatitis C. Chronic infection can result in cirrhosis and death in 20% of patients due to end-stage liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma. We have been developing a ddRNAi-based therapeutic, TT-034, for the treatment of the most common genotype of the human hepatitis C virus. We began a Phase I/IIa first-in-human clinical trial of TT-034 in January 2014. Following the commencement of the clinical trial of TT-034, a number of new and effective therapeutics were approved for the treatment of HCV. Competitors' products showed improvements in the efficacy, delivery and success rate of treatments for HCV while, at the same time, reducing the price and duration of their treatments.

As a result of the increasingly competitive landscape, in February 2016 we concluded that the TT-034 program no longer offered the commercial value necessary to attract a worthwhile commercial partnership deal and, as a result, did not warrant additional expenditure or focus of our resources beyond completion of the existing patients.

This phase I/IIa clinical study enrolled nine patients who received a single intravenous infusion of TT-034 at escalating doses. Patients were monitored for safety and efficacy assessments over 24 weeks following the administration of TT-034. A liver biopsy, collected 21 days post dosing, was used to assess hepatic TT-034 DNA levels and shRNA expression.

These results show the administered doses of TT-034 to be well tolerated with no treatment related serious adverse events observed. In the nine patients dosed, one serious adverse event, a pulmonary embolism resulting from a fall, was observed and classified as unrelated to therapy. That event resolved within four weeks. Three other adverse events (diarrhoea, light-headedness and bradycardia) were also observed and considered possibly treatment related. All of those events were mild in nature and resolved completely. No adverse event met the pre-defined criteria for a dose-limiting toxicity. In addition, no T-cell capsid response was seen in any of the subjects, as has been previously reported at similar high dose levels in other companies' systemic trials with AAV. The patients dosed with TT-034 have been followed in a pre-planned safety follow-up study.  In 2018 we received agreement from the FDA to terminate this safety study.

While transduction of hepatic tissues was seen, the assessment of TT-034 treatment on viral load, a secondary endpoint of the study, showed no reduction in viral load in the treated subjects.

We believe the data collected from this study will have a positive impact not only on Benitec’s other therapeutic programs, but also for the field of gene therapy as a whole. This is the first time DNA transduction and transgene expression could be measured directly in hepatic tissues following systemic administration. We have been able to use the data from this study to implement design changes in our clinical constructs and to ensure that our other therapeutics programs benefit from this study.

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Our Out-Licensed Programs

We have licensed our ddRNAi technology to companies who are developing therapeutic programs in two disease areas. These licenses expand the areas and number of ddRNAi-based therapeutics being developed. Each of them provides a potential opportunity for further clinical validation of the technology and potential revenue opportunity. These licenses have been granted to small early-stage biotechnology companies with modest upfront and early development milestone payments and greater milestone payments due upon later-stage program success. Under these agreements, we have received aggregate payments of A$0.33 million and A$0.38 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2018, respectively. We do not expect that any milestone payments we may receive in the future will be significant to our business.

HIV/AIDS

In March 2012, we granted a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing, worldwide license to a U.S.-based biotechnology company, Calimmune, Inc., or Calimmune. Under the agreement, Calimmune can develop, use and commercialize ddRNAi to silence up to three targets for the treatment or prevention of HIV/AIDS. Calimmune's approach was developed with core technology from the laboratory of Dr. David Baltimore, a Nobel Laureate in the area of HIV/AIDS, and involves silencing the gene that codes for a receptor protein known as CCR5. Calimmune's HIV/AIDS trea tment is known as Cal-1. In August 2017, the CSL Behring subsidiary of CSL Ltd. announced that it will acquire Calimmune Inc. gaining two ex vivo autologous gene therapy candidates and two stem cell therapy technologies.  As part of this deal, CSL Behring also acquired CAL-1, the autologous T cell and blood stem cell therapy in Phase I/II testing to treat HIV infection. The announcement indicated that CSL Behring is evaluating options for developing this candidate, including licensing or partnering as the company is unlikely to develop the candidate on its own.

The license provides for modest upfront and milestone payments and single-digit percentage royalty payments on net sales. In addition, we receive a percentage of any sub-licensing revenues received. Unless terminated at an earlier date, the license agreement continues until the expiration or termination of all patents subject to the license. We may terminate the license agreement in the event of certain breaches by Calimmune or if Calimmune commences an action or proceeding with respect to the patent rights that are the subject of the license. Calimmune may terminate the license agreement at will.

Cancer Immunotherapy

In August 2013, we granted an exclusive, royalty-bearing, worldwide license to a U.S.-based biotechnology company, Regen Biopharma Inc., or Regen, to use ddRNAi for silencing expression of indoleamine 2,3—dioxygenase, or IDO, in dendritic cells. Regen is developing a cancer immunotherapy using the licensed technology. IDO is associated with immune-suppression and is overexpressed in some cancers. Regen has reported preclinical evidence that modification of these cells using ddRNAi targeting the silencing of IDO may significantly enhance their efficacy in cancer immunotherapy. Regen's first treatment, which is for breast cancer, is called dCellVax.

The license provides for modest upfront and milestone payments, payable in cash or stock of Regen's parent company at Regen's discretion, and single-digit percentage royalty payments on net sales. In addition, we receive a percentage of any sub-licensing revenues received. Unless terminated at an earlier date, the license agreement continues until the expiration or termination of all patents subject to the license. We may terminate the license agreement in the event of certain breaches or if Regen has not met a defined sales milestone or commences an action or proceeding with respect to the patent rights. Regen may terminate the license agreement, in whole or in part, at will.

New Areas for ddRNAi Application

We believe the applicability of ddRNAi to disease treatment could be further expanded using a number of strategies that are in the early stages of development. These strategies are summarized below.

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Immunotherapies

One approach to immunotherapy involves engineering patients' own immune cells to recognize and attack their tumors. This approach is called adoptive cell transfer, or ACT. ACT utilizes T cells. After isolation from a patient's blood, the T cells are genetically engineered to produce special receptors on their surface called chimeric antigen receptors, or CARs. CARs are proteins that enable T cells to recognize a specific protein, or antigen on tumor cells. These engineered CAR T cells are cultured and expanded in the laboratory and then infused into the patient. After the infusion, the technology relies on the T cells multiplying in the patient's body and, with guidance from their engineered receptor, recognize and kill cancer cells that harbor the antigen on their surfaces.

CAR T cell therapy can cause side effects, the most common being cytokine-release syndrome. The infused T cells release cytokines, chemical messengers that help the T cells function. With cytokine-release syndrome, there is a rapid and massive release of cytokines into the bloodstream, which can lead to dangerously high fevers and precipitous drops in blood pressure. In addition, the reliance on patient-derived stem cells requires a non-scalable manufacturing process that is complex, time consuming and expensive.

An important aim for next generation of CAR T therapies is to silence multiple genes known to be associated with cytokine release syndrome, including the T cell receptor, or TCR, and major histocompatibility complex, or MHC. We believe that ddRNAi technology could potentially be used to achieve this goal.

Most of the current CAR applications use lentivirus to deliver gene constructs expressing CARs. The packaging capacity of this vector allows the expression of several shRNA constructs along with the CAR in a single construct. Thus, the same cell population that is transduced to express the CAR can also be modified by the activity of shRNA expressed from the same vector.

In addition to silencing the TCR, we believe ddRNAi technology could potentially be used to enhance other properties of CAR T cells.

Non-viral delivery of DNA constructs

Efficient delivery of DNA constructs to tissues remains a principal challenge to the development of gene therapy based therapeutics. Most gene therapy strategies employ viral vectors. We are using AAV based vectors in our HBV program to deliver therapeutic ddRNAi constructs to hepatocytes. While AAV vectors can transduce livers with high efficiency and drive sustained expression of shRNAs, there are certain disadvantages with their use.

A proportion of patients possess neutralizing antibodies to AAV, and efficient liver transduction could consequently be inhibited in such patients. Treatment with AAV vectors could also induce an immune response in some patients, potentially limiting the ability to readminister therapeutic viral vectors to those patients. While strategies such as transient immune suppression might circumvent these issues, we believe the use of non-viral DNA delivery vectors, designed to be non-immunogenic, could offer intrinsic advantages for gene therapy. We are consequently investigating strategies to develop non-viral vectors for the delivery of therapeutic ddRNAi constructs.

Our initial work on the development of non-viral vectors is being undertaken in the context of the HBV program. We have prepared DNA constructs that show persistence of expression in vivo and have also demonstrated that ddRNAi constructs prepared in this manner can express HBV therapeutic shRNAs. We are attempting to complex these DNA constructs in nanoparticles to achieve efficient transduction of hepatocytes in vivo and achieve sustained expression of shRNAs.

Intellectual Property

We actively seek to protect the intellectual property and proprietary technology that we believe are important to our business, which includes seeking and maintaining patents claiming our ddRNAi technology, and other inventions relating to our products in development, or otherwise commercially and/or strategically important to the development of our business. We also rely on know-how and trade secrets that may be important to the development of our business and actively seek to protect the confidentiality of such know-how and trade secrets.

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Our success will depend on our ability to obtain and maintain patent and other proprietary protection for commercially important technology, inventions and know-how related to our business, defend and enforce our patents, preserve the confidentiality of our trade secrets and operate without infringing the valid and enforceable patents and proprietary rights of third parties. For more information, please see "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property."

As of October 2018, we own a total of twenty patent families, of which four are in the provisional phase, six are in the Patent Cooperation Treaty, or PCT, phase and others have progressed to national phase and are under prosecution. These families include granted patents in the United States (11), Europe (3), Australia (3), Canada (1), China (1), Russia (1), South Africa (1), Hing Kong (1) and New Zealand (2). We have more than 34 pending national/regional applications in a total of 17 jurisdictions (counting as one jurisdiction the member states of the European Patent Convention). This intellectual property portfolio for our ddRNAi technology, improvements to the technology and product-specific patents can be commercialized collectively or in individual product candidate programs.

We also have a portfolio of in-licensed patents relating to the ddRNAi platform technology. The license from Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, or CSIRO, includes irrevocable, exclusive rights in the field of human therapeutics to CSIRO's patents claiming ddRNAi. The license includes two patent families with patents in the United States (3), Europe (3), the United Kingdom (4), India (2), Japan (3), New Zealand (3), Singapore (1), South Africa (2), South Korea (1), China (1), Australia (3) and Canada (2). The license also includes four pending national/regional applications in a total of four jurisdictions.

ddRNAi Platform Technology

In December 2009, we entered into a commercial license arrangement with CSIRO for two patent families relating to ddRNAi technology. This worldwide license in the field of human therapeutics is exclusive and irrevocable. In exchange for the license, we issued ordinary shares to CSIRO, and we are required to pay CSIRO approximately A$300,000 in the event of corporate transactions such as a merger, sale, change of control, capital reconstruction or insolvency event relating to Benitec. In January 2010, Benitec reached a settlement with CSIRO to replace the original Licence Agreement and Commercial Agreement with a new exclusive Licence Agreement for the use of intellectual property and the Capital Growth Agreement with the issue of ordinary shares. As part of the settlement, a Transition Agreement was put in place in order to facilitate the change from the old agreements to the new agreement and to deal with a number of other matters. Under the terms of the Transition Agreement, Benitec agreed to pay CSIRO an amount of A$297,293 for past patent costs only in the event of a trigger event, being either a corporate transaction or an insolvency event.

The two patent families exclusively licensed from CSIRO include different aspects of the ddRNAi technology. The first of these patent families relates to DNA constructs and methods for using DNA to deliver RNA molecules, particularly shRNA, directed to the target gene. The granted U.S. patents in this family include claims to the structure and design of the DNA constructs, as well as human, animal and plant cells containing such DNA constructs and methods of using these constructs to reduce expression of a target gene. We expect the remaining US patent granted in this patent family to expire in April 2020.

The second patent family is an extension of the first patent family and relates to chimeric DNA and methods for using DNA to deliver RNA molecules, particularly shRNA. The granted U.S. Peter  in this family claims DNA constructs and methods for reducing expression of a target gene in a plant as well as plant cells, subject matter that is not within our current field of use. We expect any patents granted in this patent family to expire in April 2019.

Moreover, under the license agreement, following notice to us and receipt of our comments, if any, CSIRO has control over prosecution of patent applications and litigation, if any.

Two of the CSIRO patents in the first family were opposed by third parties before the European Patent Office. The European Patent Office Opposition Board published decisions in these proceedings in July 2014 and July 2015.

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In its July 2014 decision, the Board revoked the first of these two related European patents and, in its July 2015 decision, it revoked the second. CSIRO appealed both decisions. One of the appeals was dismissed resulting in the European patent being revoked in its entirety. The appeal in respect of the other European patent is still underway. The U.S. patent corresponding to the two currently revoked European patents was upheld, with modified claims, upon re-examination at the USPTO in 2011.  The Company believes that the revoked European patents  should have no materially adverse effect upon our other owned and licensed patents and patent applications described below.

In the second patent family, one of the CSIRO patents was subject to opposition proceedings in the European Patent Office and one of the patent applications was subject to USPTO interference proceedings. In February 2015, the European Patent Office Opposition Board published its decision to uphold CSIRO's European patent in the second family. The opponents have appealed this decision and all four opponents have subsequently withdrawn their oppositions during the appeal process.  In October 2012, the USPTO issued its decision to refuse to grant CSIRO's claims involved in the interference proceedings. CSIRO appealed this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which reversed the USPTO's decision and granted the relevant claims to CSIRO. On remand, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board cancelled the opposing party’s involved claims.  The opposing party had until the deadline of March 28, 2016 to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Federal Circuit’s decision but did not file such an appeal.

Technology Improvements

We own two patent families that relate to improvements to ddRNAi technology. The first patent family relates to compositions of matter and methods for delivering shRNA molecules to animal cells for a variety of target genes. This patent family included patents granted in the United Kingdom, Singapore and South Africa. We expect any patents granted in this patent family to expire in March 2021.

The second patent family relates to nucleic acid constructs and methods for using DNA to produce hairpin RNA molecules that can target multiple genes within one molecule. This patent family included patents granted in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Africa. We expect any patents granted in this patent family to expire in June 2024.

Targeting the Hepatitis Virus

We own two patents in the United States that relate to liver-specific promoters or enhancers. The first claims an expression cassette with a synthetic enhancer and a particular liver-specific promoter that may be used to express a variety of genes in liver. The second claims ddRNAi expression constructs that include a liver-specific promoter and one or more RNAi constructs that provide RNAi agents that target hepatitis virus genes. These granted U.S. patents provide options for promoter and construct design based on the target regions in the hepatitis gene of interest. The first of these two patents is expected to expire in February 2026, and the second is expected to expire in March 2027.

Our ddRNAi-based treatment for hepatitis B

Our patent portfolio related to our ddRNAi-based treatment for hepatitis B includes one patent family relating to single-stranded RNA and shRNA sequences to a range of target regions of the hepatitis B viral genome. This patent family was jointly filed with Biomics Biotech Co., Ltd., or Biomics, and Biomics subsequently assigned its ownership interests in the patent to us. This patent family includes three patents granted in the United States, a patent granted in Europe (validated in the UK only), a patent granted in China, two patents granted in Hong Kong, a patent granted in Russia and pending applications in the United States, Europe, Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, and South Korea. We expect any patents granted in this patent family to have expired by October 2031.

This patent family is the outcome of a collaborative research agreement between us and Biomics which was commenced in August 2009. The arrangement provided for both parties to receive a share of any revenue generated from commercializing this patent family commensurate with our respective contributions to the intellectual property subject to the agreement, in which contributions were equal. In July 2015, we entered into an earn-out agreement

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with Biomics pursuant to which we acquired all rights, title and interest in this patent family in exchange for upfront and milestone payments. At the time of signing the agreement, we paid Biomics A$2.5 million consisting of A$2.0 million in cash and 647,333 ordinary shares (having a value of A$500,000 at the time the agreement was entered into). These shares could not be traded until October 1, 2015 and thereafter Biomics may only sell up to A$100,000 in value of those shares in any calendar month.

A further patent family relating to shRNA sequences to a range of additional target regions of the hepatitis B viral genome was filed solely in the name of Benitec. This patent family includes claims the shRNA sequences that are under development as the lead candidates for HBV, and also include other target and RNA sequences to different regions of the HBV genome. This patent family entered national phase in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the United States.

We also filed a PCT application on 5 May 2017 to claim composition of matter and methods of using a range of short hairpin microRNA, or shmiR, in the treatment of hepatitis B. This patent filing claims the shmiR sequences that are under development as the lead candidates for HBV, as well as constructs comprising combinations of those shmiRs. This new patent application names us as the sole applicant.

Our ddRNAi-based therapeutic candidates for AMD

Our patent portfolio for AMD includes two patent families relating to target genes for AMD. The first patent family relates to a first set of target gene sequences for our two ddRNAi-based therapeutic candidates which are currently under development for AMD. This patent family includes pending applications in the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Mexico, Singapore, Japan, South Africa, South Korea and Russia and one granted patent in the US. We expect any patents granted in this patent family to expire in January 2034. The second patent family exists as a PCT application and relates to a second set of target gene sequences for our two ddRNAi-based therapeutic candidates which are currently under development for AMD. This U.S. priority document was filed solely in our name.

Our RNA-based treatment for HNSCC

Pursuant to the exclusive sublicense agreement with NantWorks we have licensed two patents relating to the inhibition of human squamous cell carcinoma in vivo by EGFR antisense RNA. The license from NantWorks includes an exclusive worldwide sublicense to make, use and sell technology using the listed intellectual property for a term of ten years from the date of the first sale of a therapeutic using the intellectual property or the expiration of the last claim of the licensed patent rights, whichever is sooner. We paid NantWorks an initial licensing fee as well as closing costs in connection with the execution of the exclusive sublicense agreement in the high tens of thousands of dollars in aggregate and will be required to pay NantWorks maintenance fees in the low to mid tens of thousands of dollars annually, as well as aggregate milestone payments of over $5 million relating to the development of a therapeutic product candidate for the treatment of HNSCC. We are also required to pay royalties on net sales of any products and services using the licensed intellectual property equal to a low double-digit percentage of such net sales. The initial term of the exclusive sublicense is the earlier of 10 years after the date of the first commercial sale of licensed technology or the expiration of the relevant patent rights. In addition to the licensed-in IP for the HNSCC program, we are in the process of preparing two new U.S. provisional patent documents relating to our second generation ddRNAi-based therapeutic candidate for HNSCC, BB-501, which is currently under development.  We expect that these two new U.S. provisional patent documents will be filed in November 2018.

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TT-034—ddRNAi-based treatment for hepatitis C

Our patent portfolio related to our now discontinued product candidate TT-034 includes two patent families relating primarily to the shRNA sequences of TT-034 and the expression cassette design of the therapeutic. The first patent family has claims for methods and genetic constructs that use the shRNA sequences of TT-034 in the treatment of hepatitis C. The patent family relates to a range of different shRNA sequences, and includes the three candidate shRNA sequences incorporated in TT-034, as well as using ddRNAi to deliver the shRNA. The design of the expression cassette in this patent family is for three shRNA sequences with independent promoters driving the expression of each shRNA. As of October 2018, this patent family included patents granted in the United States (3), Europe, Australia, and Canada. We expect any patents granted in this patent family to expire in March 2027.

The second patent family also includes claims for methods and genetic constructs using the shRNA sequences of TT-034 in the treatment of hepatitis C. The design of the expression in this patent family is for a single promoter to drive the expression of multiple shRNA sequences. As of October 2018, this patent family included a single patent granted in the United States only. Other patent and application in this family have been abandoned in view of the decision to discontinue the HCV program. We expect any patents granted in this patent family to expire in April 2027.

As a result of discontinuing development our product candidate TT-034, we are in the process of evaluating the value of the hepatitis C patent portfolio and will consider scaling back patent holdings in the above families if it is deemed that the patents are longer aligned with our activities.

AXO-AAV-OPMD - Our ddRNAi-based treatment for OPMD

Our patent portfolio for OPMD includes two patent families relating to shRNA and shmiRs targeting PABPN1 (the causative gene for OPMD), as well as ‘silence and replace’ therapeutics and treatment strategies for OPMD.  These two families cover the OPMD therapeutic candidate previously under development at Benitec, which has recently been licensed to Axovant together with our OPMD patent families.  The first patent family arose out of a collaboration with Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL) and relates to three target regions within PABPN1.  RHUL assigned its ownership interests in this patent family to Benitec, This patent family proceeds as a PCT application and will enter the national/regional phase in November 2018. We expect any patents granted in this patent family to expire in April 2037.  The PCT application and the related U.S. priority document were filed solely in our name.  The second patent family also exists as a PCT application and relates to a second set of target gene sequences within PABPN1 as well as ‘silence and replace’ constructs relevant to the OPMD therapeutic candidate previously under development at Benitec.  The PCT application and the related U.S. priority document were filed solely in our name.

Targeting the T-Cell Receptor

We filed a PCT application for the CAR-T program entitled "Reagents for Producing T-Cells with Non-Functional TCR Compositions Comprising Same and Use Thereof." This PCT relates to the use of our ddRNAi technology to target specific T-cell subunits and inhibit endogenous T-cell receptors.  This PCT application was filed solely in our name.

We have also filed a U.S. priority document for the CAR-T program entitled "CD-70 deficient CAR-T cells, and reagents and method for producing same", This patent application relates to the use of our ddRNAi platform to knock out CD-70 in CAR-T cells. This U.S. priority document was filed solely in our name. We expect to file a PCT application claiming priority from this U.S. priority document in the last quarter of calendar 2018.

AAV with modified phospholipase domain

We have filed a PCT application entitled "Adeno-associated virus (AAV) with modified phospholipase domain." This application relates to AAV with a modified capsid protein, specifically a modified phospholipase (PLA2) domain.  This U.S. priority document was filed solely in our name, and is currently licensed to Axovant.

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Treating ALS

We have filed a U.S. priority document entitled "Reagents for Treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and/or Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Use Thereof." This application relates to specific shRNAs and shmiRs targeting regions of the C9orf72, which is known to cause ALS. This U.S. priority document was filed solely in our name, and is licensed to Axovant.  We expect to file a PCT application claiming priority from this U.S. priority document in the third quarter of calendar 2019.

Know-How

In addition to patent protection of ddRNAi technology and our product candidates, we also rely on proprietary know-how that is not patentable or that we elect not to patent, as valuable intellectual property for our business. This know-how is related to the areas of, among others, identifying nucleic acid targets for ddRNAi technology and designing ddRNAi constructs for targeting preferred genes. We have implemented a number of security measures to safeguard our know-how including limiting access to our research facilities, databases and networks. We also protect know-how by way of confidentiality agreements when engaging with external providers for progressing our pipeline of therapeutic candidates.

Laws and Regulations Regarding Patent Terms

The term of individual patents depends upon the legal terms of the patents in the countries in which they are obtained. In most countries in which we file, the patent term is 20 years from the earliest date of filing a non-provisional patent application. In the United States, a patent term may be shortened if a patent is terminally disclaimed over another patent or as a result of delays in patent prosecution by the patentee. A patent's term may be lengthened by a patent term adjustment, which compensates a patentee for administrative delays by the USPTO in granting a patent. The patent term of a European patent is 20 years from its filing date, which, unlike in the United States, is not subject to patent term adjustments.

The term of a patent that covers an FDA-approved biologic may also be eligible for patent term extension, which permits patent term restoration as compensation for the patent term lost during the FDA regulatory review process. The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, or the Hatch-Waxman Act, permits a patent term extension of up to five years beyond the expiration of the patent. The length of the patent term extension is related to the length of time the biologic is under clinical testing regulatory review. Patent extension cannot extend the remaining term of a patent beyond a total of 14 years from the date of product approval and only one patent applicable to an approved biologic may be extended. Similar provisions are available in Europe and other jurisdictions to extend the term of a patent that covers an approved biologic although the eligibility requirements for any duration of such extension vary. In the future, if and when our products receive FDA approval, we expect to apply for patent term extensions on patents covering those products.

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Trademarks

Our trademarks include registrations for company branding and product names for our pipeline in development.

 

Trade Mark (program)

 

Trade Mark Number

 

Filing date

 

Jurisdiction

 

Status

BENITEC®

 

1103049

 

10 Mar 2006

 

Australia

 

Registered

BENITEC™

 

86795296

 

21 Oct 2015

 

United States

 

Registered

BENITEC™

 

1728797

 

16 Sep 2015

 

Australia

 

Registered

BENITEC™

 

14680003

 

16 Oct 2015

 

Europe

 

Registered

BENITEC BIOPHARMA®

 

1448046

 

13 Sep 2011

 

Australia

 

Registered

BENITEC BIOPHARMA®

 

4636053

 

11 Feb 2014

 

United States

 

Registered

GIVING DISEASE THE SILENT TREATMENT®

 

1851660

 

11 Jan 2018

 

Australia

 

Registered

GIVING DISEASE THE SILENT TREATMENT®

 

1389399

 

15 Feb 2018

 

Europe

 

Registered

SILENCING GENES FOR LIFE®

 

1448041

 

13 Sep 2011

 

Australia

 

Registered

SILENCING GENES FOR LIFE®

 

4807242

 

22 Dec 2014

 

United States

 

Registered

 

Manufacturing

The manufacture of the complex biological products required for gene therapy is complex and difficult. We do not currently own or operate manufacturing facilities for the production of preclinical, clinical or commercial quantities of any of our product candidates. We are exploring long-term manufacturing alliances with a number of potential partners to investigate manufacturing processes in order to produce materials at reasonable scale and cost of goods to support future commercialization efforts. We do not have a long-term agreement with any third-party manufacturer, but we plan to establish such a relationship with an appropriate manufacturer to serve our long-term needs.

Manufacturing is subject to extensive regulations that impose various procedural and documentation requirements, which govern record keeping, manufacturing processes and controls, personnel, quality control and quality assurance, among others. Our contract manufacturing organizations manufacture our product candidates under cGMP conditions. cGMP is a regulatory standard for the production of pharmaceuticals that will be used in humans.

Sales and Marketing

We have not yet established sales, marketing or product distribution operations because our product candidates are in preclinical or clinical development. If we receive marketing and commercialization approval for any of our product candidates, we intend to market the product through strategic alliances and distribution agreements with third parties. In certain cases we may market an approved product directly worldwide or in selected geographical segments. The ultimate implementation of our strategy for realizing the financial value of our product candidates is dependent on the results of clinical trials for our product candidates, the availability of funds and the ability to negotiate acceptable commercial terms with third parties.

Competition

The biopharmaceutical industry is characterized by intense and dynamic competition to develop new technologies and proprietary therapies.

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Any product candidates that we successfully develop and commercialize will have to compete with existing therapies and new therapies that may become available in the future. While we believe that our proprietary technology estate and scientific expertise in gene silencing using ddRNAi provide us with competitive advantages, we face potential competition from many different sources, including larger and better-funded pharmaceutical, specialty pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as from academic institutions and governmental agencies and public and private research institutions that may develop potentially competitive products or technologies. We are aware of several companies focused on developing gene therapy or gene silencing product candidates, including:

 

Alnylam, Arbutus and Arrowhead—developing siRNA-based therapeutics for hepatitis B;

 

Adverum Biotechnologies, Inc., Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation and Oxford Biomedica—developing gene therapies for wet AMD.

We are not aware of any companies developing a gene therapy or gene silencing approach for OPMD. There are other therapies either being marketed or currently in development for all of these diseases, some of which already have significant market share. Our product candidates, if approved, would also compete with treatments that have already been approved and accepted by the medical community, patients and third-party payers.

Many of our competitors and potential competitors, alone or with their strategic partners, have substantially greater financial, technical and human resources than we do and significantly greater experience in the discovery and development of product candidates, obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals of treatments and the commercialization of those treatments. Mergers and acquisitions in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. These competitors also compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel and establishing clinical study sites and subject registration for clinical studies, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies.

We anticipate that we will face intense and increasing competition as new products enter the market and advanced technologies become available. We expect any treatments that we develop and commercialize to compete on the basis of, among other things, efficacy, safety, convenience of administration and delivery, price, the level of competition and the availability of reimbursement from government and other third-party payers.

Our commercial opportunity could be reduced or eliminated if our competitors develop and commercialize products that are safer, more effective, have fewer or less severe side effects, are more convenient or are less expensive than any products that we may develop. Our competitors also may obtain FDA or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly than we may obtain approval for ours, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market. In addition, we expect that our therapeutic products, if approved, will be priced at a significant premium over competitive products and our ability to compete may be affected in many cases by insurers or other third-party payers seeking to encourage the use of competitive products including biosimilar or generic products.

This increasingly competitive landscape may compromise the development of our product candidates. For example, improvements in the efficacy, delivery and success rates of competitors’ product candidates, in conjunction with a reduction in the price and duration of their treatments, diminished partnering interest from pharmaceutical companies in our product candidate TT-034 for the treatment of HCV. This caused us to announce in February 2016 the discontinuation of our program to develop TT-034 before the conclusion of its clinical trial, despite the promising clinical results regarding the safety of that product candidate achieved to date.

Government Regulation

As a pharmaceutical and biological product company that wishes to conduct clinical trials and ultimately obtain marketing approval in the United States, we are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA, and other federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FDC Act, the Public Health Service Act, or PHS Act, and their implementing regulations set forth, among other things, requirements for the

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research, testing, development, manufacture, quality control, safety, effectiveness, approval, labeling, storage, record keeping, reporting, distribution, import, export, advertising and promotion of our products. A failure to comply explicitly with any requirements during the product development, approval, or post-approval periods, may lead to administrative or judicial sanctions. These sanctions could include the imposition by the FDA or an IRB, of a suspension on clinical trials, refusal to approve pending marketing applications or supplements, withdrawal of approval, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, civil penalties or criminal prosecution.

Although the discussion below focuses on regulation in the United States, we anticipate seeking approval for the testing and marketing of our products in other countries. Generally, our activities in other countries will be subject to regulation that is similar in nature and scope as that imposed in the United States, although there can be important differences. Additionally, some significant aspects of regulation in the European Union are addressed in a centralized way through the EMA, but country-specific regulation remains essential in many respects.

Government regulation may delay or prevent testing or marketing of our products and impose costly procedures upon our activities. The testing and marketing approval process, and the subsequent compliance with appropriate statutes and regulations, requires substantial time, effort, and financial resources, and we cannot be certain that the FDA or any other regulatory agency will grant marketing approvals for our products or any future products on a timely basis, if at all. The FDA's or any other regulatory agency's policies may change and additional governmental regulations may be enacted that could prevent or delay regulatory approval of our products or any future products or approval of new indications or label changes. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of adverse governmental regulation that might arise from future legislative, judicial, or administrative action, either in the United States or abroad.

Recent Developments in Regulation of Gene Therapy

The FDA has provided guidance for the development of gene therapy products. For example, the FDA has established the Office of Tissues and Advanced Therapies (formerly Office of Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies) within CBER, to consolidate the review of gene therapy and related products, and the Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee to advise CBER on its reviews. In addition, the FDA has issued a growing body of clinical guidelines, chemical, manufacturing and control, or CMC, guidelines, regenerative medicine guidelines a and other guidelines, all of which are intended to facilitate industry's development of gene therapy products.

In 2016, Section 3033 of the 21st Century Cures Act created a new product category called “regenerative medicine advanced therapy”, or the RMAT designation. The RMAT designation gives the sponsor of a new investigational biologic access to increased meeting opportunities with the FDA, in a manner comparable to those offered to sponsors of therapies designated as “breakthrough therapies” by the FDA. Because the designated products meet the criteria for unmet medical need in the treatment of a serious condition, they may be eligible for priority review, in which the initial assessment of the BLA is reduced from 12 months to eight months, and accelerated approval, which bases approval on an effect on a predictive surrogate endpoint or an intermediate clinical endpoint. RMATs qualifying for such accelerated approval may be able to satisfy licensing requirements through commitment to post-approval clinical studies as well as real-world data such as patient registries and health record analysis. The eligibility of the RMAT-designated product for these expedited programs can be discussed with the FDA at specific development meetings, but we do not know whether any of our current or future product candidates will be eligble for RMAT designation. We believe the increased access to the FDA during early development is a benefit for sponsors, because the typical Type B development meetings are normally restricted to one each at the stages of pre-IND, end of Phase II/pre-Phase III and pre-BLA submission. In addition, the option to qualify for a fast-track program, also based on the potential to serve an unmet medical need in the treatment of a serious condition, allows for a so-called “rolling review” of parts of the BLA, which can be submitted for assessment following agreement of a review timetable with CBER.

The FDA plans to include certain gene therapy products that permanently alter tissue and produce a sustained therapeutic benefit as part of the products that will meet the definition of being eligible to come under the pathway enabled by RMAT designation. RMAT designation enables gene therapy products to access the FDA’s existing expedited programs to help foster the development and approval of gene therapy products. Our product candidates may not be eligible for RMAT designation now or in the future.

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In May 2016, the EMA approved a second gene therapy product called Strimvelis, the first approved ex vivo stem cell gene therapy, to treat patients with a very rare disease called ADA-SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency due to Adenosine Deaminase deficiency).

In August 2017, the FDA approved the first gene therapy product in the United States. The FDA approved Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) for the treatment of certain pediatric and young adult patients with a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Kymriah is a genetically-modified autologous T-cell immunotherapy. Because of the risk of cytokine release syndrome and neurological events, Kymriah is being approved with a REMS. In December 2017, the FDA approved Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl), a gene therapy to treat children and adult patients with an inherited form of vision loss that may result in blindness. Luxturna is the first directly administered gene therapy approved in the United States that targets a disease caused by mutations in a specific gene.

Marketing Approval

In the United States, for premarket approval purposes, the FDA regulates gene therapy products as biologics under the FDC Act, the PHS Act and related regulations.

The steps required before a new biologic may be marketed in the United States generally include:

 

nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology laboratory and animal tests according to good laboratory practices, or GLPs, and applicable requirements for the humane use of laboratory animals or other applicable regulations;

 

submission of an IND application which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin;

 

adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials according to GCPs and any additional requirements for the protection of human research subjects and their health information to establish the safety and efficacy of the investigational product for each targeted indication;

 

submission of a biologics license application, or BLA, to the FDA;

 

FDA's pre-approval inspection of manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with cGMPs and, if applicable, the FDA's good tissue practices, or GTPs, for the use of human cellular and tissue products to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable diseases;

 

FDA's audit of clinical trial sites that generated data in support of the BLA; and

 

FDA approval of a BLA, which must occur before a product can be marketed or sold.

Product Development Process

Before testing any biologic in humans, the product enters the nonclinical, or preclinical, testing stage. Nonclinical tests include laboratory evaluations of product chemistry, toxicity, and formulation, as well as animal studies to assess the potential safety and activity of the product. The conduct of nonclinical tests must comply with federal regulations and requirements including GLPs.

Where a gene therapy trial is conducted at, or sponsored by, institutions receiving NIH funding for recombinant DNA research, prior to the submission of an IND to the FDA, a protocol and related documentation is submitted to and the trial is registered with the NIH Office of Science Policy, or OSP.

The product sponsor then submits the results of the nonclinical testing, together with manufacturing information, analytical data, any available clinical data or literature, and a proposed clinical protocol, to the FDA in an IND, which is a request for authorization from the FDA to administer an investigational product to humans. Some nonclinical testing may continue even after the IND application is submitted. IND authorization is required before interstate shipping and administration of any new product to humans that is not the subject of an approved BLA. The IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA unless the FDA, within the 30-day time period, raises concerns or questions about the conduct of the clinical trial and places the clinical trial on a

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clinical hold. In such case, the IND sponsor must resolve any outstanding concerns with the FDA before the clinical trial may begin. Further, an IRB for each site proposing to conduct the clinical trial must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial before it commences at that site. If the site has an IBC, it may also have to review and approve the proposed clinical trial. Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational product to patients under the supervision of qualified investigators following GCPs, requirements meant to protect the rights and health of patients and to define the roles of clinical trial sponsors, investigators, and monitors. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols that detail, among other things, the objectives of the clinical trial, dosing procedures, subject selection and exclusion criteria, the parameters to be used in monitoring safety, including stopping rules that assure a clinical trial will be stopped if certain adverse events should occur, and the efficacy criteria to be evaluated. Each protocol involving testing on U.S. patients and subsequent protocol amendments must be submitted to the FDA as part of the IND. The informed written consent of each participating subject is required and the form and content of the informed consent must be approved by each IRB.

The clinical investigation of an investigational product is generally divided into three phases. Although the phases are usually conducted sequentially, they may overlap or be combined in some cases. The three phases of an investigation are as follows:

 

Phase I includes the initial introduction of an investigational product into humans. Phase I clinical trials may be conducted in patients with the target disease or condition or on healthy volunteers. These studies are designed to evaluate the safety, metabolism, pharmacokinetics and pharmacologic actions of the investigational product in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and if possible, to gain early evidence on effectiveness. During Phase I clinical trials, sufficient information about the investigational product's pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects may be obtained to permit the design of Phase II clinical trials. The total number of participants included in Phase I clinical trials varies, but is generally in the range of 20 to 80.

 

Phase II includes the controlled clinical trials conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the investigational product for a particular indication(s) in patients with the disease or condition under study, to determine dosage tolerance and optimal dosage, and to identify possible adverse side effects and safety risks associated with the product. Phase II clinical trials are typically well-controlled, closely monitored, and conducted in a limited patient population, usually involving no more than several hundred participants. Phase IIa trials provide information on the impact of dose ranging on safety, biomarkers and proof of concept, while Phase IIb trials are patient dose-ranging efficacy trials.

 

Phase III clinical trials are controlled clinical trials conducted in an expanded patient population at geographically dispersed clinical trial sites. They are performed after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the investigational product has been obtained, and are intended to further evaluate dosage, clinical effectiveness and safety, to establish the overall benefit-risk relationship of the product, and to provide an adequate basis for product approval. Phase III clinical trials usually involve several hundred to several thousand participants. In most cases, the FDA requires two adequate and well controlled Phase III clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy of the product. FDA may accept a single Phase III trial with other confirmatory evidence in rare instances where the trial is a large multicenter trial demonstrating internal consistency and a statistically very persuasive finding of a clinically meaningful effect on mortality, irreversible morbidity or prevention of a disease with a potentially serious outcome and confirmation of the result in a second trial would be practically or ethically impossible.

Annual progress reports detailing the results of the clinical trials must be submitted to the FDA. Written IND safety reports must be promptly submitted to the FDA and the investigators for serious and unexpected adverse events; any findings from other studies, tests in laboratory animals or in vitro testing that suggest a significant risk for human subjects; or any clinically important increase in the rate of a serious suspected adverse reaction over that listed in the protocol or investigator brochure. The sponsor must submit an IND safety report within 15 calendar days after the sponsor determines that the information qualifies for reporting. The sponsor also must notify the FDA of any unexpected fatal or life-threatening suspected adverse reaction within seven calendar days after the sponsor's initial receipt of the information. The FDA typically recommends that sponsors observe subjects for potential gene therapy-related delayed adverse events for a 15-year period, including a minimum of five years of annual examinations followed by 10 years of annual queries, either in person or by questionnaire, of trial subjects.

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The decision to terminate a clinical trial of an investigational biologic may be made by the FDA or other regulatory authority, an IRB, an IBC, or institutional ethics committee, or by a company for various reasons. The FDA may place a clinical hold and order the temporary, or permanent, discontinuation of a clinical trial at any time, or impose other sanctions, if it believes that the clinical trial either is not being conducted in accordance with FDA requirements or presents an unacceptable risk to the clinical trial patients. If the FDA imposes a clinical hold, trials may not recommence without FDA and IRB authorization and then only under terms authorized by the FDA and IRB. In some cases, clinical trials are overseen by an independent group of qualified experts organized by the trial sponsor, or the clinical monitoring board or DSMB. This group provides authorization for whether or not a trial may move forward at designated check points. These decisions are based on the limited access to data from the ongoing trial. The suspension or termination of a clinical trial can occur during any phase of clinical trials if it is determined that the participants or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. In addition, there are requirements for the registration of ongoing clinical trials of drugs and biologics on public registries and the disclosure of certain information pertaining to the trials as well as clinical trial results after completion.

Assuming successful completion of all required testing in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements, detailed investigational product information is submitted to the FDA in the form of a BLA for a biologic to request marketing approval for the product in specified indications.

Human gene therapy products are a new category of therapeutics. Because this is a relatively new and expanding area of novel therapeutic interventions, there can be no assurance as to the length of the trial period, the number of patients the FDA will require to be enrolled in the trials in order to establish the safety, efficacy, purity and potency of human gene therapy products, or that the data generated in these trials will be acceptable to the FDA to support marketing approval. The NIH and the FDA have a publicly accessible database, the Genetic Modification Clinical Research Information System, which includes information on gene transfer trials and serves as an electronic tool to facilitate the reporting and analysis of adverse events on these trials. Over the last several years the FDA has issued helpful guidance on development of gene therapy products and shown a willingness to work closely with developers, especially with those working in orphan disease areas.

Biologics License Application Approval Process

In order to obtain approval to market a biologic in the United States, a BLA must be submitted to the FDA that provides data from nonclinical studies and clinical trials and manufacturing information establishing to the FDA's satisfaction the safety, purity, and potency or efficacy of the investigational product for the proposed indication. The BLA must be accompanied by a substantial user fee payment unless a waiver or exemption applies.

The FDA will initially review the BLA for completeness before it accepts it for filing. Under the FDA's procedures, the agency has 60 days from its receipt of a BLA to determine whether the application will be accepted for filing based on the agency's threshold determination that the application is sufficiently complete to permit substantive review. After the BLA submission is accepted for filing, the FDA reviews the BLA to determine, among other things, whether the proposed product is safe, pure and potent, which includes determining whether it is effective for its intended use, and whether the product is being manufactured in accordance with cGMP, to assure and preserve the product's identity, safety, strength, quality, potency and purity, and in accordance with biological product standards. The FDA will inspect the facilities at which the product is manufactured to ensure the manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP requirements and are adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. For a human cellular or tissue product, the FDA also will not approve the product if the manufacturer is not in compliance with the GTPs. These are FDA regulations that govern the methods used in, and the facilities and controls used for, the manufacture of human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue based products, which are human cells or tissue intended for implantation, transplant, infusion, or transfer into a human recipient. The primary intent of the GTP requirements is to ensure that cell and tissue based products are manufactured in a manner designed to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable disease. Additionally, before approving a BLA, the FDA may inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP.

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If the FDA determines the application, manufacturing process or manufacturing facilities are not acceptable, it typically will outline the deficiencies and often will request additional testing or information, or corrective action for a manufacturing facility. This may significantly delay further review of the application. If the FDA finds that a clinical site did not conduct the clinical trial in accordance with GCP, the FDA may determine the data generated by the clinical site should be excluded from the primary efficacy analyses provided in the BLA. Additionally, notwithstanding the submission of any requested additional information, the FDA ultimately may decide that the application does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval.

The FDA may refer applications for novel products or products that present difficult questions of safety or efficacy to an advisory committee. The FDA also may determine a REMS is necessary to assure the safe use of the biologic, in which case the BLA sponsor must submit a proposed REMS. The REMS may include, but is not limited to, a Medication Guide, a communications plan, and other elements to assure safe use, such as restrictions on distribution, prescribing, and dispensing.

After the FDA completes its initial review of a BLA, it will either license, or approve, the product, or issue a complete response letter to communicate that it will not approve the BLA in its current form and to inform the sponsor of changes that the sponsor must make or additional clinical, nonclinical or manufacturing data that must be received before the FDA can approve the application, with no implication regarding the ultimate approvability of the application. If a complete response letter is issued, the sponsor may either resubmit the BLA, addressing all of the deficiencies identified in the letter, or withdraw the application.

The testing and approval process for both a drug and biologic requires substantial time, effort and financial resources and this process may take several years to complete. Data obtained from clinical trials is not always conclusive and may be susceptible to varying interpretations, which could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval. The FDA may not grant approval on a timely basis, or at all. We may encounter difficulties or unanticipated costs in our efforts to secure necessary governmental approvals, which could delay or preclude us from marketing our products.

Orphan Drug Designation

Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA may grant orphan designation to a drug or biological product candidate intended to treat a rare disease or condition, which is generally a disease or condition that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the United States, or more than 200,000 individuals in the United States and for which there is no reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and making a drug or biological product available in the United States for this type of disease or condition will be recovered from sales of the product candidate. Orphan product designation must be requested before submitting a BLA. After the FDA grants orphan product designation, the identity of the therapeutic agent and its potential orphan use are disclosed publicly by the FDA. Orphan product designation does not convey any advantage in or shorten the duration of the regulatory review and approval process.

If a product candidate that has orphan designation subsequently receives the first FDA approval for the disease or condition for which it has such designation, the product is entitled to orphan product exclusivity, which means that the FDA may not approve any other applications to market the same drug or biological product for the same indication for seven years, except in limited circumstances, such as a showing of clinical superiority to the product with orphan exclusivity. Competitors, however, may receive approval of different products for the indication for which the orphan product has exclusivity or obtain approval for the same product but for a different indication than the one for which the orphan product has exclusivity. Orphan product exclusivity also could block the approval of one of our products for seven years if a competitor obtains approval of the same biological product as defined by the FDA or if our product candidate is determined to be contained within the competitor's product for the same indication or disease. If a drug or biological product designated as an orphan product receives marketing approval for an indication broader than what is designated, it may not be entitled to orphan product exclusivity. Orphan drug status in the European Union has similar, but not identical, benefits.

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Expedited Development and Review Programs

The FDA has a fast track program that is intended to expedite or facilitate the process for reviewing new drugs and biological products that meet certain criteria. Specifically, new drugs and biological products are eligible for fast track designation if they are intended to treat a serious or life-threatening condition and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for the condition. Fast track designation applies to the combination of the product and the specific indication for which it is being studied. The sponsor of a new biologic or drug may request the FDA to designate the biologic or drug as a fast track product at any time during the clinical development of the product. Unique to a fast track product, the FDA may consider for review sections of the marketing application on a rolling basis before the complete application is submitted, if the sponsor provides a schedule for the submission of the sections of the application, the FDA agrees to accept sections of the application and determines that the schedule is acceptable, and the sponsor pays any required user fees upon submission of the first section of the application.

Any product submitted to the FDA for marketing, including under a fast track program, may be eligible for other types of FDA programs intended to expedite development and review, such as priority review and accelerated approval. Any product is eligible for priority review if it would, if approved, be a significant improvement in the safety, effectiveness, treatment, diagnosis or prevention of a disease compared to marketed products. The FDA will attempt to direct additional resources to the evaluation of an application for a new biological or drug product designated for priority review in an effort to reduce the review period from 12 to eight months . Additionally, a product may be eligible for accelerated approval. Biological or drug products studied for their safety and effectiveness in treating serious or life-threatening illnesses and that provide meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments may receive accelerated approval, which means that they may be approved on the basis of adequate and well-controlled clinical trials establishing that the product has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict a clinical benefit, or on the basis of an effect on an intermediate clinical endpoint. As a condition of approval, the FDA may require that a sponsor of a biological or drug product receiving accelerated approval perform adequate and well-controlled post-marketing clinical trials. In addition, the FDA currently requires as a condition for accelerated approval pre-approval of promotional materials, which could adversely impact the timing of the commercial launch of the product. Lastly, under the provisions of the new Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, enacted in 2012, a sponsor can request designation of a product candidate as a "breakthrough therapy." A breakthrough therapy is defined as a drug or biological that is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other drugs or biological, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug or biological may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. Drugs and biologicals designated as breakthrough therapies receive the same benefits as drugs and biologicals with Fast Track designation. In addition, the FDA must take certain additional actions, such as intensive guidance on an efficient drug development program (beginning as early as Phase 1), and organizational commitment involving senior managers, intended to expedite the development and review of an application for approval of a breakthrough therapy.

Fast Track designation and breakthrough therapy designation may expedite the product development and approval process , and priority review may expedite the approval process.  However, these three paths do not change the standards for approval. Accelerated approval designation changes the standards for product approval and thus may expedite the development and/or approval process.

FDA Additional Requirements

The FDA may require, or companies may pursue, additional clinical trials after a product is approved. These so-called Phase 4 clinical trials may be made a condition to be satisfied for continuing drug and biologic approval. The results of Phase 4 clinical trials can confirm the efficacy of a product candidate and can provide important safety information. In addition, the FDA has expressed statutory authority to require sponsors to conduct post-market studies to specifically address safety issues identified by the agency.

Even if a product candidate receives regulatory approval, the approval may be limited to specific disease states, patient populations and dosages, or might contain significant limitations on use in the form of warnings, precautions or contraindications, or in the form of an onerous REMS, restrictions on distribution, or post-marketing study requirements. Further, even after regulatory approval is obtained, later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product may result in restrictions on the product or even complete withdrawal of the product from the market. In addition, we cannot predict what adverse governmental regulations may arise from future U.S. or foreign governmental action.

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Medical device requirements

Our contemplated diagnostics, for use with certain of our therapeutic products, are regulated by FDA as in vitro diagnostic, or IVD, medical devices. Such IVD devices must comply with applicable FDA IVD-specific regulations as well as FDA regulations applicable more broadly to medical devices. These FDA regulations include requirements for registering establishments with FDA; listing IVD devices with FDA; reporting certain adverse events related to IVD devices to FDA; complying with the Quality System Regulation (current good manufacturing practices for devices); labeling IVD devices; and obtaining premarket approval or clearance prior to marketing IVD devices (unless exempt). There are also regulations covering the requirements for investigational devices and the conduct of clinical investigations of devices. Like drugs and biologics, failure to comply with applicable device/IVD requirements can result in legal or administrative enforcement actions against an IVD device firm, its officers or employees, and/or its products.

FDA Post-Approval Requirements

Any products manufactured or distributed by us or on our behalf pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to continuing regulation by the FDA, including requirements for record-keeping, reporting of adverse experiences with the biologic or drug, and submitting biological product deviation reports to notify the FDA of unanticipated changes in distributed products. Manufacturers are required to register their facilities with the FDA and certain state agencies, and are subject to periodic announced or unannounced inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies for compliance with cGMP requirements, which impose certain quality processes, manufacturing controls and documentation requirements upon us and our third-party manufacturers in order to ensure that the product is safe, has the identity and strength, and meets the quality, purity and potency characteristics that it purports to have. In November 2013, the Drug Quality and Security Act, or DQSA, became law and establishes requirements to facilitate the tracing of prescription drug and biological products through the supply distribution chain. This law includes a number of new requirements that are being implemented over time and require us to devote additional resources to satisfy these requirements, including serializing the product and using new technology and data storage to electronically trace the product from manufacturer to dispenser. If our products are not covered by the serialization and tracing requirements of the DQSA, they may be subject to state pedigree and traceability requirements. We cannot be certain that we or our present or future suppliers will be able to comply with the cGMP and other FDA regulatory requirements. If our present or future suppliers are not able to comply with these requirements, the FDA may halt our clinical trials, refuse to approve any BLA, force us to recall a product from distribution, shut down manufacturing operations or withdraw approval of the applicable BLA. Noncompliance with cGMP or other requirements can result in issuance of warning or untitled letters, civil and criminal penalties, seizures, and injunctive action.

