Full Press Release Details
Benitec Biopharma Provides Operational Update and Releases its 2020 Fiscal Year-End Financial Results
HAYWARD, Calif., September 23, 2020 Benitec Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ: BNTC) ( Benitec or
the Company ), a development-stage, gene therapy-focused, biotechnology company developing novel genetic medicines based on the proprietary DNA-directed RNA interference ( ddRNAi )
platform, today provided an operational update and announced the financial results for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. The Company has filed its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
June 30, 2020 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The key milestones related to the investigational agents under development by the company and other corporate updates are outlined below:
BB-301(Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy Program)
Jerel A. Banks, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Benitec Biopharma commented, This has been a transformative year for Benitec. Our team has worked diligently to thoughtfully navigate the key development hurdles present for BB-301, and we are optimistic
about the prospects for the success of this program.
Financial Highlights
Total Revenues for the year ended June 30, 2020 were one hundred two thousand dollars compared to $12.2 million for the year ended June 30,
2019. Benitec recognized ninety-seven thousand dollars in customer revenues for the year ended June 30, 2020 compared to $11.6 million for the comparable year ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in revenues from customers was due to the
termination of the Axovant Sciences Agreement, which was effectively terminated as of September 3, 2019. During the year ended June 30, 2020, the Company recognized five thousand dollars in government research and development grants, as
compared to six hundred forty-eight thousand dollars for the comparable year ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in grant revenue resulted from the discontinuation of corporate applications for the Research and Development Tax Credit available
from the Australian Federal Government due to the re-domiciliation of Benitec to the United States in April 2020.
Total expenses were $8.4 million for the year ended June 30, 2020 compared to $9.6 million for the comparable period in 2019. Royalty and
license fees, research and development costs, and general and administrative costs comprise the primary corporate expenses. For the year ended June 30, 2020, Benitec incurred one hundred eighty-five thousand dollars in royalties and license
fees compared to the receipt of four hundred thirty-five thousand dollars for the comparable year ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in royalties and license fees for the year is primarily due to the Company determining that there was no longer
a requirement to pay a previously anticipated milestone of three hundred thousand dollars. Benitec incurred $3 million of research and development expenses compared to $4.6 million for the comparable year ended June 30, 2019. The
decrease in research and development expenses was due to the Company being reimbursed six hundred six thousand dollars by Axovant Sciences for costs related to the OPMD program in fiscal year 2020 and the termination of the AMD program. General and
administrative expenses were $5.6 million and $4.6 million for the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The increase was due to increases in corporate expenses offset by decreases in payroll, travel, and consultant costs.
The Net loss from operations for fiscal 2020 was $8.28 million compared to income of $2.58 million for fiscal 2019. Net loss for the fiscal
year ended 2020 was $8.27 million, or $8.10 per basic and diluted share, compared to income of $2.6 million, or $3.05 per basic and diluted share in earnings for the fiscal year ended 2019. At the end of fiscal year 2020 the Company had
$9.8 million in cash and cash equivalents.
BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
| Year Ended June 30, | ||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Revenue: | ||||||||
| Revenues from customers | $ | 97 | $ | 11,551 | ||||
| Government research and development grants | 5 | 648 | ||||||
| Total revenues | 102 | 12,199 | ||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Royalties and license fees | (185 | ) | 435 | |||||
| Research and development | 3,001 | 4,567 | ||||||
| General and administrative | 5,567 | 4,614 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 8,383 | 9,616 | ||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | (8,281 | ) | 2,583 | |||||
| Other income (loss): | ||||||||
| Foreign currency transaction loss | (88 | ) | (75 | ) | ||||
| Interest income, net | 62 | 122 | ||||||
| Other income, net | 34 | |||||||
| Unrealized loss on investment | (1 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||
| Total other income, net | 7 | 26 | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (8,274 | ) | $ | 2,609 | |||
| Other comprehensive loss: | ||||||||
| Unrealized foreign currency translation loss | (89 | ) | (531 | ) | ||||
| Total other comprehensive loss | (89 | ) | (531 | ) | ||||
| Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (8,363 | ) | $ | 2,078 | |||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (8,274 | ) | $ | 2,609 | |||
| Net income (loss) per share: | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | (8.10 | ) | $ | 3.05 | |||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding: | ||||||||
| Basic and diluted | 1,021,193 | 856,765 |
BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
| June 30, 2020 | June 30, 2019 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 9,801 | $ | 15,718 | ||||
| Trade and other receivables | 59 | 2,536 | ||||||
| Other assets | 949 | 502 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 10,809 | 18,756 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 374 | 