The FDA and other federal and state agencies closely regulate the labeling, marketing and promotion of drugs and biologics. Government regulators, including the Department of Justice and the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as state authorities, recently have increased their scrutiny of the promotion and marketing of drugs and biologics. While doctors are free to prescribe any product approved by the FDA for any use, a company can only make claims relating to safety and efficacy of a product that are consistent with FDA approval, and the company is allowed to market a product only for the particular use and treatment approved by the FDA. In addition, any claims we make for our products in advertising or promotion must, among other things, be appropriately balanced with important safety information and otherwise be adequately substantiated. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in adverse publicity, warning or untitled letters, corrective advertising, injunctions, potential civil and criminal penalties, criminal prosecution, and agreements with governmental agencies that materially restrict the manner in which a company promotes or distributes products.

Pediatric Research Equity Act

Under the Pediatric Research Equity Act, or PREA, as amended, a BLA or supplement must contain data to assess the safety and efficacy of the product for the claimed indications in all relevant pediatric subpopulations and to support dosing and administration for each pediatric subpopulation for which the product is safe and effective. Manufacturers must submit a pediatric study plan to the IND not later than 60 days after the end-of-phase 2 meeting with the FDA; if there is no such meeting, before the initiation of any phase 3 studies or a combined phase 2 and phase 3 study; or if no such study will be conducted, no later than 210 days before a marketing application or supplement is submitted. The

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intent of PREA is to compel sponsors whose products have pediatric applicability to study those products in pediatric populations, rather than ignoring pediatric indications for adult indications that could be more economically desirable. The FDA may grant deferrals for submission of data or full or partial waivers. By its terms, PREA does not apply to any product for an indication for which orphan designation has been granted, unless the FDA issues regulations stating otherwise. Because the FDA has not issued any such regulations, submission of a pediatric assessment is not required for an application to market a product for an orphan-designated indication. In a July 2018 guidance, the FDA announced that it does not expect to grant any additional orphan drug designations to drugs for pediatric subpopulations of common diseases (i.e., diseases or conditions with an overall prevalence of 200,000 or greater). Pediatric subpopulation orphan designations that have already been granted will not be affected by this change.

Patent Term Restoration and Marketing Exclusivity

Depending on the timing, duration and specifics of FDA marketing approval of our product candidates, some of our U.S. patents may be eligible for limited patent term extension under the Hatch-Waxman Amendments. The Hatch-Waxman Amendments permit a patent restoration term of up to five years as compensation for patent term lost during product development and the FDA regulatory review process. However, patent term restoration cannot extend the remaining term of a patent beyond a total of 14 years from the product's approval date. The patent term restoration period is generally one-half the time between the effective date of an IND and the submission date of a BLA plus the time between the submission date of a BLA and the approval of that application. Only one patent applicable to an approved biological is eligible for the extension and the application for the extension must be submitted prior to the expiration of the patent and within sixty days of approval of the biological product. The USPTO, in consultation with the FDA, reviews and approves the application for any patent term extension or restoration.

The Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, which was included within the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, created an abbreviated approval pathway for biological products shown to be similar to, or interchangeable with, an FDA-licensed reference biological product, and grants a reference biologic twelve years of exclusivity from the time of first licensure. Biosimilarity, which requires that there be no clinically meaningful differences between the biological product and the reference product in terms of safety, purity, and potency, can be shown through analytical studies, animal studies, and a clinical study or studies. Interchangeability requires that a product is biosimilar to the reference product and the product must demonstrate that it can be expected to produce the same clinical results as the reference product and, for products administered multiple times, the biologic and the reference biologic may be switched after one has been previously administered without increasing safety risks or risks of diminished efficacy relative to exclusive use of the reference biologic. However, complexities associated with the larger, and often more complex, structure of biological products, as well as the process by which such products are manufactured, pose significant hurdles to implementation that are still being worked out by the FDA.

Pediatric exclusivity is another type of exclusivity in the United States. Pediatric exclusivity, if granted, provides an additional six months of exclusivity to be attached to any existing marketing exclusivity, e.g., twelve year exclusivity, or patent protection for a drug. This six month exclusivity, which runs from the end of other exclusivity protection or patent delay, may be granted based on the voluntary completion of a pediatric trial in accordance with an FDA-issued "Written Request" for such a trial.

Government regulation outside the United States

In addition to regulations in the United States, we will be subject to a variety of regulations in other jurisdictions governing, among other things, clinical trials and any commercial sales and distribution of our products.

Whether or not we obtain FDA approval for a product, we must obtain the requisite approvals from regulatory authorities in foreign countries prior to the commencement of clinical trials or marketing of the product in those countries. Certain countries outside of the United States have a similar process that requires the submission of a clinical trial application much like the IND prior to the commencement of human clinical trials. In the European Union, for example, a request for a clinical trial authorization, or CTA, must be submitted to each country's national health authority and an independent ethics committee, much like the FDA and the IRB, respectively. Once the CTA is approved in accordance with a country's requirements, clinical trial development may proceed.

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The requirements and process governing the conduct of clinical trials, product approval or licensing, pricing and reimbursement vary from country to country. In all cases, the clinical trials are conducted in accordance with GCP and the applicable regulatory requirements and the ethical principles that have their origin in the Declaration of Helsinki.

To obtain regulatory approval of a biological product under European Union regulatory systems, we must submit a marketing authorization application. The application required in the European Union is similar to a BLA in the United States, with the exception of, among other things, country-specific document requirements. The European Union also provides opportunities for market exclusivity. For example, in the European Union, upon receiving marketing authorization, a new biological generally receives eight years of data exclusivity and an additional two years of market exclusivity. If granted, data exclusivity prevents regulatory authorities in the European Union from referencing the innovator's data to assess a biosimilar application. During the additional two-year period of market exclusivity, a biosimilar marketing authorization can be submitted, and the innovator's data may be referenced, but no biosimilar product can be marketed until the expiration of the market exclusivity. The innovator may obtain an additional one year of market exclusivity if the innovator obtains an additional authorization during the initial eight year period for one or more new indications that demonstrate significant clinical benefit over existing therapies. This data and market exclusivity regime in the European Union of a total of 10 or 11 years protects against generic competition, but does not protect against the launch of a competing product if the competitor, rather than referencing the clinical data of the originator, has conducted its own clinical trials to support its marketing authorization application.

Orphan drugs in the European Union are eligible for 10-year market exclusivity. This 10-year market exclusivity may be reduced to six years if, at the end of the fifth year, it is established that the product no longer meets the criteria for orphan designation, for example, if the product is sufficiently profitable not to justify maintenance of market exclusivity. Additionally, marketing authorization may be granted to a similar product for the same indication at any time if:

 

the second applicant can establish that its product, although similar, is safer, more effective or otherwise clinically superior;

 

the applicant consents to a second orphan medicinal product application; or

 

the applicant cannot supply enough orphan medicinal product.

If we fail to comply with applicable foreign regulatory requirements, we may be subject to, among other things, fines, suspension or withdrawal of regulatory approvals, product recalls, seizure of products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecution.

Pharmaceutical Coverage, Pricing and Reimbursement

Sales of our products, when and if approved for marketing, will depend, in part, on the extent to which our products will be covered by third-party payers, such as federal, state, and foreign government healthcare programs, commercial insurance and managed healthcare organizations. These third-party payers are increasingly reducing reimbursements for medical products, biologicals, drugs and services. In addition, the U.S. government, state legislatures and foreign governments have continued implementing cost containment programs, including price controls, restrictions on coverage and reimbursement and requirements for substitution of interchangeable products. Adoption of price controls and cost containment measures, and adoption of more restrictive policies in jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could further limit our net revenue and results. Decreases in third-party reimbursement for our product candidates or a decision by a third-party payer not to cover our product candidates could reduce physician usage of our products once approved and have a material adverse effect on our sales, results of operations and financial condition.

The containment of healthcare costs has become a priority of federal, state and foreign governments. Third-party payers are increasingly challenging the prices charged for drug products and medical services, examining the medical necessity and reviewing the cost effectiveness of drug products and medical services, in addition to questioning safety and efficacy. If these third-party payers do not consider our products to be cost-effective compared to other available therapies, they may not cover our products after FDA approval or, if they do, the level of payment may not be sufficient to allow us to sell our products at a profit.

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In the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, there have been, and likely will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system directed at broadening the availability of healthcare and containing or lowering the cost of healthcare. In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act, or the ACA, was enacted. The ACA includes measures that have significantly changed, and are expected to continue to significantly change, the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers. Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the ACA was enacted. In August 2011, the Budget Control Act of 2011, among other things, created measures for spending reductions by Congress. A Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, tasked with recommending a targeted deficit reduction of at least $1.2 trillion for the years 2013 through 2021, was unable to reach required goals, thereby triggering the legislation's automatic reduction to several government programs. This includes aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers up to 2% per fiscal year, which went into effect in April 2013 and will remain in effect through 2024 unless additional Congressional action is taken. In January 2013, former President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment centers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years.

Other Healthcare Laws

Although we currently do not have any products on the market, we may be subject to additional healthcare regulation and enforcement by the federal government and by authorities in the states and other countries in which we conduct our business. Such laws include, without limitation, state and federal anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, false claims, privacy and security and physician sunshine and open payment laws and regulations, many of which may become more applicable to us if our product candidates are approved and we begin commercialization. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of such laws or any other governmental regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including, without limitation, administrative, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, the curtailment or restructuring of our operations, exclusion from participation in federal and state healthcare programs and imprisonment, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our financial results.

C.

Organizational Structure .

We have four significant subsidiaries:

 

Name

 

Country of Incorporation

 

Percentage Owned

 

Benitec Limited

 

U.K.

 

 

100

%

Benitec, Inc.

 

Delaware, U.S.

 

 

100

%

Tacere Therapeutics, Inc.

 

Delaware, U.S.

 

 

100

%

Benitec Australia Limited

 

Australia

 

 

100

%

 

D.

Property, Plant and Equipment .

Facilities

Our corporate headquarters are located in Sydney, Australia and consist of approximately 1,350 square feet of leased office space under a lease entered into with Ho-Group North Sydney Pty Limited that expires in September 2019. Our research and development facility is located in Hayward, California, and consists of approximately 4,750 square feet of leased office space under a lease that expires in June 2021.

We believe that our existing facilities are adequate for our current needs.

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

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Item 5. Operating and Fina ncial Review and Prospects

A.

Operating Results .

We are a biotechnology company with a pipeline of in-house and partnered therapeutic programs based on our patented gene silencing technology, ddRNAi. We are developing treatments for chronic and life-threatening human diseases such as HNSCC, OPMD, wet AMD and hepatitis B based on this technology. In addition, we have licensed ddRNAi technology to other biopharmaceutical companies that are progressing their programs towards, or are in, clinical development for applications, including HIV/AIDS and cancer immunotherapy. Through our scientific partnership with Nant Capital, we are also developing an antisense RNA product for the treatment of HNSCC.

Our focus is to validate that ddRNAi is safe and efficacious in a clinical setting. The success of preclinical studies and advancement to and successful completion of a clinical trial would be a key step in validating ddRNAi for therapeutic use, seeking regulatory approval of a product candidate based on ddRNAi and ultimately commercializing the product if it achieves approval. In the future, we expect to earn revenue primarily from licensing programs, strategic alliances and collaboration arrangements with pharmaceutical companies. There can be no assurance, however, as to whether we will enter into any additional such arrangement or what the terms of any such arrangement could be.

We have incurred losses from operations in each year since inception. Our net losses were A$11.6 million, A$5.7 million and A$24.8 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The majority of our net losses resulted from costs incurred in connection with our research and development programs and from general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for at least the next several years. We expect our expenses will increase substantially in connection with our ongoing activities as we:

 

pursue preclinical and clinical proof of concept across our ddRNAi programs;

 

continue preclinical development of immunotherapy programs and non-viral delivery of DNA constructs through preclinical proof of concept;

 

continue our research and development efforts of ddRNAi-based technology;

 

progress BB-401, our antisense EGFR therapeutic, through to completion of a Phase II clinical study for the treatment of HNSCC;

 

seek regulatory approval for our product candidates; and

 

add personnel and resources to support our product development and commercialization efforts. 

As of June 30, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of A$16.1 million.

We may generate revenue from licensing programs, strategic alliances or collaboration arrangement with pharmaceutical companies. These arrangements are likely to be more appealing to them when our pipeline is more advanced. We do not expect to generate revenue from product sales unless and until we successfully complete clinical development and obtain regulatory approval for one or more of our product candidates, which we expect will take a number of years, is subject to significant uncertainty and may never occur.

We will continue to pursue licensing programs, strategic alliances and collaboration arrangements with pharmaceutical companies and we regard this as our key value creation opportunity unless and until we are able to gain regulatory approval for one of our product candidates and decide to commercialize it ourselves. If we were to decide to take one or more product candidates to commercialization on our own, the process of obtaining regulatory approval for the selected programs and building the commercial infrastructure that would be necessary to commercialize them, if approved, would require substantial additional funding.

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Our current operating plan may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned. These additional funds could be raised through public or private equity or debt financings (although debt financings are unlikely to be available until we have significant revenue and cash flow to service debt we may incur), government or other third-party funding, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements or a combination of these approaches. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms or at all. Our failure to raise capital or enter into such other arrangements as and when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and compromise our ability to develop our product candidates and pursue our strategy.

We expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and we expect these losses to increase as we continue our development of, and seek regulatory approvals for, our product candidates. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development in our field, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of increased expenses, or when or if we will be able to generate product revenue or achieve or maintain profitability. Our ability to generate revenue from licensing, strategic alliances and collaboration arrangements and product sales will depend on a number of factors, including, among others, obtaining and maintaining adequate coverage and reimbursement from third-party payers for any of our product candidates that may receive regulatory approval. Even if we are able to generate revenues from licensing programs, strategic alliances or collaboration arrangements or commercial sale of our products, we may not become profitable. If we fail to become profitable or are unable to sustain profitability on a continuing basis, then we may be unable to continue our operations at planned levels and we could be forced to reduce our operations.

Financial operations overview

Revenue & other income

To date, we have derived revenues and other income from licensing fees and interest income. We have not generated any revenues from the sales of products. Revenues from licensing fees and interest income are included in the revenue line item on our statements of profit or loss.  The Research and Development Tax Incentive is recognized as other income.

Our licensing fees have been generated through the licensing of our ddRNAi technology to biopharmaceutical companies.

Our grant income is generated through the Australian federal government's Research and Development Tax Incentive program, under which the government provides a cash refund for the 43.5% (2017:43.5%) of eligible research and development expenditures, including salaries, by small Australian entities having a tax loss. For this purpose, small Australian entities are defined as those with less than A$20 million in revenue. This grant is available for our research and development activities in Australia, as well as activities in the United States to the extent such U.S.-based expenses relate to our activities in Australia, do not exceed half the expenses for the relevant activities and are approved by the Australian government. Previously the grant income was only taken up on the lodgement of the previous year’s tax return, which was the time at which it was considered a reliable estimate could be made. In the year ended June 30, 2017 reporting period detailed reporting systems were implemented to allow for the first time a reliable estimate to be made of the grant income that is expected to be received for the current period. In determining the estimate management reviews historical claims, Government overseas findings enabling the claim of overseas expenditure and the allocation of staff and overheads costs within approved projects. To the extent our research and development expenditures are deemed to be "ineligible," then our grants would decrease. In addition, the Australian government may in the future decide to modify the requirements of, reduce the amounts of the grants available under, or discontinue the Research and Development Tax Incentive program. For instance, the Australian government recently released findings and a panel recommendation that if implemented would reduce the amount of the grants available to small companies such as Benitec to a maximum of A$4 million per annum. Previously, we have been awarded research and development grants from the Australian federal government, totaling A$3.6 million in fiscal 2016, A$10.5 million in fiscal 2017 and A$4.0 million we expect to receive in 2018. Any such change in the Research and Development Tax Incentive program could have a material adverse effect on our future cash flows and financial position.

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We also record interest and other financial income earned from bank accounts, term deposits and short-term investments as other revenues in our statements of profit or loss.

Employment related costs

Employment related costs include salaries for all our employees and related benefits, including the grant of share options, which are valued and included in the statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income as share based expenses.

Impairment

We assess at the end of each fiscal year and half year whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If any such indication exists, or when annual impairment testing is required for an asset, such as goodwill, intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use, we make an estimate of the asset's recoverable amount. An asset's recoverable amount is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use and is determined for an individual asset, unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets and the asset's value in use cannot be estimated to be close to its fair value. In such cases, the asset is tested for impairment as part of the cash generating unit to which it belongs. When the carrying amount of an asset or cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, the asset or cash-generating unit is considered impaired and is written down to its recoverable amount. No impairment was recorded in fiscal years 2018 or 2017. In fiscal 2016, we recorded an impairment of A$1.8 million in relation to the write-off of a clinical trial prepayment that had originally been made for a non-small cell lung cancer program. The non-small cell lung cancer program was cancelled in fiscal 2016.

In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Impairment losses relating to continuing operations are recognized in those expense categories consistent with the function of the impaired asset.

Royalties and license fees

We pay royalties and license fees in connection with our licensing of intellectual property from third parties. In December 2016, we entered into an exclusive sublicence agreement with NantWorks, pursuant to which we have agreed to develop and commercialize an antisense RNA product candidate for HNSCC, which we call BB-401. We are required to make periodic, milestone and royalty payments to Nant Capital pursuant to the exclusive sublicense agreement in connection with the development and sale of BB-401.

In August 2009, we entered into a collaborative agreement with Biomics Biotech Co., Ltd. pursuant to which we agreed to share any revenue generated from commercializing our jointly filed patents which relate to single-stranded RNA and shRNA sequences for treatment of hepatitis B. In July 2015, we entered into an earn-out agreement with Biomics pursuant to which we acquired all rights, title and interest in these patents in exchange for upfront and milestone payments. At the time of signing the agreement, we paid Biomics A$2.5 million consisting of A$2.0 million in cash and 647,333 ordinary shares (having a value of A$500,000 at the time the agreement was entered into). These shares could not be traded until October 1, 2015 and thereafter Biomics may only sell up to A$100,000 in value of those shares in any calendar month.

Foreign exchange translation

The foreign currency translation reserve represents the currency translation movements of subsidiary company balances denominated in foreign currencies at year end. Foreign currency monetary items are translated at the year-end exchange rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost continue to be carried at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items measured at fair value are reported at the exchange rate at the date when fair values were determined. Movements in the foreign currency translation reserve are shown in our Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.

96


Foreign currency transactions are translated into functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transactions. Exchange rate differences are recognized in the Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that can affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. We analyze our estimates and judgments and we base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may vary from our estimates. Our significant accounting policies are detailed in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, appearing elsewhere in this report. We have summarized below the accounting policies of particular importance to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations and that require the application of significant judgment or estimates by our management.

Research and development expenses

Management does not consider the development programs to be sufficiently advanced to reliably determine the economic benefits and technical feasibility to justify capitalization of development costs. These costs have been recognized as an expense when incurred. Research and development expenses relate primarily to the cost of conducting clinical and pre-clinical trials. Clinical development costs are a significant component of research and development expenses. Estimates have been used in determining the expense liability under certain clinical trial contracts where services have been performed but not yet invoiced. Generally, the costs, and therefore estimates, associated with clinical trial contracts are based on the number of patients, drug administration cycles, the type of treatment and the outcome being the length of time before actual amounts can be determined will vary depending on length of the patient cycles and the timing of the invoices by the clinical trial partners.  

Research and development refundable tax offsets

The Company accounts for the federal government research and development grant tax incentive when a reliable estimate of the amounts receivable can be made. In the year ended June 30, 2017 reporting period detailed reporting systems were implemented to allow for the first time a reliable estimate to be made of the grant income that is expected to be received for the current period. In determining the estimate management reviews historical claims, Government overseas findings enabling the claim of overseas expenditure and the allocation of staff and overheads costs within approved projects. Judgement is also applied in determining the eligibility of the activities undertaken in Australia and overseas. Grant Income for the year ended June 30, 2018 includes an estimate of Research and Development grant receivable for June 30, 2018 of A$4.0 million.

Share-based payment transactions

The Company measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. The fair value is determined by using either the Black-Scholes model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. The accounting estimates and assumptions relating to equity-settled share-based payments would have no impact on the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next annual reporting period but may impact profit or loss and equity.

Recovery of deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences only if the Company considers it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses. Given the Company’s and each individual entities’ history of recent losses, the Company has not recognized a deferred tax asset with regard to unused tax losses and other temporary differences, as it has not been determined whether the Company or its subsidiaries will generate sufficient taxable income against which the unused tax losses and other temporary differences can be utilized.

97


Results of Operations

The following discussion relates to our consolidated results of operations, financial condition and capital resources. You should read this discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this report.

Comparison of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

 

(in thousands)

 

For the fiscal year ended

June 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licensing revenue and royalties

 

A$

 

378

 

 

A$

 

333

 

 

A$

 

45

 

Finance income—interest

 

 

 

242

 

 

 

 

253

 

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australian Government Research and Development grants

 

 

3,999

 

 

 

10,507

 

 

 

 

(6,508

)

Foreign exchange unrealized gain

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87

 

Other

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue and other income

 

A$

4,707

 

 

A$

11,093

 

 

 

 

(6,386

)

 

Licensing revenue and royalties increased by A$0.1 million, from A$0.3 million in fiscal 2017 to A$0.4 million in fiscal 2018, primarily due to  timing differences in the recognition of such revenue.

Finance income remained relatively unchanged as the interest rates remain consistent, at A$0.2 million in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018. We receive finance income in the form of interests on our cash deposited in low yielding U.S. dollar bank accounts.

Other income, consisting of our Research and Development refundable tax offset from the Australian Government, decreased by A$6 million, from A$10 million in fiscal 2017 to A$4 million in fiscal 2018. This decrease is primarily due to the inclusion of an estimation of the grant income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2018, of A$4 million, whilst in the previous corresponding period we included grant income of A$6 million for the fiscal year 2016 and an estimation for twelve months to June 30, 2017, of A$4 million. In 2017 a new reporting system was implemented to allow a reliable estimate to be made of the grant income. As a result, an estimation of grant income for each quarter is now taken to account on a quarterly basis. Previously the grant income was only taken up on the lodgement of the previous year’s tax return, which was the time at which it was considered a reliable estimate could be made. It is noted that grant income recognized in the current period, will be received subsequent to the claim being made, on lodgement, of the June 2018 income tax return. See Note 2 and Note 4 of our June 30, 2018 financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F for more detailed information on research and development incentives.

Expenses

Research and development expense.  Research and development expense remained at A$6.9 million in fiscal 2018, as the increase in costs of the OPMD and the HNSCC programs was offset by decrease in costs of the programs related to HVB, HCV and AMD.

Employment related expenses.  Employment-related expenses increased by A$0.1 million in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 primarily due to payments related to our management restructuring.

98


Share based expenses.  Share based expenses slightly increased by A$48 thousand from A$386 thousand  to A$434 thousand in fiscal 2017 to A$0.4 million in fiscal 2018, largely due to new options issued to employees. Share based expenses are calculated using a Black-Scholes model. The share based expense model uses a data set that includes share price and exercise price, exercise probability, volatility, exercise time and interest rates. We recognize share based expenses over the service period in which the employee earns the award, which is the vesting period of the award.

Travel related costs.  Travel related costs decreased by A$0.2 million, from A$0.6 million in fiscal 2017 to A$0.5 million in fiscal 2018, primarily due to a decrease in overseas business trips.

Consultants costs.  Consultants costs decreased by A$0.2 million from A$1.0 million in fiscal 2017 to A$0.8 million in fiscal 2018 as a result of more administrative tasks being performed in house, such as the Research and Development returns. We retained specialist advisers in relation to our key product candidate programs and for media and shareholder relations capabilities.

Occupancy costs.  Occupancy costs remained relatively unchanged at approximately A$0.6 million in fiscal 2018, as a result of largely unchanged lease liabilities in California and Australia.

Corporate expenses.  Corporate expenses decreased by A$0.2 million from A$1.5 million in fiscal 2017 to A$1.4 million in fiscal 2018 primarily due to reduction in legal fees.

Loss for the period

As a result of the foregoing, our loss for the period after income tax benefit increased by A$6.0 million, from A$5.7 million in fiscal 2017 to A$11.6 million in fiscal 2018.

Given our and our subsidiaries’ history of recent losses, we have not recognized a deferred tax asset with regard to unused tax losses and other temporary differences, as it has not been determined whether we or our subsidiaries will generate sufficient taxable income against which the unused tax losses and other temporary differences can be utilized. 

Comparison of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

Revenue

 

(in thousands)

 

For the fiscal year ended

June 30,

 

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licensing revenue and royalties

 

A$

 

333

 

 

A$

 

247

 

 

 

 

86

 

Finance income—interest

 

 

 

253

 

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australian Government Research and Development refundable tax offset

 

 

10,507

 

 

 

3,590

 

 

 

6,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue and other income

 

A$

11,093

 

 

A$

4,054

 

 

 

7,039

 

 

Licensing revenue and royalties increased by A$0.1 million, from A$0.2 million in fiscal 2016 to A$0.3 million in fiscal 2017, primarily due to timing differences in the recognition of such revenue.

Finance income remained relatively unchanged at A$0.2 million in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017 as a result of holding cash in low yielding U.S. dollar bank accounts.

99


Other income, consisting of our Research and Development refundable tax offset from the Australian Government, increased by A$6.9 million, from A$3.6 million in fiscal 2016 to A$10.5 million in fiscal 2017. This increase is primarily due to the detailed reporting systems that were implemented for the first time to allow for a reliable estimate to be made of the grant income that is expected to be received for the period, thus grant income for the year ended June 30, 2017 includes an estimate of research and development grant receivable for June 30, 2017 of A$4.2 million. See Note 2 and Note 4 of our June 30, 2017 financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F for more detailed information on research and development incentives.

Expenses

Research and development expense.  Research and development expense decreased by A$6.4 million, from A$13.3 million in fiscal 2016 to A$6.9 in fiscal 2017, primarily due to inclusion in fiscal 2016 of A$2.5 million expenditure relating to the acquisition of full rights to the patents underlying our preclinical hepatitis B therapeutic program from our collaborator, Biomics, and fiscal 2017 showing the effect of reduced expenditure on the discontinued hepatitis C program and non-small cell lung cancer program.

Employment related expenses.  Employment-related expenses decreased by A$1.3 million in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 primarily due to management restructuring.

Share based expenses.  Share based expenses decreased by A$1.3 million, from A$1.7 million in fiscal 2016 to A$0.4 million in fiscal 2017, largely due to fewer employee options being issued. Share based expenses are calculated using a Black-Scholes model. The share based expense model uses a data set that includes share price and exercise price, exercise probability, volatility, exercise time and interest rates. We recognize share based expenses over the service period in which the employee earns the award, which is the vesting period of the award.

Travel related costs.  Travel related costs decreased by A$0.4 million, from A$1.0 million in fiscal 2016 to A$0.6 million in fiscal 2017, primarily related to travel incurred in the prior period to support the U.S. IPO.

Consultants costs.  Consultants costs remained relatively unchanged at A$1.0 million in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017. We retained specialist advisers in relation to our key product candidate programs and for media and shareholder relations capabilities.

Occupancy costs.  Occupancy costs remained relatively unchanged at A$0.5 million in fiscal 2016 and A$0.55 million in fiscal 2017, reflecting continued lease obligations in California and Australia.

Corporate expenses.  Corporate expenses increased by A$0.4 million from A$1.1 million in fiscal 2016 to A$1.5 million in fiscal 2017 due to additional costs related to NASDAQ and SEC compliance costs.

IPO costs.  We incurred legal, accounting and other costs of A$1.2 million during fiscal 2016 in relation to our U.S. initial public offering that was completed in August 2015. We did not incur any U.S. IPO-related costs during fiscal 2017.

Write-off of clinical trial prepayment.  In 2013 we had contracted with a clinical research organization to manage the initial clinical development and trials for our non-small cell lung cancer therapeutic candidate. The expected cost of the clinical trial was paid in advance in order to secure favorable commercial terms. As a result of feedback from potential commercial partners and investors, we decided in fiscal 2016 to discontinue the non-small cell lung cancer program, allowing resources to be focused on developing other preclinical programs. In August 2016, we reached agreement for the return of A$0.9 million of the prepayment due to the cancellation of the program and this amount was recovered during fiscal 2017. The remaining A$1.8 million of the prepayment was written off in fiscal 2016. No such write-off was incurred in fiscal 2017.

Loss for the period

As a result of the foregoing, our loss for the period after income tax benefit decreased by A$19.1 million, from A$24.8 million in fiscal 2016 to A$5.7 million in fiscal 2017.

100


Given our and our subsidiaries’ history of recent losses, we have not recognized a deferred tax asset with regard to unused tax losses and other temporary differences, as it has not been determined whether we or our subsidiaries will generate sufficient taxable income against which the unused tax losses and other temporary differences can be utilized.

B.

Liquidity and Capital Resources .

We have incurred cumulative losses and negative cash flows from operations since our inception in 1995 and, as of June 30, 2018, we had accumulated losses of A$146.8 million. We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for at least the next several years. We expect that our research and development and general and administrative expenses will continue to increase and, as a result, we will need additional capital to fund our operations, which we may raise through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, other third-party funding and other collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements.

We had no borrowings in fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017or fiscal 2016 and do not currently have a credit facility.

As of June 30, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of A$16.1 million. Cash in excess of immediate requirements is invested in accordance with our investment policy, primarily with a view to liquidity and capital preservation. Currently, our cash and cash equivalents are held in bank accounts. Our short-term investments consist of term deposits with maturity within 180 days.

Cash flows

The following table sets forth the sources and uses of cash for each of the periods set forth below:

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

A$

 

(9,794

)

 

A$

 

(8,304

)

 

A$

 

(20,208

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

 

(147

)

 

 

 

(302

)

 

 

 

(342

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

8,507

 

 

 

7,939

 

 

 

17,510

 

 

Operating activities. Net cash used in operating activities for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 was A$9.8 million, A$8.3 million and A$20.2 million, respectively. The use of net cash in all periods is primarily related to payments to suppliers and employees.

Investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 was A$0.1 million, A$0.3 million and A$0.3 million, respectively, and primarily related to purchases of equipment and, for fiscal 2018, a clinical trial deposit.  

Financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was A$8.5 million, A$7.9 million and A$17.5 million for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. All such cash from financing activities related to the issuance of ordinary shares, including A$8.8 million in gross proceeds from a private placement and entitlement offer in fiscal 2018, A$8.0 million in gross proceeds from private placements in fiscal 2017 and A$18.8 million (US$13.8 million) in gross proceeds from our U.S. initial public offering in fiscal 2016, partially offset by IPO and share issue transaction costs.

Operating capital requirements

To date, our sources of liquidity have been licensing revenue and royalties, Australian government research and development grants, interest on invested cash in excess of immediate requirements and proceeds of the issuance of equity securities.

101


In the future, we expect our revenue stream will be generated mostly from licensing, strategic alliances and collaboration arrangements with pharmaceutical companies. While we continue to progress discussions and advance opportunities to engage with pharmaceutical companies and continue to seek licensing partners for ddRNAi in disease areas that are not our focus, there can be no assurance as to whether we will enter into such arrangements or what the terms of any such arrangement could be.

While we have established some licensing arrangements, we do not have any products approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales. We do not know when, or if, we will generate any revenue from product sales. We do not expect to generate significant revenue from product sales unless and until we obtain regulatory approval of and commercialize one of our current or future product candidates.

Unless and until we establish significant revenues from licensing programs, strategic alliances or collaboration arrangements with pharmaceutical companies, or from product sales, we anticipate that we will continue to generate losses for the foreseeable future, and we expect the losses to increase as we continue the development of product candidates and begin to prepare to commercialize any product that receives regulatory approval. We are subject to the risks inherent in the development of new gene therapy products, and we may encounter unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other unknown factors that may adversely affect our business.

We expect that our cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to enable us to complete planned preclinical proof of concept studies for certain of our ddRNAi product candidates until approximately the fourth quarter of calendar 2020 . In order to complete the planned preclinical proof of concept studies for our lead ddRNAi product candidates and to build the infrastructure that we believe will be necessary to commercialize our lead product candidates, we will require substantial additional funding. We will also require substantial additional funding to complete clinical trials for BB-401.

We have based our projections of operating capital requirements on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect and we may use all of our available capital resources sooner than we expect. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products, we are unable to estimate the exact amount of our operating capital requirements. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

 

the timing and costs of our planned clinical trials for our ddRNAi product candidates;

 

the timing and costs of our planned preclinical studies for our ddRNAi product candidates;

 

the timing and costs of our planned clinical trials for the EGFR antisense asset that was in-licensed from Nant;

 

the number and characteristics of product candidates that we pursue;

 

the outcome, timing and costs of seeking regulatory approvals;

 

revenue received from commercial sales of any of our product candidates that may receive regulatory approval;

 

the terms and timing of any future collaborations, licensing, consulting or other arrangements that we may establish;

 

the amount and timing of any payments we may be required to make, or that we may receive, in connection with the licensing, filing, prosecution, defense and enforcement of any patents or other intellectual property rights;

 

the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and protecting our intellectual property rights and defending against intellectual property related claims; and

 

the extent to which we need to in-license or acquire other products and technologies.

102


C.

Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc .

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for the development of our product candidates, which include:

 

expenses incurred under agreements with academic research centers, clinical research organizations and investigative sites that conduct our clinical trials; and

 

the cost of acquiring, developing, and manufacturing clinical trial materials.

Research and development expenses do not include employment related expenses, which are included in our Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income as a separate line item.

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Costs for certain development activities are recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using information and data provided to us by our vendors and our clinical sites.

We cannot determine with certainty the duration and completion costs of the current or future product development, preclinical studies or clinical trials of our product candidates. The duration, costs, and timing of clinical trials and development of our product candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including:

 

the scope, rate of progress, and expense of our ongoing as well as any additional clinical trials and other research and development activities;

 

the countries in which trials are conducted;

 

future clinical trial results;

 

our relationship with collaborators;

 

uncertainties in clinical trial enrollment rates or drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients;

 

potential additional safety monitoring or other studies requested by regulatory agencies;

 

significant and changing government regulation; and

 

the timing and receipt of any regulatory approvals.

A change in the outcome of any of these variables with respect to the development of a product candidate could mean a significant change in the costs and timing associated with the development of that product candidate. For example, if the FDA, or another regulatory authority were to require us to conduct clinical trials beyond those that we anticipate will be required to complete clinical development of a product candidate or if we experience significant delays in enrollment in any of our clinical trials, we could be required to expend significant additional financial resources and time on the completion of clinical development.

103


Our research and development expenses, categorized by product candidate or program, in fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 were as follows:

 

 

 

For the year ended June 30,

 

Product candidate or program

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

TT-034 for the treatment of HCV

 

A$

 

85,128

 

 

A$

 

1,066,875

 

 

A$

 

3,248,758

 

BB-103 for the treatment of HBV

 

 

 

221,055

 

 

 

 

1,353,351

 

 

 

 

3,924,457

 

BB-201 for the treatment of AMD

 

 

 

709,495

 

 

 

 

2,049,897

 

 

 

 

2,796,851

 

AXO-AAV-OPMD for treatment of OPMD

 

 

 

2,814,783

 

 

 

 

595,060

 

 

 

 

817,494

 

BB-401 and BB-501 for the treatment of HNSCC

 

 

1,832,261

 

 

 

 

518,438

 

 

 

 

 

New technologies

 

 

 

20,304

 

 

 

 

74,915

 

 

 

 

175,226

 

Tribetarna for the treatment of drug-resistant NSCLC*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

390,530

 

Other project related research and development costs (includes insurance, legal, IP and lab equipment costs)

 

 

 

1,207,283

 

 

 

 

1,266,834

 

 

 

 

1,933,501

 

Total

 

A$

 

6,890,309

 

 

A$

 

6,925,370

 

 

A$

 

13,286,817

 

 

*

program discontinued in October 2016.

We plan to increase our research and development expenses for the foreseeable future as we continue later stage development of ddRNAi product candidates and explore further potential applications of our technology, including for our antisense RNA product candidate BB-401.

D.

Trend Information .

Our objective is to become the leader in discovering, developing, clinically validating and commercializing ddRNAi-based therapeutics for a range of human diseases with high unmet clinical need or large patient populations, and to thereby provide a better life for patients with these diseases. Our strategy to accomplish this goal is to progress our pipeline of proprietary ddRNAi-based therapeutics, continue our leadership position in ddRNAi-based therapeutics, develop drugs in our core disease area, partner selectively to commercialize and expand our pipeline and pursue indications with high unmet medical need or a large patient population.

The scientific research that forms the basis of our efforts to develop product candidates is based on the therapeutic use of ddRNAi, and the identification, optimization and delivery of ddRNAi-based product candidates is relatively new. The scientific evidence to support the feasibility of successfully developing therapeutic treatments based on ddRNAi is preliminary and limited. There can be no assurance that any development and technical problems we experience in the future will not cause significant delays or unanticipated costs, or that such development problems can be solved.

We are currently working to advance our product candidates through preclinical proof of concept studies and IND-enabling studies. Based on cash requirements and financing, we plan to continue to advance our product candidates through to submission of an IND application and potentially completion of clinical proof of concept.

E.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements .

We did not have over the past three fiscal years, and we currently do not have, any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

104


F.

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations .

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of June 30, 2018:

 

 

 

Payments due by period (A$ thousand)

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Less than

1 year

 

 

1-3 years

 

 

3-5 years

 

 

More than 5

years

 

Operating lease obligations

 

A$

 

512

 

 

A$

 

219

 

 

A$

 

293

 

 

A$

 

 

 

A$

 

 

Total

 

A$

 

512

 

 

A$

 

219

 

 

A$

 

293

 

 

A$

 

 

 

A$

 

 

 

105


Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

A.

Directors and Senior Management .

The following table sets forth information covering our current directors and executive officers.

 

Name

Position

Jerel Banks

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors

Megan Boston

Executive Director and Head of Operations Australia

J. Kevin Buchi

Non-Executive Director

Peter Francis

Non-Executive Director

Georgina Kilfoil

Chief Development Officer

 

Dr. Jerel Banks has been a Director since October 2016, Chairman of our Board since October 2017 and Chief Executive Officer since June 2018. Dr. Banks was formerly the Chief Investment Officer of Nant Capital, LLC. Prior to joining Nant Capital, LLC, Dr. Banks served as vice president, portfolio manager and research analyst for the Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund at Franklin Templeton Investments from 2012 to 2015. Prior to his tenure at Franklin Templeton Investments, he worked as a biotechnology senior equity research analyst at Sectoral Asset Management from 2011 to 2012. From 2008 to 2011, Dr. Banks worked as a biotechnology equity research analyst at Apothecary Capital, the healthcare investment management team for the family investment office of the Bass Family of Fort Worth, Texas. Dr. Banks began his career in investment management as a healthcare equity research associate at Capital Research Company where he was a member of the equity research team from 2006 to 2008. Dr. Banks earned an M.D. from the Brown University School of Medicine and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Brown University, and he holds an A.B. in Chemistry from Princeton University.

Megan Boston has previously been Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of several ASX listed entities. In over 13 years of experience, Ms. Boston has been a director across a range of industries where she chaired company boards as well as board sub-committees particularly in the area of finance and risk management. Specifically, Ms. Boston has been a Director of Benitec since August 2016 and Executive Director and Head of Operations Australia since June 2018. Previously, Ms. Boston held senior executive roles at various banking institutions in the area of risk and compliance, as well as working for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Ms. Boston holds a Bachelor of Commerce and is an Australian Chartered Accountant. Ms. Boston has also completed the company directors course diploma administered by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

J. Kevin Buchi has been a Director since April 2013. Mr. Buchi previously served as Chief Executive Officer of TetraLogic Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Mr. Buchi served as Chief Executive Officer of Cephalon, Inc., or Cephalon, from December 2010 through its acquisition by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd in October 2011. After the acquisition Mr. Buchi served as Corporate Vice President, Global Branded Products of Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. Mr. Buchi joined Cephalon in 1991 and held various positions, including Chief Operating Officer, from January 2010 to December 2010, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Business Development prior to being appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Buchi is also on the board of directors of Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Dicerna Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Buchi has a B.A. in chemistry from Cornell University and a Masters in Management from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Peter Francis has been a director since February 2006 and was previously Chairman of the Board until October 2017. Since 1993, Mr. Francis has been a partner at Francis Abourizk Lightowlers, a firm of commercial and technology lawyers with offices in Melbourne, Australia. He is a legal specialist in the areas of intellectual property and licensing and provides legal advice to corporations and research bodies. Mr. Francis completed his studies in law and jurisprudence at Monash University.

Georgina Kilfoil was appointed as our Chief Development Officer in February 2018 prior to which she served as Chief Clinical and Development Operations Officer, Chief Clinical Officer and Vice President, Clinical Operations since joining Benitec in February 2015. Prior to joining Benitec, Ms. Kilfoil was a business consultant from March 2013 to December 2014 and prior to that was Senior Vice President, Project Management at Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from March 2010 to February 2013. Previous to this, Ms. Kilfoil served as Project

106


Management Consultant at InClin, Inc. and Vice President of Project Management at Peninsula Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Ms. Kilfoil is a certified Project Management Professional, has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacology from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Australian Graduate School of Management, Sydney, Australia .  

There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers and no arrangements or understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others pursuant to which any of our directors or members of senior management was selected as such, except Dr. Banks was appointed as a Director in October 2016 following the acquisition by Nant Capital, LLC of 19.9% of Benitec's then-outstanding ordinary shares.

The business addresses for each of our directors and executive officers is Benitec Biopharma Limited, 99 Mount Street, Suite 1201, North Sydney, New South Wales, 2060 Australia.

B.

Compensation .

Remuneration

The remuneration policy of Benitec is to align director and executive objectives with shareholder and business objectives by providing a fixed remuneration component and typically offering long-term incentives based on key performance areas. Our board of directors believes the remuneration policy to be appropriate and effective in its ability to attract and retain the best executives and directors to run and manage the consolidated entity, as well as create goal congruence between directors, executives, and shareholders.

Our board of directors is responsible for determining the appropriate remuneration package for our Chief Executive Officer, and our Chief Executive Officer is in turn responsible for determining the appropriate remuneration packages for senior management.

Executives typically receive a base salary based on factors such as experience and comparable industry information, options and performance incentives. Our board of directors reviews our Chief Executive Officer's remuneration package, and our Chief Executive Officer reviews the other senior executives' remuneration packages, annually by reference to the consolidated entity's performance, executive performance, and comparable information within the industry.

The performance of executives is measured against criteria agreed annually with each executive and is based predominantly on the overall success of Benitec in achieving its broader corporate goals. Bonuses and incentives are linked to predetermined performance criteria. Our board of directors may, however, exercise its discretion in relation to approving incentives, bonuses, and options, and can recommend changes to our Chief Executive Officer's recommendations. The policy is designed to attract the highest caliber of executives and reward them for performance that results in long-term growth in shareholder wealth.

Executives may be invited to participate in the employee share option plan at the Board's discretion. Options vest according to Board's determination and cannot be transferred or encumbered.

Australian executives or directors receive a superannuation guarantee contribution required by the government and do not receive any other retirement benefits.

All remuneration paid to directors and executives is valued at the cost to us and expensed. Options are valued using the Black-Scholes methodology. The board of directors' policy is to remunerate non-executive directors at market rates for comparable companies for time, commitment, and responsibilities. Our board of directors as a whole determines payments to the non-executive directors and reviews their remuneration annually, based on market practice, duties and accountability. The maximum aggregate amount of fees that can be paid to non-executive directors is subject to approval by shareholders at our annual general meeting. Fees for non-executive directors are not linked to the performance of the consolidated entity. However, to align directors' interests with shareholder interests, the directors are encouraged to hold our shares.

107


Our directors are paid remuneration for their services as directors (but excluding any remuneration payable to a director under any executive services contract with us or one of our related bodies corporate) which is determined in a general meeting of shareholders. The aggregate, fixed sum for directors’ remuneration is to be divided among the directors in such proportion as the directors themselves agree and in accordance with our Constitution. The fixed sum remuneration for directors may not be increased except at a general meeting of shareholders and the particulars of the proposed increase are required to have been provided to shareholders in the notice convening the meeting. In addition, executive directors may be paid remuneration as employees of Benitec.

Fees payable to our non-executive directors must be by way of a fixed sum and not by way of a commission on or a percentage of profits or operating revenue. Remuneration paid to our executive directors must also not include a commission or percentage of operating revenue.

Pursuant to our Constitution, any director who performs services that in the opinion of our board of directors, are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director may be paid extra remuneration, which is determined by our board of directors.

In addition to other remuneration provided in our Constitution, all of our directors are entitled to be paid by us for reasonable travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred by the directors in attending general meetings, board meetings, committee meetings or otherwise in connection with our business.

In addition, in accordance with our Constitution, a director may be paid a retirement benefit as determined by our board of directors subject to the limits set out in the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules which broadly restrict our ability to pay our officers a termination benefit in the event of a change of control of the Company or our subsidiaries as well as impose requirements for shareholder approval to be obtained to pay certain retirement benefits to our officers.

Performance Based Remuneration

Each executive's remuneration package typically has a performance-based component. The intention of this approach is to facilitate goal congruence between executives with the business and shareholders. Generally, the executive's performance based remuneration is tied to Benitec's successful achievement of certain key milestones relating to its operating activities, as well as Benitec's overall financial position.

The remuneration policy has been tailored to align the goals of shareholders, directors, and executives. Two methods are applied in achieving this aim, the first being a performance-based bonus linked to achievement of key corporate milestones, and the second being the issuance of options to the majority of directors and executives to encourage the alignment of personal and shareholder interests.

108


Details of Remuneration for fiscal 2018

The following tables set forth all of the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to each individual who served as director and executive officer in fiscal 2018.

 

 

 

Short Term Benefits

 

 

Post-

Employment

Benefits

 

 

Long-Term

Benefits

 

 

 

Cash

Salary

and Fees

A$

 

 

Cash

Bonus

A$

 

 

Non-

Monetary

A$

 

 

Super-annuation

A$

 

 

Employee

Leave

A$

 

 

Share-Based

Payments Options

A$

 

 

Total

A$

 

2018 Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerel Banks (1)

 

 

116,273

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,717

 

 

 

122,990

 

Peter Francis (2)

 

 

83,195

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,902

 

 

 

111,330

 

Megan Boston (3)

 

 

77,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

84,862

 

Kevin Buchi

 

 

76,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,941

 

 

 

88,591

 

John Chiplin (4)

 

 

28,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Key management Personnel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgina Kilfoil (5)

 

 

275,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(529

)

 

 

20,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

42,370

 

 

 

336,890

 

Greg West (6)

 

 

620,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

96,627

 

 

 

737,650

 

David Suhy (7)

 

 

396,362

 

 

 

10,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,220

 

 

 

 

 

 

79,444

 

 

 

509,775

 

Cliff Holloway (8)

 

 

158,872

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,867

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

169,739

 

 

 

 

1,833,114

 

 

 

10,749

 

 

 

(529

)

 

 

89,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

257,001

 

 

 

2,190,115

 

 

(1)

Jerel Banks held the position of Non Executive director from July 2017 to October 12 2017.  He was then appointed Non Executive Chairman, a role he held to June 15, 2018.  On June 15, 2018 he was appointed executive Chairman.  On June 26, 2018, he was appointed CEO.

(2)

Peter Francis held the position of Chairman from July 1, 2017 to October 12, 2017.  At this date he assumed the role of non-executive director.

(3)

Megan Boston held the position of non-executive director from July 1, 2017 to June 15, 2018.  On this date she was appointed executive director and Head of Operations Australia.

(4)

John Chiplin resigned as a director on October 23, 2017.

(5)

Georgina Kilfoil was appointed as Chief Development Officer on February 9, 2018.

(6)

Greg West resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Company Secretary on June 15, 2018.

(7)

David Suhy resigned as Chief Scientific Officer on June 22, 2018.

(8)

Cliff Holloway resigned as Chief Business and Operations Officer on January 7, 2018.

109


The proportion of remuneration at risk and the fixed proportion are as follows:

 

 

 

Fixed

remuneration

 

 

At risk – STI

(bonus)

 

 

At risk – LTI

(options)

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerel Banks

 

 

100

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

Peter Francis

 

 

83

%

 

 

57

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

17

%

 

 

43

%

Megan Boston

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

Kevin Buchi

 

 

87

%

 

 

57

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

13

%

 

 

43

%

John Chiplin

 

 

100

%

 

 

60

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

40

%

Iain Ross*

 

 

%

 

 

56

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

44

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Key Management Personnel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgina Kilfoil

 

 

87

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

13

%

 

 

%

Greg West

 

 

87

%

 

 

72

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

13

%

 

 

28

%

David Suhy

 

 

84

%

 

 

93

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

7

%

Cliff Holloway

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

No longer a director since October 1, 2016

The proportion of the cash bonus paid/payable or forfeited is as follows:

 

 

 

Cash bonus

paid/payable

 

 

Cash bonus

forfeited

 

Name

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Executive Officers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greg West

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Suhy

 

 

100

%

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cliff Holloway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were no shares issued to directors and executive officers as part of compensation during the year ended June 30, 2018.

The terms and conditions of each grant of options over ordinary shares affecting remuneration of directors and executive officers during fiscal 2018 is as follows:

 

Grant date

 

No. granted

 

 

Expiry date

 

Exercise price

 

 

Fair value per

option at

grant date

 

July 17, 2017

 

 

4,300,000

 

 

July 17, 2022

 

A$

 

0.1960

 

 

A$

 

0.0909

 

June 26, 2018

 

 

10,000,000

 

 

June 26, 2023

 

 

 

0.2278

 

 

 

 

0.1003

 

 

110


Details of options over ordinary shares granted, vested and lapsed for directors and executive officers as part of compensation during the year ended June 30, 2018 are set out below:

 

Name

 

Number of

options

granted

 

 

Grant date

 

Value per

options at

grant date

 

 

Value of

options at

grant date

 

 

Number

vested/

forfeited

 

 

Exercise

Price

 

 

Vested

and first

exercised

date

 

Last

exercise

date

David Suhy

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

07/17/2017

 

A$

 

0.9090

 

 

A$

 

136,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1960

 

 

07/17/2018

 

06/30/2019

Georgina Kilfoil

 

 

800,000

 

 

07/17/2017

 

A$

 

0.9090

 

 

A$

 

72,720

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1960

 

 

07/17/2018

 

07/16/2022

Jerel Banks

 

 

10,000,000

 

 

06/26/2018

 

A$

 

0.1003

 

 

A$

 

1,003,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2278

 

 

06/26/2019

 

06/26/2023

Greg West

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

07/17/2017

 

A$

 

0.9090

 

 

A$

 

181,800

 

 

 

(1,333,334

)

 

 

0.1960

 

 

07/17/2018

 

09/15/2018

(already expired)

 

Options granted carry no dividend or voting rights. Options vest over five years with vesting based on remaining in service. There is no other performance criteria.

Employment Agreements with Executive Officers

The key provisions of the employment agreements (other than remuneration) are set out below for each of our executive officers. None of these employment agreements have termination dates.

 

Name of executive officer

 

Title of executive officer

 

Date employment

agreement commenced

 

Notice period required to

terminate without cause

by either party

Jerel Banks

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

June 15, 2018

 

Six months

Georgina Kilfoil

 

Chief Development Officer

 

February 9, 2018

 

Three months

Megan Boston

 

Executive Director and Head of Operations Australia

 

June 15, 2018

 

Six months

 

Mr. Banks and Ms. Boston are entitled to no non-statutory benefits in the case of termination of employment.

Consequences of Performance on Shareholder Wealth

The earnings of Benitec and its subsidiaries for the five years ended June 30, 2018, are summarized below:

 

 

 

2014

A$‘000

 

 

2015

A$‘000

 

 

2016

A$‘000

 

 

2017

A$‘000

 

 

2018

A$‘000

 

Loss after income tax

 

 

(7,039

)

 

 

(11,509

)

 

 

(24,778

)

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

(11,640

)

 

The factors that are considered to affect total shareholders return are summarized below:

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

Share price at financial year end (A$)

 

 

0.38

 

 

 

1.15

 

 

 

0.69

 

 

 

0.097

 

 

 

0.135

 

Basic (loss) per share (cents per share)

 

 

(7.78

)

 

 

(9.96

)

 

 

(17.41

)

 

 

(3.24

)

 

 

(5.53

)

 

111


Additional Disclosures Relating to Key Management Personnel

The number of shares in Benitec held during fiscal 2018 by each director and executive officer, including their personally related parties, is set out below:

 

 

 

Balance at

the start of

the year

 

 

Received as

part of

remuneration

 

 

Purchased

 

 

Disposals

/ other

 

 

Balance at

the end of

the year

 

Ordinary shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerel Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Francis

 

 

424,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

212,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

636,261

 

Megan Boston

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

Kevin Buchi

 

 

861,539

 

 

 

 

 

 

586,671

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,448,210

 

John Chiplin

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

1,485,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

898,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,384,471

 

 

The number of options over ordinary shares in Benitec held during the financial year ended June 30, 2018, by each director and other executive officers, including their personally related parties, is set out below:

 

 

 

Balance at

the start of

the year

 

 

Granted

 

 

Exercised

 

 

Expired

/forfeited

/other

 

 

Balance at

the end of

the year

 

 

Vested and

exercisable

 

 

Vested and

unexercisable

 

Options over ordinary shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerel Banks

 

 

 

 

 

10,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Francis

 

 

1,400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,400,000

 

 

 

1,400,000

 

 

 

 

Kevin Buchi

 

 

1,240,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(400,000

)

 

 

840,000

 

 

 

840,000

 

 

 

 

John Chiplin (1)

 

 

840,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(840,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgina Kilfoil

 

 

600,000

 

 

 

800,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,400,000

 

 

 

600,000

 

 

 

 

Greg West (2)

 

 

3,080,000

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,066,668

)

 

 

3,013,332

 

 

 

1,613,333

 

 

 

 

David Suhy (3)

 

 

1,200,000

 

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(400,000

)

 

 

2,300,000

 

 

 

800,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,360,000

 

 

 

14,300,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,706,668

)

 

 

18,953,332

 

 

 

5,253,333

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

John Chiplin resigned as a director on October 23, 2017.

(2)

Greg West resigned as CEO and Company Secretary on June 15, 2018. Mr. West’s options expired on September 15, 2018.

(3)

David Suhy resigned as Chief Scientific Officer on June 22, 2018.  His options terms were varied, and the options continue until their normal expiry date.

Employee Share Option Plan

We had an employee share option plan that was approved by our shareholders in November 2009 and was in effect until November 2014. Our shareholders approved a new Officers’ and Employees’ Option Plan at our 2015 Annual General Meeting in November 2015.

112


The following employee options to purchase ordinary shares of Benitec Biopharma Limited were outstanding as at June 30, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

Share options outstanding at June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Number

 

Grant date

 

Expiry date

 

price

 

 

under option

 

August 22, 2013 **

 

August 22, 2018

 

$

1.25

 

 

 

480,000

 

May 15, 2014 **

 

May 15, 2019

 

$

1.50

 

 

 

90,000

 

December 17, 2014 **

 

December 17, 2019

 

$

1.25

 

 

 

2,334,000

 

May 6, 2015 **

 

May 6, 2020

 

$

1.25

 

 

 

650,000

 

November 12, 2015*

 

November 12, 2020

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

2,240,000

 

August 9, 2016**

 

August 9, 2021

 

$

0.1665

 

 

 

1,466,666

 

July 17, 2017**

 

July 17, 2022

 

$

0.1960

 

 

 

6,566,666

 

April 11, 2018**

 

April 11, 2023

 

$

0.2980

 

 

 

650,000

 

June 26, 2018**

 

June 26, 2023

 

$

0.2278

 

 

 

10,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,477,332

 

 

*

Non-Executive Directors options.

**

Employee Share Option Plan options.

No employee options were exercised during fiscal 2018. No person entitled to exercise the options had or has any right by virtue of the option to participate in any share issue of the Company or of any other body corporate.

C.

Board Practices .

Board of Directors

Our board of directors currently consists of four members. Our directors are elected at each annual general meeting of our shareholders and serve until their successors are elected or appointed, unless their office is earlier vacated. We believe that each of our directors has relevant industry experience. The membership of our board of directors is based on the following principles:

 

our Constitution specifies that there must be a minimum of three directors and a maximum of 10, and our board of directors may determine the number of directors within those limits;

 

the membership of the board of directors has the experience needed to conduct our business operations; and

 

our board of directors should, collectively, have the appropriate level of personal qualities, skills, experience, and time commitment to properly fulfill its responsibilities or have ready access to such skills where they are not available.

Our board of directors has delegated responsibility for the conduct of our businesses to the Chief Executive Officer, but remains responsible for overseeing the performance of management. Our board of directors has established delegated limits of authority, which define the matters that are delegated to management and those that require board of directors approval. Under the Corporations Act, at least two of our directors must be resident Australians. None of our directors have any service contracts with Benitec that provide for benefits upon termination of employment.

Committees

To assist our board of directors with the effective discharge of its duties, it has established a Remuneration and Nomination Committee and an Audit and Risk Committee, which committees operate under a specific charter approved by our board of directors.

113


Remuneration and Nomination Committee. The members of our Remuneration and Nomination Committee are Peter Francis and Kevin Buchi. Kevin Buchi acts as chairman of the committee. The committee's role involves:

 

identifying, evaluating and recommending qualified nominees to serve on our board of directors;

 

developing and overseeing our internal corporate governance processes;

 

maintaining a management succession plan;

 

evaluating, adopting and administering our compensation plans and similar programs advisable for us, as well as modifying or terminating existing plans and programs;

 

establishing policies with respect to equity compensation arrangements; and

 

overseeing, reviewing and reporting on various remuneration matters to our board of directors.

Audit and Risk Committee. The members of our Audit and Risk Committee are Peter Francis and Kevin Buchi. Our board of directors has determined that each of them meets the criteria for independence of audit committee members set forth in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the applicable rules of The NASDAQ Capital Market and Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(2) under the Exchange Act. In March 2017 Benitec elected to follow home country practice in compliance with Australian law and ASX rules with respect to the NASDAQ rule that requires a company to maintain an audit committee of at least three members. As a result, Benitec is required to maintain an audit committee of at least two members, each of whom is independent under relevant rules of NASDAQ and the SEC. See Item 16D. "Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees."

Each member of our audit committee meets the financial literacy requirements of the listing standards of The NASDAQ Capital Market. Peter Francis acts as the chairman of the audit committee and our board of directors has determined that Peter Francis and Kevin Buchi as audit committee members satisfy the "financial expert" requirement, as defined by Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

The principal duties and responsibilities of our audit committee include:

 

overseeing and reporting on various auditing and accounting matters to our board of directors, including the selection of our independent accountants, the scope of our annual audits, fees to be paid to the independent accountants, the performance of our independent accountants and our accounting practices;

 

overseeing and reporting on various risk management matters to our board of directors.

 

considering and approving or disapproving all related-party transactions;

 

reviewing our annual and semi-annual financial statements and reports and discussing the statements and reports with our independent registered public accounting firm and management;

 

reviewing and pre-approving the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm to perform audit services and any permissible non-audit services;

 

evaluating the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm and deciding whether to retain their services; and

 

establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding financial controls, accounting or auditing matters.

Code of Conduct

We have established a Code of Conduct, which sets out the standards of behavior that apply to every aspect of our dealings and relationships, both within and outside Benitec. The following standards of behavior apply to all directors, executive officers and employees of Benitec:

 

comply with all laws that govern us and our operations;

 

act honestly and with integrity and fairness in all dealings with others and each other;

114


 

avoid or manage conflicts of interest;

 

use our assets responsibly and in the best interests of Benitec; and

 

be responsible and accountable for our actions.

The Code of Conduct is available on our website at www.benitec.com.

D.

Employees .

As of June 30, 2018, we had 15 full-time employees, 7 of whom have a PhD or other post-graduate degrees. Of these full-time employees, 10 are engaged in research and development activities and 5 are engaged in finance, legal, human resources, facilities and general management. Our employees are located in Sydney, Australia and at our scientific laboratories located in Hayward, California. None of our employees is represented by any labor union. As of June 30, 2018, 10 of our employees were located in Hayward, California, and 5 of our employees were located in Sydney, Australia.

E.

Share Ownership .

The following table and accompany footnotes set forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares based on 257,029,426 ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2018 by each of our directors and executive officers individually and as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC and generally means that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power of that security, including options that are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2018. Information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished to us by each director, executive officer, or 5% or more shareholder, as the case may be. Ordinary shares subject to options currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2018 are deemed to be outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of the person holding these options and the percentage ownership of any group of which the holder is a member, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person.

115


Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge each shareholder possesses sole voting and investment power over the ordinary shares listed subject to community property laws, where applicable. None of our shareholders has different voting rights from other shareholders. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each of the persons listed in the table below is Benitec Biopharma Limited, 99 Mount Street, Suite 1201, North Sydney, New South Wales, 2060 Australia.

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

Beneficially

Owned (6)

 

 

Options (6)

 

Shareholder

 

Number

 

 

Percent

 

 

Number

 

Officers and Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Francis

 

 

636,261

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

1,400,000

 

Greg West (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,013,332

 

David Suhy (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,300,000

 

John Chiplin (4)

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Kevin Buchi

 

 

1,448,210

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

840,000

 

Jerel Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,000,000

 

Megan Boston

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Cliff Holloway (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgina Kilfoil

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,400,000

 

Officers and directors as a group (9 persons)

 

 

2,384,471

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

18,953,332

 

 

(1)

Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Benitec.

(2)

Resigned as Chief Executive Officer since June 15, 2018. Mr. West’s options expired on September 15, 2018.

(3)

Resigned as Chief Scientific Officer since June 22, 2018.

(4)

Resigned as director since October 23, 2017.

(5)

Resigned as Chief Business and Operations Officer since January 7, 2018.

(6)

Table includes shares and options which vested or vest within 60 days of June 30, 2018.

Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

A.

Major Shareholders .

The following table presents certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares based on 257,029,426 ordinary shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 by each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our ordinary shares.

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

Beneficially

Owned

 

Shareholder

 

Number

 

 

Percent

 

5% Shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nant Capital, LLC

 

 

87,917,457

 

 

 

34.21

%

 

Based on information known to us, as of September 30, 2018  we had 16 shareholders with registered addresses in the United States who held an aggregate of 62,487,004 of our outstanding ordinary shares, or approximately 43.3% of our outstanding ordinary shares. In addition, 35,786,160 of our outstanding ordinary shares are held in the form of ADSs representing 17.44% of our outstanding ordinary shares. A large number of our ordinary shares are held by nominee companies so we cannot be certain of the identity of those beneficial owners. All shareholders have the same voting rights.

In October 2016, Nant Capital, LLC acquired 29,305,819 ordinary shares, or 16.7% interest of our total post-issuance voting power, in connection with a private placement. Nant Capital, LLC increased its shareholding to

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28.57% of our total post-issuance voting power in March 2017 through a private placement. On June 4, 2018, we issued 36,442,672 in a 1-for-2 entitlement offer, with Nant Capital subscribing 29,305,819 ordinary shares. As a result, Nant Capital increased its holding to 34.21% of Benitec's issued capital.

In May 2018, Highbridge acquired 15,444,020 ordinary shares as represented by American Depositary Shares, or 7.00% interest of our outstanding shares. With respect to these shares, 1992 MSF International Ltd (“MSF”) also had beneficial ownership as a result of Highbridge being its trading manager (the Highbridge’s and MSF’s beneficial ownerships, collectively, the “Highbridge ownership”). In June 2018, the Highbridge ownership decreased to 6.00% as a result of the sale of 23,220 ordinary shares. On July 3, 2018, the Highbridge ownership decreased its interest to 2.64%.

B.

Related Party Transactions .

Other than as disclosed below, since July 1, 2015, we did not enter into any transactions or loans with any: (i) enterprises that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by or are under common control with us; (ii) associates; (iii) individuals owning, directly or indirectly, an interest in our voting power that gives them significant influence over us, and close members of any such individual's family; (iv) executive officers and close members of such individuals' families; or (v) enterprises in which a substantial interest in our voting power is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (iii) or (iv) or over which such person is able to exercise significant influence.

Nant Capital, LLC

 

In October 2016, we entered into a strategic relationship with Nant Capital. As part of that strategic relationship, we initially issued Nant Capital a total of 58,611,638 of our ordinary shares for a combined total consideration of A$8.1 million. Nant Capital is entitled to appoint, and has appointed, a director to Benitec’s board of directors.

In December 2016, we entered into an exclusive sublicense agreement with NantWorks, LLC, an affiliate of Nant Capital, pursuant to which we acquired rights to intellectual property, including preclinical and clinical data, relating to a product candidate, now named BB-401, for the treatment of HNSCC. We are required to make periodic, milestone and royalty payments to Nant Capital pursuant to the exclusive sublicense agreement in connection with the development and sale of BB-401. In fiscal 2017, we made royalty payments to Nant Capital of A$79,449, and reimbursed patent expense of A$44,486. Moreover, in fiscal 2018, we paid (i) in August 2017, A$5,214 as reimbursement in patent application extension, (ii) in October 2017, A$38,260 in annual maintenance fee and (iii) A$39,861 in annual maintenance fee.

In January 2017, we entered into a research collaboration agreement with Nant Capital pursuant to which we will manage the clinical development of BB-401, a recombinant DNA construct that produces an antisense RNA with specificity against EGFR for the treatment of HNSCC. The research collaboration agreement with Nant Capital allocates the A$5.4 million received from Nant Capital in the March 2017 private placement to the development of BB-401 and BB-501. Nant Capital will have a controlling vote on the joint steering committee that directs and oversees such development of BB-401 and BB-501 until those funds have been expended.

Other Related Parties

 

Legal services at normal commercial rates totaling A$8,212 for fiscal 2018, A$191,050 for fiscal 2017 and A$116,540 for fiscal 2016 were provided by Francis Abourizk Lightowlers, a law firm in which Mr. Peter Francis is a partner and has a beneficial interest. In addition, Benitec temporarily rented office space in Melbourne from Francis Abourizk Lightowlers and the associated rental cost was A$11,102 during fiscal 2016.

 

Annabel West, the wife of Greg West, our former Chief Executive Officer, was employed by us as a part-time clerical and administrative assistant. Annabel West was paid wages of A$42,278, A$36,248 and A$47,722, respectively, for fiscal 2018, for fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016.

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Transactions between related parties are on normal commercial terms and the conditions no more favorable than those available to other non-related parties.

C.

Interests of Experts and Counsel .

Not applicable.

Item 8.  Financial Information

A.

Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information .

Our financial statements are included in Item 18 “Financial Statements.”

Legal Proceedings

We are not currently a party to any material legal proceedings. From time to time, we may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business activities. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, any such future litigation could have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

Dividends

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares. For the foreseeable future, we currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support our operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Any future determination to declare cash dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to compliance with applicable laws and covenants under current or future credit facilities, which may restrict or limit our ability to pay dividends, and will depend on our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our ordinary shares in the foreseeable future.  Should we determine to pay dividends in the future, all dividends unclaimed for one year after having been declared may be invested or otherwise made use of by our board of directors for our benefit until claimed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with our Constitution.

B.

Significant Changes .

No significant change occurred since the end of the latest fiscal year.

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Item 9.  The Off er and Listing.

A.

Listing Details.

The NASDAQ Capital Market

Since August 18, 2015, our ordinary shares in the form of ADSs and Warrants have been trading on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbols “BNTC” and “BNTCW”, respectively. The following table sets forth the high and low sales for our ADSs and Warrants for the periods indicated as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market, rounded to the nearest cent:

 

 

 

US$ High

 

 

US$ Low

 

ADSs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2018

 

$

4.20

 

 

$

1.85

 

June 30, 2017

 

$

5.48

 

 

$

1.20

 

Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter 2019 (ended September 30, 2018)

 

$

4.90

 

 

$

1.97

 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter 2018 (ended September 30, 2017)

 

$

2.38

 

 

$

1.85

 

Second Quarter 2018 (ended December 31, 2017)

 

$

3.45

 

 

$

2.07

 

Third Quarter 2018 (ended March 31, 2018)

 

$

4.20

 

 

$

2.76

 

Fourth Quarter 2018 (ended June 30, 2018)

 

$

3.59

 

 

$

1.85

 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter 2017 (ended September 30, 2016)

 

$

2.06

 

 

$

1.20

 

Second Quarter 2017 (ended December 31, 2016)

 

$

1.86

 

 

$

1.30

 

Third Quarter 2017 (ended March 31, 2017)

 

$

4.44

 

 

$

1.39

 

Fourth Quarter 2017 (ended June 30, 2017)

 

$

5.48

 

 

$

1.85

 

Month Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2018

 

$

2.79

 

 

$

2.28

 

August 2018

 

$

3.00

 

 

$

2.54

 

July 2018

 

$

4.90

 

 

$

1.97

 

June 2018

 

$

2.84

 

 

$

1.85

 

May 2018

 

$

3.00

 

 

$

2.39

 

April 2018

 

$

3.59

 

 

$

2.51

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30, 2018

 

$

0.85

 

 

$

0.11

 

June 30, 2017

 

$

1.09

 

 

$

0.03

 

Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter 2019 (ended September 30, 2018)

 

$

0.78

 

 

$

0.11

 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter 2018 (ended September 30, 2017)

 

$

0.39

 

 

$

0.30

 

Second Quarter 2018 (ended December 31, 2017)

 

$

0.42

 

 

$

0.11

 

Third Quarter 2018 (ended March 31, 2018)

 

$

0.85

 

 

$

0.15

 

Fourth Quarter 2018 (through June 30, 2018)

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

0.24

 

Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter 2017 (ended September 30, 2016)

 

$

0.82

 

 

$

0.24

 

Second Quarter 2017 (ended December 31, 2016)

 

$

0.66

 

 

$

0.03

 

Third Quarter 2017 (ended March 31, 2017)

 

$

1.09

 

 

$

0.06

 

Fourth Quarter 2017 (through June 30, 2017)

 

$

0.58

 

 

$

0.30

 

Month Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2018

 

$

0.45

 

 

$

0.14

 

August 2018

 

$

0.67

 

 

$

0.11

 

July 2018

 

$

0.78

 

 

$

0.14

 

June 2018

 

$

0.28

 

 

$

0.28

 

May 2018

 

$

0.35

 

 

$

0.24

 

April 2018

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

0.35

 

 

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Australian Securities Exchange

Our ordinary shares have been trading on the ASX since 1997. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the high and low market prices for our ordinary shares reported on the ASX, under the symbol BLT. All prices are in Australian dollars and rounded to the nearest cent.

 

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 

 

 

A$

 

 

A$

 

Annual:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal year ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

0.33

 

 

 

0.11

 

2017

 

 

0.28

 

 

 

0.09

 

2016

 

 

1.00

 

 

 

0.09

 

2015

 

 

1.32

 

 

 

0.52

 

2014

 

 

2.38

 

 

 

0.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quarterly:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal year ending June 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

 

0.34

 

 

 

0.14

 

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

0.11

 

Second quarter

 

 

0.24

 

 

 

0.14

 

Third quarter

 

 

0.33

 

 

 

0.19

 

Fourth quarter

 

 

0.21

 

 

 

0.13

 

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First quarter

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

0.09

 

Second quarter

 

 

0.13

 

 

 

0.09

 

Third quarter

 

 

0.21

 

 

 

0.11

 

Fourth quarter

 

 

0.28

 

 

 

0.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most Recent Six Months:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2018

 

 

0.21

 

 

 

0.18

 

May 2018

 

 

0.20

 

 

 

0.16

 

June 2018

 

 

0.17

 

 

 

0.13

 

July 2018

 

 

0.34

 

 

 

0.14

 

August 2018

 

 

0.22

 

 

 

0.18

 

September 2018

 

 

0.19

 

 

 

0.16

 

 

B.

Plan of Distribution.

Not applicable.

C.

Markets.

On August 18, 2015 our ADSs and Warrants were listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the ticker symbols “BNTC” and “BNTCW,” respectively. Prior to our initial public offering in the United States, we did not list our ADSs on any other stock exchange.

D.

Selling Shareholders.

Not applicable.

E.

Dilution.

Not applicable.

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Item 10.  Additio nal Information.

A.

Share capital.

Not applicable.

B.

Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Our Constitution is similar in nature to the bylaws of a U.S. corporation. It does not provide for or prescribe any specific objectives or purposes of Benitec. Our Constitution is subject to the terms of the ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act. It may be amended or repealed and replaced by special resolution of shareholders, which is a resolution passed by at least 75% of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution.

Under Australian law, a company has the legal capacity and powers of an individual both within and outside Australia. The material provisions of our Constitution are summarized below. This summary is not intended to be complete nor to constitute a definitive statement of the rights and liabilities of our shareholders, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of our Constitution, a copy of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Interested Directors

A director may not vote in respect of any contract or arrangement in which the director has, directly or indirectly, any material interest according to our Constitution. Such director must not be counted in a quorum, must not vote on the matter and must not be present at the meeting while the matter is being considered. However, that director may execute or otherwise act in respect of that contract or arrangement notwithstanding any material personal interest.

Unless a relevant exception applies, the Corporations Act requires our directors to provide disclosure of certain interests or conflicts of interests and prohibits directors from voting on matters in which they have a material personal interest and from being present at the meeting while the matter is being considered. In addition, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules require shareholder approval of any provision of related party benefits to our directors.

Directors’ compensation

Our directors are paid remuneration for their services as directors (but excluding any remuneration payable to a director under any executive services contract with us or one of our related bodies corporate) which is determined in a general meeting of shareholders. The aggregate, fixed sum for directors’ remuneration is to be divided among the directors in such proportion as the directors themselves agree and in accordance with our Constitution. The fixed sum remuneration for directors may not be increased except at a general meeting of shareholders and the particulars of the proposed increase are required to have been provided to shareholders in the notice convening the meeting. In addition, executive directors may be paid remuneration as employees of Benitec.

Fees payable to our non-executive directors must be by way of a fixed sum and not by way of a commission on or a percentage of profits or operating revenue. Remuneration paid to our executive directors must also not include a commission or percentage of operating revenue.

Pursuant to our Constitution, any director who performs services that in the opinion of our board of directors, are outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director may be paid extra remuneration, which is determined by our board of directors.

In addition to other remuneration provided in our Constitution, all of our directors are entitled to be paid by us for reasonable travel accommodation and other expenses incurred by the directors in attending general meetings, board meetings, committee meetings or otherwise in connection with our business.

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In addition, in accordance with our Constitution, a director may be paid a retirement benefit as determined by our board of directors subject to the limits set out in the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules which broadly restrict our ability to pay our officers a termination benefit in the event of a change of control of the Company or our subsidiaries as well as impose requirements for shareholder approval to be obtained to pay certain retirement benefits to our officers.

Borrowing powers exercisable by Directors

Pursuant to our Constitution, the management and control of our business affairs are vested in our board of directors. Our board of directors has the power to raise or borrow money, and charge any of our property or business or any uncalled capital, and may issue debentures or give any other security for any of our debts, liabilities or obligations or of any other person, in each case, in the manner and on terms it deems fit.

Retirement of Directors

Pursuant to our Constitution and the ASX Listing Rules, one-third of our directors, other than the managing director, must retire from office at every annual general meeting. If the number of directors is not a multiple of three, then the number nearest, to but not exceeding, one-third must retire from office. The directors who retire in this manner are required to be the directors or director longest in office since last being elected. A director, other than the director who is the Chief Executive Officer, must retire from office at the conclusion of the third annual general meeting after which the director was elected. Retired directors are eligible for a re-election to the board of directors unless disqualified from acting as a director under the Corporations Act or our Constitution.

Rights and restrictions on classes of shares

The rights attaching to our ordinary shares are detailed in our Constitution. Our Constitution provides that our directors may issue shares with preferred, deferred or other special rights, whether in relation to dividends, voting, return of share capital, or otherwise as our board of directors may determine. Subject to any approval which is required from our shareholders under the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules (see “—Exemptions from Certain NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules” and “—Change of Control”), any rights and restrictions attached to a class of shares, we may issue further shares on such terms and conditions as our board of directors resolve. Currently, our outstanding share capital consists of only one class of ordinary shares.

Dividend rights

Our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay dividends to shareholders. All dividends unclaimed for one year after having been declared may be invested or otherwise made use of by our board of directors for our benefit until claimed or otherwise disposed of in accordance with our Constitution.

Voting rights

Under our Constitution, and subject to any voting exclusions imposed under the ASX Listing Rules (which typically exclude parties from voting on resolutions in which they have an interest), the rights and restrictions attaching to a class of shares, each shareholder has one vote on a show of hands at a meeting of the shareholders unless a poll is demanded under the Constitution or the Corporations Act. On a poll vote, each shareholder shall have one vote for each fully paid share and a fractional vote for each share held by that shareholder that is not fully paid, such fraction being equivalent to the proportion of the amount that has been paid to such date on that share. Shareholders may vote in person or by proxy, attorney or representative. Under Australian law, shareholders of a public company are not permitted to approve corporate matters by written consent. Our Constitution does not provide for cumulative voting.

Note that ADS holders may not directly vote at a meeting of the shareholders but may instruct the depositary to vote the number of deposited ordinary shares their ADSs represent.

122


Right to share in our profits

Pursuant to our Constitution, our shareholders are entitled to participate in our profits only by payment of dividends. Our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay dividends to the shareholders; however, no dividend is payable except in accordance with the thresholds set out in the Corporations Act.

Rights to share in the surplus in the event of liquidation

Our Constitution provides for the right of shareholders to participate in a surplus in the event of our liquidation, subject to the rights attaching to a class of shares.

No redemption provision for ordinary shares

There are no redemption provisions in our Constitution in relation to ordinary shares. Under our Constitution, any preference shares may be issued on the terms that they are, or may at our option be, liable to be redeemed.

Variation or cancellation of share rights

Subject to the terms of issue of shares of that class, the rights attached to shares in a class of shares may only be varied or cancelled by a special resolution of Benitec, together with either:

 

a special resolution passed by members holding shares in the class; or

 

the written consent of members with at least 75% of the shares in the class.

Directors may make calls

Our Constitution provides that subject to the terms on which the shares have been issued directors may make calls on a shareholder for amounts unpaid on shares held by that shareholder, other than monies payable at fixed times under the conditions of allotment. Shares represented by the ADSs issued in our initial public offering in the United States were fully paid and are not subject to calls by directors.

General Meetings of Shareholders

General meetings of shareholders may be called by our board of directors. Except as permitted under the Corporations Act, shareholders may not convene a meeting. The Corporations Act requires the directors to call and arrange to hold a general meeting on the request of shareholders with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast at a general meeting or at least 100 shareholders who are entitled to vote at the general meeting. Notice of the proposed meeting of our shareholders is required at least 28 days prior to such meeting under the Corporations Act.

Foreign Ownership Regulation

There are no limitations on the rights to own securities imposed by our Constitution. However, acquisitions and proposed acquisitions of securities in Australian companies may be subject to review and approval by the Australian Federal Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975, or the FATA, which generally applies to acquisitions or proposed acquisitions:

 

by a foreign person (as defined in the FATA) or associated foreign persons that would result in such persons having an interest in 20 % or more of the issued shares of, or control of 20 % or more of the voting power in, an Australian public company; and

 

by non-associated foreign persons that would result in such foreign persons having an aggregate interest in 40% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 40% or more of the voting power in, an Australian public company, where the Australian company is valued above the monetary threshold prescribed by FATA.

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However, no such review or approval under the FATA is required if the foreign acquirer is a U.S. entity or an entity from certain other countries and the value of the target is less than A$1, 134 million.

The Australian Federal Treasurer may prevent a proposed acquisition in the above categories or impose conditions on such acquisition if the Treasurer is satisfied that the acquisition would be contrary to the national interest. If a foreign person acquires shares or an interest in shares in an Australian company in contravention of the FATA, the Australian Federal Treasurer may order the divestiture of such person’s shares or interest in shares in that Australian company.

Ownership Threshold

There are no provisions in our Constitution that require a shareholder to disclose ownership above a certain threshold. The Corporations Act, however, requires a shareholder to notify us and the ASX once it, together with its associates, acquires a 5% interest in our ordinary shares, at which point the shareholder will be considered to be a “substantial” shareholder. Further, once a shareholder owns a 5% interest in us, such shareholder must notify us and the ASX of any increase or decrease of 1% or more in its holding of our ordinary shares, and must also notify us and the ASX on its ceasing to be a “substantial” shareholder. As we are now a U.S. public company, our shareholders are also subject to disclosure requirements under U.S. securities laws.

Issues of Shares and Change in Capital

Subject to our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, we may at any time issue shares and grant options or warrants on any terms, with preferred, deferred or other special rights and restrictions and for the consideration and other terms that the directors determine.

Subject to the requirements of our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, including relevant shareholder approvals, we may consolidate or divide our share capital into a larger or smaller number by resolution, reduce our share capital (provided that the reduction is fair and reasonable to our shareholders as a whole and does not materially prejudice our ability to pay creditors) or buy back our ordinary shares whether under an equal access buy-back or on a selective basis.

Change of Control

Takeovers of listed Australian public companies, such as Benitec, are regulated by the Corporations Act, which prohibits the acquisition of a “relevant interest” in issued voting shares in a listed company if the acquisition will lead to that person’s or someone else’s voting power in Benitec increasing from 20% or below to more than 20% or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%, subject to a range of exceptions.

Generally, a person will have a relevant interest in securities if the person:

 

is the holder of the securities;

 

has power to exercise, or control the exercise of, a right to vote attached to the securities; or

 

has the power to dispose of, or control the exercise of a power to dispose of, the securities, including any indirect or direct power or control.

If, at a particular time, a person has a relevant interest in issued securities and the person:

 

has entered or enters into an agreement with another person with respect to the securities;

 

has given or gives another person an enforceable right, or has been or is given an enforceable right by another person, in relation to the securities (whether the right is enforceable presently or in the future and whether or not on the fulfillment of a condition);

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has granted or grants an option to, or has been or is granted an option by, another person with respect to the securities; or

 

the other person would have a relevant interest in the securities if the agreement were performed, the right enforced or the option exercised;

the other person is taken to already have a relevant interest in the securities.

There are a number of exceptions to the above prohibition on acquiring a relevant interest in issued voting shares above 20%. In general terms, some of the more significant exceptions include:

 

when the acquisition results from the acceptance of an offer under a formal takeover bid;

 

when the acquisition is conducted on market by or on behalf of the bidder under a takeover bid, the acquisition occurs during the bid period, the bid is for all the voting shares in a bid class and the bid is unconditional or only conditioned on prescribed matters set out in the Corporations Act;

 

when shareholders of Benitec approve the takeover by resolution passed at general meeting;

 

an acquisition by a person if, throughout the six months before the acquisition, that person or any other person has had voting power in Benitec of at least 19% and, as a result of the acquisition, none of the relevant persons would have voting power in Benitec more than three percentage points higher than they had six months before the acquisition;

 

when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under a rights issue;

 

when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under dividend reinvestment schemes;

 

when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under underwriting arrangements;

 

when the acquisition results from the issue of securities through operation of law;

 

an acquisition that arises through the acquisition of a relevant interest in another listed company which is listed on a prescribed financial market or a financial market approved by ASIC;

 

an acquisition arising from an auction of forfeited shares conducted on-market; or

 

an acquisition arising through a compromise, arrangement, liquidation or buy-back.

Breaches of the takeovers provisions of the Corporations Act are criminal offenses. ASIC and the Australian Takeover Panel have a wide range of powers relating to breaches of takeover provisions, including the ability to make orders canceling contracts, freezing transfers of, and rights attached to, securities, and forcing a party to dispose of securities. There are certain defenses to breaches of the takeover provisions provided in the Corporations Act.

Access to and Inspection of Documents

Inspection of our records is governed by the Corporations Act. Any member of the public has the right to inspect or obtain copies of our registers on the payment of a prescribed fee. Shareholders are not required to pay a fee for inspection of our registers or minute books of the meetings of shareholders. Other corporate records, including minutes of directors’ meetings, financial records and other documents, are not open for inspection by shareholders. Where a shareholder is acting in good faith and an inspection is deemed to be made for a proper purpose, a shareholder may apply to the court to make an order for inspection of our books.

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C.

Material Contracts.

Axovant Sciences, Ltd License Agreement

In July 2018, we entered into a license agreement with Axovant. Pursuant to the agreement, Axovant has been granted an exclusive license to the global rights for BB-301 (now named AXO-AAV-OPMD) and will assume all future development costs. Moreover, we will also collaborate with Axovant on five additional research plans as part of the “Collaboration Programs” for other genetic neurological disorders using our technologies. Axovant will receive a worldwide, exclusive, royalty-bearing, sub-licensable license under certain patents and other intellectual property controlled by us to develop and commercialize products arising from each Collaboration Program.

Under the terms of the agreement, Axovant made an upfront non-refundable payment of US$10.0 million. In addition, we will receive payments from Axovant totalling up to (i) for the AXO-AAV-OPMD Program, US$67.5 million upon the achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones and US$120.0 million upon the achievement of specified sales milestones, and (ii) for each Collaboration Program, US$33.5 million upon the achievement of specified development and regulatory milestones and US$60.0 million upon the achievement of specified sales milestones. However, there can be no assurance as to the total amount of payments that we will actually receive or when they will be received.

Moreover, we will receive 30% of net profits of world-wide sales of products from the AXO-AAV-OPMD Program, subject to an agreed minimum amount for such payments. This profit-sharing payment will be made for so long as Axovant or its affiliates or sublicensees commercialize such products. Axovant will also pay us a tiered royalty based on yearly aggregate net sales of products arising from each Collaboration Program, subject to specified reductions upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the agreement. These royalties are required to be paid, on a product-by-product and country-by-country basis, until the latest to occur of the expiration of the last to expire valid claim of a licensed patent covering such product in such country, the expiration of regulatory exclusivity for such product in such country, or ten years after the first commercial sale of such product in such country.

Nant Capital, LLC Strategic Engagement and Scientific Collaboration

In October 2016, we entered into a strategic relationship with Nant Capital. As part of that strategic relationship, pursuant to a share subscription agreement we initially issued Nant Capital a total of 58,611,638 of our ordinary shares for a combined total consideration of A$8.1 million. Under the terms of the share subscription agreement, Nant Capital is entitled to appoint, and has appointed, a director to Benitec’s board of directors. Upon completion of the initial placement of ordinary shares in October 2016, Dr. Jerel Banks, the Chief Investment Officer of Nant Capital, was appointed to the Board of Directors of Benitec on October 25, 2016.

In December 2016, we entered into an exclusive sublicense agreement with NantWorks, LLC, or NantWorks, an affiliate of Nant Capital, pursuant to which we acquired rights to intellectual property, including preclinical and clinical data, relating to a product candidate, now named BB-401, for the treatment of HNSCC. The license from NantWorks includes an exclusive worldwide sublicense to make, use and sell technology using the listed intellectual property for a term of ten years from the date of the first sale of a therapeutic using the intellectual property or the expiration of the last claim of the licensed patent rights, whichever is sooner. We paid NantWorks an initial licensing fee as well as closing costs in connection with the execution of the exclusive sublicense agreement in the high tens of thousands of dollars in aggregate and will be required to pay NantWorks maintenance fees in the low to mid tens of thousands of dollars annually, as well as aggregate milestone payments of over $5 million relating to the development of a therapeutic product candidate for the treatment of HNSCC. We are also required to pay royalties on net sales of any products and services using the licensed intellectual property equal to a low double-digit percentage of such net sales. The initial term of the exclusive sublicense is the earlier of 10 years after the date of the first commercial sale of licensed technology or the expiration of the relevant patent rights.

In January 2017, we entered into a research collaboration agreement with Nant Capital pursuant to which we will manage the clinical development of BB-401. Our research collaboration agreement with Nant Capital requires us to allocate the A$5.4 million received from Nant Capital in connection with the March 2017 private placement to the development of BB-401 and future product candidates for HNSCC. Under the terms of the research collaboration agreement, Nant Capital will have a controlling vote on the joint steering committee that directs and

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oversees such development of BB-401 until those funds have been expended. We also agreed to sublicense certain intellectual property to NantOmics, LLC, or NantOmics, an affiliate of Nant Capital, to allow NantOmics to develop and commercialize a companion diagnostics to therapeutics developed pursuant to the research and collaboration agreement and to enter into a related services agreement with NantOmics.  Under these agreements, Benitec would grant NantOmics an exclusive world-wide license to and the rights to use the results for such companion diagnostics.

D.

Exchange Controls.

The Australian dollar is convertible into U.S. dollars at freely floating rates. There are no legal restrictions on the flow of Australian dollars between Australia and the United States. Any remittances of dividends or other payments by Benitec to persons in the United States are not subject to any exchange controls.

E.

Taxation.

The following is a summary of material U.S. federal and Australian income tax considerations to U.S. holders, as defined below, of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares, ADSs and Warrants.  This discussion is based on the laws in force as of the date of this Annual Report, and is subject to changes in the relevant income tax law, including changes that could have retroactive effect.  The following summary does not take into account or discuss the tax laws of any country or other taxing jurisdiction other than the United States and Australia. Holders are advised to consult their tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants in their particular circumstances.  This discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice.

This summary does not address the 3.8% U.S. federal “Medicare tax” on net investment income, the effects of U.S. federal estate and gift tax laws, the alternative minimum tax, or any state and local tax considerations within the United States, and is not a comprehensive description of all U.S. federal or Australian income tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to acquire or dispose of ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants.  Furthermore, this summary does not address U.S. federal or Australian income tax considerations relevant to holders subject to taxing jurisdictions other than, or in addition to, the United States and Australia, and does not address all possible categories of holders, some of which may be subject to special tax rules.

U.S. Taxation

This section describes certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations to a U.S. holder of owning ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants , based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published administrative interpretations of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the U.S. Treasury, judicial decisions and the income tax treaty between the United States and Australia (the “Treaty”), all of which are subject to differing interpretations and to change, possibly with retroactive effect .  It applies only to ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants that are held as capital assets for tax purposes. This section does not apply to a holder of ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants that is a member of a special class of holders subject to special rules, including, but not limited to, banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, individual retirement and other tax-deferred accounts, certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents, brokers or dealers in securities, a trader in securities who elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for its securities holdings, a tax-exempt organization, a person that may have been liable for alternative minimum tax, a person who directly, indirectly or constructively owns 10 percent or more of the value or voting stock of the Company, a person that holds ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction, a person that purchases or sells ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants as part of a wash sale for tax purposes, a person whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, a person subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to ordinary shares or ADSs being taken into account in an applicable financial statement, a person who acquires ordinary shares or ADSs pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation, or a person that is not a U.S. holder.

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In this section, a “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of ordinary shares or ADSs, other than a partnership or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States (for U.S. federal income tax purposes);

 

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

an estate the income of which is includable in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a court in the United States and for which one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions or (ii) that has an election in effect under applicable U.S. income tax regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

If a partnership holds the ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment of the partnership.  A partner in a partnership holding the ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants should consult its tax adviser with regard to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in the ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants.  This section is in part based on the representations of the Depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

In general, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a holder of ADSs will be treated as the owner of the ordinary shares represented by those ADSs.  Exchanges of ordinary shares for ADSs, and ADSs for ordinary shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Prospective purchasers should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and other tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs, in light of their particular circumstances.

Distributions

Subject to the passive foreign investment company ( “PFIC”) rules discussed below, U.S. holders generally will include as dividend income the U.S. dollar value of the gross amount of any distributions of cash or property (without deduction for any withholding tax), other than certain pro rata distributions of ordinary shares, with respect to ordinary shares to the extent the distributions are made from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  A U.S. holder will include the dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the holder, in the case of ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs.  We do not intend to maintain calculations of earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Consequently, any distributions generally will be reported as dividend income.

Dividends paid to a non-corporate U.S. holder on ordinary shares or ADSs will generally be taxable at the preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gains provided that (a) certain holding period requirements are satisfied, (b) the Treaty is a qualified treaty and we are eligible for benefits under the Treaty or our ordinary shares or ADSs are readily tradable on a U.S. securities market, and (c) we were not, in the taxable year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and are not, in the taxable year in which the dividend is paid, a PFIC.  The Treaty has been approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules and the ADSs and Warrants are listed on NASDAQ.  If, as is likely, we are currently a PFIC, any dividends paid to a non-corporate U.S. holder will not qualify for the preferential tax rates ordinarily applicable to “qualified dividends.”  In the case of a corporate U.S. holder, dividends on ordinary shares and ADSs are taxed as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations.

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The amount of any cash distribution paid in any foreign currency will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such currency, calculated by reference to the spot rate in effect on the date such distribution is received by the U.S. holder or, in the case of ADSs, by the Depositary, regardless of whether and when the foreign currency is in fact converted into U.S. dollars.  If the foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars on the date received, the U.S. holder generally should not recognize foreign currency gain or loss on such conversion.  If the foreign currency is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date received, the U.S. holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date received, and generally will recognize foreign currency gain or loss on a subsequent conversion or other disposal of such currency.  Such foreign currency gain or loss generally will be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.

Dividends will be income from sources outside the United States, and generally will be “passive category” income or, for certain taxpayers, “general category” income, which are treated separately from each other for the purpose of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to a U.S. holder.  In general, a taxpayer’s ability to use foreign tax credits may be limited and is dependent on the particular circumstances.  U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the forgoing.

Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. holder who sells or otherwise disposes of ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants will recognize a capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized and the holder’s adjusted tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, in those ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants.  The gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. The capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. holder is generally taxed at preferential rates where the holder has a holding period greater than 12 months in the ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants sold. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

The U.S. dollar value of any foreign currency received upon a sale or other disposition of ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants will be calculated by reference to the spot rate in effect on the date of sale or other disposal (or, in the case of a cash basis or electing accrual basis taxpayer, at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date).  A U.S. holder will have a tax basis in the foreign currency received equal to that U.S. dollar amount, and generally will recognize foreign currency gain or loss on a subsequent conversion or other disposal of the foreign currency.  This foreign currency gain or loss generally will be treated as U.S.-source ordinary income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.  However, if such foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars on the date received by the U.S. holder, a cash basis or electing accrual basis U.S. holder should not recognize any gain or loss on such conversion.

Passive Foreign Investment Company

A non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either:

 

(a)

75 percent or more of its gross income for such year is “passive income” which for this purpose generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents and gains from commodities and securities transactions and gains from assets that produce passive income (the “Income Test”); or

 

(b)

50 percent or more of the value of its gross assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the gross assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “Asset Test”).

We believe it is likely that we qualified as a PFIC for fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2016.  This arose because of the decline in the Company's stock price coupled with the fact that the applicable PFIC rules treat working capital as passive assets for purposes of the Asset Test.  As we believe we were likely a PFIC in fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2016, we will likely be a PFIC for fiscal year 2018, because the U.S. tax laws provide that once a non-U.S. corporation becomes a PFIC, it will generally always be considered a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Assuming we are a PFIC, any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants would in general not be treated as a capital gain. Instead, a U.S. holder would be treated as if it had realized such gain and certain “excess distributions” ratably over its holding period for the ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants and would be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year to which the gain was allocated,

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together with an interest charge in respect of the tax attributable to each such year.  In addition, dividends received with respect to ordinary shares or ADSs would not be eligible for the special tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year, but instead would be taxable under the tax rules described above.  Assuming the ordinary shares or ADSs are “marketable stock”, however, a U.S. holder may mitigate the adverse tax consequences described above by timely electing to be taxed annually on a mark-to-market basis with respect to such shares or ADSs.

A U.S. holder that makes a mark-to-market election must include in ordinary income for each year that we are a PFIC an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such U.S. holder’s ordinary shares or ADSs at the close of the taxable year, over such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis therein.  An electing U.S. holder may also claim an ordinary loss deduction for the excess, if any, of such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in ordinary shares or ADSs over their fair market value at the close of the taxable year, but this deduction is allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains for prior years.  Any income or deductions taken into account under these mark-to-market rules will also increase or decrease a U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such U.S. holder’s ordinary shares or ADSs.  Gains from an actual sale or other taxable disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs will generally be treated as ordinary income, and any losses incurred on a sale or other taxable disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs will generally be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains for prior years.  Once made, the election cannot be revoked without the consent of the IRS unless the ordinary shares or ADSs cease to be marketable.

In addition to the mark-to-market election, the Code provides an alternative election (a “QEF election”) to U.S. holders that may mitigate the adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to an electing U.S. holder as a result of our being a PFIC. However, we do not intend to provide holders with the information necessary to make a QEF election.  Thus, a U.S. holder seeking to mitigate the potential adverse effects of the PFIC rules should consider making the mark-to-market election described above.

Holders of PFIC stock are subject to additional U.S. information reporting rules. If a U.S. holder owns ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants during any year in which we are a PFIC, the U.S. holder generally will be required to file IRS Form 8621 (“Information Return by a Shareholder of a PFIC or Qualified Electing Fund”) with such U.S. holder's federal income tax return for that year.

Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting Requirements

U.S. backup withholding tax and information reporting requirements generally apply to payments to non-corporate holders of ordinary shares or ADSs.  Information reporting will apply to payments of dividends on ordinary shares or ADSs, and to proceeds from the disposition of ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants, by a paying agent within the United States to a U.S. holder, other than U.S. holders that are exempt from information reporting and properly certify their exemption.  A paying agent within the United States will be required to withhold at the applicable statutory rate, currently 24%, payments of dividends on ordinary shares or ADSs, and to proceeds from the disposition of ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants, within the United States to a U.S. holder (other than U.S. holders that are exempt from backup withholding and properly certify their exemption) if the holder fails to furnish its correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise fails to comply with applicable backup withholding requirements. U.S. holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide a properly completed IRS Form W-9.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax.  Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.  A U.S. holder generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules in excess of such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS in a timely manner and furnishing any required information.

Foreign Financial Asset Reporting

Certain U.S. holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of USD$50,000 are generally required to file an information statement along with their U.S. federal tax returns, currently on IRS Form 8938, with respect to such assets.  “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts held at a non-U.S. financial institution, as well as securities issued by a non-U.S. issuer that are not held in

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accounts maintained by financial institutions.   If a U.S. holder does not include in such holder’s gross income an amount relating to one or more specified foreign financial assets, and the amount such U.S. holder omits is more than USD$5,000, any tax such U.S. holder owes for the tax year can be assessed at any time within 6 years after the filing of such U.S. holder’s federal tax return, U.S. holders who fail to report the required information could be subject to substantial penalties.  Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the foregoing to an investment in ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants in light of their particular circumstances.

U.S. holders are strongly encouraged to consult their tax advisors with respect to our status as a PFIC, the availability and desirability of a mark-to-market election, and all information reporting obligations, in each case with respect to ordinary shares, ADSs and Warrants and in light of such U.S. holder's particular circumstances.

Australian Tax Considerations

In this section, we discuss the material Australian income tax, stamp duty and goods and services tax considerations related to the acquisition, ownership and disposal by the absolute beneficial owners of the ordinary shares, ADSs or Warrants.

It is based upon existing Australian tax law as of the date of this registration statement, which is subject to change, possibly retrospectively. This discussion does not address all aspects of Australian tax law which may be important to particular investors in light of their individual investment circumstances, such as shares held by investors subject to special tax rules (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies or tax exempt organizations). In addition, this summary does not discuss any foreign or state tax considerations, other than stamp duty and goods and services tax.

Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the Australian and foreign income and other tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the shares or warrants. This summary is based upon the premise that the holder is not an Australian tax resident and is not carrying on business in Australia through a permanent establishment (referred to as a “Non-Australian Shareholder” in this summary).

Australian Income Tax

Nature of ADSs for Australian Taxation Purposes

Ordinary shares represented by ADSs held by a U.S. holder will be treated for Australian taxation purposes as held under a “bare trust” for such holder. Consequently, the underlying ordinary shares will be regarded as owned by the ADS holder for Australian income tax and capital gains tax purposes. Dividends paid on the underlying ordinary shares will also be treated as dividends paid to the ADS holder, as the person beneficially entitled to those dividends. Therefore, in the following analysis we discuss the tax consequences to Non-Australian Shareholders which, for Australian taxation purposes, will be the same as to U.S. holders of ADSs.

Taxation of Dividends

Australia operates a dividend imputation system under which dividends may be declared to be “franked” to the extent of tax paid on company profits. Fully franked dividends are not subject to dividend withholding tax. Dividends payable to Non-Australian Shareholders will be subject to dividend withholding tax, to the extent the dividends are not foreign (i.e., non-Australian) sourced and declared to be conduit foreign income, or CFI, and are unfranked. Dividend withholding tax will be imposed at 30%, unless a shareholder is a resident of a country with which Australia has a double taxation agreement and qualifies for the benefits of the treaty. Under the provisions of the current Double Taxation Convention between Australia and the United States, the Australian tax withheld on unfranked dividends that are not CFI paid by us to which a resident of the United States is beneficially entitled is limited to 15%.

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If a company that is a Non-Australian Shareholder directly owns a 10% or more interest, the Australian tax withheld on unfranked dividends (that are not CFI) paid by us to which a resident of the United States is beneficially entitled is limited to 5%. In limited circumstances, the rate of withholding can be reduced to zero.

Exercise of Warrants

Any capital gain or loss on exercise of a warrant is disregarded. The amount paid to acquire the warrant, and the amount paid to exercise the warrant, are both included in the cost base and reduced cost base of the ordinary shares underlying the Warrants.

Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares or Warrants—Capital Gains Tax

Non-Australian Shareholders will not be subject to Australian capital gains tax on the gain made on a sale or other disposal of ordinary shares or warrants (or recognize a capital loss on the lapse of a warrant), unless they, together with associates, hold 10% or more of our issued capital, at the time of disposal or for 12 months of the last two years prior to disposal.

Non-Australian Shareholders who own a 10% or more interest would be subject to Australian capital gains tax if more than 50% of our assets held directly or indirectly, determined by reference to market value, consists of Australian real property (which includes land and leasehold interests) or Australian mining, quarrying or prospecting rights. The Double Taxation Convention between the United States and Australia is unlikely to limit the amount of this taxable gain. Australian capital gains tax applies to net capital gains of Foreign Shareholders at the Australian tax rates for non-Australian residents, which start at a marginal rate of 32.5%. Net capital gains are calculated after reduction for capital losses, which may only be offset against capital gains.

The 50% capital gains tax discount is not available to Non-Australian Shareholders on gains accrued after May 8, 2012. Companies are not entitled to a capital gains tax discount.

Broadly, where there is a disposal of certain taxable Australian property, the purchaser will be required to withhold and remit to the Australian Taxation Office (“ATO”) 12.5% of the proceeds from the sale. A transaction is excluded from the withholding requirements in certain circumstances, including where the value of the taxable Australian property is less than A$750,000, the transaction is an on-market transaction conducted on an approved stock exchange, a securities lending, or the transaction is conducted using a broker operated crossing system. There is also an exception to the requirement to withhold where the ATO Commissioner issues a clearance certificate which broadly certifies that the vendor is not a foreign person. The Non-Australian Shareholder may be entitled to receive a tax credit for the tax withheld by the purchaser which they may claim in their Australian income tax return.

Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares or Warrants—Shareholders Holding Shares and Warrants on Revenue Account

Some Non-Australian Shareholders may hold ordinary shares on revenue rather than on capital account for example, share traders. These shareholders may have the gains made on the sale or other disposal of the ordinary shares and/or warrants included in their assessable income under the ordinary income provisions of the income tax law, if the gains are sourced in Australia.

Non-Australian Shareholders assessable under these ordinary income provisions in respect of gains made on ordinary shares and/or warrants held on revenue account would be assessed for such gains at the Australian tax rates for non-Australian residents, which start at a marginal rate of 32.5%. Some relief from Australian income tax may be available to Non-Australian Shareholders under the Double Taxation Convention between the United States and Australia.

To the extent an amount would be included in a Non-Australian Shareholder’s assessable income under both the capital gains tax provisions and the ordinary income provisions, the capital gain amount would generally be reduced, so that the shareholder would not be subject to double tax on any part of the income gain or capital gain.

132


The comments above in “Tax on Sales or Other Dispositions of Shares or Warrants Capital Gains Tax” regarding a purchaser being required to withhold 12.5% tax on the acquisition of certain taxable Australian property equally applies where the disposal of the Australian real property asset by a foreign resident is likely to generate gains on revenue account, rather than a capital gain.

Dual Residency

If a shareholder is a resident of both Australia and the United States under those countries’ domestic taxation laws, that shareholder may be subject to tax as an Australian resident. If, however, the shareholder is determined to be a U.S. resident for the purposes of the Double Taxation Convention between the United States and Australia, the Australian tax would be subject to limitation by the Double Taxation Convention. Shareholders should obtain specialist taxation advice in these circumstances.

Stamp Duty

No Australian stamp duty is payable by Australian residents or non-Australian residents on the issue, transfer and/or surrender of the ADSs, warrants or the ordinary shares in Benitec, provided that the shares issued, transferred and/or surrendered do not represent 90% or more of the issued shares in Benitec.

Australian Death Duty

Australia does not have estate or death duties. As a general rule, no capital gains tax liability is realized upon the inheritance of a deceased person’s shares. The disposal of inherited shares by beneficiaries may, however, give rise to a capital gains tax liability if the gain falls within the scope of Australia’s jurisdiction to tax.

Goods and Services Tax

The supply of ADSs, warrants and/or ordinary shares in Benitec will not be subject to Australian goods and services tax.

F.

Dividends and Paying Agents.

Not applicable.

G.

Statement by Experts.

Not applicable.

H.

Documents on Display.

Inspection of our records is governed by the Corporations Act. Any member of the public has the right to inspect or obtain copies of our registers on the payment of a prescribed fee. Shareholders are not required to pay a fee for inspection of our registers or minute books of the meetings of shareholders. Other corporate records, including minutes of directors’ meetings, financial records and other documents, are not open for inspection by shareholders. Where a shareholder is acting in good faith and an inspection is deemed to be made for a proper purpose, a shareholder may apply to the court to make an order for inspection of our books.

We file periodic reports and information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may inspect a copy of these reports without charge at the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or at the Securities and Exchange Commission's regional offices 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission's World Wide Web address is http://www.sec.gov.

133


Our ADSs and Warrants are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market. As a result, we are subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and we file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports and other information and the registration statement and exhibits and schedules thereto may be inspected without charge at, and copies thereof may be obtained at prescribed rates from, the public reference facilities of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the electronic sources listed in the preceding paragraph.

We prepare annual and other reports. Our annual reports contain financial statements examined and reported upon, with opinions expressed by our independent auditors. Our consolidated financial statements included in these annual reports are prepared in conformity with IFRS. Our annual and other reports to our shareholders are posted on the “Investor Centre” page of our website at http://www.benitec.com. In furnishing our web site address in this report, however, we do not intend to incorporate any information on our web site into this report, and any information on our web site should not be considered to be part of this report.

We will also furnish the depositary with all notices of shareholder meetings and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The depositary, to the extent permitted by law, shall arrange for the transmittal to the registered holders of American Depositary Receipts of all notices, reports and communications, together with the governing instruments affecting our shares and any amendments thereto. Such documents are also available for inspection by registered holders of American Depositary Receipts at the principal office of the depositary.

I.

Subsidiary Information.

Not applicable.

Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and exchange rates.

As of June 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of A$16.1 million, A$17.4 million and A$18.2 million, respectively, primarily held in bank accounts and term deposits. Our primary exposure to market risk is interest rate sensitivity, which is affected primarily by changes in the general level of Australian interest rates. Our available for sale securities are subject to interest rate risk and will fall in value if market interest rates increase. Due to the short-term duration of our investment portfolio and the low risk profile of our investments, an immediate 10% increase in interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio.

We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currencies that arise from foreign currencies held in bank accounts and the translation of results from our operations outside Australia. Our foreign exchange exposure is primarily the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency risks arising from commitments in foreign currencies are managed by holding cash in that currency. Foreign currency translation risk is not hedged.

See Note 19 of our June 30, 2018, financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F for more detailed information on our financial risk management.

134


Item 12.  Description of Securit ies Other than Equity Securities.

A.

Debt Securities.

Not applicable.

B.

Warrants and Rights.

Not applicable.

C.

Other Securities.

Not applicable.

135


D.

American Depositary Shares.

Fees and Expenses

 

Persons depositing or withdrawing ordinary

shares or ADS holders must pay the depositary:

 

For:

$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)

 

•      Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property

•     Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

 

 

 

$.05 (or less) per ADS

 

•     Any cash distribution to you

 

 

 

A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs

 

•     Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the depositary to you

 

 

 

$.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year

 

•     Depositary services

 

 

 

Registration or transfer fees

 

•     Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares

 

 

 

Expenses of the depositary

 

•     Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)

•     Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars

 

 

 

Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes

 

•     As necessary

 

 

 

Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities

 

•     As necessary

 

The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable to you that are obligated to pay those fees.

From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse or share revenue from the fees collected from you, or waive fees and expenses for services provided, generally relating to costs and expenses arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers or other service providers that are affiliates of the depositary and that may earn or share fees or commissions.

136


PART II

Item 13.  Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

Not applicable.

Item 14.  Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and the Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

Item 15.  Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of June 30, 2018, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director and Head of Australian Operations, we performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act).

Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director and Head of Australian Operations concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any disclosure controls and procedures system, including the possibility of human error and circumventing or overriding them.  Even if effective, disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The management of Benitec is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director and Head of Australian Operations, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2018 based on the criteria set forth in "Internal Control —Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission" ("COSO 2013") . Based on our evaluation under the criteria set forth in COSO 2013, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2018.

Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

Not applicable. As an emerging growth company, we are not required to provide an attestation report of the company’s registered public accounting firm on management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

137


Item 16A.  Audit Commi ttee Financial Expert

Each member of our audit committee meets the financial literacy requirements of the listing standards of The NASDAQ Capital Market. Peter Francis acts as the chairman of the audit committee, and our board of directors has determined that Peter Francis is an audit committee “financial expert,” as defined by Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. Peter Francis meets the independence requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market and SEC’s rules and regulations.

Item 16B.  Code of Ethics

We have established a Code of Conduct, which sets out the standards of behavior that apply to every aspect of our dealings and relationships, both within and outside Benitec. The Code of Conduct applies to all directors, executive officers and employees of Benitec. The Code of Conduct is available on our website at www.benitec.com. For additional information regarding our Code of Conduct, see Item 6.C., “Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Board Practices - Code of Conduct.”

Item 16C.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

During the financial year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd, the auditor of the Company:

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

A$

 

 

A$

 

Audit Fees

 

 

240,806

 

 

 

241,933

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

 

24,650

 

 

 

30,361

 

Tax Fees

 

 

42,617

 

 

 

23,150

 

Total

 

 

308,073

 

 

 

295,444

 

 

Audit fees

The audit fees include the aggregate fees incurred in fiscal years 2018 and 2017 for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and for related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or services that are normally provided by the auditor in connection with regulatory filings of engagements for those financial years (including review of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, consents and other services related to SEC matters).

Audit-Related fees

Fees paid in respect of filing of SEC Form F-1 and F-3 consent services, which relates to procedures required by the auditor to issue their consent in the document.

Tax fees  

Grant Thornton provides tax compliance services to the Company.

Pre-approval policies and procedure s

Our audit committee reviews and pre-approves all audit services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and other terms) to be provided by our independent auditors.

In fiscal year 2018, the amount paid for services other than strictly Audit fees, as approved by the audit committee, corresponded to 21.8% of the total paid to Grant Thornton.

138


Item 16D.  Exemptions from the List ing Standards for Audit Committees.

Not applicable.

Item 16E.  Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

Item 16F.  Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not applicable.

Item 16G.  Corporate Governance

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

Pursuant to The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), we are classified as an “Emerging Growth Company.” Under the JOBS Act, Emerging Growth Companies are exempt from certain reporting requirements, including the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Under this exemption, our auditor will not be required to attest to and report on management’s assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting during a five-year transition period. We may avail ourselves of these disclosure exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company.

Pursuant to the JOBS Act, we will remain an Emerging Growth Company until the earliest of:

 

the end of the fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of completion of our initial public offering in the United States;  

 

the end of the first fiscal year in which the market value of our ordinary shares held by non-affiliates exceeds US$700 million as of the end of the second quarter of such fiscal year;  

 

the end of the first fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of at least US$1 billion; and

 

the date on which we have issued more than US$1 billion in non-convertible debt securities in any rolling three-year period.   

Implications of being a Foreign Private Issuer

We are also considered a “foreign private issuer.” In our capacity as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of our ordinary shares. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information.

139


Exemptions from certain NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules

The NASDAQ listing rules allow for a foreign private issuer, such as Benitec, to follow its home country practices in lieu of certain of the NASDAQ's corporate governance standards. In connection with our NASDAQ Listing Application, we have relied on and expect to continue to rely on exemptions from certain corporate governance standards that are contrary to the laws, rules, regulations or generally accepted business practices in Australia. These exemptions are described below:

 

Although the majority of our directors currently qualify as independent under the NASDAQ Listing Rules, we have relied on and expect in the future to continue to rely on an exemption from these independence requirements for a majority of our board of directors as prescribed by NASDAQ Listing Rules. The ASX Listing Rules do not require us to have a majority of independent directors although ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations do recommend a majority of independent directors. During fiscal 2017, we did, however, have a majority of directors who were "independent" as defined in the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, which definition differs from NASDAQ's definition. Accordingly, because Australian law and generally accepted business practices in Australia regarding director independence differ from the independence requirements under NASDAQ Listing Rules, we may seek to claim this exemption in the future.

 

We have relied on and expect to continue to rely on an exemption from the requirement that our independent directors meet regularly in executive sessions under NASDAQ Listing Rules. The ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act do not require the independent directors of an Australian company to have such executive sessions and, accordingly, we seek to claim this exemption.

 

We have relied on and expect to continue to rely on an exemption from the quorum requirements applicable to meetings of shareholders under NASDAQ Listing Rules. In compliance with Australian law, our Constitution provides that three shareholders present, in person or by proxy, attorney or a representative, shall constitute a quorum for a general meeting. NASDAQ Listing Rules require that an issuer provide for a quorum as specified in its by-laws for any meeting of the holders of ordinary shares, which quorum may not be less than 33 1/3 % of the outstanding shares of an issuer's voting ordinary shares. Accordingly, because applicable Australian law and rules governing quorums at shareholder meetings differ from NASDAQ's quorum requirements, we seek to claim this exemption.

 

We will rely an exemption from the requirement that at least two members of a compensation committee be "independent" as defined in NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2). The ASX Listing Rules and Australian law do not require an Australian company to establish a compensation committee, known in Australia as a remuneration committee, which is comprised solely of non-executive directors if the company is not included in the S&P/ASX300 Index at the beginning of its fiscal year. Benitec was not included on the S&P/ASX300 Index at the beginning of its its last fiscal year and, hence, is not required under ASX Listing Rules to have a remuneration (compensation) committee. The ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations contain a non-binding recommendation that all ASX-listed companies should have a remuneration committee comprised of at least three members, a majority of whom (including the chair) are "independent". While these recommendations contain guidelines for assessing independence, ASX-listed entities are able to adopt their own definitions of an independent director for this purpose and is different from the definition in NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2). That being said, Benitec has, and expects to continue to have, a Remuneration and Nominations Committee consisting of three non-executive directors.

140


 

We have relied on and expect to continue to rely on an exemption from the requirement prescribed by NASDAQ Listing Rules that issuers obtain shareholder approval prior to the issuance of securities in connection with certain acquisitions, private placements of securities, or the establishment or amendment of certain stock option, purchase or other compensation plans. Applicable Australian law and the ASX Listing Rules differ from NASDAQ requirements, with the ASX Listing Rules providing generally for prior shareholder approval in numerous circumstances, including (i) issuance of equity securities exceeding 15% (or 25% under certain circumstances) of our issued share capital in any 12-month period (but, in determining the 15% limit, securities issued under an exception to the rule or with shareholder approval are not counted), (ii) issuance of equity securities to related parties (as defined in the ASX Listing Rules) and (iii) issuances of securities to directors or their associates under an employee incentive plan. Due to differences between Australian law and rules and the NASDAQ shareholder approval requirements, we seek to claim this exemption.

 

We have relied on and expect to continue to rely on an exemption from NASDAQ audit committee requirements set forth in NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(c)(2), whereby the audit committee must have three independent members. The ASX Listing Rules and Australian law do not require an Australian company to have three independent audit committee members unless it is included in the  S&P/ASX300 Index at the beginning of its fiscal year. Benitec was not included on the S&P/ASX300 Index at the beginning of its last fiscal year and, hence, is not required under ASX Listing Rules to have three independent audit committee members. NASDAQ has agreed that Benitec may have two directors on its audit committee so long as both directors satisfy NASDAQ's definition of "independence," as is currently the case.

Item 16H.  Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

141


PART III

Item 17.  Financial Statements

Refer to “Item 18 – Financial Statements” below

Item 18.  Financial Statements

Our Consolidated Financial Statements commencing on page F-1, as set forth in the following index, are hereby incorporated herein by reference. These Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this Annual Report.

 

 

 

142


Index to Financial Statements

 

 

Page

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

F-2

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

F-3

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

F-4

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-6

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-31

 

 

 

F-1


 

BENITEC BIOPHARMA LIMITED

Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

for the year ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelve months ended

 

 

 

Notes

 

June

2018

 

 

June

2017

 

 

June

2016

 

 

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

Revenue

 

4a

 

 

620

 

 

 

586

 

 

 

464

 

Other income

 

4b

 

 

4,087

 

 

 

10,507

 

 

 

3,590

 

Total Income

 

 

 

 

4,707

 

 

 

11,093

 

 

 

4,054

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalties and licence fees

 

 

 

 

(451

)

 

 

(272

)

 

 

(139

)

Research and development

 

5

 

 

(6,890

)

 

 

(6,925

)

 

 

(13,287

)

Employee benefits expense

 

5

 

 

(5,094

)

 

 

(5,015

)

 

 

(6,283

)

Share-based expense

 

 

 

 

(434

)

 

 

(386

)

 

 

(1,746

)

Travel related costs

 

 

 

 

(468

)

 

 

(629

)

 

 

(1,023

)

Consultants costs

 

 

 

 

(783

)

 

 

(976

)

 

 

(1,020

)

Occupancy costs

 

 

 

 

(587

)

 

 

(550

)

 

 

(500

)

Depreciation

 

5

 

 

(194

)

 

 

(217

)

 

 

(290

)

Corporate expenses

 

 

 

 

(1,360

)

 

 

(1,540

)

 

 

(1,139

)

Foreign exchange realized loss

 

 

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(98

)

 

 

(414

)

Foreign exchange unrealized loss

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(168

)

 

 

 

IPO costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,191

)

Change in market value of listed investment

 

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

 

Write-off of clinical trial prepayment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,800

)

Total Expenses

 

 

 

 

(16,347

)

 

 

(16,783

)

 

 

(28,832

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income tax

 

 

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

(24,778

)

Income tax

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss after income tax for the period attributable to the owners of Benitec Biopharma Limited

 

17

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

(24,778

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation loss

 

 

 

 

(63

)

 

 

34

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive loss for the period attributable to the owners of Benitec Biopharma Limited

 

 

 

 

(11,703

)

 

 

(5,656

)

 

 

(24,797

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss for the twelve months, cents per share

 

28

 

 

(5.53

)

 

 

(3.24

)

 

 

(17.41

)

Diluted loss for the twelve months, cents per share

 

28

 

 

(5.53

)

 

 

(3.24

)

 

 

(17.41

)

 

The above consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

F-2


 

BENITEC BIOPHARMA LIMITED

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

for the year ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

Notes

 

June

2018

 

 

June

2017

 

 

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

7

 

 

16,085

 

 

 

17,375

 

Other financial assets

 

8

 

 

130

 

 

 

100

 

Trade and other receivables

 

9

 

 

4,255

 

 

 

4,406

 

Other assets

 

10

 

 

425

 

 

 

281

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

 

 

20,895

 

 

 

22,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits

 

11

 

 

125

 

 

 

59

 

Plant and equipment

 

12

 

 

319

 

 

 

445

 

Total Non-Current Assets

 

 

 

 

444

 

 

 

504

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

 

 

 

21,339

 

 

 

22,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

 

13

 

 

2,376

 

 

 

919

 

Provisions

 

14

 

 

171

 

 

 

206

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

2,547

 

 

 

1,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provisions

 

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

35

 

Total Non-Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

2,595

 

 

 

1,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

 

18,744

 

 

 

21,506

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued capital

 

15

 

 

164,087

 

 

 

155,580

 

Reserves

 

16

 

 

1,492

 

 

 

1,674

 

Accumulated losses

 

17

 

 

(146,835

)

 

 

(135,748

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL EQUITY

 

 

 

 

18,744

 

 

 

21,506

 

 

The above consolidated statement of financial position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

F-3


 

BENITEC BIOPHARMA LIMITED

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

Issued

capital

 

 

Reserves

 

 

Accumulated

Losses

 

 

Total

equity

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

Balance at July 1, 2015

 

 

129,631

 

 

 

2,038

 

 

 

(107,791

)

 

 

23,878

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss after income tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(24,778

)

 

 

(24,778

)

Other comprehensive income - Foreign exchange translation

   reserve

 

 

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(24,778

)

 

 

(24,797

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs

 

 

18,010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,010

 

Share-based payments

 

 

 

 

 

1,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,746

 

Transfer of expired share-based payments

 

 

 

 

 

(1,200

)

 

 

1,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2016

 

 

147,641

 

 

 

2,565

 

 

 

(131,369

)

 

 

18,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2016

 

 

147,641

 

 

 

2,565

 

 

 

(131,369

)

 

 

18,837

 

Loss for the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

(5,690

)

Other comprehensive income - Foreign exchange translation

   reserve

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

(5,656

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs

 

 

7,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,939

 

Share based payments

 

 

 

 

 

386

 

 

 

 

 

 

386

 

Transfer of expired share based payments

 

 

 

 

 

(1,311

)

 

 

1,311

 

 

 

 

At June 30, 2017

 

 

155,580

 

 

 

1,674

 

 

 

(135,748

)

 

 

21,506

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2017

 

 

155,580

 

 

 

1,674

 

 

 

(135,748

)

 

 

21,506

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

(11,640

)

Other comprehensive income -  Foreign exchange translation

   reserve

 

 

 

 

 

(63

)

 

 

 

 

 

(63

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

(63

)

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

(11,703

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions of equity, net of transaction costs

 

 

8,507

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,507

 

Share based payments

 

 

 

 

 

434

 

 

 

 

 

 

434

 

Transfer of expired share based payments

 

 

 

 

 

(553

)

 

 

553

 

 

 

 

At June 30, 2018

 

 

164,087

 

 

 

1,492

 

 

 

(146,835

)

 

 

18,744

 

 

The above consolidated statement of changes in equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes .

 

F-4


 

BENITEC BIOPHARMA LIMITED

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended June 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

Notes

 

June

2018

 

 

June

2017

 

 

June

2016

 

 

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receipts from customers

 

 

 

 

237

 

 

 

333

 

 

 

340

 

Interest received

 

 

 

 

246

 

 

 

242

 

 

 

217

 

Government grants

 

 

 

 

4,112

 

 

 

6,274

 

 

 

3,590

 

Receipts of CRO prepayment

 

 

 

 

109

 

 

 

791

 

 

 

 

Payments to suppliers and employees

 

 

 

 

(14,498

)

 

 

(15,944

)

 

 

(24,355

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

27

 

 

(9,794

)

 

 

(8,304

)

 

 

(20,208

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for plant and equipment

 

12

 

 

(83

)

 

 

(171

)

 

 

(342

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Security deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(131

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clinical trial deposit

 

 

 

 

(66

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

 

 

(147

)

 

 

(302

)

 

 

(342

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issue of shares

 

 

 

 

8,820

 

 

 

8,072

 

 

 

19,462

 

IPO and share issue transaction cost

 

 

 

 

(313

)

 

 

(133

)

 

 

(1,952

)

Net cash from financing activities

 

 

 

 

8,507

 

 

 

7,939

 

 

 

17,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

(1,434

)

 

 

(667

)

 

 

(3,040

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 

 

 

 

17,375

 

 

 

18,230

 

 

 

21,787

 

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

144

 

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(517

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

 

 

 

 

16,085

 

 

 

17,375

 

 

 

18,230

 

 

The above consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

 

 

F-5


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

(a)

Basis of preparation

These general purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board ('AASB') and the Corporations Act 2001, as appropriate for for-profit oriented entities. These financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB').

Historical cost convention

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Critical accounting estimates

The preparation of the financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements, are disclosed in note 2.

(b)

New, revised or amending Accounting Standards and Interpretations adopted

In the current year the Group has adopted all of the new, revised or amended Accounting Standards and interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) that were mandatory for current financial year.

(c)

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations not yet mandatory or early adopted

Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for June 30, 2018 reporting periods and have not been early adopted by the group. The group’s assessment of the impact of these new standards and interpretations is set out below.

 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments - addresses the classification, measurement and derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities and introduces new rules for hedge accounting. In December 2014, the IASB made further changes to the classification and measurement rules and also introduced a new impairment model. These latest amendments now complete the new financial instruments standard.

Impact - Based on the entity’s preliminary assessment, the Standard will not have an impact on the transactions and balances recognized in the financial statements when it is first adopted for the year ending  June 30, 2019 based on the financial assets and liabilities held by the group at the date of this report.

Mandatory application date / Date of adoption by group - Must be applied for financial years commencing on or after January 1, 2018. Expected date of adoption by the group:  July 1, 2018.

 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers - The IASB has issued a new standard for the recognition of revenue. This will replace IAS18 which covers contracts for goods and services. The new standard is based on the principle that revenue is recognized when control of a good or service transfers to a customer; so the notion of control replaces the existing notion of risks and rewards.

Impact - Based on the entity’s preliminary assessment in relation to our existing contracts at June 30, 2018, the Standard will not have a material impact on the transactions and balances recognized in the financial statements when it is first adopted for the year ending June 30, 2019 because the Company does not yet have material revenue.

F-6


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Subsequent to year end, as announced to the market via the ASX on July 9, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with Axovant Sciences.  In accordance with the agreement,  US$10m (AUD$13.5m) was received on July 19, 2018 and further funds will follow over the coming years. Benitec will undertake a detailed review of this contract to determine the exact impact of applying the new revenue recognition standard to this contract.

The standard permits a modified retrospective approach for the adoption. Under this approach, entities will recognise transitional adjustments in retained earnings on the date of initial application (eg  July 1, 2017), ie without restating the comparative period. They will only need to apply the new rules to contracts that are not completed as of the date of initial application.

Mandatory application date / Date of adoption by Group - commencing on or after January 1, 2018. Expected date of adoption by the Group:  July 1, 2018.

 

I FRS 16 Leases - The IASB has issued a new standard for the recognition of leases. This will replace IAS 17: Leases . The new standard introduces a single lessee accounting model that no longer requires leases to be classified as operating or financing.

Other major changes include, the recognition of a right-to-use asset and liability, depreciation of right-to-use assets in line with IAS16: Property Plant and Equipment , variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate are included in the initial measurement of lease liability, option for lessee to not separate non-lease components and account for all components as a lease, and additional disclosure requirements.

Impact - The entity has undertaken a detailed review and has concluded that there will be no material impact on its financial position on the transactions and balances recognized in the financial statements when it is first adopted for the year ending June 30, 2020 due to the immaterial size of leases entered into by the Company.  The Company’s only lease is the lease on its head office and research and development facilities. Commitments are set out in note 21.

Mandatory application date / Date of adoption by Group - Must be applied for financial years commencing on or after January 1, 2019. Expected date of adoption by the Group: July 1, 2019.

There are no other standards that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have a material impact on the entity in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

(d)

Going concern

The directors have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis after taking into consideration the net loss for the year of $11.640m (2017: $5.690m) and the cash and cash equivalents balance of $16.085m (2017: $17.375m). The directors have recognized the capital raisings in the last 3 years, performed a review of the cash flow forecasts, considered the cash flow needs of the Group, and believe that there will be sufficient to maintain the going concern status of the Group.

We anticipate that we will continue to incur losses for at least the next several years. We expect that our research and development and general and administrative expenses will continue at a similar rate.

The financial report does not contain any adjustments to the amounts or classifications of recorded assets or liabilities that might be necessary if the Group does not continue as a going concern.

The financial statements take no account of the consequences, if any, of the effects of unsuccessful product development or commercialisation, nor of the inability of the Group to obtain adequate funding in the future.

(e)

Parent entity information

In accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, these financial statements present the results of the Group only. Supplementary information about the parent entity is disclosed in note 24.

F-7


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(f)

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Benitec Biopharma Limited ('Company' or 'parent entity') as at June 30, 2018 and the results of all subsidiaries for the year then ended. Benitec Biopharma Limited and its subsidiaries together are referred to in these financial statements as the 'Group'.

Subsidiaries are all those entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.

The Company’s 100% owned subsidiary, Tacere Therapeutics, Inc. has a 31 December year end. The Company is reviewing the appropriate time to align the subsidiary year end to the parent’s year end. For consolidation purposes Tacere prepares financial statements for the 12 month period ended 30 June that are used to consolidate into the group accounts.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between entities in the Group are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of the impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. A change in ownership interest, without the loss of control, is accounted for as an equity transaction, where the difference between the consideration transferred and the book value of the share of the non-controlling interest acquired is recognized directly in equity attributable to the parent.

Where the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the assets including goodwill, liabilities and non-controlling interest in the subsidiary together with any cumulative translation differences recognized in equity. The Group recognises the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any investment retained together with any gain or loss in profit or loss.

(g)

Operating segments

Operating segments are presented using the 'management approach', where the information presented is on the same basis as the internal reports provided to the Chief Operating Decision Makers ('CODM'). The CODM is responsible for the allocation of resources to operating segments and assessing their performance.

(h)

Foreign currency translation

The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is Benitec Biopharma Limited's functional and presentation currency.

Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are translated into Australian dollars using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at financial year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in profit or loss.

Foreign operations

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into Australian dollars using the exchange rates at the reporting date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into Australian dollars using the average exchange rates, which approximate the rates at the dates of the transactions, for the period. All resulting foreign exchange differences are recognized in other comprehensive income through the foreign currency reserve in equity. The foreign currency reserve is recognized in profit or loss when the foreign operation or net investment is disposed of.

F-8


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(i)

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when it is probable that the economic benefit will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable.

Licensing revenue and royalties

Revenue from the granting of licenses is recognized in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreements and is usually recognized on an accruals basis, unless the substance of the agreement provides evidence that it is more appropriate to recognise revenue on some other systematic rational basis.

Interest

Interest revenue is recognized as interest accrues using the effective interest method. This is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and allocating the interest income over the relevant period using the effective interest rate, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.

(j)

Government research and development grants

Government grants are recognized at fair value where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and all grant conditions will be met. Grants relating to expense items are recognized as income over the periods necessary to match the grant costs they are compensating. Grants relating to assets are credited to deferred income at fair value and are credited to income over the expected useful life of the asset on a straight-line basis.

Grant income is generated through the Australian federal government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive program, under which the government provides a cash refund for the 43.5% (2017 43.5%) of eligible research and development expenditures. Grants are recorded when a reliable estimate can be made. In the twelve months ended June 30, 2018 the Company estimated the grant income that will be receivable following the lodgement of the 2018 tax return. Previously the grant income was only taken up on the lodgement of the previous year’s tax return, which was the time at which it was considered a reliable estimate could be made.

(k)

Income tax

The income tax expense or benefit for the period is the tax payable on that period's taxable income based on the applicable income tax rate for each jurisdiction, adjusted by the changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences, unused tax losses and the adjustment recognized for prior periods, where applicable.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences at the tax rates expected to be applied when the assets are recovered, or liabilities are settled, based on those tax rates that are enacted or substantively enacted, except for:

 

When the deferred income tax asset or liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and that, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting nor taxable profits; or

 

When the taxable temporary difference is associated with interests in subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, and the timing of the reversal can be controlled, and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.

F-9


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

The carrying amount of recognized and unrecognized deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date. Deferred tax assets recognized are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that future taxable profits will be available for the carrying amount to be recovered. Previously unrecognized deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that there are future taxable profits available to recover the asset.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only where there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and deferred tax assets against deferred tax liabilities; and they relate to the same taxable authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend to settle simultaneously.

Benitec Biopharma Limited (the 'head entity') and its wholly-owned Australian subsidiaries have formed an income tax consolidated group under the tax consolidation regime. The head entity and each subsidiary in the tax consolidated group continue to account for their own current and deferred tax amounts. The tax consolidated group has applied the 'separate taxpayer within group' approach in determining the appropriate amount of taxes to allocate to members of the tax consolidated group. No tax sharing agreement has been entered between entities in the tax consolidated group.

In addition to its own current and deferred tax amounts, the head entity also recognises the current tax liabilities (or assets) and the deferred tax assets arising from unused tax losses and unused tax credits assumed from each subsidiary in the tax consolidated group.

(l)

Current and non-current classification

Assets and liabilities are presented in the statement of financial position based on current and non-current classification.

An asset is classified as current when: it is either expected to be realised or intended to be sold or consumed in normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is expected to be realised within 12 months after the reporting period; or the asset is cash or cash equivalent unless restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other assets are classified as non-current.

A liability is classified as current when: it is either expected to be settled in normal operating cycle; it is held primarily for the purpose of trading; it is due to be settled within 12 months after the reporting period; or there is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. All other liabilities are classified as non-current.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are always classified as non-current.

(m)

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits held at call with financial institutions, other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

(n)

Trade and other receivables

Other receivables are recognized at amortised cost, less any provision for impairment.

(o)

Investments and other financial assets

Investments and other financial assets are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs are included as part of the initial measurement, except for financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. They are subsequently measured at either amortised cost or fair value depending on their classification. Classification is determined based on the purpose of the acquisition and subsequent reclassification to other categories is restricted.

F-10


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss when the asset is derecognized or impaired.

Impairment of financial assets

The Group assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is any objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets is impaired. Objective evidence includes significant financial difficulty of the issuer or obligor; a breach of contract such as default or delinquency in payments; the lender granting to a borrower concessions due to economic or legal reasons that the lender would not otherwise do; it becomes probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganisation; the disappearance of an active market for the financial asset; or observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in estimated future cash flows. The amount of the impairment allowance for loans and receivables carried at amortised cost is the difference between the asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. If there is a reversal of impairment, the reversal cannot exceed the amortised cost that would have been recognized had the impairment not been made and is reversed to profit or loss.

(p)

Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment is stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis to write off the net cost of each item of property, plant and equipment (excluding land) over their expected useful lives as follows:

 

Leasehold improvements

 

period of the lease term

Plant and equipment

 

3-7 years

 

The residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each reporting date.

An item of plant and equipment is derecognized upon disposal or when there is no future economic benefit to the Group. Gains and losses between the carrying amount and the disposal proceeds are taken to profit or loss.

(q)

Leases

The determination of whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is based on the substance of the arrangement and requires an assessment of whether the fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets and the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset.

(r)

Impairment of non-financial assets

Other intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired. Other non-financial assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount.

F-11


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. The value-in-use is the present value of the estimated future cash flows relating to the asset using a pre-tax discount rate specific to the asset or cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Assets that do not have independent cash flows are grouped together to form a cash-generating unit.

(s)

Trade and other payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial year and which are unpaid. Due to their short-term nature, they are measured at amortised cost and are not discounted. The amounts are unsecured and are usually paid within 30 days of recognition.

(t)

Employee benefits

Short-term employee benefits

Liabilities for wages and salaries and other employee benefits expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.

Other long-term employee benefits

Employee benefits not expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date are measured as the present value of expected future payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the reporting date using the projected unit credit method. Consideration is given to expected future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service. Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the reporting date on high quality corporate bonds with terms to maturity and currency that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.

Defined contribution superannuation expense

Contributions to defined contribution superannuation plans are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.

Share-based payments

Equity-settled share-based compensation benefits are provided to directors and senior executives. The plan currently in place to provide these benefits is the Employee Share Option Plan ('ESOP').

Equity-settled transactions are awards of shares, or options over shares that are provided to employees in exchange for the rendering of services.

The cost of equity-settled transactions are measured at fair value on grant date. Fair value is independently determined using Black-Scholes option pricing model that takes into account the exercise price, the term of the option, the impact of dilution, the share price at grant date and expected price volatility of the underlying share, the expected dividend yield and the risk free interest rate for the term of the option, together with non-vesting conditions that do not determine whether the Group receives the services that entitle the employees to receive payment. No account is taken of any other vesting conditions.

The cost of equity-settled transactions are recognized as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity over the vesting period. The cumulative charge to profit or loss is calculated based on the grant date fair value of the award, the best estimate of the number of awards that are likely to vest and the expired portion of the vesting period. The amount recognized in profit or loss for the period is the cumulative amount calculated at each reporting date less amounts already recognized in previous periods.

F-12


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Market conditions are taken into consideration in determining fair value. Therefore any awards subject to market conditions are considered to vest irrespective of whether or not that market condition has been met, provided all other conditions are satisfied.

If equity-settled awards are modified, as a minimum an expense is recognized as if the modification has not been made. An additional expense is recognized, over the remaining vesting period, for any modification that increases the total fair value of the share-based compensation benefit as at the date of modification.

If the non-vesting condition is within the control of the Group or employee, the failure to satisfy the condition is treated as a cancellation. If the condition is not within the control of the Group or employee and is not satisfied during the vesting period, any remaining expense for the award is recognized over the remaining vesting period, unless the award is forfeited. If equity-settled awards are cancelled, it is treated as if it has vested on the date of cancellation, and any remaining expense is recognized immediately. If a new replacement award is substituted for the cancelled award, the cancelled and new award is treated as if they were a modification. The dilutive effect, if any, of outstanding options is reflected as additional share dilution in the computation of earnings per share.

(u)

Fair value measurement

When an asset or liability, financial or non-financial, is measured at fair value for recognition or disclosure purposes, the fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; and assumes that the transaction will take place either: in the principal market; or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market.

Fair value is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming they act in their economic best interests. For non-financial assets, the fair value measurement is based on its highest and best use. Valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data is available to measure fair value, are used, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.

(v)

Issued capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Costs related to an initial offering are expensed in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.

(w)

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to the owners of Benitec Biopharma Limited, excluding any costs of servicing equity other than ordinary shares, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, adjusted for bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the financial year.

Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account the after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares and the weighted average number of shares assumed to have been issued for no consideration in relation to dilutive potential ordinary shares.

F-13


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

(x)

Goods and Services Tax ('GST') and other similar taxes

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognized net of the amount of associated GST, unless the GST incurred is not recoverable from the tax authority. In this case it is recognized as part of the cost of the acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense.

Receivables and payables are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority is included in other receivables or other payables in the statement of financial position.

Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the tax authority, are presented as operating cash flows.

Commitments and contingencies are disclosed net of the amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the tax authority.

(y)

Rounding of amounts

The Parent entity has applied the relief available to it under ASIC Corporations (Rounding in Financial/Directors’ Reports) instrument 2016/191 and accordingly amounts in the financial statements and Directors Report have been rounded off to the nearest $1,000, or in certain cases, to the nearest dollars.

2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements. Management continually evaluates its judgements and estimates in relation to assets, liabilities, contingent liabilities, revenue and expenses. Management bases its judgements, estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on other various factors, including expectations of future events, management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting judgements and estimates will seldom equal the related actual results. The judgements, estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities (refer to the respective notes) within the next financial year are discussed below.

Research and development expenses

Management does not consider the development programs to be sufficiently advanced to reliably determine the economic benefits and technical feasibility to justify capitalization of development costs. These costs have been recognized as an expense when incurred. Research and development expenses relate primarily to the cost of conducting clinical and pre-clinical trials. Clinical development costs are a significant component of research and development expenses. Estimates have been used in determining the expense liability under certain clinical trial contracts where services have been performed but not yet invoiced. Generally, the costs, and therefore estimates, associated with clinical trial contracts are based on the number of patients, drug administration cycles, the type of treatment and the outcome being the length of time before actual amounts can be determined will vary depending on length of the patient cycles and the timing of the invoices by the clinical trial partners.

Research and development refundable tax offsets

The Group accounts for the federal government research and development grant tax incentive when a reliable estimate of the amounts receivable can be made. In the year ended June 30, 2017 reporting period detailed reporting systems were implemented to allow for the first time a reliable estimate to be made of the grant income that is expected to be received for the current period. In determining the estimate management reviews historical claims, Government overseas findings enabling the claim of overseas expenditure and the allocation of staff and overheads costs within approved projects. Judgement is also applied in determining the eligibility of the activities undertaken in Australia and overseas. Grant Income for the year ended June 30, 2018 includes an estimate of Research and Development grant receivable for June 30, 2018 of $3,999k. (refer Note 4b).

F-14


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS, ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS continued

Share-based payment transactions

The Group measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. The fair value is determined by using either the Black-Scholes model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the instruments were granted. The accounting estimates and assumptions relating to equity-settled share-based payments would have no impact on the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next annual reporting period but may impact profit or loss and equity.

Recovery of deferred tax assets

Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences only if the Group considers it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses. Given the Company’s and each individual entities’ history of recent losses, the Group has not recognized a deferred tax asset with regard to unused tax losses and other temporary differences, as it has not been determined whether the Company or its subsidiaries will generate sufficient taxable income against which the unused tax losses and other temporary differences can be utilized.

Costs of capital raising

Costs directly attributable to an equity transaction are held in the statement of financial position until the completion of the transaction. On completion, the costs will be applied against issued capital. Costs associated with abandoned or sub-optimal equity transactions are expensed to profit or loss in the year the transaction is determined to no longer be viable under existing conditions.

3. OPERATING SEGMENTS

The Group had only one business segment during the period, being the global commercialisation by licensing and partnering of patents and licences in biotechnology, with applications in biomedical research and human therapeutics. Business operations are conducted in Australia. However, there are controlled entities based in the USA and United Kingdom. The United Kingdom entity has no segment revenues, results or assets.

 

Geographical Segments Geographical location

 

Segment Revenues from

External Customers

 

 

Segment Results

 

 

Carrying Amount of

Segment Assets

 

 

 

Jun 2018

 

 

Jun 2017

 

 

Jun 2018

 

 

Jun 2017

 

 

Jun 2018

 

 

Jun 2017

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

Australia

 

 

378

 

 

 

333

 

 

 

(11,733

)

 

 

(5,835

)

 

 

19,639

 

 

 

21,580

 

United States of America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

1,700

 

 

 

1,086

 

 

 

 

378

 

 

 

333

 

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

21,339

 

 

 

22,666

 

 

Accounting Policies

Segment revenues and expenses are directly attributable to the identified segments. Segment assets include all assets used by a segment and consist mainly of cash, receivables, inventories, intangibles and property, plant and equipment, net of any allowances, accumulated depreciation and amortisation. Segment liabilities include mainly accounts payable, employee entitlements, accrued expenses, provisions and borrowings. Deferred income tax provisions are not included in segment assets and liabilities.

F-15


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

4. REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME

(a)

Revenue

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

Licensing revenue and royalties

 

 

378

 

 

 

333

 

 

 

247

 

Interest

 

 

242

 

 

 

253

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

 

620

 

 

 

586

 

 

 

464

 

 

(b)

Other income

 

Australian Government R&D grants

 

 

3,999

 

 

 

10,507

 

 

 

3,590

 

Foreign exchange unrealized gain

 

 

87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,087

 

 

 

10,507

 

 

 

3,590

 

 

There is no discernible seasonality in the operations of the consolidated entity.

5. EXPENSES

 

Loss before income tax includes the following specific expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

25

 

 

 

53

 

 

 

205

 

Plant and equipment

 

 

169

 

 

 

164

 

 

 

85

 

Total depreciation

 

 

194

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

290

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Project expenses

 

 

6,219

 

 

 

6,456

 

 

 

12,240

 

Other IP related expenses

 

 

671

 

 

 

469

 

 

 

1,047

 

Total research and development

 

 

6,890

 

 

 

6,925

 

 

 

13,287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee benefits expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined contribution superannuation expense

 

 

241

 

 

 

240

 

 

 

280

 

Employee benefits expense excluding superannuation

 

 

4,853

 

 

 

4,775

 

 

 

6,003

 

 

 

 

5,094

 

 

 

5,015

 

 

 

6,283

 

Rental expense relating to operating leases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum lease payments

 

 

384

 

 

 

376

 

 

 

265

 

 

F-16


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

6. INCOME TAX BENEFIT

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

 

$’000

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerical reconciliation of income tax benefit and tax at the statutory rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income tax benefit

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

(24,778

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax at the statutory tax rate of 27.5% (2017:27.5%)(2016:30%)

 

 

(3,201

)

 

 

(1,565

)

 

 

(7,433

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax effect amounts which are not deductible/(taxable) in calculating taxable income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R&D expenses

 

 

2,605

 

 

 

2,676

 

 

 

4,151

 

R&D incentive income

 

 

(1,124

)

 

 

(2,889

)

 

 

(1,090

)

Legal expenses

 

 

70

 

 

 

154

 

 

 

59

 

Share-based payments

 

 

119

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

524

 

Timing differences utilised not previously recognised

 

 

(196

)

 

 

(506

)

 

 

(277

)

Write off prepayment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

540

 

Impact of foreign exchange rate differences

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

 

(1,727

)

 

 

(2,022

)

 

 

(3,480

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax losses not brought to account

 

 

1,727

 

 

 

2,022

 

 

 

3,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above potential tax benefit has not been recognized in the statement of financial position.

These tax losses are recognized only if the consolidated entity considers it is probable that future taxable amounts will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.

 

Tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised - Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Tax losses not recognised

 

 

61,471

 

 

 

60,382

 

 

 

53,031

 

- Capital losses not recognised

 

 

1,272

 

 

 

1,272

 

 

 

1,272

 

- Other deferred tax assets not recognised

 

 

627

 

 

 

2,776

 

 

 

4,225

 

 

 

 

63,370

 

 

 

64,430

 

 

 

58,528

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potential tax benefit of tax assets not recognised at 27.5% (2017:27.5%) (2016:30%)

 

 

17,427

 

 

 

17,718

 

 

 

17,558

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised - US (Tacere)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Tax losses not recognised

 

 

846

 

 

 

955

 

 

 

1,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potential tax benefit of tax assets not recognised at 34% - US

 

 

233

 

 

 

324

 

 

 

387

 

 

The above potential tax benefit, which excludes tax losses, for deductible temporary differences has not been recognized in the statement of financial position as the recovery of this benefit is uncertain.

F-17


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

7. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Cash at bank

 

 

9,575

 

 

 

4,349

 

Cash on deposit

 

 

6,510

 

 

 

13,026

 

 

 

 

16,085

 

 

 

17,375

 

 

8. OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Market value of listed shares

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

Security Deposit

 

 

100

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

100

 

 

9 . TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Settlement Receivable

 

 

 

 

 

109

 

R&D Grant Receivable

 

 

4,121

 

 

 

4,233

 

Other

 

 

134

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

 

4,255

 

 

 

4,406

 

 

10. CURRENT ASSETS - OTHER

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Prepayments

 

 

425

 

 

 

281

 

 

 

 

425

 

 

 

281

 

 

11. DEPOSITS non - current

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Other

 

 

125

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

59

 

 

F-18


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

12. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Leasehold improvements - at cost

 

 

79

 

 

 

79

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(44

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant and equipment - at cost

 

 

975

 

 

 

889

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(691

)

 

 

(504

)

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

385

 

 

 

 

319

 

 

 

445

 

 

12. Property, Plant and Equipment continued

Reconciliations

Reconciliations of the written down values at the beginning and end of the current and previous financial year are set out below:

 

 

 

Leasehold

 

 

Plant and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

improvement

 

 

equipment

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Balance at June 30, 2016

 

 

44

 

 

 

462

 

 

 

506

 

Additions

 

 

74

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

171

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

(53

)

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(217

)

FX loss

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(15

)

Balance at June 30, 2017

 

 

60

 

 

 

385

 

 

 

445

 

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

86

 

 

 

86

 

Disposals

 

 

 

 

 

(27

)

 

 

(27

)

Depreciation expense

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(169

)

 

 

(194

)

FX loss

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

9

 

Balance at June 30, 2018

 

 

35

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

319

 

 

13. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Trade creditors

 

 

580

 

 

 

174

 

Sundry creditors and accrued expenses

 

 

1,796

 

 

 

745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,376

 

 

 

919

 

 

14. PROVISIONS

 

Employee Benefits

 

 

146

 

 

 

179

 

Provision for make good

 

 

25

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

206

 

 

F-19


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

15. ISSUED CAPITAL

 

Issued capital

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Shares

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Ordinary shares - fully paid

 

 

257,029,426

 

 

 

205,142,734

 

 

 

164,087

 

 

 

155,580

 

 

15. ISSUED CAPITAL continued

 

Movements in ordinary share capital

 

Details

 

Date

 

Shares

 

 

Issue price

 

 

$'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

June 30, 2017

 

 

205,142,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

155,580

 

Issue of shares Highbridge

 

May 8, 2018

 

 

15,444,020

 

 

 

0.17

 

 

 

2,625

 

Issue of shares Nant Capital

 

May 31, 2018

 

 

29,305,819

 

 

 

0.17

 

 

 

4,982

 

Issue of shares Entitlement offer

 

June 4, 2018

 

 

7,136,853

 

 

 

0.17

 

 

 

1,213

 

Share issue transaction costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(313

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

June 30, 2018

 

 

257,029,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

164,087

 

The weighted average number of shares on issue during the twelve months to June 30, 2018 was

 

 

 

 

210,454,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary shares

Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and the proceeds on the winding up of the Company in proportion to the number of and amounts paid on the shares held. The fully paid ordinary shares have no par value and the Company does not have a limited amount of authorised capital.

On a show of hands every member present at a meeting in person or by proxy shall have one vote and upon a poll each share shall have one vote. Benitec shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and trade under the code BLT.

Benitec shares trade on Nasdaq as American Depository Receipts (ADR) under the code BNTC. Each ADR represents 20 ordinary shares.

Share buy-back

There is no current on-market share buy-back.

Capital risk management

The Group's objectives when managing capital is to safeguard its ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimum capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

The capital structure of the Group consists of cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders. Operating globally, the Group develops speciality pharmaceutical products. The overall strategy of the Group is to continue its drug development programs, which depends on selling assets and raising additional equity to fund the activities.

The capital risk management policy remains unchanged from the prior year.

F-20


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

16. RESERVES

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Foreign currency reserve

 

 

(1,348

)

 

 

(1,285

)

Share-based payments reserve

 

 

2,840

 

 

 

2,959

 

 

 

 

1,492

 

 

 

1,674

 

 

F-21


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

16. RESERVES continued

Foreign currency reserve

The reserve is used to recognise exchange differences arising from the translation of the financial statements of foreign operations to Australian dollars.

Share-based payments reserve

The reserve is used to recognise the value of equity benefits provided to employees and directors as part of their remuneration, and other parties as part of their compensation for services.

Movements in reserves

Movements in each class of reserve during the current and previous financial year are set out below:

 

 

 

Foreign

 

 

Share-based

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

currency

 

 

payments

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Balance at June 30, 2016

 

 

(1,319

)

 

 

3,884

 

 

 

2,565

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

 

Share-based payments

 

 

 

 

 

(925

)

 

 

(925

)

Balance at June 30, 2017

 

 

(1,285

)

 

 

2,959

 

 

 

1,674

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

(63

)

 

 

 

 

 

(63

)

Share-based payments

 

 

 

 

 

(119

)

 

 

(119

)

Balance at June 30, 2018

 

 

(1,348

)

 

 

2,840

 

 

 

1,492

 

 

17. ACCUMULATED LOSSES

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Accumulated losses at the beginning of the financial year

 

 

(135,748

)

 

 

(131,369

)

Loss after income tax benefit for the year

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

(5,690

)

Transfer from share-based payment reserve for expired options

 

 

553

 

 

 

1,311

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated losses at the end of the financial year

 

 

(146,835

)

 

 

(135,748

)

 

18. DIVIDENDS

There were no dividends paid, recommended or declared during the current or previous financial year.

19. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial risk management objectives

The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign currency risk and interest rate risk) and liquidity risk. The Group’s principal financial instruments comprise receivables, payables, cash and short-term deposits. The Group manages its exposure to key financial risks, including interest rate and currency risk in accordance with the Company financial risk management policy. The objective of the policy is to protect the assets and provide a solid return.

F-22


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

19. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Financial Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

16,085

 

 

 

17,375

 

Trade and other receivables

 

 

4,255

 

 

 

4,406

 

Total Financial Assets

 

 

20,340

 

 

 

21,781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other payables

 

 

2,376

 

 

 

919

 

Total Financial Liabilities

 

 

2,376

 

 

 

919

 

 

Market risk

Foreign currency risk

The Group undertakes certain transactions denominated in foreign currency and is exposed to foreign currency risk  through foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognized financial assets and financial liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the entity's functional currency. The risk is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting.

At the June 30, 2018 the Company held USD cash or cash equivalents of AUD$7.536m and trade payables and accruals of AUD$1.630m. Net USD exposure in AUD of $5.907m. Each 1 cent movement in the AUD/USD exchange rate has a +/- effect of AUD $82k on profit and net assets of the Company. Exposure to foreign exchange rates vary during the year depending on the volume of overseas transactions. Nonetheless the analysis above is considered to be appropriate of the Group’s exposure to currency risk.

Interest rate risk

The Group generates income from interest on surplus funds. At reporting date, the Group had the following assets exposed to Australian variable interest rate risk that are not designated in cash flow hedges.

As at the reporting date, the Group had the following variable rate cash and cash equivalents outstanding:

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

Weighted

average

interest rate

 

 

Balance

 

 

Weighted

average

interest rate

 

 

Balance

 

 

 

%

 

 

$'000

 

 

%

 

 

$'000

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

2

%

 

 

16,085

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

17,375

 

Net exposure to cash flow interest rate risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,375

 

 

Credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date to recognized financial assets is the carrying amount, net of any provisions for impairment of those assets, as disclosed in the statement of financial position and notes to the financial statements. The Group does not hold any collateral.

F-23


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

19. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS continued

Liquidity risk

Vigilant liquidity risk management requires the Group to maintain sufficient liquid assets (mainly cash and cash equivalents) to be able to pay debts as and when they become due and payable.

The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and available borrowing facilities by continuously monitoring actual and forecast cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities

Remaining contractual maturities

The following tables detail the Group's remaining contractual maturity for its financial instrument liabilities. The tables have been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities based on the earliest date on which the financial liabilities are required to be paid.

 

 

 

Weighted

average

interest rate

 

1 year or less

 

 

Between 1

and

2 years

 

 

Between 2

and

5 years

 

 

Over 5 years

 

 

Remaining

contractual

maturities

 

2018

 

%

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Non-derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

-%

 

 

580

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

580

 

Other payables

 

-%

 

 

1,796

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,796

 

Total non-derivatives

 

 

 

 

2,376

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,376

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

%

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Non-derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

-%

 

 

174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

174

 

Other payables

 

-%

 

 

745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

745

 

Total non-derivatives

 

 

 

 

919

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

919

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

%

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Non-derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest bearing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables

 

-%

 

 

538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

538

 

Other payables

 

-%

 

 

295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

295

 

Total non-derivatives

 

 

 

 

833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

833

 

 

The cash flows in the maturity analysis above are not expected to occur significantly earlier than contractually disclosed above.

Fair value of financial instruments

Unless otherwise stated, the carrying amounts of financial instruments reflect their fair value.

F-24


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

20. REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

During the financial year the following fees were paid or payable for services provided by Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd, the auditor of the Company:

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Audit services - Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd

 

$

 

 

$

 

Audit or review of the financial statements

 

 

240,806

 

 

 

241,933

 

Other audit services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- F1 consent

 

 

17,990

 

 

 

20,800

 

- F3 consent

 

 

6,660

 

 

 

9,561

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other services - Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax compliance services

 

 

42,617

 

 

 

23,150

 

 

 

 

42,617

 

 

 

23,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

308,073

 

 

 

295,444

 

 

21. COMMITMENTS

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Lease commitments - operating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Committed at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities, payable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within one year

 

 

219

 

 

 

169

 

 

 

126

 

One to five years

 

 

293

 

 

 

89

 

 

 

98

 

 

 

 

512

 

 

 

258

 

 

 

224

 

 

Operating lease commitments includes contracted amounts for offices under non-cancellable operating leases expiring within 3 years with, in some cases, options to extend. The leases have various escalation clauses. On renewal, the terms of the leases are renegotiated.

Parent entity

Benitec Biopharma Limited is the parent entity.

Subsidiaries

Interests in subsidiaries are set out in note 25.

Key management personnel

Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in note 23 and the remuneration report in the directors' report.

F-25


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

22. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Under the terms of the sub-license agreement with NantWorks, the Company will be required to make a milestone payment to NantWorks of US$300k (AUD$405k) upon dosing of the last patient in the first Phase 2 clinical study using BB-401, the EGFR antisense product. The Company would be required to pay consideration to NantWorks, upon successful completion of subsequent regulatory and commercial milestones.

Under the terms of a commercial license agreement with Oxford Expression Technologies (OET), the Company will be required to make a milestone payment to OET of GBP30,000 (AUD$53,543) upon entry into the clinic with BB-301.

23. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Parent entity

Benitec Biopharma Limited is the parent entity.

Key management personnel

Disclosures relating to key management personnel are set out in Item 6B of this document.

Compensation

The aggregate compensation made to directors and other members of key management personnel of the Group is set out below:

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Short-term employee benefits

 

 

1,843,334

 

 

 

1,539,777

 

 

 

2,048,543

 

Post-employment benefits

 

 

89,780

 

 

 

76,623

 

 

 

55,630

 

Long-term benefits

 

 

 

 

 

32,537

 

 

 

13,209

 

Share-based payments

 

 

257,001

 

 

 

418,986

 

 

 

1,011,851

 

 

 

 

2,190,115

 

 

 

2,067,923

 

 

 

3,129,233

 

The following transactions occurred with related parties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment for other expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal services paid / payable to Francis Abourizk Lightowlers, a law firm in which Mr Peter Francis is a partner and has a beneficial interest.

 

 

8,212

 

 

 

191,050

 

 

 

116,540

 

Payment for rent at Francis Abourizk Lightowlers law firm which Mr Peter Francis is a partner and has a beneficial interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,102

 

Consultancy fees for executive duties paid/payable to NewStar Ventures Ltd, a corporation in which Dr John Chiplin is a director and has a beneficial interest.

 

 

 

 

 

32,133

 

 

 

165,983

 

Annabel West, the wife of Greg West, our former Chief Executive Officer, was employed as a part-time clerical and administrative assistant.

 

 

42,278

 

 

 

36,248

 

 

 

47,722

 

 

Receivable from and payable to related parties

There were no trade receivables from or trade payables to related parties at the current and previous reporting date.

Loans to/from related parties

There were no loans to or from related parties at the current and previous reporting date.

F-26


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

23. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS continued

Terms and conditions

All transactions were made on normal commercial terms and conditions and at market rates.

24. PARENT ENTITY INFORMATION

Set out below is the supplementary information about the parent entity.

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

$'000

 

 

$'000

 

Statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss after income tax

 

 

(13,566

)

 

 

(5,835

)

Total comprehensive income

 

 

(13,566

)

 

 

(5,835

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of financial position

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

19,461

 

 

 

21,421

 

Total assets

 

 

19,639

 

 

 

22,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

2,351

 

 

 

969

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,399

 

 

 

1,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued capital

 

 

164,087

 

 

 

155,580

 

Share-based payments reserve

 

 

2,840

 

 

 

2,959

 

Accumulated losses

 

 

(149,687

)

 

 

(136,675

)

Total equity

 

 

17,240

 

 

 

21,864

 

 

Guarantees entered into by the parent entity in relation to the debts of its subsidiaries

The parent entity had no guarantees in relation to the debts of its subsidiaries as at June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017.

Contingent liabilities

The parent entity had no contingent liabilities as at June 30, 2018 (2017: nil), other than the contingent liabilities described as belonging to the parent entity in note 22.

Capital commitments - Property, plant and equipment

The parent entity had no capital commitments for property, plant and equipment as at June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017.

Significant accounting policies

The accounting policies of the parent entity are consistent with those of the Group, as disclosed in note 1, except for the following:

Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for at cost, less any impairment, in the parent entity.

Dividends received from subsidiaries are recognized as other income by the parent entity and its receipt may be an indicator of an impairment of the investment.

F-27


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

25. INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the following subsidiaries in accordance with the accounting policy described in note 1:

 

 

 

Principal place of business /

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Name

 

Country of incorporation

 

%

 

 

%

 

 

%

 

Benitec Limited

 

 

United Kingdom

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

Benitec Australia Limited (subsidiary of Benitec Limited)

 

 

Australia

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

Benitec, Inc.

 

 

USA

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

Benitec LLC (subsidiary of Benitec Inc)

 

 

USA

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

RNAi Therapeutics, Inc.

 

 

USA

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

Tacere Therapeutics, Inc.*

 

 

USA

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

 

All companies in the Group adopt the same accounting policies.

*

Note Tacere year end is 31 December which was the year end date when the Company was acquired.

26. EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

On July 9, 2018, it was announced that a license was entered into with Axovant Sciences (“Axovant”) granting the exclusive global rights for BB-301 (now named AXO-AAV-OPMD) intended for the treatment of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), as well as entering into a fully funded research collaboration for the development of five additional gene therapy products in neurological disorders.

Under the terms of the agreement, Benitec will receive an upfront cash payment of US$10m (AUD $13.5m) and additional cash payments totalling US$17.5m (AUD$23.6m) upon completion of four specific near-term manufacturing, regulatory and clinical milestones.  Axovant has been granted worldwide rights to AXO-AAV-OPMD and will assume all future development costs. The total potential value of all of the development, regulatory and commercial milestones achievable by Benitec, of which there are eight milestones including the four near-term to achieve all eight milestones and thus realize the maximum amount of US$187.5m (AUD$253.3m). There can be no assurance as to the total amount of payments that the Company will actually receive or when they will be received. Importantly, upon commercialisation, Benitec will retain 30% of the net profits on worldwide sales of AXO-AAV-OPMD.

No other matter or circumstance has arisen since June 30, 2018 that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect the Group's operations, the results of those operations, or the Group's state of affairs in future financial years.

F-28


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

27. RECONCILIATION OF LOSS AFTER INCOME TAX TO NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

2018

$'000

 

 

2017

$'000

 

 

2016

$'000

 

Loss after income tax benefit for the year

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

(24,778

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

1

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortisation

 

 

194

 

 

 

217

 

 

 

290

 

Share-based payments

 

 

434

 

 

 

386

 

 

 

1,746

 

Net unrealised Foreign exchange

 

 

(82

)

 

 

242

 

 

 

506

 

Issue of ordinary shares to Biomics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

500

 

Impairment of prepayment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,800

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in trade and other receivables

 

 

72

 

 

 

814

 

 

 

(854

)

(Decrease) in other current assets

 

 

(121

)

 

 

(182

)

 

 

1,178

 

Increase in trade and other payables

 

 

1,259

 

 

 

114

 

 

 

(623

)

(Decrease) in R&D grant receivable

 

 

112

 

 

 

(4,233

)

 

 

 

(Decrease) in employee benefits

 

 

(23

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

27

 

Increase in provision

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(9,794

)

 

 

(8,304

)

 

 

(20,208

)

 

28. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss after income tax attributable to the owners of Benitec Biopharma Limited

 

 

(11,640

)

 

 

(5,690

)

 

 

(24,778

)

 

 

 

Number

 

 

Number

 

 

Number

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating basic earnings per share

 

 

210,454,829

 

 

 

175,433,909

 

 

 

142,312,486

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share

 

 

210,454,829

 

 

 

175,433,909

 

 

 

142,312,486

 

 

 

 

Cents

 

 

Cents

 

 

Cents

 

Basic (loss) per share

 

 

(5.53

)

 

 

(3.24

)

 

 

(17.41

)

Diluted (loss) per share

 

 

(5.53

)

 

 

(3.24

)

 

 

(17.41

)

 

Outstanding options (see note 29) to acquire ordinary shares are not considered dilutive for the years ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017.

F-29


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

 

Benitec Biopharma Limited Employees Share Option Plan (ESOP):

 

Description of plan

The Group may from time to time issue employee’s options to acquire shares in the parent at a fixed price. Each option when exercised entitles the option holder to one share in the Parent Company. Options are exercisable on or before an expiry date, do not carry any voting or dividend rights and are not transferable except on death of the option holder.

 

The following table shows the number and weighted average exercise price (WAEP) of share options issued under the ESOP:

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2016

 

 

 

Number

 

 

WAEP

 

 

Number

 

 

WAEP

 

 

Number

 

 

WAEP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

Outstanding at the beginning of the year

 

 

9,724,000

 

 

 

0.832

 

 

 

12,220,000

 

 

 

1.079

 

 

 

12,500,000

 

 

 

1.234

 

Granted during the year

 

 

19,950,000

 

 

 

0.218

 

 

 

2,200,000

 

 

 

0.166

 

 

 

6,720,000

 

 

 

0.770

 

Exercised during the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lapsed or forfeited during the year

 

 

(5,196,668

)

 

 

0.426

 

 

 

(4,696,000

)

 

 

1.164

 

 

 

(7,000,000

)

 

 

1.060

 

Outstanding at the end of the year

 

 

24,477,332

 

 

 

0.416

 

 

 

9,724,000

 

 

 

0.832

 

 

 

12,220,000

 

 

 

1.079

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercisable at the end of the year

 

 

6,527,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,497,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,292,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details of ESOP share options outstanding as at end of year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Number

 

 

Number

 

 

Number

 

Grant date

 

Expiry date

 

price

 

 

Under option

 

 

Under option

 

 

Under option

 

September 26, 2011*

 

 

September 26, 2016

 

$

1.250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,800,000

 

November 17, 2012 **

 

 

November 17, 2017

 

$

1.250

 

 

 

 

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

600,000

 

February 7, 2012**

 

 

February 7, 2017

 

$

1.250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

156,000

 

November 6, 2012**

 

 

November 6, 2017

 

$

1.250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

400,000

 

November 10, 2013 *

 

 

May 18 2018

 

$

0.620

 

 

 

 

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

400,000

 

August 22, 2013 **

 

 

August 22 2018

 

$

1.250

 

 

 

480,000

 

 

 

480,000

 

 

 

480,000

 

May 15, 2014 **

 

 

May 15, 2019

 

$

1.500

 

 

 

90,000

 

 

 

180,000

 

 

 

180,000

 

December 17, 2014 **

 

 

December 17, 2019

 

$

1.250

 

 

 

2,334,000

 

 

 

2,334,000

 

 

 

2,634,000

 

May 6, 2015 **

 

 

May 6, 2020

 

$

1.250

 

 

 

650,000

 

 

 

650,000

 

 

 

650,000

 

November 12, 2015*

 

 

November 12, 2020

 

$

0.770

 

 

 

2,240,000

 

 

 

3,080,000

 

 

 

3,920,000

 

August 9, 2016**

 

 

August 9, 2021

 

$

0.167

 

 

 

1,466,666

 

 

 

2,200,000

 

 

 

 

July 17, 2017**

 

 

July 17, 2022

 

$

0.196

 

 

 

6,566,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 11, 2018**

 

 

April 11, 2023

 

$

0.298

 

 

 

650,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 26, 2018**

 

 

June 26, 2023

 

$

0.228

 

 

 

10,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,477,332

 

 

 

9,724,000

 

 

 

12,220,000

 

 

*

Non-Executive Directors options

**

ESOP options

F-30


BENITEC BIOPHARMA LTD

Notes to the consolidated financial statements 30 June 2018 continued

 

29. SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS continued

The weighted average remaining life of the options issued under the ESOP at June 30, 2018 was 3 years and 10 months (2017: 2 years and 10 months, 2016: 2 years and 7 months).

For the options granted during the year, the valuation model inputs used to determine the fair value at the grant date are as follows:

 

Grant date

 

Expiry date

 

Share price

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Expected *

 

 

Dividend

 

Risk-free

 

 

Fair value

 

 

 

 

 

at grant date

 

 

price

 

 

volatility

 

 

yield

 

interest rate

 

 

at grant date

 

17/07/2017

 

17/07/2022

 

$

0.130

 

 

$

0.196

 

 

 

100.01

%

 

—%

 

 

2.370

%

 

$

0.091

 

11/04/2018

 

11/04/2023

 

$

0.200

 

 

$

0.298

 

 

 

101.43

%

 

—%

 

 

2.373

%

 

$

0.141

 

26/06/2018

 

26/06/2023

 

$

0.145

 

 

$

0.228

 

 

 

100.31

%

 

—%

 

 

2.303

%

 

$

0.100

 

 

Total expenses arising from share-based payment transactions recognized during the period as part of employee benefit expense were $0.434m (2017: $0.386m).

*

expected volatility was determined with reference to the Benitec share price based on historical volatility

 

 

 

F-31


 

 

 

 

Level 17, 383 Kent Street

Sydney NSW 2000

 

Correspondence to

Locked Bag Q800

QVB Post Office

Sydney NSW 1230

 

T +61 2 8297 2400

F +61 2 9299 4445

E info.nsw@au.gt.com www.GrantThornton.com.au

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Benitec Biopharma Limited

Opinion on the financial statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Benitec Biopharma Limited and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2018, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Basis for opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

/S/ Grant Thornton

GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.

Sydney, Australia

October 29, 2018

 

ABN-41 127 556 389 ACN-127 556 389

 

 

 

 

 

Grant Thornton Australia Ltd ABN 41 127 556 389 ACN 127 556 389 ‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton Australia Limited is a member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm is a separate legal entity. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. In the Australian context only, the use of the term ‘Grant Thornton’ may refer to Grant Thornton Australia Limited ABN 41 127 556 389 and its Australian subsidiaries and related entities. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

 

www.grantthornton.com.au

 

 

 

F-32


 

Item 19. Exhibits

 

Exhibits

 

Description

 

 

 

1.1

 

Constitution of Benitec Biopharma Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on June 22, 2015)

 

 

 

4.1

 

Deposit Agreement, dated May 30, 2014, between Benitec Biopharma Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, and Owners and Holders of the American Depositary Shares (incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-6 (No. 333-196105) filed with the SEC on May 20, 2014)

 

 

 

4.2

 

Amendment to Deposit Agreement between Benitec Biopharma Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, and Owners and Holders of the American Depositary Shares (incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-6 (No. 333-196105) filed with the SEC on  July 21, 2015)

 

 

 

4.3

 

Form of American Depositary Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares (included in Exhibit 4.2)

 

 

 

4.4

 

Form of Global Warrant to Purchase ADSs (included in Exhibit 4.5)

 

 

 

4.5

 

Form of ADS Warrant Agent Agreement, between Benitec Biopharma Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, as warrant agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on August 10, 2015)

 

 

 

4.6

 

Share Subscription Agreement, dated October 24, 2016, between Nant Capital, LLC and Benitec Biopharma Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed with the SEC on June 1, 2017)

 

 

 

4.7

 

Commercial Lease Agreement between Hayward Point Eden I Limited Partnership and Benitec Biopharma Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on June 22, 2015)

 

 

 

4.8

 

Commercial Lease Agreement, dated October 11, 2016, between Ho-Group North Sydney Pty Limited and Benitec Biopharma Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on October 28, 2016)

 

 

 

4.9

 

Form of Executive Employment Agreement for executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on June 22, 2015)

 

 

 

4.10

 

Form of Deed of Access, Insurance and Indemnity for Directors and Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on June 22, 2015)

 

 

 

4.11

 

Benitec Officers' and Employees' Share Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on November 17, 2015)

 

 

 

4.12

 

Exclusive Sublicense Agreement, dated December 23, 2016, between Benitec Biopharma Limited and NantWorks, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed with the SEC on June 1, 2017) †

 

 

 

4.13

 

Research Collaboration Agreement, dated January 27, 2017, between Benitec Biopharma Limited and Nant Capital, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed with the SEC on June 1, 2017)

 

 

 

4.14

 

License and Collaboration Agreement, dated July 9, 2018, between Axovant Sciences GmbH and Benitec Biopharma Limited

 

 

 

4.15

 

Amendment to License and Collaboration Agreement, dated July 23, 2018 between Axovant Sciences GmbH and Benitec Biopharma Limited

 

 

 

 


 

Exhibits

 

Description

8.1

 

List of significant subsidiaries of Benitec Biopharma Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on June 22, 2015)

 

 

 

12.1

 

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

12.2

 

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

13.1

 

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

 

 

13.2

 

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

Confidential treatment requested. Confidential materials omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 


 

SIGNAT URES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

Benitec Biopharma Limited

 

 

 

By:

 

/S/ Jerel Banks

 

 

Name:

Dr. Jerel Banks

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 Date:  October 29, 2018

 

Exhibit 4.14

EXEC U TI O N C O PY

 

 

**** INDICATES CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SEPARATELY WITH A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT

 

LICENSE AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENT

 

T HIS L ICENSE AND C OLLABORATION A GREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of July 9, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between B ENITEC B IOPHARMA L IMITED , a company organized under the laws of Australia and having an address of Suite 1201, 99 Mount Street, North Sydney, NSW Australia (“ Benitec ”), and A XOVANT S CIENCES G MB H , a company organized under the laws of Switzerland and having an address of Viaduktstrasse 8, 4051 Basel, Switzerland ( Axovant ”). Benitec and Axovant may be referred to herein individually as a “ Party ” or collectively as the “ Parties ”.

 

RECITALS

 

W HEREAS , Benitec is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that has identified and developed certain products and technologies related to gene therapy, including relating to DNA- directed RNA interference (“ ddRNAi ”), and owns or controls certain patents, know-how and data relating to such products and technologies;

 

W HEREAS , Benitec has researched and preclinically developed a modified AAV9 ddRNAi product known as BB-301 for the potential treatment of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (“ OPMD ”);

 

W HEREAS , Axovant desires to obtain from Benitec, and Benitec desires to grant to Axovant, an exclusive worldwide license to develop, manufacture and commercialize products containing or based on BB-301, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and

 

W HEREAS , the Parties wish to collaborate on the discovery, research and development of other products directed to genetically driven neurological diseases using Benitec’s technology, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

N OW , T HEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Benitec and Axovant hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

****

 

Accounting Standards ” shall mean internationally recognized accounting principles (including IFRS, US GAAP, and the like), in each case, as generally and consistently applied by the applicable Selling Entity.

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

1

 

 


 

Acquiree ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.2(b) ( Assignment ).

Acquisition ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.2(b) ( Assignment ). “ Additional VAT Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.10(d) ( VAT ).

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a Party or a Third Party, any entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Party or Third Party, as applicable, but for only so long as such control exists. As used in this definition of “Affiliate”, “control” means (a) to possess, directly or indirectly, the power to direct the management or policies of an entity, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract relating to voting rights or corporate governance, or otherwise; or (b) direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than **** (or such lesser percentage which is the maximum allowed to be owned by a foreign corporation in a particular jurisdiction) of the voting share capital or other equity interest in such entity.

 

Allowable Expenses ” shall have the meaning set forth in Exhibit B .

 

Applicable Laws means the applicable provisions of any and all national, supranational, regional, state and local laws, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, administrative codes, guidance, ordinances, judgments, decrees, directives, injunctions, orders, permits (including MAAs) of or from any court, arbitrator, Regulatory Authority or Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over or related to the subject item.

 

Auditor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.12 ( Audit Dispute ).

 

Axovant-Developed Collaboration IP ” means (a) Collaboration Inventions created, discovered, conceived of or reduced to practice by Axovant independently of Benitec and Benitec’s Affiliates , (b) Collaboration Patents covering only the foregoing, and (c) Collaboration Know-How created or discovered by Axovant independently of Benitec and Benitec’s Affiliates.

Axovant Commercial Credit has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(c) ( Excess Costs ). “ Axovant Fiscal Year ” means the period from April 1 of a Calendar Year through March

31 of the following Calendar Year, provided that Axovant may change the time period for such Axovant Fiscal Year on **** prior written notice to Benitec and the Parties shall, in such instance, make such appropriate adjustments to the reporting and other payment terms under this Agreement to accommodate such change.

 

Axovant Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1 ( Indemnification by Benitec ).

 

Axovant Know-How ” means all Know-How that Axovant or its Affiliates Control as of the Effective Date or during the Term that is necessary or reasonably useful for the Development, manufacture or Commercialization of Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory, including Axovant’s interest in the Collaboration Know-How.

 

Axovant Patents ” means all Patents that Axovant or its Affiliates Control as of the Effective Date or during the Term that are necessary or reasonably useful for the Development,

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

2

 

 


 

 

manufacture or Commercialization of any Compound or Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory, including Axovant’s interest in the Collaboration Patents.

Axovant Technology ” means the Axovant Know-How and the Axovant Patents. “ Bankruptcy Code ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7 ( Provisions for Insolvency ). “ BB-301 or BB-301 Compound ” means (a) Benitec’s proprietary gene therapy

construct which utilizes as its primary mechanism of action a viral vector to deliver and/or produce ddRNAi to silence expression of mutant PABPN1 and replace with wildtype PABPN1, and any modification, variant, or derivative thereof, and (b) any other compound, construct, composition or biological entity that is Covered or disclosed by the following Patents: ****.

 

BB-301 Development Plan ” means, the detailed plan to be agreed in writing by the Parties for the conduct of the BB-301 Retained Development Activities, including the budget, allocation of resources, timelines and desired criteria for BB-301 Products, as such plan may be modified by the Parties, as such plan may be modified in accordance with Section 4.1(a) ( BB-301 Development Plan ).

 

BB-301 Development Plan Costs ” means Benitec FTE Costs and Out-of-Pocket Costs incurred by Benitec in the conduct of BB-301 Retained Development Activities, in each case to the extent incurred in accordance with this Agreement and the BB-301 Development Plan (including budget).

 

BB-301 Major Market ” means individually, each of ****.

 

BB-301 Product ” means any product containing, comprising, consisting of or incorporating BB-301, in any form, presentation, formulation or dosage form.

 

BB-301 Retained Development Activities ” means, with respect to the Development of BB-301, those Development activities for which, as between the Parties, Benitec shall retain operational oversight and responsibility, as set forth in the BB-301 Development Plan. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, the BB-301 Retained Development Activities shall mean Development activities related to (a) ****.

 

BB-301-Royalty Term ” means, with respect to a BB-301 Product, the period that commences upon the First Commercial Sale of such BB-301 Product in the United States and continues until the latest of (a) expiration of the last-to-expire Valid Claim of the Benitec Patents that Cover the manufacture, use, or sale of such BB-301 Product (or the Compound therein) in the United States; (b) ten (10) years after the First Commercial Sale of such BB-301 Product in the United States; and (c) expiration of Regulatory Exclusivity for such BB-301 Product in the United States.

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

3

 

 


 

 

BB-301 Transfer Plan has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ).

 

Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(d) ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ).

 

Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(d) ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ).

 

Benitec-Developed Collaboration IP ” means (a) Collaboration Inventions created, discovered, conceived of or reduced to practice by Benitec independently of Axovant and Axovant’s Affiliates , (b) Collaboration Patents covering only the foregoing, and (c) Collaboration Know-How created or discovered by Benitec independently of Axovant and Axovant’s Affiliates.

 

Benitec Fiscal Year ” means the period from July 1 of a Calendar Year through June 30 of the following Calendar Year.

 

Benitec FTEs means FTEs who are employees of Benitec or any of its Affiliates directly engaged in performing activities under the BB-301 Development Plan or a Research Plan or Know-How or technology transfer activities pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Benitec FTE Rate ” means U.S. $**** per Benitec FTE (which shall be prorated on the basis of $**** per year, when calculating amounts due for partial years). The Benitec FTE Rate is “fully burdened” and will cover employee salaries and such facilities and equipment and other materials and services, including ordinary laboratory consumables, as they may use, such rates to be adjusted biennially (with the first of such adjustments to be made as of **** and every other Calendar Year thereafter) with respect to the FTEs in a particular location, by the applicable CPI adjustment.

 

Benitec Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2 ( Indemnification by Axovant ).

 

Benitec Know-How ” means all Know-How that Benitec or its Affiliates Control as of the Effective Date or during the Term that is necessary or reasonably useful for the Development, manufacture or Commercialization of Compounds or Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory.

 

Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a) ( Profit Based Royalty Percentage ).

Benitec Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.10(b) ( Tax Cooperation ). “ Benitec Patents ” means all Patents in the Territory that Benitec or its Affiliates Control

as of the Effective Date or during the Term that are necessary or reasonably useful for the Development, manufacture or Commercialization of any Compound or Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory. The Benitec Patents existing as of the Effective Date are listed on Exhibit A .

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

4

 

 


 

 

Benitec Platform Patents ” means all Benitec Patents that claim any Benitec Platform Technology ****. The Benitec Platform Patents existing as of the Effective Date are specifically identified in Exhibit E .

 

Benitec Platform Technology means any Know-How of Benitec or any of its Affiliates relating to gene therapy, gene silencing and/or replacement, RNA interference (including ddRNAi) and related technologies, in each case that is of general utility and is not specific to any Collaboration Program, Scheduled Target, Collaboration Target, Compound or Licensed Product.

 

Benitec Product Patents has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(c)(i) ( Benitec Product Patents ).

 

Benitec Profit-Based Royalties ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(a) ( Profit- Based Royalties Percentage ).

 

Benitec Step-In Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(c)(iii) ( Benitec Product Patents ).

 

Benitec Technology ” means the Benitec Know-How and the Benitec Patents.

 

Benitec Technology Transfer Costs ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2 ( Manufacturing Technology Transfer ).

 

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a bank or other public holiday in Basel, Switzerland; New York, New York; or Sydney, Australia.

 

Calendar Year means each respective period of twelve (12) consecutive months ending on December 31.

 

cGMP ” means the then-current standards for good manufacturing practices, as required by the FDA and defined in the applicable FDA rules and regulations, or required by another applicable Regulatory Authority and as defined in such Regulatory Authority’s rules and regulations, that apply to the manufacture of a Compound or Licensed Product in the applicable jurisdiction, each as may be amended from time to time, including, as applicable, United States regulations set forth in Title 21 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations Parts 210 and 211 and the corresponding regulations of any other applicable Regulatory Authority.

 

Claims ” means all Third Party demands, claims, actions, proceedings and liability (whether criminal or civil, in contract, tort or otherwise) for losses, damages, fees, costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), and other expenses of any nature.

 

CMC ” means chemistry, manufacturing, and controls.

 

CMO ” means a Third Party contract manufacturing organization.

 

Collaboration Compound ” means, for a Collaboration Program, any compound (including any peptide, protein or nucleic acid), construct, composition or biological entity directed to the Collaboration Target identified for such Collaboration Program and arising from the conduct

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

5

 

 


 

 

of such Collaboration Program which meets the criteria for further Development set forth in the applicable Research Plan, and any modification, variant or derivative thereof.

 

Collaboration Invention ” means any Invention created, discovered, conceived of or reduced to practice, during the Term, by or on behalf of either Party or both Parties pursuant to a Research Plan or the BB-301 Development Plan.

Collaboration IP ” means Collaboration Patents and Collaboration Know-How. “ Collaboration Know-How ” means any Know-How created or discovered, during the

Term, by or on behalf of either Party or both Parties pursuant to a Research Plan or the BB-301 Development Plan.

 

Collaboration Patent ” means any Patent disclosing or Covering a Collaboration Invention.

 

Collaboration Product ” means any product containing, comprising, consisting of or incorporating a Collaboration Compound, in any form, presentation, formulation or dosage form.

 

Collaboration Program ” means a program to be undertaken by the Parties pursuant to ARTICLE III ( Collaboration Programs ) directed to the discovery and Development of one or more gene therapy products directed against the Collaboration Target for such Collaboration Program and utilizing ddRNAi, gene replacement, silence and replace therapy, or other related technologies for the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of a particular genetic neurological disorder, disease or condition.

 

Collaboration Program Transfer Plan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a) ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ).

 

Collaboration Target ” means, with respect to a Collaboration Program, the gene target that is the subject of such Collaboration Program and to which Collaboration Products arising from such Collaboration Program are directed.

 

Combination Product means any (a) Licensed Product comprising a Compound and at least one other active compound or ingredient, either formulated together (e.g., as a fixed dose combination, co-formulated or co-packaged combination or other concomitant or sequential therapy or use thereof) or packaged together or (b) Licensed Product sold together with a Delivery System (whether or not co-packaged), and in each of case (a) and (b), sold for a single price.

 

Commercialization ” means the conduct of all activities undertaken before and after Regulatory Approval necessary or helpful in order to promote, market, sell and distribute (including importing, exporting, transporting, customs clearance, warehousing, invoicing, handling and delivering Licensed Products to customers) Licensed Products in the Territory, including: (a) sales force efforts, detailing, advertising, medical education, planning, marketing, sales force training, sales and distribution, pricing and price reporting; reimbursement by public and private third party payers; and (b) scientific and medical affairs. For clarity, Commercialization does not include any Development activities, whether conducted before or

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

6

 

 


 

 

after Regulatory Approval. Commercialize ”, Commercialized ”, and Commercializing have correlative meanings.

 

Commercially Reasonable Efforts ” means, (a) with respect to a Party’s obligations under this Agreement relating to the conduct of a Research Plan, BB-301 Development Plan or other Development or Commercialization activities relating to Compounds and Licensed Products, those efforts and resources that are consistent with the exercise of customary scientific and business practices that a company within the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry similarly situated to such Party would expend for development, regulatory, manufacturing and commercialization activities conducted with respect to products at a similar stage of development or commercialization and having similar commercial potential, taking into account all relevant factors, and (b) with respect to the efforts to be expended by a Party with respect to any objective or activity other than those described in clause (a), those reasonable, good faith efforts to accomplish such objective or perform such activity as such Party would normally use to accomplish a similar objective under similar circumstances. With respect to clause (a), the Parties hereby agree that the level of effort may be different for different markets and may change over time, reflecting changes in the status of the aforementioned attributes and potential of the applicable Compound(s) and Licensed Product(s).

 

“****” has the meaning set forth in ****.

Compound ” means any BB-301 Compound or Collaboration Compound. “ Confidential Information ” of a Party means all Know-How, materials, and other

proprietary scientific, marketing, financial, or commercial information that is: (a) disclosed by or on behalf of such Party or any of its Affiliates or otherwise made available to the other Party or any of its Affiliates, whether made available orally, in writing, or in electronic form; or (b) learned by the other Party pursuant to this Agreement. The existence and terms of this Agreement are the Confidential Information of both Parties. All information disclosed by or on behalf of a Party under the Confidentiality Agreement shall be deemed the Confidential Information of such Party under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject to Section 13.3(a)(iii) ( Effect of Termination ), Benitec Know-How that is solely related to a Compound or a Licensed Product will be Axovant’s Confidential Information.

 

Confidentiality Agreement ” means that certain Mutual Nondisclosure Agreement between Benitec and Axovant Sciences, Inc., dated June 14, 2018.

 

Control ” or “ Controlled ” means, with respect to any Know-How, materials, Patents or other intellectual property rights, the legal authority or right (whether by ownership, license or otherwise but without taking into account any rights granted by one Party to the other Party pursuant to this Agreement) of a Party to grant access, a license or a sublicense of or under such Know-How, materials, Patents or other intellectual property rights to the other Party, or to otherwise disclose proprietary or trade secret information to such other Party, without breaching the terms of any agreement with a Third Party, or misappropriating the proprietary or trade secret information of a Third Party.

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

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Cover ” means, with respect to a product and a claim of a Patent, that such claim would be infringed, absent a license, by the manufacture, use, offer for sale, sale or importation of such product (with claims of patent applications to be treated as if issued as then pending). “ Covered ” and “ Covering ” have correlative meanings.

 

CPI means (a) with respect to FTEs in the United States the Consumer Price Index All Urban Consumers, 1982-84=100, by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Statistics (or its successor equivalent index) or (b) an equivalent index in a foreign country applicable to FTEs in such country, accounting if possible for the area in such country where the personnel are located.

“****” means the **** . “ Data ” means any and all scientific, technical and test data pertaining to the Compounds

or Licensed Products, including research data, pharmacology data, CMC data (including analytical and quality control data and stability data), pre-clinical and non-clinical data, clinical data or submissions made in association with an IND or MAA with respect to any Compound or Licensed Product, in each case that is Controlled by a Party or its Affiliates.

 

ddRNAi ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Delivery System ” means any delivery system comprising equipment, instrumentation, one (1) or more devices, or other components designed to assist in the administration of a Licensed Product.

 

Develop ” means all actions directed to obtaining, maintaining or expanding Regulatory Approval(s) for a Compound or Licensed Product, including to research, develop (including clinical, non-clinical and CMC development), analyze, test and conduct preclinical, clinical and all other regulatory trials for a Compound or a Licensed Product, including all post-approval clinical trials, as well as all related regulatory activities and any and all activities pertaining to new indications, pharmacokinetic studies and all related activities including work on new formulations, new methods of treatment and CMC activities including new manufacturing methods. “ Developing ” and “ Development ” have correlative meanings.

 

Disclosing Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(a) ( Duty of Confidence ). “ Dollar ” means United States dollars and “$” shall be interpreted accordingly. “ EMA ” means the European Medicines Agency or any successor agency thereto. “ Excluded Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.9(g) ( Dispute Resolution ).

Existing Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(l) ( Additional Benitec Representations, Warranties and Covenants ).

 

FDA ” means the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or any successor agency thereto.

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

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Field ” means the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of any and all human diseases, disorders and conditions.

 

First Commercial Sale ” means, on a Licensed Product-by-Licensed Product and country-by-country basis, the first sale by or on behalf of a Selling Entity to a Third Party for end use or consumption of a Licensed Product in a given country in the Territory after Regulatory Approval has been granted with respect to such Licensed Product in such country.

 

Fiscal Quarter ” means each of the following three (3)-month periods during each Fiscal Year: April 1 through June 30; July 1 through September 30; October 1 through December 31; and January 1 through March 31; provided that the first Fiscal Quarter shall commence on the Effective Date and end on September 30, 2018.

 

Fiscal Year ” means an Axovant Fiscal Year or Benitec Fiscal Year, as applicable.

FTE ” means a full-time employee equivalent, consisting of **** person hours of effort per year, from one individual (or aggregated for more than one individual).

 

Generic Competition ” means, on a Licensed Product-by-Licensed Product and country- by-country basis, that, in a given Fiscal Quarter, one or more Third Parties is selling a Generic Product to such Licensed Product in such country where the unit sales of all Generic Products for such Licensed Product in such country in such Fiscal Quarter equal or exceed **** of the sum of unit sales of such Licensed Product and all such Generic Products in such country in such Fiscal Quarter.

 

Generic Product ” means, with respect to a particular Licensed Product that holds a Regulatory Approval, any biological drug product sold by a Third Party (which may be called, for example, a “biogeneric,” “follow-on biologic,” “follow-on biological product,” “follow-on protein product,” “interchangeable product,” “similar biological medicinal product,” or “biosimilar product”) approved by way of an abbreviated regulatory mechanism by the Regulatory Authority in the Territory, but limited, in each case, to a biological product that (a) has not been licensed by Axovant or its Affiliates to such Third Party in the Territory, and (b) in the Territory, has received an equivalency determination by the applicable Regulatory Authority that the product is interchangeable with the Licensed Product with a Regulatory Approval, such that the product may be substituted for the Licensed Product without the intervention of the health care provider who prescribed such Licensed Product under Applicable Law.

 

GLP ” means the then-current standards for good laboratory practice, as required by the FDA and defined in 21 C.F.R. Part 58 or the successor thereto.

 

GLP Toxicity Study(ies) ” means a toxicology study commenced using GLP grade Collaboration Product in an animal model to determine toxicology of said Collaboration Product, as defined in the relevant Research Plan for such Collaboration Product.

 

Governmental Authority means any national, international, federal, state, provincial or local government, or political subdivision thereof, or any multinational organization or any authority, agency or commission entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, judicial,

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

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legislative, police, regulatory or taxing authority or power, any court or tribunal (or any department, bureau or division thereof, or any governmental arbitrator or arbitral body).

 

“****” means that certain ****.

 

IND means an application submitted to a Regulatory Authority in any country to initiate human clinical investigations or trials with respect to a product or therapy, including an investigational new drug application or any successor application or procedure filed with the FDA, or any foreign equivalent thereof, and all supplements and amendments that may be filed with respect to the foregoing.

 

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3 ( Indemnification Procedure ).

 

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3 ( Indemnification Procedure ).

Initial Selection Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6 ( Exclusivity ). Initiation ” means, with respect to a clinical trial, the first dosing of the first subject in

such clinical trial.

 

Insolvency Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2(c) ( Termination for Bankruptcy ).

 

Invention ” means any process, method, composition of matter, article of manufacture, discovery or finding, patentable or otherwise, that is made, generated, conceived or otherwise invented as a result of a Party exercising its rights or carrying out its obligations under this Agreement, whether directly or via its Affiliates, agents or independent contractors, including all rights, title and interest in and to the intellectual property rights therein.

JAMS Rules ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.9(b) ( Dispute Resolution ). Jointly-Developed Collaboration IP ” means all Collaboration Inventions, Collaboration

Patents and Collaboration Know-How that are developed jointly by the Parties (or their Affiliate(s)) (i.e., that are neither Axovant-Developed Collaboration IP nor Benitec-Developed Collaboration IP).

 

JRC ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6 ( Joint Research Committee ).

 

Know-How ” means any information, discoveries, compounds, compositions, formulations, formulas, inventions, dosage regimens, practices, procedures, processes, methods, knowledge, know-how, trade secrets, techniques, designs, drawings, correspondence, computer programs, documents, apparatus, results, strategies, regulatory documentation, information and submissions pertaining to, or made in association with, filings with any Governmental Authority or patent office, Data, assays, chemical formulations, specifications, material, product and other samples, physical, chemical and biological materials and compounds, and the like, in written,

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

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electronic, oral or other tangible or intangible form, now known or hereafter developed, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, but in all cases excluding any Patents.

 

Knowledge ” means, when used in connection with Benitec or Axovant, with respect to any matter in question, the actual knowledge of, in the case of Benitec,****, and in the case of Axovant, ****, in each case, following reasonable inquiry as to such matter.

 

Licensed Product ” means (a) any BB-301 Product and (b) any Collaboration Product. “ **** ” means ****.

MAA ” means an application to the appropriate Regulatory Authority for approval to market for commercial sale a Licensed Product (but excluding Pricing Approval) in a country, including (a) a new drug application submitted to the FDA pursuant to Section 505(b) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 355(b) (an “ NDA ”); (b) a biologics license application submitted to the FDA pursuant to the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 262 (a “ BLA ”), or (c) an application for authorization to market and/or sell a drug product submitted to a Regulatory Authority in a country other than the U.S., in each case ((a), (b) or (c)), including all amendments and supplements thereto.

 

Major Market means each of **** .

 

Marks ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.9 ( Trademarks ).

 

Net Losses ” means, ****.

 

Net Profits means, **** .

 

Net Sales ” means: ****.

 

****:

 

 

(i)

****;

 

 

 

(ii)

****; and

 

 

 

(iii)

****.

 

 

 

(iv)

****.

 

 

OPMD ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Other Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.9 ( Reporting of Financial Information ).

 

Out-of-Pocket Costs ” means ****.

 

PABPN1 ” means poly(A) binding protein nuclear 1 (HGNC ID:8565 / Entrez Gene:8106).

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

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Patents ” means (a) all patents, certificates of invention, applications for certificates of invention, priority patent filings and patent applications, and (b) any renewals, divisions, continuations (in whole or in part), or requests for continued examination of any of such patents,

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

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certificates of invention and patent applications, any and all patents or certificates of invention issuing thereon, and any and all reissuances, reexaminations, extensions, divisions, renewals, substitutions, confirmations, registrations, revalidations, revisions, and additions of or to any of the foregoing.

 

Phase 2 Clinical Trial ” means a human clinical trial that would satisfy the requirements for a Phase 2 study as defined in 21 CFR § 312.21(b) (or any amended or successor regulations) or any equivalent regulations in other countries in the Territory, regardless of where such clinical trial is conducted.

 

Phase 3 Clinical Trial ” means a human clinical trial that would satisfy the requirements for a Phase 3 study, as defined by the applicable Regulatory Authority responsible for granting the IND for such study in the applicable country, including, with respect to the United States and the FDA, as defined in 21 CFR § 312.21(c) (or any amended or successor regulations).

 

Phase 4 Clinical Trial ” means a human clinical trial of a product conducted after Regulatory Approval of such product has been obtained from an appropriate Regulatory Authority in the country in which such trial is to be conducted (including post-approval studies), which trial

(a) is not conducted due to a request or requirement of a Regulatory Authority (a “Voluntary Phase 4 Clinical Trial” ), or (b) is conducted due to a request or requirement of a Regulatory Authority, and, in each case ((a) and (b)), is not a Phase 1 Clinical Trial, Phase 2 Clinical Trial or Phase 3 Clinical Trial. A Phase 4 Clinical Trial may include epidemiological studies, modeling and pharmacoeconomic studies, “post-marketing surveillance trials” and investigator-sponsored clinical trials, but excludes clinical trials conducted for the purposes of label expansion or initial Regulatory Approval.

 

PMDA ” means Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency or any successor entity thereto.

 

Pricing Approval ” means an approval, agreement, determination or decision by a Governmental Authority establishing prices for a Licensed Product in a country, but only with respect to a country where such approval, agreement, determination or decision is reasonably necessary to make commercial sales of such Licensed Product.

 

Product Infringement ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(a) ( Notice ).

 

Profit-Based Royalties has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4 ( Profit-Based Royalties for BB-301 Products ).

 

Profit-Based Royalties Percentage ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4 ( Profit- Based Royalties for BB-301 Products ).

 

Prosecution and Maintenance ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2 ( Patent Prosecution and Maintenance ) and Prosecute and Maintain shall have its correlative meaning.

 

Public Official or Entity ” means any: (a) officer or employee of a Governmental Authority or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of such person; (b) officer, employee or person acting in an official capacity on behalf

 

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of a political party; (c) candidate for political office; (d) officer or employee of a government- owned or government-controlled entity or company, including public stock companies in which the majority shareholders are government-owned or government-controlled entities or companies, regardless of the officer’s or employee’s rank or title; (e) uncompensated honorary officials who have influence in the award of business; (f) members of royal families; (g) any entity hired to review or accept bids for a Governmental Authority; (h) officials, whether elected, appointed or under a contract, permanent or temporary, who hold a legislative, administrative, or judicial position of any kind in a country or territory; (i) person who performs public functions in any branch of the national, local, or municipal governments of a country or territory or who exercises a public function for any public agency or public enterprise of such country or territory; (j) executive, officer, agent or employee acting in a business (even if privately owned) providing a service to the general public; or (k) immediate family members of any of the persons listed above. An immediate family member is a parent, spouse, significant other, child, or sibling.

 

Received Amounts means **** .

Receiving Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1(a) ( Duty of Confidence ). “ Regulatory Approval ” means all approvals, including Pricing Approvals and MAAs,

that are necessary for commencing any commercial sale of a Licensed Product in a given country.

 

Regulatory Authority ” means any applicable Governmental Authority responsible for granting Regulatory Approvals for Licensed Products, including the FDA, the EMA, the PMDA, and any corresponding regulatory authorities.

 

Regulatory Documentation ” means all applications, filings, submissions, approvals, licenses, registrations, permits, notifications and authorizations (or waivers), all correspondence submitted to or received from Regulatory Authorities (including minutes and official contact reports relating to any communications with any Regulatory Authority), all reports and documentation in connection with studies and tests (including study reports and study protocols, and copies of all interim study analysis), and all Data contained in any of the foregoing, with respect to the testing, Development, manufacture or Commercialization of any Licensed Product, including any IND, NDA, MAA, Regulatory Approval, manufacturing data and drug master files.

 

Regulatory Exclusivity means any exclusive marketing rights or data exclusivity rights conferred by any Regulatory Authority with respect to a pharmaceutical product other than Patents, including orphan drug exclusivity, market exclusivity, data exclusivity, or pediatric exclusivity.

Remedial Action ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.4 ( Remedial Actions ). “ Reporting Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.9 ( Reporting of Financial

Information ).

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

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Research Plan means, for each Collaboration Program, the detailed plan agreed in writing by the Parties for the conduct of such Collaboration Program, including the indication(s) of interest, budget, allocation of resources, timelines and desired criteria for Collaboration Compounds arising from such Collaboration Program covering the activities to be performed from Collaboration Target nomination through the Initiation of GLP Toxicity Studies, as such plan may be modified in accordance with Section 3.2 ( Research Plans ). The Parties do not intend that any Research Plan will cover IND-enabling studies, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties.

 

Research Plan Costs ” means Benitec FTE Costs and Out-of-Pocket Costs incurred by Benitec in the conduct of Development activities in accordance with the Research Plan, in each case to the extent incurred in accordance with this Agreement and the applicable Research Plan (including budget).

 

“****” means, collectively ****.

 

Royalty Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.5(b) ( Royalty Term ). “ Sale Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in Section 14.2(a) ( Assignment ). “ Scheduled Target ” means any gene target set forth on Exhibit C .

SEC ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12.7(a) ( Disclosure to the SEC ). “ Selling Entity ” means Axovant, its Affiliates and Sublicensees.

“****” has the meaning **** as of the Effective Date. .

 

“****” has the meaning set forth in Section **** .

 

Sublicense ” means a license or sublicense to Develop, make, use, import, promote, offer for sale or sell any Compound or any Licensed Product.

 

Sublicensee ” means a Third Party to whom Axovant or its Affiliates has granted a Sublicense in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any (a) all federal, provincial, territorial, state, municipal, local, foreign or other taxes, imposts, rates, levies, assessments and other charges in the nature of a tax (and all interest and penalties thereon and additions thereto imposed by any Governmental Authority), including all income, excise, franchise, gains, capital, real property, goods and services, transfer, value added, gross receipts, windfall profits, severance, ad valorem, personal property, production, sales, use, license, stamp, documentary stamp, mortgage recording, employment, payroll, social security, unemployment, disability, estimated or withholding taxes,

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

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and all customs and import duties, together with all interest, penalties and additions thereto imposed with respect to such amounts, in each case whether disputed or not; (b) any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (a) as a result of being or having been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group; and (c) any liability for the payment of any amounts as a result of being party to any tax sharing agreement or arrangement or as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person with respect to the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (a) or (b).

 

Term ” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 ( Term ). “ Territory ” means worldwide.

Third Party ” means any entity other than Benitec or Axovant or an Affiliate of Benitec or Axovant.

 

“****” has the meaning set forth in Section ****.

“****” has the meaning set forth in Section **** . “ Transfer Tax ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.10(e) ( Transfer Tax ). “ Unavailable Target ” means a gene target other than the Scheduled Targets with respect

to which, at the relevant time, (a) Benitec has granted rights to a Third Party, or owes obligations to a Third Party, which rights or obligations are inconsistent with the rights Axovant would have, and the obligations Benitec would have, under this Agreement if such Target were to become a Collaboration Target, provided that Benitec’s entering into the applicable arrangement with such Third Party was not a breach of Benitec’s obligations under this Agreement; or (b) ****.

 

United States or U . S .” means the United States of America, including its territories and possessions.

 

Valid Claim ” means a claim of (a) an issued and unexpired Patent that has not been revoked or held unenforceable, unpatentable or invalid by a decision of a court or other governmental agency of competent jurisdiction that is not appealable or has not been appealed within the time allowed for appeal, and that has not been abandoned, disclaimed or admitted to be invalid or unenforceable through reissue, re-examination or disclaimer or otherwise; or (b) a pending Patent application that has not been finally abandoned or finally rejected or expired and which has been pending for no more than **** years from the date of filing of the earliest priority Patent application to which such pending Patent application is entitled to claim benefit.

 

VAT ” means value added tax, goods and services tax, sales tax or other similar tax. For the avoidance of doubt, “VAT” shall include Australian Goods and Services Tax.

 

VAT-Exclusive Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.10(d) ( VAT ).

 

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ARTICLE II LICENSE GRANTS

 

2.1 Licenses to Axovant . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Benitec hereby grants to Axovant an exclusive (even as to Benitec, subject to Section 2.3(a) ( Rights Retained by Benitec; License to Benitec )), royalty-bearing license, with the right to grant Sublicenses including through multiple tiers only in accordance with and to the extent permitted by Section 2.2 ( Sublicense Rights ), under the Benitec Technology to research, Develop, make, have made, use, distribute, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import, export and otherwise Commercialize Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory.

 

2.2 Sublicense Rights . Subject to the terms of this Section 2.2 ( Sublicense Rights ), Axovant may grant Sublicenses of the licenses granted in Section 2.1 ( Licenses to Axovant ) through multiple tiers to Affiliates of Axovant or to any Third Parties without the prior written consent of Benitec. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each such sublicense to a Third Party shall be granted only pursuant to written agreements that (a) do not purport to grant to the sublicensee any greater or broader rights or licenses under the Benitec Technology than those granted to Axovant under this Agreement, (b) obligate the sublicensee to comply with the restrictions applicable to Axovant relating to the Benitec Technology and all licenses granted under this Agreement, as applicable to the activities of the relevant Sublicensee, and (c) bind the sublicensee to confidentiality obligations at least as protective of Confidential Information as ARTICLE XII. Axovant shall be responsible and liable for the acts and omissions of each of its sublicensees as if such acts and omissions are Axovant’s own. Axovant shall provide Benitec with written notice of any sublicense to any Third Party (other than a sublicense to a subcontractor described in Section

4.5 ( Axovant Subcontractors )) **** and shall provide a complete copy of the Sublicense agreement to Benitec at such time; provided , however , that Axovant may redact any confidential or proprietary information contained therein that is not reasonably necessary for Benitec to determine compliance with this Agreement. For clarity, Axovant may not redact information reasonably necessary for Benitec to determine the value of any payment owed to Benitec (to the extent such disclosure is not prohibited by any existing contractual or legal obligation binding on Axovant). For clarity, any information provided by Axovant to Benitec under this Section 2.2 ( Sublicense Rights ) shall be the Confidential Information of Axovant. **** .

 

2.3 Rights Retained by Benitec; License to Benitec .

 

(a)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Benitec retains (i) the right under the Benitec Technology to itself research, Develop and use Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory solely as necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and

 

(ii) all right, title and interest in and to the Benitec Technology that is not expressly licensed by Benitec to Axovant pursuant to Sections 2.1 ( Licenses to Axovant ) and 2.2 ( Sublicense Rights ).

 

(b)

Axovant hereby grants to Benitec a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable (through multiple tiers) (solely in accordance with the following sentence) license under all Axovant Technology solely to the extent necessary for Benitec to perform its obligations

 

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

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under the BB-301 Development Plan or each applicable Research Plan. The foregoing license grant may be sublicensed solely to permitted service providers performing services on behalf of Benitec to comply with its obligations hereunder as provided in Section 3.1 ( General; Target Selection; Encumbrances ).

 

(c)

****.

 

 

 

2.4

Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 .

 

(a)

Promptly following the Effective Date, the Parties shall agree in writing on a plan for the transfer of Benitec Know-How (including the Data therein) by Benitec or its Affiliate(s) including certain tangible materials Controlled by Benitec as of the Effective Date relating to BB-301 to Axovant, an outline of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.4 (the BB-301 Transfer Plan ”). As soon as practical and pursuant to the BB-301 Transfer Plan, Benitec shall (itself or through its Affiliate(s)) commence disclosing and making available to Axovant the Benitec Know-How and materials listed in the BB-301 Transfer Plan and all additional Benitec Know-How required or reasonably useful in connection with the Development of the BB-301 Compound, according to the timeline set forth in the BB-301 Transfer Plan, and Benitec shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to complete such transfer no later than **** after the Effective Date. The Parties shall cooperate with each other in good faith to enable a smooth transfer of such Benitec Know-How to Axovant. Upon Axovant’s reasonable request, Benitec shall provide reasonable technical assistance, including making appropriate personnel available to Axovant at reasonable times, places, and frequency, and upon reasonable prior notice, for the purpose of assisting Axovant to understand and use the Benitec Know-How in connection with Axovant’s Development and manufacture of BB-301 Products, which shall include using Commercially Reasonable Efforts to cause its contract manufacturers or other providers to provide reasonable assistance in connection with the same.

 

 

(b)

If (i) one or both Parties become aware of Benitec Know-How relating to BB- 301 that was Controlled by Benitec as of the Effective Date but was not transferred to Axovant; or

 

(ii) one or both Parties become aware of Benitec Know-How relating to BB-301 that first came within the Control of Benitec after the Effective Date; then, in each case of (i) and (ii), Benitec shall (itself or through its Affiliate(s)) promptly upon identifying any such Benitec Know-How disclose and transfer such Benitec Know-How (including tangible materials relating thereto) to Axovant, and Benitec shall provide reasonable technical assistance, including making appropriate personnel available to Axovant at reasonable times, places, and frequency, and upon reasonable prior notice, for the purpose of assisting Axovant to understand and use such Benitec Know-How in connection with Axovant’s Development and manufacture of BB-301 Compounds and BB-301 Products.

 

(c)

Benitec shall, at Axovant’s request, use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to make such introductions and facilitate discussions with CMOs, contract research organizations and other Third Parties that have performed services related to BB-301 on behalf of Benitec in order

 

 

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for Axovant to evaluate and potentially contract for such Third Parties’ services, to the extent such evaluation and potential contracting relates to BB-301. Subject to the foregoing, Benitec shall use (itself or through its Affiliate(s)) Commercially Reasonable Efforts to transfer the work for BB- 301 Compounds by Third Parties that is on-going as of the Effective Date, as described in Schedule 10.4(m) , to Axovant, either by assignment of the relevant contract to Axovant or its Affiliate promptly following the Effective Date or consenting to the transfer of such work (including any data and materials) to Axovant or its Affiliate under a separate contract between Axovant or its Affiliate and the applicable Third Party.

 

(d)

Axovant will reimburse and pay Benitec for its time incurred in performing its obligations under this Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ) at the Benitec FTE Rate; provided , however , that the first **** Benitec FTE hours provided under this Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ) shall be free of charge. The following costs and fees for the assistance described in this Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ) shall be reimbursed and paid by Axovant pursuant to Section 8.2(c) ( Reimbursement of Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs ): (i) the amounts actually paid by Benitec to Third Parties, including vendors or contractors, for services or materials provided by them in furtherance of such assistance, as well as any penalties or termination fees paid as a result of Section 2.4(c) ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ), and (ii) the product of the Benitec FTE Rate multiplied by the number of Benitec FTE hours provided in excess of the above- referenced free **** , in each case of (i) and (ii) that are directly related to the assistance provided by Benitec or its Affiliate pursuant to this Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ) (collectively, the “ Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs ”). The Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs shall be reimbursed by Axovant in accordance with Section 8.2(c) ( Reimbursement of Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs ).

 

 

(e)

Third Party Consents. The Parties acknowledge that the transfer of certain Benitec Know-How related to the manufacture of Licensed Products, including chemistry, cell line technology, manufacturing and controls information and other biologic manufacturing and process development technology may be subject to the consent of **** or other Third Party contract manufacturers. Promptly following the Effective Date, Benitec shall use diligent efforts to obtain such consent from **** or such other contractors as soon as practicable and, if consent is obtained, then upon obtaining such consent, shall (itself or through its Affiliate(s)) transfer such manufacturing-related Benitec Know-How to Axovant (or its designee) to enable Axovant (or its designee) to manufacture Licensed Products, provided that Axovant shall reasonably cooperate with Benitec in connection with such consent and transfer, including by providing information requested by **** or such other contractors and agreeing to reasonable covenants that **** or such other contractors may require to protect their respective interests in connection with such transfer. Axovant shall have no obligation to reimburse Benitec for any amounts that may be owed to **** or such other contractors in connection with obtaining consents therefrom.

 

 

2.5 No Implied Licenses . Other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither Party grants any licenses to the other Party hereunder. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither Party shall acquire any license or other intellectual property interest, by implication or otherwise, under or to any Patents, Know-How or other intellectual property owned or controlled by the other Party.

 

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2.6

Exclusivity .

 

(a)

Target Exclusivity . During the Term, but subject to Section 13.3(a)(ii) ( Effect of Termination ), Benitec shall not conduct, itself or through an Affiliate or Third Party, and shall not enable a Third Party to conduct, any pre-clinical or clinical development, manufacture, promotion, or commercialization of any compound, construct, composition or biological entity, regardless of modality directed to (i) any Collaboration Target for which Axovant is then developing a Collaboration Compound, or (ii) PABPN1.

 

 

(b)

Selection Period Exclusivity . Without limiting Section 2.6(a) ( Target Exclusivity ), Benitec shall not for a period of **** following the Effective Date (the “ Initial Selection Period ”) commence or engage in any partnering discussions or initiate any new internal development activities, in either case, with respect to any research or development program directed to a gene target that, as of the Effective Date is not an Unavailable Target, without first providing Axovant notice of the identity of such gene target and providing Axovant with the opportunity to select such Target as a Collaboration Target under this Agreement.

 

 

(c)

Acknowledgment . Each Party recognizes that the restrictions contained in this Section 2.6 ( Exclusivity ) are properly required for the adequate protection of the Parties’ rights hereunder, and agree that if any provision in this Section 2.6 ( Exclusivity ) is determined by any court to be unenforceable by reason of its extending for too great a period of time or over too great a geographic area, or by reason of its being too extensive in any other respect, such restrictions shall be interpreted to extend only for the longest period of time and over the greatest geographic area, and to otherwise have the broadest application as shall be permissible and enforceable.

 

 

 

2.7

Provisions for Insolvency .

 

(a)

365N . All licenses now or hereafter granted under or pursuant to this Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the licenses granted pursuant to Sections 2.1 ( Licenses to Axovant ) and 2.3 ( Rights Retained by Benitec; License to Benitec ), are, for all purposes of Section 365(n) of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended (the “ Bankruptcy Code ”), licenses of rights to “intellectual property” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code. Upon the occurrence of any Insolvency Event with respect to a Party, the Parties agree that the other Party, as licensee of such licenses under this Agreement, shall retain and may fully exercise all of its rights and elections under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to such licenses. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Benitec and Axovant intend and agree that any sale of a Party’s assets under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code shall be subject to the other Party’s rights under Section 365(n), that a Party cannot be compelled to accept a money satisfaction of its interests in the intellectual property licensed pursuant to this Agreement, and that any such sale therefore may not be made to a purchaser “free and clear” of such Party’s rights under this Agreement and Section 365(n) without the express, contemporaneous consent of such Party. Further, each Party agrees and acknowledges that all payments by Axovant to Benitec hereunder, other than the milestone payments pursuant to Section 8.3 ( Milestone Payments ), the profit-based royalty payments pursuant to Section 8.4 ( Profit-Based Royalties for BB-301 Products ) and the royalty payments pursuant to Section 8.5 ( Royalty Payments for Collaboration Products ), do not constitute royalties within the meaning of Section 365(n) of the Bankruptcy Code or relate to licenses of intellectual property hereunder. Each Party shall, during the Term, create and maintain current copies or, if

 

 

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not amenable to copying, detailed descriptions or other appropriate embodiments, to the extent feasible, of all intellectual property licensed pursuant to this Agreement. Benitec and Axovant acknowledge and agree that “embodiments” of intellectual property within the meaning of Section 365(n) include laboratory notebooks, cell lines, vectors, reagents, assays, product samples and inventory, research studies and data, Regulatory Documentation and Regulatory Approvals. If (i) a case under the Bankruptcy Code is commenced by or against a Party, (ii) this Agreement is rejected as provided in the Bankruptcy Code, and (iii) the other Party elects to retain its rights hereunder as provided in Section 365(n) of the Bankruptcy Code, such Party (in any capacity, including debtor-in-possession) and its successors and assigns (including a trustee) shall:

 

(A) provide to the other Party all such intellectual property (including all embodiments thereof) held by such Party and such successors and assigns, or otherwise available to them, immediately upon the other Party’s written request. Whenever such Party or any of its successors or assigns provides to the other Party any of the intellectual property licensed hereunder (or any embodiment thereof) pursuant to this Section 2.7 ( Provisions for Insolvency ), the other Party shall have the right to perform such Party’s obligations hereunder with respect to such intellectual property, but neither such provision nor such performance by the other Party shall release such Party from liability resulting from rejection of the license or the failure to perform such obligations; and

 

(B) not interfere with the other Party’s rights under this Agreement, or any agreement supplemental hereto, to such intellectual property (including such embodiments), including any right to obtain such intellectual property (or such embodiments) from another entity, to the extent provided in Section 365(n) of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

(b)

Cumulative Remedies . All rights, powers and remedies of the other Party provided herein are in addition to and not in substitution for any and all other rights, powers and remedies now or hereafter existing at law or in equity (including the Bankruptcy Code) in the event of the commencement of a case under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to such Party. The Parties agree that they intend the following rights to extend to the maximum extent permitted by law, and to be enforceable under Bankruptcy Code Section 365(n):

 

 

(i) the right of access to any intellectual property (including all embodiments thereof) of such Party, or any Third Party with whom such Party contracts to perform an obligation of such Party under this Agreement, and, in the case of the Third Party, which is necessary for the manufacture, use, sale, import or export of Licensed Products; and

 

 

(ii)

the right to contract directly with any Third Party to complete the

 

contracted work.

ARTICLE III COLLABORATION PROGRAMS

 

 

3.1 General; Target Selection; Encumbrances . During the Term, the Parties will collaborate on, and Axovant will pursue and fund as required under this Agreement (in accordance with the budget set forth in the relevant Research Plan and Section 8.2 ( Reimbursement of Benitec Costs )), **** five (5) Collaboration Programs, each targeting a different Collaboration Target,

 

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in accordance with the terms of this ARTICLE III ( Collaboration Programs ). As of the Effective Date, Axovant has identified the five (5) gene targets that it believes will be suitable as subjects for a Collaboration Program, which are identified as the Scheduled Targets hereunder on Exhibit C attached hereto. At the conclusion of the Initial Selection Period, Axovant shall confirm in writing the five (5) Collaboration Targets to which each of five (5) Collaboration Programs will be directed, which for clarity may differ from the Scheduled Targets on Exhibit C as of the Effective Date. With respect to any Research Plan, if any Third Party intellectual property that has been licensed to Benitec or its Affiliates is proposed by Benitec for use in the Collaboration Program to which such Research Plan relates, Benitec shall disclose all terms related to the use (including prosecution and enforcement rights) of such intellectual property (other than financial terms for which Benitec shall remain solely responsible) in writing to Axovant prior to the execution of the Research Plan therefor. Benitec will not subcontract any work under any Research Plan or the BB-301 Development Plan to any Third Party except with Axovant’s prior written consent, which will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

3.2 Research Plans . Promptly following Axovant’s confirmation of the initial Collaboration Targets pursuant to Section 3.1 ( General; Target Selection; Encumbrances ), the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to agree in writing upon a Research Plan for each Collaboration Program. Without limiting Sections 3.4 ( Failed Collaboration Products; Substitute Targets and Substitute Products ) or 3.5 ( Termination of Research Plan for Cause ), the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to modify and update each Research Plan from time to time, as appropriate upon mutual agreement. Each Party shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct its efforts under and in accordance with the applicable Research Plan, and shall comply with all Applicable Laws in connection with its conduct of such Research Plan, and, in the case of Benitec, secure audit rights from each vendor performing work under such Research Plan in a scope reasonably acceptable to Axovant.

 

3.3 Costs . Axovant shall reimburse Benitec for its Research Plan Costs incurred after the Effective Date in connection with the conduct of each Research Plan (including Benitec FTEs at the Benitec FTE Rate) in accordance with the budget set forth in such Research Plan and Section 8.2 ( Reimbursement of Benitec Costs ). Except as set forth in the preceding sentence and in Section 8.2 ( Reimbursement of Benitec Costs ), each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with its performance of any Research Plan and Collaboration Program.

 

3.4 Failed Collaboration Products; Substitute Targets and Substitute Products .

 

(a)

Axovant shall promptly notify Benitec in writing of any Collaboration Program under which, in Axovant’s good faith determination, it is either (i) not technically feasible (including due to safety issues) to generate successful Collaboration Products under the then- current state of the art, or (ii) not commercially viable to Develop or Commercialize Collaboration Products arising from such Collaboration Program (such written notice, a “ Failure Notice ” and the gene target of such Collaboration Program, a “ Failed Target ”). If, notwithstanding the delivery of a Failure Notice, Benitec believes in good faith that the generation of viable Collaboration Products arising from the relevant existing Collaboration Program is technically feasible, then Benitec shall so notify Axovant in writing (an “ Objection Notice ”) within **** following receipt of such Failure Notice and the Parties shall promptly meet and discuss in

 

 

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good faith whether such Collaboration Product is technically feasible or commercially unviable. Axovant shall advise Benitec in writing of its final decision as to whether such Collaboration Target is a Failed Target within **** following its receipt of such notice from Benitec, or such longer period as the Parties may agree in writing. If Benitec does not provide Axovant with an Objection Notice as set forth above, then such Collaboration Program shall be deemed to be a Failed Program commencing **** following Benitec’s receipt of a Failure Notice therefor. If Benitec does provide Axovant with an Objection Notice as set forth above and Axovant does not agree with Benitec following consultation with Benitec, then such Collaboration Program shall be deemed to be a Failed Program commencing **** following Benitec’s receipt of a Failure Notice therefor or such longer period as the Parties may agree in writing.

 

(b)

Upon a Collaboration Program becoming a Failed Program: (i) all activities under this Agreement with respect to the Collaboration Program directed to the Failed Target shall cease; (ii) the licenses granted by Benitec to Axovant pursuant to Section 2.1 ( Licenses to Axovant ) shall terminate with respect to such Failed Program, and (iii) ****

 

 

(c)

For any Failed Program, Axovant shall have the right, but not the obligation, to elect to select one (1) different gene target to replace the relevant Failed Target (such newly selected gene target, a Substitute Target ”), provided that (i)****, and

 

(ii) Axovant may not, without the consent of Benitec, elect as a Substitute Target any genetic target that is an Unavailable Target.

 

 

(d)

Upon Axovant’s provision of a Substitution Notice for a given Failed Target,

(i) all activities under this Agreement with respect to the Collaboration Program directed to the Failed Target shall cease; (ii) the Substitute Target shall be deemed a Collaboration Target and the program to be undertaken by the Parties directed to the discovery and Development of a gene

 

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therapy product directed against such new Collaboration Target shall be deemed a new substitute Collaboration Program hereunder; and (iii) the Parties shall agree to a Research Plan for the new substitute Collaboration Program to replace the Research Plan from the Collaboration Program for the Failed Target. For clarity, with respect to each Failed Target, (A) the licenses granted by Benitec to Axovant pursuant to Section 2.1 ( Licenses to Axovant ) shall, as of the date that new Research Plan is agreed for such new Collaboration Program, terminate with respect to the relevant Collaboration Products directed to the relevant Failed Target, but, for clarity, shall continue solely with respect to any Licensed Products Directed to such Failed Target and other Research Target and (B) ****.

 

3.5 Termination of Research Plan for Cause . If Axovant reasonably and in good faith believes that Benitec is materially failing to perform its obligations in connection with a Research Plan, then Axovant may deliver written notice thereof. Benitec shall have **** from the receipt of notice to cure such alleged failure. If Benitec does not cure such failure within such **** period, then Axovant may terminate such Research Plan on written notice of termination. In such event, Axovant may, by written notice to Benitec, elect to continue the Collaboration Program relating to such Research Plan. In such event: (a) Benitec shall perform the technology transfer described in Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ), and (b) without limiting any other remedy that may be available to Axovant hereunder, all milestone and royalty payment obligations under this Agreement from Axovant to Benitec with respect to such Collaboration Program thereafter shall be reduced by ****. If Benitec disputes Axovant’s position that Benitec was materially failing to perform its obligations or failed to cure any such failure during the cure period, then, in either case, ****.

 

3.6 Decision-Making Authority . In the event of any dispute relating to the content of a Research Plan or conduct of a Collaboration Program, Axovant shall have the right of final decision following good faith consultation with Benitec, provided that Axovant may not use such right of final decision to (a) cause Benitec to undertake work that is not covered by the budget set forth in such Research Plan or is otherwise unreimbursed by Axovant, or to cause Benitec to take any action that Benitec reasonably believes to be in violation of Applicable Laws based on the written advice of its counsel, or (b) change the Collaboration Target of the Research Plan or Collaboration Program (which shall not be changed unless agreed upon in writing by the Parties) or as otherwise set forth in Section 3.4 ( Failed Collaboration Products; Substitute Targets and Substitute Products ).

 

 

3.7

Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs .

 

(a)

For each Collaboration Program, upon the date that is **** following Benitec’s completion of its activities under the applicable Research Plan or Axovant’s written request, the Parties will agree in writing on a plan for the transfer of Benitec Know-How (including the Data therein) by Benitec or its Affiliate(s) relating to such Collaboration Program to Axovant,

 

 

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including all Collaboration Compounds and related materials arising from such Collaboration Program (a “ Collaboration Program Transfer Plan ”). The Parties intend that each Collaboration Program Transfer Plan encompass the transfer to Axovant of all Benitec Know-How (including tangible materials) Controlled by Benitec as of the date of such transfer as is necessary or reasonably useful to enable Axovant’s Development and manufacture of the Collaboration Compounds and Collaboration Product arising from such Collaboration Program. As soon as practical and pursuant to such Collaboration Program Transfer Plan, Benitec shall (itself or through its Affiliate(s)) commence disclosing and making available to Axovant the Benitec Know-How and materials listed in the Collaboration Program Transfer Plan, according to the timeline set forth in the Collaboration Program Transfer Plan, and Benitec shall (itself or through its Affiliate(s)) use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to complete such transfer no later than **** after the Effective Date. The Parties shall cooperate with each other in good faith to enable a smooth transfer of such Benitec Know-How to Axovant. Upon Axovant’s reasonable request, Benitec shall provide reasonable technical assistance, including making appropriate personnel available to Axovant at reasonable times, places, and frequency, and upon reasonable prior notice, for the purpose of assisting Axovant to understand and use the Benitec Know-How in connection with Axovant’s Development and manufacture of Collaboration Compounds and Collaboration Products.

 

(b)

If (i) one or both Parties become aware of Benitec Know-How relating to a Collaboration Program that was Controlled by Benitec as of the Effective Date but was not transferred to Axovant; or (ii) one or both Parties become aware of Benitec Know-How relating to a Collaboration Program that first came within the Control of Benitec after the Effective Date; then, in each case of (i) and (ii), Benitec shall promptly upon identifying any such Benitec Know- How disclose and transfer such Benitec Know-How (including tangible materials relating thereto) to Axovant, and Benitec shall provide reasonable technical assistance, including making appropriate personnel available to Axovant at reasonable times, places, and frequency, and upon reasonable prior notice, for the purpose of assisting Axovant to understand and use such Benitec Know-How in connection with Axovant’s Development and manufacture of Collaboration Compounds and Collaboration Products arising from such Collaboration Program.

 

 

(c)

Benitec shall, at Axovant’s request, use reasonable efforts to make such introductions and facilitate discussions with CMOs, contract research organizations and other Third Parties that have performed services related to each Collaboration Program on behalf of Benitec in order for Axovant to evaluate and potentially contract for such Third Parties’ services, to the extent such evaluation and potential contracting relates to the Collaboration Program.

 

 

(d)

Axovant will reimburse and pay Benitec for its time incurred in performing its obligations under this Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ) at the Benitec FTE Rate; provided , however , that the **** provided pursuant to this Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ) shall be free of charge. The following costs and fees for the assistance described in this Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ) shall be reimbursed and paid by Axovant pursuant to Section 8.2(d) ( Reimbursement of Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs ): (i) the amounts actually paid by Benitec to Third Parties, including vendors or contractors, for services or materials provided by them in furtherance of such assistance, and (ii) the product of the Benitec FTE Rate multiplied by the number of Benitec FTE

 

 

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hours provided in excess of the above-referenced free **** , in each case of (i) and (ii) that are directly related to the assistance provided by Benitec pursuant to this Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ) (collectively, the “ Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs ”). The Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs shall be reimbursed by Axovant in accordance with Section 8.2(d) ( Reimbursement of Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs ).

 

ARTICLE IV

DEVELOPMENT; JOINT RESEARCH COMMITTEE

 

4.1 General .

 

(a)

BB-301 Development Plan . Promptly following the Effective Date, the Parties shall agree in writing upon the BB-301 Development Plan. The Parties shall cooperate in good faith to modify and update the BB-301 Development Plan from time to time as reasonably necessary in connection with the Development of BB-301 Products. In the event of any dispute regarding the BB-301 Development Plan or modification thereto, Axovant shall have the final decision following good faith consultation with Benitec. Benitec shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to conduct the BB-301 Retained Development Activities under and in accordance with the BB-301 Development Plan, and shall comply with all Applicable Laws in connection with its conduct of such BB-301 Retained Development Activities. In the event of any dispute relating to the content of the BB-301 Development Plan or conduct of activities thereunder, Axovant shall have the right of final decision following good faith consultation with Benitec, provided that Axovant may not use such right of final decision to cause Benitec to undertake work that is not covered by the budget set forth in the BB-301 Development Plan or is otherwise unreimbursed by Axovant, or to cause Benitec to take any action that Benitec reasonably believes to be in violation of Applicable Laws based on the written advice of its counsel. Benitec (i) will not change any subcontractors that are engaged in the Development of BB-301 as of the Effective Date or during the Term without Axovant’s prior written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld and (ii) secure audit rights from each vendor performing any new work under the BB-301 Development Plan in a scope reasonably acceptable to Axovant.

 

 

(b)

General Development Responsibilities for BB-301 . Except as set forth in Section 4.1(d) ( Benitec Development Responsibilities ), following the completion of the initial technology transfer for BB-301 as set forth in Section 2.4(a) ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ), Axovant shall be responsible for the Development of BB-301 Compounds and BB- 301 Products in the Field in the Territory, including the performance of preclinical and clinical studies of any BB-301 Compound or BB-301 Product in the Field and the manufacture and supply of BB-301 Compounds and BB-301 Products for use in such Development work. Axovant shall provide Benitec with ****, reasonably detailed written summary updates of its pre-clinical and clinical Development plans, progress, and results for BB-301 Compounds and BB-301 Products. As between the Parties, Axovant shall be solely responsible for the cost for the Development of BB-301 Compounds and BB-301 Products in the Field in the Territory, subject to Section 8.2 ( Reimbursement of Benitec Costs ).

 

 

(c)

General Development Responsibilities for Collaboration Programs . Except as set forth in Section 4.1(d) ( Benitec Development Responsibilities ), following the

 

 

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completion of the initial technology transfer for a Collaboration Program as set forth in Section 3.7(a) ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ), and except as set forth in the relevant Research Plan, Axovant shall be solely responsible for the Development of Collaboration Compounds and Collaboration Product arising from such Collaboration Program in the Field in the Territory, including the performance of preclinical and clinical studies of any such Collaboration Compound or Collaboration Product in the Field and the manufacture and supply of such Collaboration Compounds and Collaboration Product for use in such Development work. Axovant shall provide Benitec with ****, reasonably detailed written summary updates of its pre-clinical and clinical Development plans, progress, and results for Collaboration Compounds and Collaboration Products. As between the Parties, Axovant shall be solely responsible for the cost for the Development of Collaboration Compounds and Collaboration Products in the Field in the Territory, subject to Section 8.2 ( Reimbursement of Benitec Costs ).

 

(d)

Benitec Development Responsibilities . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 4.1(b) ( General Development Responsibilities for BB-301 ) or Section 4.1(c) ( General Development Responsibilities for Collaboration Programs ), subject to Section 4.1(a) ( BB-301 Development Plan ) , Benitec will continue to have responsibility with respect to those Development activities for BB-301 Products and Collaboration Products as and to the extent set forth in the BB-301 Development Plan and each Research Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, Benitec shall be compensated for the continued performance of the foregoing activities as set forth in the BB-301 Development Plan or the relevant Research Plan, as set forth in Section 8.2 ( Reimbursement of Benitec Costs ). Benitec shall maintain complete, current and accurate records of all activities conducted by or on behalf of Benitec under the BB-301 Development and each Research Plan (including records of all costs for which Benitec intends to seek reimbursement hereunder), and all data and other information resulting from such activities in accordance with Benitec’s standard procedures. Such records shall properly reflect all work done and results achieved in the performance of the activities in good scientific manner appropriate for regulatory and patent purposes.

 

 

4.2 Development Diligence . Axovant, directly or indirectly through Affiliates or Sublicensees, shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to Develop and to seek Regulatory Approval for at least one Collaboration Product from each Collaboration Program in the Field in each Major Markets. In addition, Axovant shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to Develop and to seek Regulatory Approval for at least one BB-301 Product in OPMD in each of the BB-301 Major Markets. If Axovant determines to cease pursuing, directly or through its Affiliates or Sublicensees, all BB-301 Products or all Collaboration Products from a Collaboration Program, then Axovant shall notify Benitec thereof in writing as soon as practicable. Such notice shall be deemed to be a notice of termination for convenience pursuant to Section 13.2(a) ( Termination by Axovant for Convenience ) with respect to BB-301 Products or such Collaboration Program, as applicable.

 

4.3 Development Records . Axovant shall maintain complete, current and accurate records of all Development activities conducted by or on behalf of Axovant, its Affiliates and Sublicensees for any Compound and Licensed Product in the Field, and all data and other information resulting from such activities in accordance with Axovant’s standard procedures. Such records shall properly reflect all work done and results achieved in the performance of the Development activities in good scientific manner appropriate for regulatory and patent purposes.

 

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4.4 Compliance. Axovant agrees that, in performing its obligations under this Agreement, (a) it shall comply with all Applicable Laws, and (b) it shall not employ or engage any person who has been debarred or disqualified by any Regulatory Authority, or debarred, disqualified, excluded, suspended or otherwise determined to be ineligible to participate in any health care programs of any Governmental Entity, or, to its Knowledge, is the subject of any actions, or proceedings by any Governmental Authority for any such debarment, disqualification, exclusion, suspension or ineligibility.

 

4.5 Axovant Subcontractors . Axovant, its Affiliates and its Sublicensees may engage subcontractors for the performance of its obligations under this Agreement and shall cause the subcontractors engaged by it to be bound by written obligations of confidentiality and non-use of Benitec’s Confidential Information consistent with those contained herein, and Axovant shall remain primarily responsible for the performance of such subcontractors and responsible and liable for the acts and omissions of its subcontractors as if such acts and omissions are Axovant’s own.

 

 

4.6

Joint Research Committee.

 

(a)

Establishment . Promptly following the Effective Date, Axovant and Benitec shall establish a joint research committee (the JRC ”) (i) to evaluate and discuss the Collaboration Programs under this Agreement, (ii) to facilitate the conduct of the BB-301 Development Plan and sharing of information with respect to any the activities conducted thereunder, and (iii) to facilitate the conduct of the Research Plans and sharing of information with respect to the Collaboration Programs.

 

 

 

(b)

Responsibilities . The JRC shall be responsible for:

 

(i) Evaluating and discussing the Collaboration Programs and products and technologies in relation thereto, including discussing the suitability of potential Substitute Targets proposed by Axovant for inclusion as Collaboration Targets under this Agreement;

 

(ii) Monitoring, reviewing and providing feedback and guidance with respect to the conduct of each Research Plan and the BB-301 Development Plan, including the progress thereof;

 

(iii) Reviewing and discussing any activities proposed to be added or withdrawn from a Research Plan or BB-301 Development Plan;

 

(iv) Reviewing and discussing any proposed updates to each Research Plan or the BB-301 Development Plan, as applicable;

 

(v) Facilitating the transfer of Know-How and Regulatory Materials from Benitec to Axovant as provided herein (including establishing appropriate procedures therefor);

 

(vi) Reviewing and discussing any guidance received from Regulatory Authorities that either Party reasonably believes would be applicable to the activities under this Agreement; and

 

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(vii) Reviewing and discussing such other issues as brought to the JRC by one of the Parties or its delegates to the JRC.

 

(c)

Limitation on Authority . For clarity, the JRC is not and shall not be a decision-making body under this Agreement, but rather is intended to operate solely as an advisory and informational body.

 

 

(d)

Membership . The JRC shall consist of two representatives from each of Benitec and Axovant with the appropriate experience and seniority to perform the obligations of the JRC. Either Party may replace its respective representative(s) at any time with prior written notice to the other Party. Axovant shall appoint one of its representatives to the JRC to chair the meetings of the JRC (the “ Chairperson ”). The Chairperson, in coordination with Benitec’s JRC representatives, shall coordinate, schedule and ensure the orderly conduct of the JRC’s meetings. If any representative of the JRC from a Party is unable to attend or participate in any meeting of the JRC, then such Party may appoint a substitute representative for the meeting (including in the case of Axovant, a substitute Chairperson).

 

 

(e)

Meetings . Subject to Section 4.6(f) ( Disbandment ), the JRC shall hold meetings (either in person or by teleconference) at such times and places as Chairperson determines are reasonably necessary for the JRC to conduct its responsibilities, provided that, unless the Parties otherwise agree, the JRC shall meet at least on a **** basis. Each Party shall bear its own costs associated with attending such meetings. As appropriate, other employees or consultants of a Party or its Affiliates may attend JRC meetings as observers subject to the confidentiality provisions in ARTICLE XII ( Confidentiality; Publication ). Each Party may also call for special meetings to address matters requiring prompt attention with at least **** (or such shorter period as necessary to address exigent matters) to address particular matters identified by such Party in such notice.

 

 

(f)

Disbandment . The JRC shall continue to exist until the Parties mutually agree to disband the JRC, at which time the JRC shall disband, have no further responsibilities under this Agreement and will be considered dissolved by the Parties.

 

 

ARTICLE V REGULATORY

 

5.1 Regulatory Responsibilities . Axovant shall be responsible for all regulatory activities necessary to obtain and maintain Regulatory Approval of Compounds and Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory. Axovant shall keep Benitec informed of material regulatory developments related to Compounds and Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory.

 

5.2 Regulatory Documentation . Benitec shall and hereby does assign to Axovant, all Regulatory Documentation and Regulatory Approvals related to any Compound or Licensed Product, and shall promptly take all actions reasonably requested by Axovant to effect and evidence such assignment (it being understood that the foregoing rights of assignment shall revert to Benitec upon termination (but not expiration) of this Agreement in accordance with Section 13.3(b) ( Effect of Termination ), for whatever reason). Axovant shall prepare and submit all Regulatory Documentation for Compounds and Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory and

 

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shall own all Regulatory Documentation for Compounds and Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory. Upon reasonable advance request by Axovant, Benitec shall provide Axovant with, or provide Axovant access to, all raw data underlying or referenced in, any Regulatory Documentation, to the extent not provided as part of the transfer contemplated under Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ) or Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ); provided , however , that if Benitec is not able under Applicable Laws to provide access to Axovant to such raw data, and if such data is required or requested by any Regulatory Authority, Benitec shall provide such raw data directly to such Regulatory Authority on Axovant’s behalf upon request of Axovant.

 

5.3 Rights of Reference . Subject to Section 2.6 ( Exclusivity ), each Party hereby grants the other Party, and its Affiliates the right to use and reference all Regulatory Documentation (including data contained therein) and Regulatory Approvals for the Compounds and Licensed Products (including as the foregoing may relate to Benitec’s platform technologies, such as ddRNAi, used in connection with the Compounds and Licensed Products). The foregoing rights shall be exercisable by or through Axovant only with respect to regulatory submissions for Licensed Products and no other products and shall be exercisable by or through Benitec only with respect to regulatory submissions for programs that comply with Section 2.6 ( Exclusivity ). Either Party may allow its Affiliates or its Affiliate’s (sub)licensees (including sublicensees) or collaborators to exercise such right of reference or use of Regulatory Documentation of the other Party, its Affiliates or (sub)licensees or other collaborators, but only to the extent that such (sub)licensee or collaborator grants to such Party a right of reference or use of Regulatory Documentation of such licensee or collaborator that can be exercised by the other Party for purposes of obtaining and maintaining regulatory submissions for the Licensed Products (in the case of Axovant) or for any permitted products (in the case of Benitec), in which case such Regulatory Documentation of such licensee or collaborator shall be included in the grant of a right of reference to the applicable Party, as described in this Section 5.3 ( Right of Reference ). Each Party shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain the consent of its (sub)licensees to grant the rights of reference described in this Section 5.3 ( Right of Reference ) to the other Party.

 

5.4 Remedial Actions . Each Party shall notify the other Party immediately, and promptly confirm such notice in writing, if it obtains information indicating that a Licensed Product may be subject to any recall, corrective action, or other regulatory action with respect to the Licensed Product taken by virtue of Applicable Laws (a “ Remedial Action ”). The Parties shall assist each other in gathering and evaluating such information as is necessary to determine the necessity of conducting a Remedial Action.

 

ARTICLE VI MANUFACTURING

 

6.1 Manufacturing Responsibilities . Except as otherwise provided for in a Research Plan, Axovant shall be solely responsible for all preclinical, clinical, and commercial manufacture and supply of Compounds and Licensed Products for all uses under this Agreement, at its sole expense. Axovant may conduct such manufacturing activities itself or through a CMO, subject to Sections 2.2 ( Sublicense Rights ) a nd 4.5 ( Axovant Subcontractors ).

 

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6.2 Manufacturing Technology Transfer . In addition to Benitec’s obligations under Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ) and Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know- How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ), Benitec shall (itself or through its Affiliate(s)) transfer to Axovant or its designee all process development work conducted by Benitec as of the Effective Date or during the Term to the extent that it is reasonably necessary or useful for the manufacture of any of Compound or Licensed Product at any time that such work is completed and ready to be transferred, solely for Axovant or its CMO to manufacture or have manufactured Compounds or Licensed Products in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Such transfer shall include copies of the Benitec Know-How and any tangible materials that are necessary for the implementation of such process development work in manufacture of Compounds or Licensed Products. Upon Axovant’s reasonable request, Benitec shall (itself or through its Affiliate(s)) provide reasonable technical assistance by making appropriate personnel available to Axovant at reasonable times, places, and frequency, and upon reasonable prior notice for up to an aggregate of ****, which shall be free of charge to Axovant, for the purpose of assisting Axovant to understand and use such Benitec Know-How for the manufacture of Compounds and Licensed Products. Thereafter, if requested by Axovant, Benitec shall continue to make its personnel available to Axovant and continue to perform such technology transfer obligations, provided that Axovant will reimburse and pay Benitec for its time incurred in performing such technology transfer obligations and providing such assistance at the Benitec FTE Rate. The following costs and fees for the manufacturing and technology transfer assistance described in this Section 6.2 ( Manufacturing Technology Transfer ) shall be reimbursed and paid by Axovant pursuant to Section 8.2(b) ( Reimbursement of Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs ): (a) the Out-of-Pocket Costs incurred by Benitec or its Affiliate(s), and (b) the product of the Benitec FTE Rate multiplied by the number of Benitec FTE hours provided in excess of the above-referenced free **** , in each case of (a) and (b) that are directly related to such technology transfer or assistance (collectively, the “ Benitec Technology Transfer Costs ”). The Benitec Technology Transfer Costs shall be reimbursed by Axovant in accordance with Section 8.2(b) ( Reimbursement of Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs ).

 

ARTICLE VII COMMERCIALIZATION

 

7.1 General . Axovant shall be responsible for all aspects of the Commercialization of the Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory, including: (a) developing and executing a commercial launch and pre-launch plan, (b) negotiating with applicable Governmental Authorities and others regarding the price and reimbursement status of the Licensed Products and obtaining and maintaining Pricing Approvals; (c) marketing, medical affairs, and promotion; (d) formulary access arrangements, including agreements with third party payers and pharmacy benefit managers; (e) advertising and promotional material and activities (f) storage, warehousing and distribution activities and any permits required in connection therewith; (g) booking sales and distribution and performance of related services; (h) handling all aspects of order processing, invoicing and collection, inventory and receivables; (i) providing customer support, including handling medical queries, and performing other related functions; and (j) conforming its practices and procedures to Applicable Law relating to the marketing, detailing and promotion of Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory. As between the Parties, Axovant shall be solely responsible

 

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for the costs and expenses of Commercialization of the Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory.

 

7.2 Commercial Diligence . Axovant, directly or indirectly through Affiliates or Sublicensees, shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to Commercialize each Licensed Product in the Field in each Major Market for which Axovant (or its Affiliates or Sublicensees) obtains Regulatory Approval for such Licensed Product. Approximately **** months prior to the planned date of First Commercial Sale of a BB-301 Product or a Collaboration Product from a Collaboration Program, Axovant shall provide Benitec with a commercialization plan for such Licensed Product, including launch plans. **** .

 

ARTICLE VIII FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

 

8.1 Upfront Payment . Axovant shall make a one-time, non-refundable upfront payment of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) to Benitec within **** Business Days after the Effective Date.

 

 

8.2

Reimbursement of Benitec Costs .

 

(a)

Reimbursement of Research and Development Plan Costs. Axovant shall reimburse Benitec for all of Benitec’s Research Plan Costs and BB-301 Development Plan Costs, in each case to the extent incurred after the Effective Date, as follows: Within **** after the end of each Calendar Quarter during which Benitec performs work under any Research Plan or BB-301 Development Plan, as applicable, Benitec shall submit to Axovant a reasonably detailed report setting forth the actual Research Plan Costs and BB-301 Development Plan Costs incurred by Benitec in such Calendar Quarter, together with an invoice therefor. Upon Axovant’s request, Benitec shall submit such additional documentation as Axovant may reasonably request to support such report and invoice. If Axovant in good faith believes that any such invoice is inaccurate, then Axovant may dispute such invoice by promptly notifying Benitec of such dispute regarding such invoice, which notice shall include a reasonably detailed explanation of the basis for the dispute, within **** following the date on which Benitec submitted such invoice and, if Axovant timely raises such dispute, the Parties shall seek in good faith to promptly resolve any such dispute. Axovant shall pay all invoices submitted pursuant to this Section 8.2(a) ( Reimbursement of Research and Development Plan Costs ) to the extent not subject to a good faith dispute timely raised in accordance with the foregoing within **** of receipt thereof. Axovant shall have no liability to Benitec under this Agreement for, and Benitec shall have no obligation to incur, Research Plan Costs or BB-301 Development Plan Costs in excess of the corresponding line item budget set forth in the applicable Research Plan or BB-301 Development Plan, if and as applicable, except as agreed in writing by an authorized representative of Axovant.

 

 

(b)

Reimbursement of Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs. Axovant shall reimburse and pay Benitec for all Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs , to the extent incurred after the Effective Date, as described in Section 6.2 ( Manufacturing

 

 

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Technology Transfer ) , which shall be payable as follows, solely to the extent that such Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs are not subject to reimbursement as Research Plan Costs or BB-301 Development Plan Costs: Within **** after the end of each Calendar Quarter during which Benitec performs any work or provides any assistance in connection with a technology transfer described in Section 6.2 ( Manufacturing Technology Transfer ), Benitec shall submit to Axovant a reasonably detailed report setting forth the Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs for such Calendar Quarter together with an invoice therefor. Upon Axovant’s request, Benitec shall submit such additional documentation as Axovant may reasonably request to support such report and invoice. If Axovant in good faith believes that any such invoice is inaccurate, then Axovant may dispute such invoice by promptly notifying Benitec of such dispute regarding such invoice, which notice shall include a reasonably detailed explanation of the basis for the dispute, within **** following the date on which Benitec submitted such invoice and, if Axovant timely raises such dispute, the Parties shall seek in good faith to promptly resolve any such dispute. Axovant shall pay all invoices submitted pursuant to this Section 8.2(b) ( Reimbursement of Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs ) to the extent not subject to a good faith dispute timely raise in accordance with the foregoing within **** of receipt thereof. For clarity, subject to and without limiting Axovant’s obligations under Section 8.2(a) ( Reimbursement of Research and Development Plan Costs ), Axovant shall have no liability to Benitec under this Agreement for Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs that are (i) subject to reimbursement as Research Plan Costs or BB- 301 Development Plan Costs pursuant to Section 8.2(a) ( Reimbursement of Research and Development Plan Costs ) or (ii) not, in Axovant’s good faith, reasonable discretion following consultation with Benitec in advance of Benitec incurring the Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs , reasonably necessary for the performance of the transfer described in Section 6.2, except as agreed in writing by an authorized representative of Axovant; provided , however , that (A) Benitec shall have no obligation to incur any Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs that would be excluded from reimbursement by Axovant pursuant to this clause (ii), and (B) Benitec FTE hours that Axovant elects to use pursuant to Section 6.2 ( Manufacturing Technology Transfer ) shall automatically be deemed reasonably necessary for the performance of the transfer described in Section 6.2 ( Manufacturing Technology Transfer ).

 

(c)

Reimbursement of Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs. Axovant shall reimburse and pay Benitec for all Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs to the extent incurred after the Effective Date, as described in Section 2.4(d) ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ) , which shall be payable as follows: Within **** after the end of each Calendar Quarter during which Benitec performs any work or provides any assistance described in Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ), Benitec shall submit to Axovant a reasonably detailed report setting forth the Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs for such Calendar Quarter together with an invoice therefor. Upon Axovant’s request, Benitec shall submit such additional documentation as Axovant may reasonably request to support such report and invoice. If Axovant in good faith believes that any such invoice is inaccurate, then Axovant may dispute such invoice by promptly notifying Benitec of such dispute regarding such invoice, which notice shall include a reasonably detailed explanation of the basis for the dispute, within **** following the date on which Benitec submitted such invoice and, if Axovant timely raises such dispute, the Parties shall seek in good faith to promptly resolve any such dispute. Axovant shall pay all invoices submitted pursuant to this Section 8.2(c) ( Reimbursement of Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs ) to the extent not subject to a good faith dispute timely raised in accordance

 

 

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with the foregoing within **** of receipt thereof. For clarity, Axovant shall have no liability to Benitec under this Agreement for Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs that are not, in Axovant’s good faith, reasonable discretion following consultation with Benitec in advance of Benitec incurring the Benitec BB- 301 Transfer Costs, reasonably necessary for the performance of the transfer and assistance described in Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ), except as agreed in writing by an authorized representative of Axovant; provided , however , that (y) Benitec shall have no obligation to incur any Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs that would be excluded from reimbursement by Axovant pursuant to the foregoing, and (z) FTE hours that Axovant elects to have Benitec provide pursuant to Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ) or FTE hours provided or costs incurred pursuant to the BB-301 Transfer Plan shall automatically be deemed reasonably necessary for the performance of the transfer and assistance described in Section 2.4 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for BB-301 ).

 

(d)

Reimbursement of Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs . Axovant shall reimburse and pay Benitec for all Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs, as described in Section 3.7(d) ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ), to the extent incurred after the Effective Date, which shall be payable as follows: Within **** after the end of each Calendar Quarter during which Benitec performs any work or provides any assistance described in Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ), Benitec shall submit to Axovant a reasonably detailed report setting forth the Benitec BB-301 Transfer Costs for such Calendar Quarter together with an invoice therefor. Upon Axovant’s request, Benitec shall submit such additional documentation as Axovant may reasonably request to support such report and invoice. If Axovant in good faith believes that any such invoice is inaccurate, then Axovant may dispute such invoice by promptly notifying Benitec of such dispute regarding such invoice, which notice shall include a reasonably detailed explanation of the basis for the dispute, within **** following the date on which Benitec submitted such invoice and, if Axovant timely raises such dispute, the Parties shall seek in good faith to promptly resolve any such dispute. Axovant shall pay all invoices submitted pursuant to this Section 8.2(d) ( Reimbursement of Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs ) to the extent not subject to a good faith dispute timely raised in accordance with the foregoing within **** of receipt thereof. For clarity, Axovant shall have no liability to Benitec under this Agreement for Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs that are not, in Axovant’s good faith, reasonable discretion following consultation with Benitec in advance of Benitec incurring the Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs, reasonably necessary for the performance of the transfer and assistance described in Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ), except as agreed in writing by an authorized representative of Axovant; provided , however , that (i) Benitec shall have no obligation to incur any Benitec Collaboration Program Transfer Costs that would be excluded from reimbursement by Axovant pursuant to the foregoing, and (ii) FTE hours that Axovant elects to have Benitec provide pursuant to Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ) or FTE hours provided or costs incurred pursuant to the Collaboration Program Transfer Plan shall automatically be deemed reasonably necessary for the performance of the transfer and assistance described in Section 3.7 ( Transfer of Know-How and Materials for Collaboration Programs ).

 

 

 

8.3

Milestone Payments .

 

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(a)

Development and Regulatory Milestone Payments .

 

(i) BB-301 Products. Subject to ****, within **** after the first achievement of each milestone event below by or on behalf of Axovant or any of its Affiliates or Sublicensees, Axovant shall notify Benitec of the achievement of such milestone event. Benitec shall invoice Axovant for the applicable milestone payment, which shall be non-refundable and non-creditable. Axovant shall remit payment to Benitec within **** of the receipt of such invoice. For clarity, each milestone payment below will be paid only once, irrespective of how many BB-301 Products achieve the same milestone.

 

Milestone Events for BB-301 Products

Milestone Payments

(A) ****

$****

(B) ****

$****

(C) ****

$****

(D) ****

$****

(E) ****

$****

(F) ****

$****

 

For clarity, if any Milestone Event set forth above in this subsection (i) is skipped, then the achievement of a subsequent Milestone Event set forth above shall trigger the payment of all relevant preceding unpaid milestones under this subsection (i) excluding Milestone Event (A), which shall only be paid if actually achieved. The maximum amount payable by Axovant under this subsection (i) is ****.

 

(ii) Collaboration Products. Within ****after the first achievement of each milestone event below for each Collaboration Product by or on behalf of Axovant or any of its Affiliates or Sublicensees, Axovant shall notify Benitec of the achievement of such milestone event. Benitec shall invoice Axovant for the applicable milestone payment, which shall be non-refundable and non-creditable. Axovant shall remit payment to Benitec within **** of the receipt of such invoice.

 

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Milestone Events for each Collaboration Product

Milestone Payments

(A) ****

$****

(B) ****

$****

(C) ****

$****

(D) ****

$****

(E) ****

$****

 

For clarity, if any Milestone Event set forth above in this subsection (ii) is skipped, then the achievement of a subsequent Milestone Event set forth above triggers the payment of all preceding unpaid milestones, excluding Milestone Event (C) above which shall only be paid if actually achieved. The maximum amount payable by Axovant per Collaboration Product under this subsection (ii) is ****.

 

 

(b)

Sales Milestone Payments

 

(i) Subject to Subject to ****, within **** after the end of an Axovant Fiscal Year in which annual Net Sales of BB- 301 Products in the Field in the Territory first reach any threshold indicated in the milestone events listed below, Axovant shall notify Benitec of the achievement of such milestone event. Benitec shall invoice Axovant for the applicable milestone payment, which shall be non-refundable and non-creditable. Axovant shall remit payment to Benitec within **** of the receipt of such invoice. Each such milestone payment shall only be paid once, irrespective of how many times the applicable milestone event is subsequently achieved. The maximum amount payable by Axovant under this subsection (i) is One Hundred and Twenty Million Dollars ($120,000,000).

 

 

Annual Net Sales Milestone Events for BB-301 Products

Milestone Payments

First time that annual Net Sales of all BB-301 Products is

> $****

$****

First time that annual Net Sales of all BB-301 Products is

> $****

$****

 

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(ii) Collaboration Products . On a Collaboration Program-by- Collaboration Program basis, within **** after the end of an Axovant Fiscal Year in which annual Net Sales of the Collaboration Product from such Collaboration Program in the Field in the Territory first reach any threshold indicated in the milestone events listed below, Axovant shall notify Benitec of the achievement of such milestone event. Benitec shall invoice Axovant for the applicable milestone payment, which shall be non-refundable and non-creditable. Axovant shall remit payment to Benitec within **** of the receipt of such invoice. The maximum amount payable by Axovant per Collaboration Program under this subsection (ii) is Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000).

 

 

Annual Net Sales Milestone Events for Collaboration Product, per Collaboration Program

Milestone Payments

First time that annual Net Sales of all Collaboration Products from such Collaboration Program is > $****

$****

First time that annual Net Sales of all Collaboration Products from such Collaboration Program is > $****

$****

 

(iii) If an Annual Net Sales Milestone Event in Section 8.3(b)(i) or (ii) ( Sales Milestone Payments ) is achieved for a given Licensed Product and payment with respect to any previous milestone event for such Licensed Product has not been made, then such previous milestone event shall be deemed achieved, Benitec shall invoice Axovant for such unpaid previous milestone events, and Axovant shall remit payment to Benitec within **** of the receipt of such invoice for each such accrued milestone payments.

 

 

8.4

Profit-Based Royalties for BB-301 Products .

 

(a)

Profit-Based Royalties Percentage . Benitec will have the right to receive from Axovant (i) with respect to the period commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until the Buy-Out Closing Date, thirty percent (30%) of all Net Profits (if any) with respect to BB- 301 Products worldwide (such percentage, the “ Profit-Based Royalties Percentage ”), and (ii) with respect to the period commencing on the **** starting after the date that is **** following the First Commercial Sale of a BB-301 Product and continuing until the **** ending prior to the expiration of the BB-301-Royalty Term, the greater of (A) the Profit-Based Royalties Percentage of all Net Profits (if any) with respect to BB-301 Products worldwide and (B) **** BB-301 Products in all countries worldwide (such **** described in this clause (B), the “ Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties ”), as such Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties amount may be adjusted pursuant to Section 8.4(b) ( Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalty Adjustment ) (the Dollar amount payable to Benitec pursuant to clause (i) or (ii), as applicable, with respect to any Fiscal Quarter, the Benitec Profit- Based Royalties ”). Axovant will retain all Net Profits with respect to BB-301 Products worldwide

 

 

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that remain after paying to Benitec the Benitec Profit-Based Royalties (such calculation, the “ Profit-Based Royalties ”). Net Profits and Net Losses will be calculated and paid in accordance with the terms set forth in Exhibit B .

 

(b)

Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties Adjustment . The calculation of the Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties amount is subject to adjustment, on a country-by- country basis, as a result of the events set forth below (such adjustments to be prorated for the then-current Fiscal Quarter in which the reduction becomes applicable); provided , however , that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall the Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties amount with respect to a given country be reduced by more than **** in the aggregate from the amount of the Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties amount that would otherwise be payable with respect to such country if no reductions were applied. Subject to the foregoing:

 

 

(i) Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties Adjustment for Third Party License Payments . Without limiting either Party’s rights or obligations under Section 9.10 ( Relevant Third Party Rights ), if Axovant, its Affiliates, or Sublicensees, in their respective reasonable judgment, are required or determines it is commercially necessary to make any payments to a Third Party for a license under any Patent to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell or import any BB-301 Product in the Field in a particular country in the Territory, then the Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties amount with respect to such country shall be reduced by **** of the amount of such payments made by Axovant to such Third Party on account of the sale of the BB-301 Product in such country in such Fiscal Quarter.

 

(ii) Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties Adjustment for Expiration of Valid Claim . After the expiration of the last-to-expire Valid Claim of the Benitec Patents that Cover the manufacture, use, or sale of such BB-301 Product (or the Compound therein) in a particular country in the Territory, the portion of the Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties amount that is payable on the Net Sales of BB-301 Products in such country in such Fiscal Quarter shall be reduced by ****.

 

(iii) Benitec Minimum Adjustment for Generic Competition . If there is Generic Competition for a particular BB-301 Product in a particular country in the Territory in a particular Fiscal Quarte r , the portion of the Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties amount that is payable on the Net Sales of BB-301 Products in such country in such Fiscal Quarter shall be reduced by ****.

 

(c)

Excess Costs (Losses). With respect to any Fiscal Quarter for which Axovant reports a Net Loss with respect to BB-301 Products, Axovant will not be required to make any payment to Benitec under Section 8.4(a) ( Profit-Based Royalties Percentage ) in respect of such Fiscal Quarter, except to the extent Axovant is required to pay a Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties amount to Benitec, and Axovant will bear all of such Net Losses, provided that Axovant will have the right, as of the date such Net Loss is reported to Benitec, to credit an amount equal to **** of such Net Loss (the Axovant Commercial Credit ”) against any future amounts payable to Benitec as a Profit-Based Royalties Percentage (but not the Benitec Minimum Profit- Based Royalties) under Section 8.4(a) ( Profit-Based Royalties Percentage ).

 

 

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8.5

Royalty Payments for Collaboration Products .

 

(a)

Royalty Rate . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and on a Collaboration Program-by-Collaboration Program basis, Axovant shall make non-refundable, non- creditable royalty payments to Benitec on the Net Sales of Collaboration Products from such Collaboration Program sold in the Territory during the applicable Royalty Term, as calculated by multiplying the applicable royalty rate set forth below by the corresponding amount of Net Sales of all Collaboration Products from such Collaboration Program sold in the Territory in the applicable Axovant Fiscal Year.

 

 

Net Sales of Collaboration Products in the Territory per Collaboration Program

Royalty Rate

For that portion of aggregate Net Sales of such Collaboration Products in the Territory in an Axovant Fiscal Year less than ****

 

****

For that portion of aggregate Net Sales of such Collaboration Products in the Territory in an Axovant Fiscal Year greater than or equal to **** but less than or equal to ****

 

 

****

For that portion of aggregate Net Sales of such Collaboration Product in the Territory in an Axovant Fiscal Year greater than ****

 

****

 

(b)

Royalty Term . The period with respect to which royalties shall be paid on for a given Collaboration Product shall be determined on Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product and country-by-country basis and shall commence upon the First Commercial Sale of such Collaboration Product in such country in the Territory and continue until the latest of (i) expiration of the last-to-expire Valid Claim of the Benitec Patents and Collaboration Patents that Cover the manufacture, use, or sale of such Collaboration Product (or the Compound therein) in such country in the Territory; (ii) ten (10) years after the First Commercial Sale of such Collaboration Product in such country; and (iii) expiration of Regulatory Exclusivity for such Collaboration Product in such country (the “ Royalty Term ” for such Collaboration Product and country).

 

 

(c)

Royalty Adjustment . Royalties due pursuant to this Section 8.5 ( Royalty Payments for Collaboration Products ) are subject to adjustment on a country-by-country, Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product , and Fiscal Quarter-by-Fiscal Quarter basis as a result of the events set forth below (such adjustments to be prorated for the then-current Fiscal Quarter in which the reduction becomes applicable); provided , however , that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall the amount of any royalties payable by Axovant (on a country-by-country, Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product, and Fiscal Quarter-by-Fiscal Quarter basis) be reduced by more than **** in the aggregate from the amount of such royalties that would otherwise be payable if no reductions were applied. Subject to the foregoing:

 

 

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(i) Royalty Adjustment for Third Party License Payments . Without limiting either Party’s rights or obligations under Section 9.10 ( Relevant Third Party Rights ), if Axovant, its Affiliates, or Sublicensees, in their respective reasonable judgment, are required or, subject to Axovant’s compliance with Section 9.10 ( Relevant Third Party Rights ), determines it is commercially necessary to make any payments to a Third Party for a license under any Patent to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell or import any Collaboration Product in the Field in any country in the Territory, then, the amount of royalties payable under Section 8.5(a) ( Royalty Rate ) shall be reduced by **** of the amount of such payments to such Third Party on account of the sale of the Collaboration Products in such country in such Fiscal Quarter.

 

(ii) Royalty Adjustment for Expiration of Valid Claim . After the expiration of the last-to-expire Valid Claim of the Benitec Patents and Collaboration Patents that Cover the manufacture, use, or sale of such Collaboration Product (or the Compound therein) in a country in the Territory, the royalties payable under Section 8.5(a) ( Royalty Rate ) on the sale of such Collaboration Product in such country shall be reduced by ****.

 

(iii) Royalty Adjustment for Generic Competition . If there is Generic Competition for a particular Collaboration Product in a particular country in a particular Fiscal Quarter, the royalties payable to Benitec on the sales of such Collaboration Product in such country in such Fiscal Quarter shall be reduced by ****.

 

(d)

Payment; Reports . Within (a) **** after the end of each Fiscal Quarter (other than the last Fiscal Quarter of an Axovant Fiscal Year) and (b) **** after the end of the last Fiscal Quarter of an Axovant Fiscal Year, commencing with the First Commercial Sale of any Collaboration Product is made anywhere in the Territory (whichever is earlier), Axovant shall (i) provide Benitec with a report that contains the following information for the applicable Fiscal Quarter, on a Collaboration Product-by-Collaboration Product and country- by-country basis: (A) Net Sales in the Territory; (B) a calculation of the royalty payment due on Net Sales in the Territory; and (C) the exchange rates used. Benitec shall invoice Axovant for the corresponding royalty payment. Axovant shall remit payment to Benitec within **** of the receipt of such invoice.

 

 

8.6 **** . If Axovant, its Affiliates, or Sublicensees, ****, then the following shall apply:

 

(a)

****. With respect to ****, Axovant shall be entitled to ****, provided that in no event shall ****.

 

 

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(b)

**** . With respect to any ****, Axovant shall be entitled to ****.

 

 

(c)

****. With respect to any ****, Axovant shall be entitled to ****:

 

 

(i) if Axovant **** with respect to ****, then Axovant shall be entitled to****, provided that (A) for clarity, **** and (B) ****; or

 

(ii) if Axovant ****, then Axovant shall be entitled to ****, provided that (A) in no event shall ****, and (B) ****.

 

 

8.7

[RESERVED] .

 

8.8 Late Payments . If any payment (other than an invoiced amount timely disputed in good faith by Axovant in accordance with Sections 8.2(a) ( Reimbursement of Research and Development Plan Costs ) or 8.2(b) ( Reimbursement of Benitec Manufacturing Technology Transfer Costs )) due is not paid by the due date, Benitec may charge interest on any outstanding amount of such payment, accruing as of the original due date, at an annual rate equal to **** or the maximum rate allowable by Applicable Law, whichever is less. The payment of such interest shall not limit the Party entitled to receive payment from exercising any other rights it may have as a consequence of the lateness of any payment.

 

8.9 Exchange Rate; Manner and Place of Payment. All payments hereunder shall be payable in Dollars. When conversion of payments from any currency other than Dollars is

 

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required, such conversion such conversion shall use the OANDA forex currency converter, or other reputable currency converter agreed between Axovant and Benitec from time to time, on the last day of the Fiscal Quarter in which the applicable sales were made. All payments owed under this Agreement, including the Upfront Payment, shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds from a bank and account in Switzerland by Axovant to a bank and account designated in writing by Benitec.

 

 

8.10

Taxes .

 

(a)

Taxes on Income . Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 8.10 ( Taxes ), each Party shall solely bear and pay all Taxes imposed on or measured by such Party’s net income or gain (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the Parties under this Agreement, in each case imposed on such Party.

 

 

(b)

Tax Cooperation . The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with one another on all Tax matters with respect to this Agreement, including to manage, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, Tax withholding or similar obligations in respect of royalties, milestone payments, and other payments made by Axovant to Benitec under this Agreement. In this connection, the Parties agree that this Agreement is intended to be and shall be treated as a license of the Benitec Technology for all Tax purposes and shall take that position unless otherwise required by a Governmental Authority. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the Upfront Payment described in Section 8.1 ( Upfront Payment ) shall be sourced to Switzerland, is not subject to any withholding Taxes, and shall take these positions unless otherwise required by a Governmental Authority. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the reimbursement costs described in Section 8.2 ( Reimbursement of Benitec Costs ) are not subject to any withholding Taxes and shall take that position unless otherwise required by a Governmental Authority. The Parties shall cooperate in good faith (1) to determine the source of payments made by Axovant to Benitec pursuant to this Agreement for Tax purposes; (2) to determine the appropriate amount of withholding Taxes that apply to such payments under Applicable Laws; and

 

(3) to determine and apply, to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws, arrangements or positions that will minimize the incidence of withholding Taxes. At least **** prior to any payment, Axovant shall notify Benitec in writing of its determination of where it believes such payment should be sourced for Tax withholding and reporting purposes. If Benitec disagrees with Axovant’s determination, Benitec may, within **** after receipt of the determination, deliver a notice (“ Benitec Notice ”) of its determination as to where such payment should be sourced. If the Benitec Notice is duly delivered, Axovant and Benitec will, during the **** following such delivery, work together in good faith to reach agreement on sourcing. If Axovant and Benitec are unable to reach such agreement, they will promptly thereafter submit the sourcing determination for resolution to an independent accountant from one of the Big Four accounting firms that is not being used by either Party (and if the Parties cannot agree on the selection it shall be the first Big Four accounting firm in this order that is not being used by a Party: PwC, KPMG, Deloitte and Ernst & Young) and will instruct the independent accountant to make a determination regarding sourcing as promptly as practicable, and in any event within **** after the date on which such dispute is referred to the independent accountant (or such longer period as the independent accountant may reasonably require, and should a longer period be required and extend beyond the payment date, such longer period shall extend the date of

 

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payment). The costs, fees and expenses of the independent accountant shall be borne equally between Axovant and Benitec. The sourcing determination of Axovant, if no Benitec Notice has been timely given, the sourcing determination agreed to by the Parties or the sourcing determination made by the independent accountant (the “Final Sourcing Determination”), will be conclusive and binding on the Parties. The Parties agree to (and will cause their respective Affiliates to) report, act and file in accordance with the Final Sourcing Determination in any relevant Tax returns or Tax filings. The Parties will promptly advise one another of the existence of any Tax audit, controversy, litigation or other Tax proceeding related to the Final Sourcing Determination. None of the Parties will take any position (whether on any Tax returns, in any Tax proceeding or otherwise with respect to Taxes) that is inconsistent with the Final Sourcing Determination except to the extent required pursuant to a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or any analogous provision of state, local or non-United States Law ). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event shall the Parties be required to alter or otherwise modify the manner in which research, development, manufacturing, commercialization or any other business activities with respect to the Compounds and/or the Licensed Products are conducted in order to satisfy any obligations in this Section 8.10(b) ( Tax Cooperation ) or Section 8.10(c) ( Tax Withholding ). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Benitec shall indemnify and hold harmless Axovant and its Affiliates for any and all Taxes (including any associated penalties and interest) required by Applicable Law to be withheld or otherwise deducted with respect to payments made by Axovant to Benitec pursuant to this Agreement and any out-of-pocket costs incurred by Axovant with respect to such indemnification (including any such costs incurred in connection with any Tax audit, controversy, litigation or other Tax proceeding related to such Taxes), except to the extent that any such Taxes (including any associated interest and penalties) were directly incurred as a result of Axovant’s failure to comply with the procedures for determining the source of each payment as set forth in this Section 8.10(b) ( Tax Cooperation ).

 

(c)

Tax Withholding. If withholding Taxes are imposed on any payment to Benitec hereunder, the liability for such Taxes shall be the sole responsibility of Benitec, and Axovant shall (i) deduct or withhold such Taxes from the payment made to Benitec in accordance with the methodology set forth in Section 8.10(b) ( Tax Cooperation ) above, (ii) timely pay such Taxes to the proper taxing authority, and (iii) send the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such taxing authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Benitec within **** following such payment. To the extent that amounts are deducted or withheld and paid to the proper taxing authority, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the persons with respect to whom such amounts were withheld. Each Party shall comply with (or provide the other Party with) any certification, identification or other reporting requirements that may be reasonably necessary in order for Axovant to not withhold Tax or to withhold Tax at a reduced rate under an applicable bilateral income tax treaty, it being understood that an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E shall be the proper form in the case of United States withholding, unless a different form or forms are required by Applicable Law. Each Party shall provide the other with commercially reasonable assistance to enable the recovery, as permitted by Applicable Laws, of withholding Taxes or similar obligations resulting from payments made under this Agreement, such recovery to be for the benefit of Benitec as the Party bearing the cost of such withholding Tax under this Section 8.10(c) ( Tax Withholding ).

 

 

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(d)

VAT . Unless stated to the contrary in this Agreement, any amounts payable by one Party to the other Party under this Agreement shall be exclusive of the applicable VAT. If a Party makes a supply pursuant to this Agreement and VAT is payable on that supply, the amounts payable for the supply (the “ VAT-Exclusive Consideration ”) shall be increased by an amount equal to the VAT payable by the supplying Party on that supply (the Additional VAT Amount ”), except where the receiving Party is liable under the VAT law to pay the VAT on that supply. The Additional VAT Amount shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner as the VAT- Exclusive Consideration. In the event that a Party charges or pays any amount of VAT, such Party shall promptly provide the original or a certified copy of a receipt or invoice of such VAT to the other Party. Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 8.10(d) ( VAT ) and without duplication, any amount of VAT payable by either Party with respect to a Licensed Product or a Compound on any payment to any Third Party shall be taken into account as an item of expense for the purposes of determining the amount of Net Profits or Net Sales if the party incurring the VAT does not receive a credit for that VAT.

 

 

(e)

Transfer Tax . Subject to Sections 8.10(a) ( Taxes on Income ), 8.10(c) ( Tax Withholding ), and 8.10(d) ( VAT ), Axovant, on the one hand, and Benitec, on the other hand, shall each bear and pay **** of any transfer, sales, use, stamp duty or similar Taxes or obligations (“ Transfer Tax ”) imposed on amounts payable by Axovant to Benitec in connection with this Agreement or otherwise with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, if such amount is not taken into account as an item of expense for the purposes of determining the amount of Net Profits or Net Sales. For the avoidance of doubt, Transfer Taxes exclude Taxes on capital or revenue gains on the transfer or grant of any rights. Each party shall cooperate with the other to file any Tax returns (as required to be filed under Applicable Law) with respect to such Transfer Taxes. Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 8.10(e) ( Transfer Tax ) and without duplication, any amount of Transfer Taxes payable by either Party with respect to a Licensed Product or a Compound on any payment to any Third Party shall be taken into account as an item of expense for the purposes of determining the amount of Net Profits or Net Sales if the party incurring the Transfer Tax does not receive a credit for such Transfer Tax. The Parties acknowledge and agree that no Australian stamp duty will apply on any amounts payable by Axovant to Benitec in connection with this Agreement, and will not take any position (whether on any Tax returns, in any Tax proceeding or otherwise with respect to Taxes) that is inconsistent with such position, except to the extent required pursuant to a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or any analogous provision of state, local or non-United States Law).

 

 

8.11 Financial Records and Audit . Throughout the Term and the **** year period thereafter, each Party shall (and shall ensure that its Affiliates and Sublicensees will) maintain complete and accurate records in sufficient detail to permit the other Party to confirm the accuracy of all royalty payments and other amounts payable under this Agreement and to verify the achievement (or non-achievement) of milestone events under this Agreement. Upon at least **** prior notice, such records shall be open for examination, during regular business hours, for a period of **** Axovant Fiscal Years or Benitec Fiscal Years from the end of the Axovant Fiscal Year or Benitec Fiscal Year, respectively, to which such records pertain, and not more often than once each Axovant Fiscal Year or Benitec Fiscal Year, as applicable, by an independent certified public accountant selected by one Party and reasonably acceptable to the other Party, for the sole purpose of verifying for Benitec or Axovant, as applicable, the accuracy of the financial

 

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reports and invoices furnished by either Party under this Agreement or of any payments made, or required to be made, by either Party pursuant to this Agreement. The independent certified public accountant shall disclose to the requesting Party only whether the audited reports are correct or incorrect and the specific details concerning any discrepancies. No other information shall be provided to the requesting Party. The requesting Party shall bear the full cost of such audit unless such audit reveals an underpayment by the other Party of more than ****of the amount actually due for any Axovant Fiscal Year or Benitec Fiscal Year, as applicable, being audited, in which case the other Party shall reimburse the requesting Party for the reasonable costs for such audit. A Party shall pay to the other Party any underpayment or refund any overcharge discovered by such audit within **** after the accountant’s report, plus interest (as set forth in Section 8.8 ( Late Payments )) from the original due date. If the audit reveals an overpayment by Axovant, then Axovant may take a credit for such overpayment against any future payments due to Benitec.

 

8.12 Audit Dispute . If Axovant or Benitec disputes the results of any audit conducted pursuant to Section 8.11 ( Financial Records and Audit ), the Parties shall work in good faith to resolve the disagreement. If the Parties are unable to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of any such dispute within ****, the dispute shall be submitted for resolution to a certified public accounting firm jointly selected by each Party’s certified public accountants or to such other person as the Parties shall mutually agree (the “ Auditor ”). The decision of the Auditor shall be final and the costs of such procedure as well as the initial audit shall be borne between the Parties in such manner as the Auditor shall determine. If the Auditor determines that there has been an underpayment by Axovant, Axovant shall then promptly pay to Benitec the underpayment within **** after the Auditor’s decision, plus interest (as set forth in Section 8.8 ( Late Payments )) from the original due date. If the Auditor determines that there has been an overcharge by Benitec, Benitec shall then promptly refund to Axovant the overcharge within **** after the Auditor’s decision, plus interest (as set forth in Section 8.8 ( Late Payments )) from the original due date. If the Auditor determines that there has been an overpayment by Axovant, then Axovant may take a credit for such overpayment against any future payments due to Benitec.

 

8.13 Third Party Payments . Benitec shall be solely responsible for all payments, if any, due with respect to the Compounds or Licensed Products pursuant to the Existing Agreements or other agreements to which Benitec or any of its Affiliates, as of the Effective Date, is a party for a license or rights to intellectual property owned or controlled by any Third Party, including the **** Agreement entered into by **** and Benitec and effective as of the ****.

8.14 Net Sales Reporting for Existing Agreements . To the extent an Existing Agreement requires that net sales be calculated and reported on a basis other than the basis on which Net Sales is calculated hereunder, for purposes of determining amounts payable by Benitec to the Third Party licensor under such Existing Agreement and fulfilling Benitec’s reporting obligations to such Third Party licensor, upon Benitec’s written request to Axovant at least **** but no more than **** prior to the date a report may be required under an Existing Agreement, Axovant shall, concurrently with its provision to Benitec of the Net Sales calculations, reports and statements to be provided by Axovant pursuant to this Agreement, provide to Benitec such information specifically requested by Benitec (e.g., calculation of such net

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sales on such other basis and the reporting required by such Existing Agreement ) so long as such information is available from the internal reporting systems of Axovant.

 

 

8.15

Invoices and Estimates

 

(a)

Within **** after the end of each month during the Term, Benitec shall provide Axovant with a good faith estimate of the amount for which it anticipates that it will invoice Axovant for any amounts for which Benitec is required to invoice Axovant under this Agreement in such month.

 

 

(b)

Benitec shall include a reasonably detailed description of the work performed or other basis for any amount for which it issues an invoice to Axovant under this Agreement.

 

 

ARTICLE IX INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

9.1 Ownership .

 

(a)

Existing Intellectual Property . As between the Parties, and except as expressly set forth herein, each Party shall retain sole ownership of any Patents, Know-How and other intellectual property Controlled such Party or its Affiliates as of the Effective Date, or developed or acquired by such Party or its Affiliates outside of the performance of this Agreement.

 

 

(b)

Data . All Data generated in connection with any Development, regulatory, manufacturing or Commercialization activities with respect to any Compound or any Licensed Product conducted by or on behalf of Axovant or its Affiliates or Sublicensees shall be deemed Collaboration Know-How and Axovant Technology.

 

 

(c)

Ownership of Collaboration Inventions and Collaboration Know-How . All Collaboration Inventions and Collaboration Know-How will be and remain at all times Axovant’s sole and exclusive property and shall be deemed to be Axovant’s Confidential Information. Benitec hereby assigns and will cause its Affiliates to assign, and Benitec and its Affiliates automatically will be deemed to have assigned, to Axovant all of Benitec’s and its Affiliates’ right, title and interest in and to all Collaboration Inventions and Collaboration Know-How. Benitec will cause each of its subcontractors to assign to Benitec all of such subcontractor’s right, title and interest in and to all Collaboration Inventions and Collaboration Know-How so that Benitec can assign such Collaboration Inventions and Collaboration Know-How to Axovant as set forth above. At Axovant’s request, and without further compensation other than reimbursement of Benitec’s reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs directly incurred in connection therewith, Benitec will undertake, and will cause its subcontractors to undertake, all further actions required to perfect Axovant’s title to, and quiet enjoyment of, such Collaboration Inventions and Collaboration Know-How. If for any reason whatsoever Axovant is unable to secure Benitec’s signature on any document needed in connection with furthering the purposes of this Section, Benitec hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Axovant and its duly authorized officers and agents, as Benitec’s and its Affiliates’ agents and attorneys-in-fact, to act for and in behalf and instead of Benitec and its Affiliates, to execute and file any documents and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of this Section with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Benitec or its applicable Affiliate, and shall cause its subcontractors to do the same.

 

 

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(d)

Disclosure of Collaboration Inventions, Collaboration Patents and Collaboration Know-How . Each Party shall promptly disclose to the other Party in writing all Collaboration Inventions, Collaboration Patents and Collaboration Know-How, including any invention disclosures or other similar documents submitted to such Party by its and its Affiliates’ employees, agents or independent contractors describing such Collaboration Inventions, and shall promptly respond to reasonable requests from the other Party for additional information relating to such Collaboration Inventions and Collaboration Know-How.

 

 

 

(e)

Inventorship . Inventorship of Inventions shall be determined by application of

U.S. patent laws pertaining to inventorship.

 

 

9.2

Patent Prosecution and Maintenance .

 

(a)

Axovant Patents . Axovant shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to control the preparation, filing, prosecution (including any interferences, reissue proceedings, derivation proceedings, reexaminations, inter partes review, oppositions, revocations, post-grant review proceedings and any other proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and any foreign equivalents and appeals therefrom) and maintenance (collectively, “ Prosecution and Maintenance ”) of all Axovant Patents other than Collaboration Patents and the first right, but not the obligation, to control the Prosecution and Maintenance of all Collaboration Patents, in each case at its sole cost and expense and by counsel of its own choice. With respect to Collaboration Patents, Axovant shall:

 

 

(i) (A) consult with Benitec and keep Benitec reasonably informed of the status of such Patents and shall promptly provide Benitec with all material correspondence received from any patent authority in connection therewith, (B) promptly provide Benitec with drafts of all proposed material filings and correspondence to any patent authority with respect to such Patents for Benitec’s review and comment prior to the submission of such proposed filings and correspondence, and (C) confer with Benitec and consider in good faith Benitec’s comments prior to submitting such filings and correspondence, provided that Benitec provides such comments within **** (or a shorter period reasonably designated by Axovant if **** is not practicable given the filing deadline) of receiving the draft filings and correspondence from Axovant.

 

(ii) If Axovant desires to abandon or cease Prosecution and Maintenance of any Collaboration Patent, Axovant shall provide reasonable prior written notice to Benitec of such intention to abandon (which notice shall, to the extent possible, be given no later than **** prior to the next deadline for any action that must be taken with respect to any such Patent in the relevant patent office). In such case, upon Benitec’s written election provided no later than **** after such notice from Axovant, Benitec may assume Prosecution and Maintenance of such Patent at Benitec’s expense. If Benitec does not provide such election within **** after such notice from Axovant, Axovant may, in its sole discretion, continue Prosecution and Maintenance of such Patent or discontinue Prosecution and Maintenance of such Patent.

 

(b)

Benitec Platform Patents .Benitec shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to control the Prosecution and Maintenance of all Benitec Platform Patents, at its sole

 

 

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cost and expense and by counsel of its own choice. Benitec shall (i) keep Axovant informed as to all material developments with respect to the Prosecution and Maintenance of the Benitec Platform Patents that are being used by Axovant in connection with any Compound or Licensed Product in the Field, including by providing copies of all substantive office actions or any other substantive documents that Benitec receives from or submits to any patent office, including notice of all interferences, reissues, re-examinations, oppositions and post-issuance patent challenges and other proceedings under the U.S. Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, (ii) promptly provide Axovant with drafts of all proposed material filings and correspondence to any patent authority with respect to such Patents for Axovant’s review and comment prior to the submission of such proposed filings and correspondence, and (iii) confer with Axovant and consider in good faith Axovant’s comments prior to submitting such filings and correspondence, provided that Axovant provides such comments within **** (or a shorter period reasonably designated by Benitec if ****is not practicable given the filing deadline) of receiving the draft filings and correspondence from Benitec.

 

 

(c)

Benitec Product Patents .

 

(i) To the extent not prohibited by the terms of any in-licenses of Benitec Patents from Third Parties to Benitec (including the Existing Agreements) which have been disclosed to Axovant, Axovant shall have the first right, but not the obligation, to control the Prosecution and Maintenance of all Benitec Patents other than the Benitec Platform Patents (the “ Benitec Product Patents ”), at its sole cost and expense and by counsel selected by Axovant and reasonably acceptable to Benitec.

 

 

(ii)

With respect to the Benitec Product Patents described in subsection

(i) above, Axovant shall: (A) consult with Benitec and keep Benitec reasonably informed of the status of such Patents and shall promptly provide Benitec with all material correspondence received from any patent authority in connection therewith, (B) promptly provide Benitec with drafts of all proposed material filings and correspondence to any patent authority with respect to such Patents for Benitec’s review and comment prior to the submission of such proposed filings and correspondence, and (C) confer with Benitec and consider in good faith Benitec’s comments prior to submitting such filings and correspondence, provided that Benitec provides such comments within **** (or a shorter period reasonably designated by Axovant if **** is not practicable given the filing deadline) of receiving the draft filings and correspondence from Axovant.

 

(iii) If Axovant desires to abandon or cease Prosecution and Maintenance of any Benitec Patent, Axovant shall provide reasonable prior written notice to Benitec of such intention to abandon (which notice shall, to the extent possible, be given no later than **** prior to the next deadline for any action that must be taken with respect to any such Patent in the relevant patent office). In such case, upon Benitec’s written election provided no later than **** after such notice from Axovant, Benitec may assume Prosecution and Maintenance of such Patent at Benitec’s expense (the “ Benitec Step-In Right ”), to the extent not prohibited by the terms of any licenses of Benitec Patents from Third Parties to Benitec. If Benitec does not provide such election within **** after such notice from Axovant, Axovant may, in its sole discretion, continue Prosecution and Maintenance of such Patent or discontinue Prosecution and Maintenance of such Patent.

 

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(d)

If Benitec is prevented by any agreement between Benitec and a Third Party licensor from granting to Axovant the first right to Prosecute and Maintain any Benitec Product Patent in accordance with Section 9.2(c)(iii) ( Benitec Product Patents ), then Benitec shall, to the extent not prohibited by such agreement, maintain patent protection on, and shall not cease to pursue, discontinue its financial support for, abandon or otherwise forfeit, any Benitec Product Patent, except to the extent otherwise consented to by Axovant in writing, such consent not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed. To the extent permitted by such agreement, Benitec shall (A) consult with Axovant and keep Axovant reasonably informed of the status of such Patents and shall promptly provide Axovant with all material correspondence received from any patent authority in connection therewith, (B) promptly provide Axovant with drafts of all proposed material filings and correspondence to any patent authority with respect to such Patents for Axovant’s review and comment prior to the submission of such proposed filings and correspondence, and (C) confer with Axovant and consider in good faith Axovant’s comments prior to submitting such filings and correspondence, provided that Axovant provides such comments within ****(or a shorter period reasonably designated by Benitec if **** is not practicable given the filing deadline) of receiving the draft filings and correspondence from Benitec.

 

 

9.3 Cooperation of the Parties . If either Benitec or Axovant becomes aware of any challenges by any Third Parties to the validity of any of any Benitec Patent, it will notify the other Party in writing to that effect. Each Party agrees to cooperate fully in the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance of Patents under Section 9.2 ( Patent Prosecution and Maintenance ), at its own cost. Such cooperation includes: (a) executing all papers and instruments, or requiring its employees or contractors, to execute such papers and instruments, so as enable the other Party to apply for and to prosecute patent applications in any country as permitted by Section 9.2 ( Patent Prosecution and Maintenance ); and (b) promptly informing the other Party of any matters coming to such Party’s attention that may affect the preparation, filing, prosecution or maintenance of any such patent applications.

 

 

9.4

Infringement by Third Parties .

 

(a)

Notice . If either Benitec or Axovant becomes aware of any infringement or threatened infringement by a Third Party of any Benitec Patent, which infringing activity involves the using, making, importing, offering for sale or selling of a Compound or Licensed Product, or the submission to a Party or a Regulatory Authority of an application for a product referencing a Licensed Product, or any declaratory judgment or equivalent action challenging any Benitec Patent in connection with any such infringement (each, a “ Product Infringement ”), it will notify the other Party in writing to that effect.

 

 

 

(b)

Benitec Patents .

 

(i) Subject to this Section 9.4(b) ( Benitec Patents ) and the terms of Benitec’s license agreements, including the Existing Agreements, Axovant shall, right as between Benitec and Axovant, bring an appropriate suit or take other action against any person or entity engaged in, or to defend against, a Product Infringement of any Benitec Patents, at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Benitec may, at its own expense, be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice, and Axovant and its counsel will reasonably cooperate with

 

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Benitec and its counsel in strategizing, preparing, and prosecuting any such action or proceeding. If Axovant fails to bring an action or proceeding with respect to such Product Infringement of any Benitec Patent within (A) **** following the notice of alleged infringement or declaratory judgment or (B) **** before the time limit, if any, set forth in the appropriate laws and regulations for the filing of such actions, whichever comes first, Benitec shall have the right, but not the obligation, to bring and control any such action at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice, and Axovant may, at its own expense, be represented in any such action by counsel of its own choice.

 

(ii) Except as otherwise agreed by the Parties as part of a cost-sharing arrangement, any recovery or damages realized as a result of such action or proceeding with respect to Benitec Patents shall be used first to reimburse the Parties’ documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining compensatory damages relating to Licensed Products (including lost sales or lost profits with respect to Licensed Products) shall be retained by the Party that brought and controlled such action or proceeding, and in the case that Axovant brought and controlled such action or proceeding, such remaining recovery, if related to a BB-301 Product shall be deemed to be Net Profits (****) subject to profit-based royalty sharing with Benitec in accordance with Section 8.4 ( Profit-Based Royalties for BB-301 Products ) or, if related to Collaboration Products, shall be deemed to be Net Sales subject to royalty payments to Benitec in accordance with the royalty provisions of Section 8.5 ( Royalty Payments for Collaboration Products ).

 

(c)

Axovant Patents . Axovant shall have the sole right, as between Benitec and Axovant, but not the obligation, to bring an appropriate suit or take other action against any person or entity engaged in, or to defend against, a Product Infringement of any Axovant Patents at its own expense and by counsel of its own choice. Any recovery or damages realized as a result of such action or proceeding by Axovant with respect to Axovant Patents in the Territory shall be used first to reimburse Axovant’s documented out-of-pocket legal expenses relating to the action or proceeding, and any remaining recoveries relating to Licensed Products (including lost sales or lost profits with respect to Licensed Products) shall be retained solely by Axovant.

 

 

(d)

Biosimilars. Axovant shall be responsible for determining the strategy with respect to certifications, notices and patent enforcement procedures regarding Benitec Patents Covering any Compound or Licensed Product under the U.S. Food , Drug & Cosmetics Act and the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (the “ BPCIA ”). Benitec shall cooperate, as reasonably requested by Axovant, in a manner consistent with this Section. Benitec hereby authorizes Axovant to: (i) provide in any BLA or in connection with the BPCIA, a list of Benitec Patents as required under the BPCIA; (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, exercise any rights exercisable by Axovant as an exclusive licensee under the BPCIA; and (iii) exercise any rights that may be exercisable by Axovant as reference product sponsor under the BPCIA, including (A) engaging in the Patent resolution provisions of the BPCIA with regard to Benitec Patents Covering any Compound or Licensed Product; and (B) determining which Patents will be the subject of an immediate Patent infringement action under 42 U.S.C. § 262( l )(6) of the BPCIA; provided that with respect to Axovant’s exercise of rights under the BPCIA, Axovant shall consult with a representative of Benitec designated by Benitec in writing and qualified to receive confidential information pursuant to § 262( l )(1) of the BPCIA with respect to

 

 

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Axovant’s exercise of any rights exercisable as reference product sponsor, including providing such representative with timely copies of material correspondence relating to such matters, providing such representative the opportunity, reasonably in advance of any related Axovant action, to comment thereon and to consult with and consider in good faith the requests and suggestions of Benitec with respect to such matters.

 

(e)

Cooperation . In the event a Party brings an action in accordance with this Section 9.4 ( Infringement by Third Parties ), the other Party shall cooperate fully, including, if required to bring such action, the furnishing of a power of attorney or being named as a party to such action.

 

 

(f)

Other Infringement . Benitec shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to bring and control, at its own cost and expense, any legal action in connection with any infringement of any Benitec Patent that is not a Product Infringement. Axovant shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to bring and control, at its own cost and expense, any legal action in connection with any infringement of any Axovant Patent that is not a Product Infringement.

 

 

9.5 Infringement of Third Party Rights . Each Party shall promptly notify the other in writing of any allegation by a Third Party that the manufacture, Development, or Commercialization of any Compound or Licensed Product infringes or may infringe the intellectual property rights of a Third Party. If a Third Party asserts that any of its Patents or other rights are infringed by the manufacture, Commercialization or Development by Axovant or its Affiliates of any Licensed Product, Axovant shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to defend against any such assertions at its sole cost and expense. Benitec shall cooperate fully and shall provide full access to documents, information and witnesses as reasonably requested by the Party defending such action. The Party defending the action will reimburse all reasonable, out-of- pocket costs incurred in connection with such requested cooperation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties’ rights and obligations under this Section 9.5 ( Infringement of Third Party Rights ), including payment obligations, will be subject to the terms of ARTICLE XI ( Indemnification ), provided , however , that Benitec’s obligations to indemnify Axovant relating to intellectual property infringement shall be solely as set forth in ARTICLE XI.

 

9.6 Consent for Settlement . Neither Party shall unilaterally enter into any settlement or compromise of any action or proceeding under this ARTICLE IX ( Intellectual Property ) that would in any manner alter, diminish, or be in derogation of the other Party’s rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of such other Party, which shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld, or delayed.

 

9.7 Patent Marking . Axovant shall mark and ensure that its Affiliates mark all patented Licensed Products they sell or distribute pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with the applicable patent statutes or regulations in the country or countries of manufacture and sale thereof.

 

9.8 Patent Extensions . Axovant shall have sole decision-making authority regarding, and Benitec shall reasonably cooperate with Axovant (and Axovant shall reimburse Benitec’s reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket costs directly incurred in connection therewith) in obtaining, patent term restoration, supplemental protection certificates or their equivalents, and

 

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patent term extensions with respect to the Benitec Patents and Axovant Patents in any country in the Territory where applicable. Axovant shall file for such extensions at Axovant’s sole cost and expense.

 

9.9 Trademarks . Axovant shall own and be responsible for all trademarks, trade names, branding or logos related to Licensed Products in the Field in the Territory (“ Marks ”). Axovant shall be responsible for selecting, registering, prosecuting, defending, and maintaining all such Marks at Axovant’s sole cost and expense.

 

9.10 Relevant Third Party Rights . If either Party identifies any Patent or other intellectual property, Controlled by a Third Party in any country in the Territory that may be commercially necessary in connection with the Development or Commercialization of a Licensed Product hereunder, then, such Party will promptly notify the other Party. Following receipt of such notice, on Benitec’s request, the Parties shall meet and discuss whether Axovant or Benitec should obtain one or more licenses with respect to such rights or take other appropriate measures in view of such Third Party rights, such as whether the Parties should obtain an opinion relating to such Third Party intellectual property rights, or take alternative approaches to avoid using such Third Party intellectual property rights. As between the Parties, Axovant shall have the right, but not the obligation, to negotiate and obtain a license or other rights from such Third Party to such Third Party Right as necessary or desirable to Develop or Commercialize Licensed Products in such country. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Axovant negotiates and obtains any such license from a Third Party, Axovant shall be entitled to offset payments made on account of such license to the extent set forth in Section 8.4(b)(i) ( Benitec Minimum Profit-Based Royalties Adjustment for Third Party License Payments ) or 8.5(c)(i) ( Royalty Adjustment for Third Party License Payments ) as applicable.

 

ARTICLE X REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

10.1 Mutual Representations and Warranties . Each Party represents and warrants to the other that, as of the Effective Date: (a) it is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and has full corporate or other power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions hereof; (b) it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and the person or persons executing this Agreement on its behalf has been duly authorized to do so by all requisite corporate action; (c) this Agreement is legally binding upon it, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and equitable principles, and does not conflict with any agreement, instrument or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a Party or by which it may be bound, nor violate any material law or regulation of any court, governmental body or administrative or other agency having jurisdiction over it; and (d) it has the right to grant the licenses granted by it under this Agreement.

 

 

10.2

Mutual Covenants .

 

(a)

Employees, Consultants and Contractors . Each Party covenants that it has obtained or will obtain written agreements from each of its employees, consultants and contractors

 

 

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who perform Development, manufacturing or Commercialization activities pursuant to this Agreement, which agreements will obligate such persons to obligations of confidentiality and non- use and to assign Inventions in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(b)

Debarment . Each Party represents, warrants and covenants to the other Party that neither it, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any of its or its Affiliates’ employees, agents, or, to its Knowledge, contractors, has been, or during the Term will be, debarred, disqualified, excluded, suspended or otherwise been deemed ineligible to participate in any health care programs of any Governmental Authority, or convicted of any crime regarding health care products or services that may result in any such debarment, disqualification, exclusion, suspension, ineligibility or conviction, including, without limitation, debarment under 21 U.S.C. § 335a or any similar Applicable Law or exclusion under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7 or any similar Applicable Law. If either Party becomes aware of any such actual or threatened debarment, disqualification, exclusion, suspension, ineligibility or conviction that directly or indirectly relate to activities contemplated by this Agreement, such Party shall immediately notify the other Party in writing.

 

 

 

(c)

Compliance . Each Party covenants as follows:

 

(i) In the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, such Party shall comply and shall cause its and its Affiliates’ employees, agents and contractors to comply with all Applicable Laws, including all anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws and regulations, economic, trade and financial sanctions, and trade embargoes.

 

(ii) Such Party and its and its Affiliates’ employees and contractors shall not, in connection with the performance of their respective obligations under this Agreement, directly or indirectly through Third Parties, pay, promise or offer to pay, or authorize the payment of, any money or give any promise or offer to give, or authorize the giving of anything of value to a Public Official or Entity or other person for purpose of obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person, including either Party (and each Party represents and warrants that as of the Effective Date, such Party, and to its Knowledge, its and its Affiliates’ employees and contractors, have not directly or indirectly promised, offered or provided any corrupt payment, gratuity, emolument, bribe, kickback, illicit gift or hospitality or other illegal or unethical benefit to a Public Official or Entity or any other person in connection with the performance of such Party’s obligations under this Agreement, and each Party covenants that it and its Affiliates’ employees and contractors shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in any of the foregoing).

 

10.3 Neither Party, nor any of its directors, officers, employees or subcontractors, or, to its knowledge, agents, is subject to economic, trade or financial sanctions under Applicable Law. Neither Party will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the transactions contemplated hereby, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds, to any individual or entity otherwise subject to such sanctions.

 

10.4 Additional Benitec Representations, Warranties and Covenants . Benitec represents, warrants and covenants, as applicable, to Axovant that, as of the Effective Date:

 

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(a)

neither it nor any of its Affiliates have previously assigned, transferred, conveyed or otherwise encumbered its respective right, title and interest in any of the Patents listed on Exhibit A Covering BB-301 Compound or any Compound directed to PABPN1 or any Scheduled Target in the Field in the Territory in a manner that is inconsistent with the exclusive licenses granted to Axovant under Section 2.1 ( Licenses to Axovant );

 

 

(b)

all issued Patents listed on Exhibit A (i) are (A) to Benitec’s Knowledge, subsisting and are not invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part and (B) free of any encumbrance, lien or claim of ownership by any Third Party and (ii) have been prosecuted, filed and maintained in accordance with Applicable Law and all applicable fees have been paid on or before the due date for payment. With respect to any pending applications listed on Exhibit A , such applications are being prosecuted in the respective patent offices in the Territory in accordance with Applicable Law and Benitec and its Affiliates have presented all relevant references, documents, and information of which it or the inventors are aware to the relevant patent examiner at the relevant patent office;

 

 

(c)

true, complete and correct copies of the file wrappers and other documents and materials relating to the prosecution, defense, maintenance, validity and enforceability of the Patents listed on Exhibit A have been provided or made available to Axovant prior to the Effective Date;

 

 

(d)

to Benitec’s Knowledge, (i) each person who has or has had any rights in or to any Patents listed in Section 1 of Exhibit A or any Benitec Know-How, has assigned and has executed an agreement assigning its entire right, title, and interest in and to such Patents listed in Section 1 of Exhibit A and Benitec Know-How to Benitec, and (ii) no current officer, employee, agent, or consultant of Benitec or any of its Affiliates is in violation of any term of any assignment or other agreement regarding the protection of the Patents listed on Exhibit A or other intellectual property or proprietary Know-How of Benitec or such Affiliate or of any employment contract relating to the relationship of any such person with Benitec;

 

 

(e)

neither Benitec nor any of its Affiliates have received any notice from a Third Party that the Development of BB-301 conducted by Benitec prior to the Effective Date has infringed any Patents of any Third Party or misappropriated any other intellectual property of any Third Party and has no Knowledge of any imminent or likely threat from a Third Party of such infringement or misappropriation;

 

 

(f)

neither Benitec nor any of its Affiliates have granted to any Third Party, and no Third Party retains, any rights relating to any BB-301 Compound, and neither Benitec nor any of its Affiliates will during the Term grant any right to any Third Party under the Benitec Technology that would conflict with the rights granted to Axovant hereunder;

 

 

(g)

to Benitec’s Knowledge, no Third Party is infringing or misappropriating any of the Benitec Technology;

 

 

(h)

no claim or action has been brought or, to Benitec’s Knowledge, threatened in writing by any Third Party alleging that the Benitec Patents are invalid or unenforceable, and no

 

 

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Benitec Patent is the subject of any interference, derivation, opposition, cancellation or other protest proceeding;

 

(i)

the patents and patent applications listed on Exhibit A constitute all existing Benitec Patents relating to the development and commercialization of BB-301 Compound and Compounds directed to PABPN1 or a Scheduled Target in the Field in the Territory;

 

 

(j)

to Benitec’s Knowledge, there is no Know-How necessary for the Development and manufacture of BB-301 Compound or any Compound directed to PABPN1 or a Scheduled Target in the Field in the Territory that is Controlled ( mutatis mutandis ) by any Third Party;

 

 

(k)

neither Benitec nor its Affiliates has granted any Third Party any rights of reference or use with respect to any Regulatory Documentation;

 

 

(l)

Schedule 10.4(l) sets forth a list of all agreements to which Benitec or any of its Affiliates is a party under which Benitec grants a sublicense of rights obtained under such agreement to Axovant pursuant to this Agreement (“ Existing Agreements ”). All Existing Agreements are in full force and effect, no notice has been delivered of any breach under such Existing Agreements and no rights granted herein are inconsistent with any Existing Agreement. Benitec and its Affiliates, and to Benitec’s Knowledge, the other parties to the Existing Agreements are in compliance in all material respects with the Existing Agreements. Benitec has provided true and complete copies of such Existing Agreements to Axovant;

 

 

(m)

Schedule 10.4(m) sets forth a list of all Third Party vendors which have performed any substantive work relating to any BB-301 Compound on behalf of Benitec or its Affiliates (i) in the twelve (12) months preceding the Effective Date or (ii) as of the Effective Date;

 

 

(n)

To Benitec’s Knowledge, there are no circumstances currently existing that would reasonably be expected to lead to any loss of or refusal to renew any Regulatory Approval or result in an investigation, corrective action or enforcement action by any other Regulatory Authority with respect to BB-301 Compound or any Compound directed to PABPN1 or any Scheduled Target in the Field in the Territory;

 

 

(o)

Benitec has no Knowledge of any material side effect or adverse effect (each, in humans or animals) resulting from, or alleged to result from BB-301 Compound or any Compound directed to PABPN1 or any Scheduled Target in the Field in the Territory;

 

 

(p)

to Benitec’s Knowledge, it has provided Axovant with true, accurate and complete information, reports and data concerning all scientific studies relating to BB-301 Compound or any Compound directed to PABPN1 or any Scheduled Target in the Field in the Territory;

 

 

(q)

the research, Development and manufacture of all BB-301 Compounds and BB- 301 Products by or on behalf of Benitec and its Affiliates prior to the Effective Date has been conducted compliance with Applicable Law and regulatory standards, including as applicable those relating to GLP, and no person made any claim, or has a bona fide legal basis to make a claim, of personal injury, death or injury to property arising from the performance of such research, Development or manufacture;

 

 

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(r)

no Third Party that has conducted any research, Development or manufacture of any BB-301 Compound or BB-301 Product by or on behalf of Benitec and its Affiliates prior to the Effective Date has, with respect to any contract between such Third Party and Benitec or its applicable Affiliate, (i) made any claim of breach of such contract, or (ii) has a bona fide legal basis to make a claim of breach of such contract, in each case, against Benitec or its applicable Affiliate;

 

 

(s)

Benitec has disclosed to Axovant all Patents owned or controlled by any Third Party of which Benitec is aware that, in Benitec’s reasonable good faith judgement, may be reasonably necessary for the manufacture, Development or Commercialization or to otherwise the BB-301 Compounds (including any vector used in conjunction therewith) in the Field in the Territory as such BB-301 Compounds exist as of the Effective Date;

 

 

(t)

all animal studies and other non-clinical tests conducted by Benitec or its Affiliates relating to any Compound were conducted by or on behalf of Benitec or its Affiliates in all material respects in accordance with its or their standard operating procedures for the conduct of animal or non-clinical studies at the time such tests were conducted;

 

 

(u)

no license or rights to any **** are necessary to make, have made, use, sell offer for sale, import or export BB-301 Compounds in any country in the Territory;

 

 

(v)

neither Benitec nor any of its Affiliates have used any **** in connection with the research or Development of BB-301 Compounds or any gene therapy construct licensed to Axovant hereunder; and

 

 

(w)

To Benitec’s Knowledge, **** is not necessary for the Commercialization of BB-301 Compounds for therapeutic applications.

 

 

10.5 Third Party Vendors . Benitec (a) represents warrants that, as of the Effective Date it has made all payments due to the Third Party Vendors, including to**** , and (b) covenants that, following the Effective Date, it shall make all payments due to (i) the Third Party Vendors, including to ****, and (ii) any of its subcontractors performing any research or Development activities hereunder, subject to Benitec’s withholding of amounts for which there is a reasonable, good faith dispute.

 

10.6 No Other Warranties. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER PARTY MAKES, AND EACH PARTY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS, ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF DESIGN, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, VALIDITY OF PATENTS, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES, OR ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE OR TRADE PRACTICES.

 

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ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION

 

11.1 Indemnification by Benitec . Benitec shall indemnify and hold Axovant, its Affiliates and Sublicensees, and their respective officers, directors, agents and employees (“ Axovant Indemnitees ”) harmless from and against any Claims to the extent arising or resulting from:

 

(a)

the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any of the Benitec Indemnitees;

 

(b)

any breach of any of the warranties or representations made by Benitec to Axovant under this Agreement; or

 

 

 

(c)

any breach by Benitec of any covenant or obligation under this Agreement.

 

in each case, except to the extent such Claims result from Secti on 11.2 (a) –(d) ( Indemnification by Axovant ).

 

11.2 Indemnification by Axovant . Axovant shall indemnify and hold Benitec, its Affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, agents and employees (“ Benitec Indemnitees ”) harmless from and against any Claims to the extent arising or resulting from:

 

(a)

the research, development (both pre-clinical and clinical), manufacture, promotion, or commercialization of any Compound or Licensed Product by or on behalf of Axovant, its Affiliates, or Sublicensees on or after the Effective Date;

 

 

 

(b)

the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Axovant Indemnitees;

 

(c)

any breach of any of the warranties or representations made by Axovant to Benitec under this Agreement; or

 

(d) any breach by Axovant of any covenant or obligation under this Agreement; in each case, except to the extent such Claims result from Section 11.1(a) –(c)

( Indemnification by Benitec ).

 

11.3 Indemnification Procedure . If either Party is seeking indemnification under Sections 11.1 ( Indemnification by Benitec ) or 11.2 ( Indemnification by Axovant ) (the “ Indemnified Party ”), it shall inform the other Party (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) of the claim giving rise to the obligation to indemnify pursuant to such section as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving notice of the claim, provided that the failure or delay by an Indemnified Party to give such notice of a Claim shall not affect the indemnification obligations provided hereunder except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is actually and materially prejudiced as a result of such failure or delay to give notice, in which case the Indemnifying Party shall be relieved of its obligation under this ARTICLE XI ( Indemnification ). The Indemnifying Party may assume the defense of any such claim for which it is obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnifying Party’s

 

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insurer as the Indemnifying Party may reasonably request, and at the Indemnifying Party’s cost and expense. The Indemnified Party may participate, at its own expense and with counsel of its choice, in the defense of any claim or suit that has been assumed by the Indemnifying Party. Neither Party shall have the obligation to indemnify the other Party in connection with any settlement made without such Party’s written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld, or delayed. If the Parties cannot agree as to the application of Section 11.1 ( Indemnification by Benitec ) or Section 11.2 ( Indemnification by Axovant ) as to any claim, pending resolution of the dispute pursuant to Section 14.9 ( Dispute Resolution ), the Parties may conduct separate defenses of such claims, with each Party retaining the right to claim indemnification from the other Party in accordance with Section 11.1 ( Indemnification by Benitec ) or Section 11.2 ( Indemnification by Axovant ) upon resolution of the underlying claim.

 

11.4 Mitigation of Loss . Each Indemnified Party shall take, and shall procure that its Affiliates take, all such reasonable steps and actions as are reasonably necessary or as the Indemnifying Party may reasonably require in order to mitigate any Claims (or potential losses or damages) under this ARTICLE XI ( Indemnification ). Nothing in this Agreement shall or shall be deemed to relieve any Party of any common law or other duty to mitigate any losses incurred by it.

 

11.5 Special, Indirect and Other Losses . EXCEPT IN THE EVENT OF A PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, OR BREACH OF ARTICLE XII (CONFIDENTIALITY), NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER FROM THE OTHER PARTY ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY LICENSE GRANTED HEREUNDER; provided , however , that this Section 11.5 ( Special, Indirect and Other Losses ) shall not be construed to limit either Party’s indemnification obligations under Section 11.1 ( Indemnification by Benitec ) or Section 11.2 ( Indemnification by Axovant ), as applicable. Nothing in this Section 11.5 ( Special, Indirect and Other Losses ) shall prejudice or limit either Party’s rights and remedies available at law or equity relating to the unauthorized use of such Party’s or its Affiliates’ intellectual property by the other Party or its Affiliates.

 

11.6 Insurance . Each Party, at its own expense, shall maintain product liability and other appropriate insurance (or self-insure) in an amount consistent with sound business practice and reasonable in light of its obligations under this Agreement during the Term. Each Party shall provide a certificate of insurance (or evidence of self-insurance) evidencing such coverage to the other Party upon request. Without limiting the foregoing, Axovant shall, at its own expense, procure and maintain insurance, including, without limitation, product liability insurance, in a manner adequate to cover its activities obligations hereunder and consistent with normal business practices of prudent companies similarly situated at all times during which any Licensed Product is being manufactured, clinically tested or commercially distributed or sold. It is understood that such insurance shall not be construed to create any limitation of Axovant’s liability under or in connection with this Agreement. Axovant shall provide Benitec with written evidence of such insurance or self-insurance upon request.

 

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ARTICLE XII CONFIDENTIALITY; PUBLICATION

 

12.1 Duty of Confidence . The Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

(a)

all Confidential Information disclosed by a Party (the “ Disclosing Party ”) or its Affiliates under this Agreement will be maintained in confidence and otherwise safeguarded by the recipient Party (the “ Receiving Party ”) and its Affiliates using at least the same standard of care as the Receiving Party uses to protect its own proprietary or Confidential Information (but in no event less than reasonable care);

 

 

(b)

the Receiving Party may only use any such Confidential Information for the purposes of performing its obligations or exercising its rights under this Agreement; and

 

 

(c)

the Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party only to: (i) the Receiving Party’s Affiliates and, in the case of Axovant as the Receiving Party, its Sublicensees; and (ii) employees, directors, agents, contractors, consultants and advisers of the Receiving Party and its Affiliates and, in the case of Axovant as the Receiving Party, Sublicensees, in each case to the extent reasonably necessary for the purposes of, and for those matters undertaken pursuant to, this Agreement; provided that such persons are bound to maintain the confidentiality, and not to make any unauthorized use, of the Confidential Information in a manner consistent with this ARTICLE XII ( Confidentiality; Publication ).

 

 

12.2 Exceptions . The foregoing obligations as to particular Confidential Information of a Disclosing Party shall not apply to the extent that the Receiving Party can demonstrate by competent evidence that such Confidential Information:

 

(a)

is lawfully known by the Receiving Party at the time of its receipt, not through a prior disclosure by the Disclosing Party, and from a source that was not known to have a duty of confidentiality, as shown by contemporaneous written documents of the Receiving Party, provided that this Section 12.2(a) shall not apply to any Collaboration Inventions, Collaboration Know-How or Benitec Know-How that is solely related to a Compound or a Licensed Product;

 

 

(b)

is in the public domain by use or publication before its receipt from the Disclosing Party, or thereafter enters the public domain through no fault of, or breach of this Agreement by, the Receiving Party;

 

 

(c)

is subsequently disclosed to the Receiving Party on a non-confidential basis by a Third Party who may lawfully do so and is not under an obligation of confidentiality to the Disclosing Party; or

 

 

(d)

is developed by the Receiving Party independently and without use of or reference to any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party, as shown by contemporaneous written documents of the Receiving Party.

 

 

12.3 Authorized Disclosures . Notwithstanding the obligations set forth in Section 12.1 ( Duty of Confidence ), the Receiving Party may disclose Confidential Information of the Disclosing

 

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Party and the terms of this Agreement to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary in the following instances:

 

(a)

filing or prosecuting of Patents as permitted by this Agreement;

 

(b)

enforcing the Receiving Party’s rights under this Agreement or performing the Receiving Party’s obligations under this Agreement;

 

 

(c)

in Regulatory Documentation for Licensed Products that such Party has the right to file under this Agreement;

 

 

 

(d)

prosecuting or defending litigation as permitted by this Agreement;

 

(e)

by Benitec to Third Party licensor counterparties to Existing Agreements to satisfy Benitec’s obligations under such Existing Agreements, marked as confidential;

 

 

(f)

to the Receiving Party’s directors, Affiliates, actual or potential Sublicensees (in the case of Axovant), commercial partners, independent contractors, consultants, attorneys, independent accountants or financial advisors who, in each case, have a need to know such Confidential Information in order for the Receiving Party to exercise its rights or fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, provided that, in each case, that any such person agrees to be bound written terms, or legally enforceable obligations, of confidentiality and non-use consistent with the terms hereof (or, in the case of the Receiving Party’s attorneys and independent accountants, such person is obligated by applicable professional or ethical obligations) and that are at least as restrictive as those set forth in this ARTICLE XII ( Confidentiality; Publication );

 

 

(g)

to actual or potential investors, investment bankers, lenders, other financing sources or acquirors (and attorneys and independent accountants thereof) in connection with potential investment, acquisition, collaboration, merger, public offering, due diligence or similar investigations by such Third Parties or in confidential financing documents, provided that, in each case, that any such Third Party agrees to be bound by written terms, or legally enforceable obligations, of confidentiality and non-use consistent with the terms hereof (or, in the case of the Receiving Party’s attorneys and independent accountants, such Third Party is obligated by applicable professional or ethical obligations) that are no less stringent than those contained in this Agreement (except to the extent that a shorter confidentiality period is customary in the industry); and

 

 

(h)

such disclosure is required by court order, judicial or administrative process or Applicable Law, provided that in such event the Receiving Party shall promptly inform the Disclosing Party of such required disclosure and provide the Disclosing Party an opportunity to challenge or limit the disclosure obligations. Confidential Information that is disclosed as required by court order, judicial or administrative process or Applicable Law shall remain otherwise subject to the confidentiality and non-use provisions of this ARTICLE XII ( Confidentiality; Publication ), and the Receiving Party shall take all steps reasonably necessary, including seeking of confidential treatment or a protective order, to ensure the continued confidential treatment of such Confidential Information; provided , that to the extent practicable, the Receiving Party provides prior written notice of such intended disclosure to the Disclosing Party and assists the Disclosing Party in its reasonable and lawful efforts to avoid or minimize the degree of such disclosure.

 

 

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12.4 Publication . Benitec shall not publish nor otherwise publicly disclose any data or results regarding any Compound or Licensed Product without the prior written consent of Axovant. Benitec represents and warrants that it does not have any data, results, or publications relating to any Compound or Licensed Product currently under review that may be published or otherwise disclosed after the Effective Date. Prior to publishing a peer reviewed manuscript disclosing the results of studies carried out under this Agreement, Axovant shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to provide Benitec with an opportunity to review any such publication that relates to any Compound or Licensed Product prior to its intended submission for publication.

 

12.5 Publicity; Use of Names . No disclosure of the existence, or the terms, of this Agreement may be made by either Party or its Affiliates, and neither Party shall use the name, trademark, trade name or logo of the other Party, its Affiliates or their respective employees in any publicity, promotion, news release or disclosure relating to this Agreement or its subject matter, without the prior express written permission of the other Party, except as set forth in Section 12.7 ( Disclosure to the SEC ) or as otherwise may be required by law. Notwithstanding the above, each Party and its Affiliates may disclose on its website and in its promotional materials that the other Party is a development partner of such Party for the Licensed Products and may use the other Party’s name and logo in conjunction with such disclosure.

 

12.6 Prior Confidentiality Agreement . As of the Effective Date, the terms of this ARTICLE XII ( Confidentiality; Publication ) shall supersede any prior non-disclosure, secrecy or confidentiality agreement between the Parties (or their Affiliates) relating to the subject of this Agreement, including the Confidentiality Agreement. Any information disclosed pursuant to any such prior agreement shall be deemed Confidential Information for purposes of this Agreement.

 

 

12.7

Disclosure to the SEC .

 

(a)

A Party may disclose this Agreement and its terms, and material developments or material information generated under this Agreement, in securities filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) (or equivalent foreign agency, such as the Australian Securities Exchange or the Australian Securities and Investments Commission) to the extent required by law after complying with the procedure set forth in this Section 12.7 ( Disclosure to the SEC ). In such event, the Party seeking to make such disclosure will prepare a draft confidential treatment request and proposed redacted version of this Agreement to request confidential treatment for this Agreement, and the other Party agrees to promptly (and in any event, no more than **** after receipt of such confidential treatment request and proposed redactions) give its input in a reasonable manner in order to allow the Party seeking disclosure to file its request within the timelines prescribed by applicable SEC regulations. The Party seeking such disclosure shall exercise Commercially Reasonable Efforts to obtain confidential treatment of this Agreement from the SEC as represented by the redacted version reviewed by the other Party.

 

 

(b)

Further, each Party acknowledges that the other Party may be legally required, or may be required by the listing rules of any exchange on which the other Party’s or its Affiliate’s securities are traded, to make public disclosures (including in filings with the SEC or other agency) of certain material developments or material information generated under this Agreement and agrees that each Party may make such disclosures as required by law or such listing rules, provided

 

 

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that the Party seeking such disclosure shall provide the other Party with a copy of the proposed text of such disclosure sufficiently in advance of the scheduled release to afford such other Party a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon.

 

 

12.8

Press Releases .

 

(a)

The Parties shall cooperate to issue a mutually agreeable press releases announcing the entering into this Agreement. Thereafter, if either Party desires to issue a press release or make a public announcement concerning the material terms of this Agreement or the Development or Commercialization of the Licensed Product under this Agreement, such as the achievement of Regulatory Approvals of the Licensed Product, such Party shall provide the other Party with the proposed text of such announcement **** in advance of such announcement for prior review and approval by such other Party. No Party shall issue a press release or other public announcement relating to this Agreement without the other Party’s prior written consent, except as permitted pursuant to Sections 12.4 ( Publication ), 12.7 ( Disclosure to SEC ) and 12.8 ( Press Release ).

 

 

(b)

The Parties agree that after a public disclosure has been made or a press release or other public announcement has been issued in compliance with this Agreement, each Party may make subsequent public disclosures or issue press releases or other public announcements disclosing the same content without having to obtain the other Party’s prior consent and approval.

 

 

12.9 Reporting of Financial Information . From and after the Effective Date, to the extent required by the SEC in connection with a Party or an Affiliate of a Party registering securities in a public offering (the applicable Party, a “ Reporting Party ”), the other Party (the “ Other Party ”) shall (a) cooperate with the Reporting Party or its Affiliates and their respective accountants and auditors by providing access to information, books, and records related to the Licensed Products as the Reporting Party may reasonably request in connection with the preparation by the Reporting Party or its Affiliates of historical and pro forma financial statements related to the Licensed Products as may be required to be included in any filing made by the Reporting Party or any of its Affiliates under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, including Regulation S-X and (b) without limiting the foregoing, shall provide the Reporting Party with such information as is required for the Reporting Party or its Affiliates to prepare audited “carve out” financial statements related to the Licensed Products, for the two (2) Fiscal Years prior to the Effective Date (or such shorter period as agreed to by the Reporting Party) and information requested by the Reporting Party and reasonably necessary to prepare any applicable pro forma financial information required to be filed by the Reporting Party with the SEC. Such cooperation shall include, as applicable, (i) the signing of management representation letters to the extent required in connection with any such audit performed by the Reporting Party’s auditors,

(ii) providing the Reporting Party or its Affiliates and their respective accountants and auditors with access to management representation letters provided by the Other Party to such Other Party’s accountants and auditors, and (iii) causing the Other Party’s accountants, auditors, and counsel to cooperate with the Reporting Party or its Affiliates and its accountants, auditors, and counsel in connection with the preparation and audit of any financial information to be provided under this Section 12.9 ( Reporting of Financial Information ). If the Other Party is required to provide the Reporting Party with the audited financial statements contemplated hereunder, the selection of an

 

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external audit firm will be at the discretion of the Other Party. Such financial statements shall be derived from the Other Party’s historical financial statements, and accurately present in all material respects the financial position of the Licensed Products as of the dates thereof. the Other Party hereby consents to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of any financial statements provided to the Reporting Party under this Section 12.9 ( Reporting of Financial Information ) in any filing by the Reporting Party or its Affiliates with the SEC and, upon request therefor of the Reporting Party, agrees to request that any auditor of the Other Party that audits any financial statements provided to the Reporting Party or its Affiliates under this Section 12.9 ( Reporting of Financial Information ) consent to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of its audit opinion with respect to such financial statements in any filing by the Reporting Party or its Affiliates with the SEC.

 

ARTICLE XIII TERM AND TERMINATION

 

13.1 Term . Unless earlier terminated as permitted by this Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and continue in full force and effect, on a Licensed Product-by-Licensed Product basis, until (a) with respect to BB-301 Products, the expiration of the payments required by Axovant pursuant to Section 8.4 ( Profit-Based Royalties for BB-301 Products ) (i.e., until the occurrence of a Buy-Out Closing) in accordance with Section

1.3 of Exhibit B ( Expiration and Buyout ), and (b) with respect to Collaboration Products, the expiration of the Royalty Term for such Collaboration Product in the Territory (the “ Term ”). Upon the expiration (but not early termination) of the Term for any such Licensed Product, the licenses granted to Axovant shall continue in effect, as an exclusive, fully paid-up, royalty-free, transferable, perpetual and irrevocable, with the right to grant Sublicenses through multiple tiers, with respect to such Licensed Product in the Field in the Territory.

 

13.2 Termination .

 

(a)

Termination by Axovant for Convenience .At any time, Axovant may terminate this Agreement, at its sole discretion and for any reason or no reason, (1) in its entirety,

 

(2) solely with respect to BB-301 Products or (3) solely with respect to one or more Collaboration Programs, in each case by providing written notice of termination to Benitec, which notice includes an effective date of termination at least:

 

(i) **** after the date of the notice if the notice is given before the Regulatory Approval of any Licensed Product (with respect to a termination under subclause (a)(1) ), any BB-301 Product (with respect to a termination under subclause (a)(2) ) or any Collaboration Product from the terminated Collaboration Program (with respect to a termination under subclause (a)(3)); or

 

(ii) **** after the date of the notice if the notice is given after the Regulatory Approval of any Licensed Product (with respect to a termination under subclause (a)(1) ), any BB-301 Product (with respect to a termination under subclause (a)(2) ) or any Collaboration Product from the terminated Collaboration Program (with respect to a termination under subclause (a)(3)).

 

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(b)

Termination for Cause . If either Party believes that the other is in material breach of its obligations hereunder, then the non-breaching Party may deliver notice of such breach to the other Party. The allegedly breaching Party shall have **** (or **** in the case of any payment breach) to cure such breach from the receipt of the notice; provided that, if such breach is capable of being cured but cannot be cured within such ****, the breaching Party may cure such breach during an additional period as is reasonable in the circumstances by initiating actions to cure such breach during such **** period and using Commercially Reasonable Efforts to pursue such actions, provided that such additional cure period shall be capped at an additional ****. If the allegedly breaching Party fails to cure that breach within the applicable period set forth above, then the Party originally delivering the notice of breach may terminate this Agreement on written notice of termination. Axovant’s failure to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts as required by Section 4.2 ( Development Diligence ) or Section 7.2 ( Commercial Diligence ) shall be deemed a material breach by Axovant of this Agreement with respect to BB-301 or the applicable Collaboration Program (as applicable). Any right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 13.2(b) ( Termination for Cause ) shall be stayed and the applicable cure period tolled if, during such cure period, the Party alleged to have been in material breach shall have initiated dispute resolution in accordance with Section 14.9 ( Dispute Resolution ) with respect to the alleged breach, which stay and tolling shall continue until such dispute has been resolved in accordance with Section 14.9 ( Dispute Resolution ). If a Party is determined to be in material breach of this Agreement, the other Party may terminate this Agreement if the breaching Party fails to cure the breach within **** after the conclusion of the dispute resolution procedure (and such termination shall then be effective upon written notification from the notifying Party to the breaching Party). For clarity, if such material breach relates solely to BB-301 Products, the non-breaching Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement solely with respect to BB-301 Products, and if such material breach relates solely to one or more Collaboration Programs, the non-breaching Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement solely with respect to such Collaboration Programs.

 

 

(c)

Termination for Bankruptcy . This Agreement may be terminated at any time during the Term by either Party upon the other Party’s filing or institution of bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation or receivership proceedings, or upon an assignment of a substantial portion of the assets for the benefit of creditors by the other Party (each, an “ Insolvency Event ”); provided , however , that in the case of any involuntary bankruptcy proceeding such right to terminate shall only become effective if the Party consents to the involuntary bankruptcy or such proceeding is not dismissed within **** after the filing thereof.

 

 

 

13.3

Effect of Termination .

 

(a)

Upon termination of this Agreement by either Party pursuant to Section 13.2(a) ( Termination by Axovant for Convenience ); Section 13.2(b) ( Termination for Cause ), or Section 13.2(c) ( Termination for Bankruptcy ), the following consequences shall apply and shall be effective as of the effective date of such termination, provided that if such termination is only with respect to BB-301 Products or one or more Collaboration Programs, then such consequences shall only apply with respect to such BB-301 Products or Collaboration Program:

 

 

(i) Axovant’s licenses under Section 2.1 ( Licenses to Axovant ) shall

terminate;

 

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(ii) Benitec shall not have any obligations under Section 2.6 ( Exclusivity ) with respect to the relevant Collaboration Target and/or PABPN1, as applicable.

 

(iii) Any Benitec Know-How that is solely related to any Compound(s) to which the termination applies shall no longer be considered the Confidential Information of Axovant and shall, as of the effective date of termination be the Confidential Information of Benitec.

 

(iv) Axovant shall return to Benitec or destroy, at Benitec’s election, all Confidential Information of Benitec, including all copies thereof and all materials, substances and compositions delivered or provided by Benitec to Axovant; provided , however , that Axovant may keep one copy of such Confidential Information in its legal files solely for the purpose of enabling it to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, and Axovant shall not be required to remove such Confidential Information from its back-up or archive electronic records, including its electronic laboratory notebook and laboratory information management systems; and

 

(v) Benitec shall be solely responsible for all, but shall not be obligated to conduct any, future Development, manufacture and Commercialization of Compounds and Licensed Products in the Field, at its sole cost and expense.

 

(b)

Upon termination of this Agreement by Axovant pursuant to Section 13.2(a) ( Termination by Axovant for Convenience ) or by Benitec pursuant to Section 13.2(b) ( Termination for Cause ) or Section 13.2(c) ( Termination for Bankruptcy ), the following consequences shall apply and shall be effective as of the effective date of such termination:

 

 

(i) Axovant hereby grants to Benitec, effective only upon such termination, a non-exclusive, worldwide, fully paid-up, perpetual and irrevocable license, with the right to grant sublicenses through multiple tiers, under the Axovant Technology (including Axovant’s interest in the applicable Collaboration IP) to research, Develop, make, have made, use, distribute, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import, export, and otherwise Commercialize Compounds and Licensed Products in the Field. For clarity, Benitec shall, following such termination, be solely responsible for the payment of any monies payable to a Third Party licensor of Axovant or its Affiliates for rights to intellectual property included in Axovant Technology based upon the Development, manufacture and Commercialization of Compounds and Licensed Products in the Field by Benitec, its Affiliates or licensees, which payments shall be made on a pro rata basis reasonably agreed by the Parties taking into account the value of the Third Party license to Axovant with respect to compounds and products other than the Compounds and Licensed Products hereunder, which pro rata allocation shall, if the Parties do not agree, shall be finally determined pursuant to Section 14.10 ( Baseball Arbitration ).

 

(ii) If requested in writing by Benitec, Axovant shall grant to Benitec, effective only upon such termination, an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing, perpetual and irrevocable license, with the right to grant sublicenses through multiple tiers, under the Axovant Technology (including Axovant’s interest in the applicable Collaboration IP) to research, Develop, make, have made, use, distribute, sell, offer for sale, have sold, import, export, and otherwise Commercialize Compounds and Licensed Products in the Field. The Parties shall negotiate the terms of such license in good faith for a period not to exceed ****, including milestone payments to become due upon the achievement of the then-remaining development milestone events set forth in

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Section 8.3(a) ( Development and Regulatory Milestone Payments ) and the sales- based milestone events set forth in Section 8.3(b) ( Sales Milestone Payments ), together with royalty payments; if the Parties are unable to agree on the terms and execute a definitive agreement with respect to the license during such **** negotiation period, then they shall have such terms determined pursuant to Section 14.10 ( Baseball Arbitration ).

 

(iii) Axovant shall assign to Benitec all Regulatory Documentation, all Regulatory Approvals and any other licenses or permits issued by any Governmental Authorities that are necessary for the Development, manufacture or Commercialization of any Compound and Licensed Product, to the extent solely related to the relevant Compound and/or Licensed Product;

 

(iv) Axovant shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to provide to Benitec or its designees all assistance reasonably necessary to assist Benitec in transitioning to Benitec or its designee all aspects of the Parties’ relationship hereunder, including all work in progress and including by disclosing to Benitec all Axovant Know-How to the extent not already known to Benitec that is reasonably useful for Benitec to Develop, manufacture and Commercialize Compounds and Licensed Products in the Field; in addition, Axovant shall, at Benitec’s request, provide reasonable technical assistance and transfer all Axovant Know-How necessary to manufacture Compounds and Licensed Products to Benitec or its designee, and Benitec shall reimburse Axovant for its reasonable expenses associated with such technical assistance and the transfer of Axovant Know-How including to all employee expenses of Axovant;

 

(v) Axovant shall, at Benitec’s request and election, use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to facilitate negotiations between Benitec and Axovant’s Third Party providers of clinical research, manufacturing, health plan coverage, marketing sales or distribution services, including, without limitation, with respect to group purchasing arrangements and pharmacy benefit management;

 

(vi) Axovant shall, and hereby does, effective on such termination, assign to Benitec all of Axovant’s and its Affiliates’ right, title and interest in and to any and all trademarks (including the Marks) used by Axovant and its Affiliates in the Territory in connection with its Development, manufacture or Commercialization of Licensed Products (excluding any such trademarks that include, in whole or part, any corporate name or logo of Axovant or its Affiliates), including all goodwill therein; and

 

(vii) At Benitec’s reasonable request, and without further compensation other than reimbursement of Axovant’s reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs directly incurred in connection therewith, Axovant will undertake, and will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to cause its subcontractors to undertake, all further actions reasonably required to perfect Benitec’s right, title and interest in and to, and quiet enjoyment of, all of the items set forth in Sections 13.3(b)(iii) and (vi) ( Effect of Termination ) (including the execution of such instruments, assignments and documents as may be necessary to effect, evidence, register and record such assignment).

 

13.4 Survival. Expiration or termination of this Agreement shall not relieve the Parties of any obligation accruing prior to such expiration or termination, nor shall expiration or any

 

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termination of this Agreement preclude either Party from pursuing all rights and remedies it may have under this Agreement, at law or in equity, with respect to breach of this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the following Sections and Articles of this Agreement will survive termination or expiration for any reason: ARTICLE I (to the extent definitions are used in the following Sections or portions thereof), Section 2.2 (with respect to responsibility for sublicensees); Section 2.7; Section 3.4(b) (with respect to responsibility for sublicensees); Section

4.5 (with respect to responsibility); Section 5.3 (only in the case of expiration); Section 8.10 (for the time periods therein); Section 8.11; Section 9.1 (for Data and Inventions generated or otherwise made during the Term); Section 10.6; Sections 11.1 11.6; ARTICLE XII (other than Section 12.4 and Section 12.8 ) (including the Sections referenced therein, if applicable); Section 13.3 ; Section 13.4; Section 13.5; Section 14.1; Section 14.3 - Section 14.5; and Section 14.7 Section 14.18. In addition, the applicable provisions of ARTICLE II, ARTICLE III, ARTICLE IV, ARTICLE VI, and ARTICLE VIII, whether or not identified in the above, will survive, in each case, solely to the extent required to make final reimbursements, reconciliations or other payments or any other costs and expenses incurred or accrued prior to the date of termination or expiration and payable under the terms of this Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated with respect to a given Collaboration Program, but not in its entirety, then following such termination the foregoing provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect with respect to the terminated Collaboration Program (to the extent they would survive and apply in the event the Agreement expires or is terminated in its entirety or as otherwise necessary for the Parties to exercise their rights with respect thereto) and all provisions not surviving in accordance with the foregoing shall terminate with respect to the terminated Collaboration Program, as applicable, upon the effective date of termination thereof.

 

13.5 Termination Not Sole Remedy . Termination is not the sole remedy under this Agreement and, whether or not termination is effected and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, all other remedies will remain available except as agreed to otherwise herein.

 

ARTICLE XIV GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

14.1 Governing Law; Venue . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to any rules of conflict of laws with the exception of sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of New York General Obligations Law. Subject to Section 14.9 ( Dispute Resolution ), each Party hereto (a) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement; (b) agrees to commence any such action, suit or proceeding in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if such suit, action or other proceeding may not be brought in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County; and (c) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of any such suit, action or other proceeding in such courts and further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

 

14.2

Assignment .

 

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(a)

Except as expressly provided hereunder, neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned or otherwise transferred by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld, or delayed); provided , however, that either Party may assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement and its rights and obligations hereunder without the other Party’s consent: (i) in connection with the transfer or sale of all or substantially all of the business or assets of such Party to which this Agreement relates to a Third Party, whether by merger, consolidation, divesture, restructure, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise; provided that in the event of any such transaction (whether this Agreement is actually assigned or is assumed by the acquiring party by operation of law (e.g., in the context of a reverse triangular merger)), intellectual property rights of the acquiring party to such transaction (if other than one of the Parties to this Agreement) and its Affiliates existing prior to the transaction shall not be included in the technology licensed hereunder (a “ Sale Transaction ”); or (ii) to an Affiliate, provided that the assigning Party shall ensure that the assignee assumes the rights and obligations under this Agreement, or it shall remain liable and responsible to the non-assigning Party hereto for the performance and observance of all such duties and obligations by such Affiliate. The rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the Parties, and the name of a Party appearing herein will be deemed to include the name of such Party’s successors and permitted assigns to the extent necessary to carry out the intent of this section. Any assignment not in accordance with this Section 14.2 ( Assignment ) shall be null and void.

 

 

(b)

In the event of (a) a Sale Transaction by a Party, or (b) the acquisition by a Party of all or substantially all of the business of a Third Party (together with any entities that were Affiliates of such Third Party immediately prior to such acquisition, an “ Acquiree ”), whether by merger, consolidation, divestiture, restructure, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise (an “ Acquisition ”), intellectual property rights of the acquiring party in a Sales Transaction or the Acquiree, if other than one of the Parties to this Agreement (together with any entities that were Affiliates of such Acquiree, as applicable), in each case existing prior to such transaction shall not be included in the technology licensed hereunder or otherwise subject to this Agreement.

 

 

14.3 Entire Agreement; Modification . This Agreement is both a final expression of the Parties’ agreement and a complete and exclusive statement with respect to all of its terms. This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements and communications, whether oral, written or otherwise, concerning any and all matters contained herein, including the Confidentiality Agreement and for clarity, the confidential and proprietary information exchanged thereunder shall be treated as Confidential Information under this Agreement. This Agreement may only be modified or supplemented in a writing expressly stated for such purpose and signed by the Parties to this Agreement.

 

14.4 Relationship Between the Parties . The Parties’ relationship with one another, as established by this Agreement, is solely that of independent contractors. This Agreement does not create any partnership, joint venture or similar business relationship between the Parties. Neither Party is a legal representative of the other Party. Neither Party can assume or create any obligation, representation, warranty or guarantee, express or implied, on behalf of the other Party for any purpose whatsoever.

 

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14.5 Non-Waiver . The failure of a Party to insist upon strict performance of any provision of this Agreement or to exercise any right arising out of this Agreement shall neither impair that provision or right nor constitute a waiver of that provision or right, in whole or in part, in that instance or in any other instance. Any waiver by a Party of a particular provision or right shall be in writing, shall be as to a particular matter and, if applicable, for a particular period of time and shall be signed by such Party.

 

14.6 Force Majeure . Neither Party shall be held liable to the other Party nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement for failure or delay in performing any obligation under this Agreement (excluding payment obligations) to the extent such failure or delay is caused by or results from causes beyond the reasonable control of the affected Party, potentially including embargoes, war, acts of war (whether war be declared or not), acts of terrorism, insurrections, riots, civil commotions, strikes, lockouts or other labor disturbances, fire, floods, or other acts of God, or acts, omissions or delays in acting by any Governmental Authority or unavailability of materials related to the manufacture of Compounds or Licensed Products. The affected Party shall notify the other Party of such force majeure circumstances as soon as reasonably practical and shall promptly undertake and continue diligently all reasonable efforts necessary to cure such force majeure circumstances and to perform its obligations in spite of the ongoing circumstances.

 

14.7 Severability . If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, unless the absence of the invalidated provisions adversely affects the substantive rights of the Parties. The Parties shall in such an instance use their best efforts to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid, legal and enforceable provisions which, insofar as practical, implement the purposes of this Agreement.

 

14.8 Notices . Any notice to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and delivered (a) in person (receipt confirmed in writing), (b) by internationally recognized overnight courier, with a copy via e-mail with delivery and return receipts requested and confirmation of delivery thereafter, either to the Party to be notified at its address(es) given below, or at any address such Party may designate by prior written notice to the other. Notice shall be deemed sufficiently given for all purposes upon official confirmation of receipt by the courier service.

 

If to Benitec:

Benitec Biopharma

Suite 1201, 99 Mount Street North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia

Attention: Chief Executive Officer With a copy to: ****

 

If to Axovant:

 

Axovant Sciences GmbH

 

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Viaduktstrasse 8

4051 Basel, Switzerland

Attention: President and Chief Commercial Officer With a copy to: ****

 

 

14.9

Dispute Resolution

 

(a)

The Parties shall negotiate in good faith and use reasonable efforts to settle any dispute, controversy or claim arising from or related to this Agreement or the breach thereof. Subject to Section 14.9(h) ( Dispute Resolution ), in the event the Parties cannot resolve such dispute, controversy or claim within a period of **** after notice of a dispute from one Party to the other, then the matter shall be referred to designated senior executives of the Parties for resolution by the sending of a Notice of Dispute(s) for Executive Resolution. The designated senior executives shall endeavor to meet in person within **** following transmittal of the Notice of Dispute(s) for Executive Resolution. The initial designated senior executives shall be the President of Axovant, and Executive Chairman of Benitec. Each Party shall be entitled to name substitute senior executives upon written notice to the other Party.

 

 

(b)

Except as expressly set forth in Section 14.9(h) ( Dispute Resolution ), if, after going through this procedure, the Parties do not fully settle, and a Party wishes to pursue the matter, each such dispute, controversy or claim that is not an Excluded Claim (defined in Section 14.9(g) ( Dispute Resolution )) shall be finally resolved by binding arbitration administered by JAMS pursuant to JAMS’ Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures then in effect (the “ JAMS Rules ”).

 

 

(c)

The arbitration shall be conducted by a panel of three (3) neutral arbitrators, each of whom shall have significant legal or business experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and none of whom shall be a current or former employee or director, or a current significant shareholder, of either Party or any of their respective Affiliates or any Sublicensee: within **** after initiation of arbitration, each Party shall select one (1) person to act as arbitrator and the two (2) Party-selected arbitrators shall select a third (3 rd ) arbitrator within **** of their appointment. If the arbitrators selected by the Parties are unable or fail to agree upon the third (3 rd ) arbitrator, the third (3 rd ) arbitrator shall be appointed by JAMS. The place of arbitration shall be New York, New York, and all proceedings and communications shall be in English. Within **** after selection of the third arbitrator, the arbitrators shall conduct the Preliminary Conference (as defined in the JAMS Rules). In addressing any of the subjects within the scope of the Preliminary Conference, the arbitrators shall take into account both the desirability of making discovery efficient and cost-effective and the needs of the Parties for an understanding of any legitimate issue raised in the arbitration. The award rendered by the arbitrators shall be final, binding and non-appealable, and judgment may be entered upon it in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

 

(d)

Either Party may apply to the arbitrators for interim injunctive relief until the arbitration award is rendered or the controversy is otherwise resolved. The arbitrators’ authority to award punitive or any other type of damages not measured by a Party’s compensatory damages shall be subject to the limitation set forth in Section 11.5 ( Special, Indirect and Other Losses ).

 

 

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Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses and attorneys’ fees and an equal share of the arbitrators’ fees and any administrative fees of arbitration.

 

(e)

Except to the extent necessary to confirm or enforce an award or as may be required by law, neither Party nor an arbitrator may disclose the existence, content, or results of an arbitration without the prior written consent of the other Party. In no event shall an arbitration be initiated after the date when commencement of a legal or equitable proceeding based on the dispute, controversy or claim would be barred by the applicable New York statute of limitations.

 

 

(f)

The Parties agree that, in the event of a dispute over the nature or quality of performance under this Agreement, neither Party may terminate this Agreement until final resolution of the dispute through arbitration or other judicial determination. The Parties further agree that any payments made pursuant to this Agreement pending resolution of the dispute shall be refunded if an arbitrator or court determines that such payments are not due.

 

 

(g)

As used in this Section 14.9 ( Dispute Resolution ), the term “ Excluded Claim ” means a dispute, controversy or claim that concerns (i) the construction, scope, validity, enforceability, inventorship or infringement of a patent, patent application, trademark or copyright; or (ii) any antitrust, anti-monopoly or competition law or regulation, whether or not statutory.

 

 

(h)

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall deny either Party the right to seek injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in the context of a bona fide emergency or prospective irreparable harm, and such an action may be filed and maintained notwithstanding any ongoing discussions between the Parties or any ongoing arbitration proceeding. In addition, either Party may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to resolve disputes pertaining to the validity, construction, scope, enforceability, infringement or other violation of Patents or other intellectual property rights, and no such claim shall be subject to arbitration pursuant to Sections 14.9(b) ( Dispute Resolution ) and 14.9(c) ( Dispute Resolution ).

 

 

14.10 Baseball Arbitration. This Section 14.10 ( Baseball Arbitration ) shall apply to disputes arising under Section 13.3(b) ( Effect of Termination ) to be resolved by baseball arbitration. Baseball arbitration will be conducted by one (1) arbitrator who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Parties and who shall be appointed in accordance with the JAMS Rules. If the Parties are unable to select an arbitrator within ****, then the arbitrator shall be appointed in accordance with the JAMS Rules. Any arbitrator chosen under this Section 14.10 ( Baseball Arbitration ) shall have significant legal or business experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and shall not be a current or former employee or director, or a current or former shareholder of either Party or any of their respective Affiliates or any Sublicensee. Within **** after the selection of the arbitrator, each Party shall submit to the arbitrator and the other Party a proposed resolution of the dispute that is the subject of the arbitration, together with any relevant evidence in support thereof (the Proposals ”). Within **** after the delivery of the last Proposal to the arbitrator, each Party may submit a written rebuttal of the other Party’s Proposal and may also amend and re-submit its original Proposal. The Parties and the arbitrator shall meet within **** after the Parties have submitted their final Proposals (and rebuttals, if any), at which time each Party shall have one (1) hour to argue in support of its Proposal. The Parties shall not have the right to call any witnesses in support of their arguments, nor compel any production of documents or take any discovery from the other Party in preparation for the meeting. Within

 

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**** after such meeting, the arbitrator shall select one of the final Proposals so submitted by one of the Parties as the resolution of the dispute, but may not alter the terms of either final Proposal and may not resolve the dispute in a manner other than by selection of one of the submitted final Proposals. If a Party fails to submit a Proposal within the initial **** time frame set forth above, the arbitrator shall select the Proposal of the other Party as the resolution of the dispute.

 

14.11 Performance by Affiliates . Each Party may perform its obligations and exercise any rights hereunder directly or indirectly through any of its Affiliates. Each Party hereby guarantees the performance by its Affiliates of such Party’s obligations under this Agreement, and shall cause its Affiliates to comply with the provisions of this Agreement in connection with such performance. Any breach by a Party’s Affiliate of any of such Party’s obligations under this Agreement shall be deemed a breach by such Party, and the other Party may proceed directly against such Party without any obligation to first proceed against such Party’s Affiliate.

 

14.12 Headings . The captions to the several Articles, Sections and subsections hereof are not a part of this Agreement, but are merely for convenience to assist in locating and reading the several Articles and Sections hereof.

 

14.13 Waiver of Rule of Construction . Each Party has had the opportunity to consult with counsel in connection with the review, drafting and negotiation of this Agreement. Accordingly, the rule of construction that any ambiguity in this Agreement shall be construed against the drafting Party shall not apply.

 

14.14 Business Day Requirements . If any notice or other action or omission is required to be taken by a Party under this Agreement on a day that is not a Business Day, then such notice or other action or omission shall be deemed to require such notice or action or omission to be taken on the next occurring Business Day.

 

14.15 English Language . This Agreement has been prepared in the English language, and the English language shall control its interpretation. In addition, all notices required or permitted to be given hereunder, and all written, electronic, oral or other communications between the Parties regarding this Agreement shall be in the English language.

 

14.16 Interpretation . All references in this Agreement to the singular include the plural where applicable. Unless otherwise specified, references in this Agreement to any Article include all Sections, subsections and paragraphs in such Article, and references to any Section include all subsections and paragraphs in such Section. The word “including” and similar words mean “including without limitation”. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision. The word “or” is used in the conjunctive sense (i.e., “and/or”), unless the context clearly requires otherwise. All references to days in this Agreement mean calendar days, unless otherwise specified. Except as otherwise specified herein, references to a person or entity are also to its permitted successors and assigns.

 

14.17 Further Assurances . Each Party shall duly execute and deliver or cause to be duly executed and delivered, such further instruments and do and cause to be done such further acts and

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

72

 

 


 

 

things, including the filing of such assignments, agreements, documents and instruments, as may be necessary or as the other Party may reasonably request in connection with this Agreement or to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes hereof or to better assure and confirm unto such other Party its rights and remedies under this Agreement.

 

14.18 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

{REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK}

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

73

 

 


 

I N W ITNESS W HEREOF , the Parties hereto have caused this L ICENSE AND C OLLABORATION A GREEMENT to be executed and entered into by their duly authorized representatives as of the Effective Date.

 

 

B ENITEC B IOPHARMA L IMITED

 

 

B y : _ /s/ Megan Boston

Name: Megan Boston

 

Title: Executive Director, Benitec Biopharma Limited

 

 

B ENITEC B IOPHARMA L IMITED

A XOVANT S CIENCES G MB H

 

 

B y : _ /s/ Sascha Bucher

Name: Sascha Bucher

 

Title: Director, Axovant Sciences GmbH

 

 

 

 

By: /s/Peter Francis

 

Name: Peter Francis

 

Title: Director, Benitec Biopharma Limited

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

S IGNATURE P AGE TO L ICENSE A ND C OLLABORATION A GREEMENT

 

 


 

Exhibits and Schedules :

 

 

Exhibit A

Benitec Patents as of the Effective Date

 

Exhibit B Profit-Based Royalties

Exhibit C Scheduled Targets

 

Exhibit D

****

 

Appendix A ****

Exhibit E Benitec Platform Patents

Exhibit 2.4 Technology Transfer Plan

Exhibit 3.5 ****

Schedule 10.4(l) Existing Agreements

Schedule 10.4(m) Third Party Vendors

 

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

 


 

 

 

 

Exhibit A Benitec Patents as of the Effective Date

 

 

1.

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit A- 76

 

 


 

 

 

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2.

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit A- 77

 

 


 

 

 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit A- 78

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

2.1.2

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit A- 79

 

 


 

 

 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit A- 80

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit A- 9

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B Profit-Based Royalties Terms

 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit C- 10

 

 


 

 

 

Exhibit C Scheduled Targets

 

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Exhibit C- 11

 

 


 

 

 

 

Exhibit D ****

 

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Exhibit D- i

 

 


 

 

 

 

Appendix A ****

 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit D- ii

 

 


 

 

 

 

Exhibit E Benitec Platform Patents Genetic silencing

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit E - i

 

 


 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.4 Technology Transfer Plan

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit 2.4 - i

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.5 ****

 

****

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit 2.5 - i

 

 


 

 

 

 

Schedule 10.4(l) Existing Agreements

 

*Note: The following is a general summary only. Terms of agreements to be consulted for confirmation and specific details.*

 

 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Schedule 10.4(l) - i

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Schedule 10.4(m) Third Party Vendors

 

 

 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Schedule 10.4(m) - i

 

 

Exhibit 4.15

EXECUTION COPY

 

**** INDICATES CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION SEPARATELY WITH A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT

 

July 23, 2018

 

Jerel A Banks, M.D., Ph.D.

Executive Chairman

Benitec Biopharma Limited

Suite 1201, 99 Mount Street

North Sydney NSW 2060

Australia

 

 

Re: Amendment No. 1 to License and Collaboration Agreement between Axovant Sciences GmbH and Benitec Biopharma Limited.  

 

 

Dear Dr. Banks,

 

Reference is made to that certain License and Collaboration Agreement between Axovant Sciences GmbH and Benitec Biopharma Limited entered into as of July 9, 2018 (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meaning ascribed to them in the Agreement.

 

The Parties agree that Exhibit A of the Agreement is replaced in its entirety with Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

Except as set forth above, all terms and conditions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect.

 

 

Accepted and Agreed

For Axovant Sciences GmbH:

 

 

By: /s/Mark Altmeyer

Mark Altmeyer

President & COO, Axovant Sciences GmbH

 

 

Accepted and Agreed

For Benitec Biopharma Limited:

By: /s/Peter Francis

Name: Peter Francis

Title: Director

 

 

By: /s/Megan Boston

Name: Megan Boston

Title: Executive Director

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

Benitec Patents as of the Effective Date

1. ****

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-2 -

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission


 

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2. ****

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-3-

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission


 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission


 

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-5-

Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission


 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission


 

 

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Confidential material omitted and filed separately with the Commission

Exhibit 12.1

Certification of the principal executive officer as required by

Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, Jerel Banks, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Benitec Biopharma Limited;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The company's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The company's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: October 29, 2018

 

/S/ Jerel Banks

Dr. Jerel Banks

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Exhibit 12.2

Certification of the principal financial officer as required by

Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, Megan Boston, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Benitec Biopharma Limited;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The company's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The company's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date October 29, 2018

 

/S/ Megan Boston

Megan Boston

Executive Director and Head of Australian Operations

 

 

Exhibit 13.1

Certification of the principal executive officer required by

Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Pursuant to the requirement set forth in Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. §1350), Dr. Jerel Banks, Chief Executive Officer of Benitec Biopharma Limited (the “Company”), hereby certifies that, to the best of his knowledge:

 

1.

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the period ended June 30, 2018, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 13.1 (the “Annual Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

 

2.

The information contained in the Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: October 29, 2018

 

/S/ Jerel Banks

Dr. Jerel Banks

Chief Executive Officer

This certification accompanies the Form 20-F to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Benitec Biopharma Limited under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 20-F), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

Exhibit 13.2

Certification of the principal financial officer required by

Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Pursuant to the requirement set forth in Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. §1350), Ms. Megan Boston, Executive Director and Head of Australian Operations of Benitec Biopharma Limited (the “Company”), hereby certifies that, to the best of her knowledge:

 

1.

The Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the period ended June 30, 2018, to which this Certification is attached as Exhibit 13.2 (the “Annual Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

 

2.

The information contained in the Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: October 29, 2018

 

/S/ Megan Boston

Megan Boston

Executive Director and Head of Operations,

Australia

This certification accompanies the Form 20-F to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Benitec Biopharma Limited under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Form 20-F), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We have issued our report dated October 29, 2018, with respect to the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report of Benitec Biopharma Limited on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2018.

We consent to the incorporation by reference of said report in the Registration Statement of Benitec Biopharma Limited on Form F-3 (File No. 333-218400).

 

/S/ Grant Thornton

GRANT THORNTON AUDIT PTY LTD

 

Sydney, NSW Australia
October 29, 2018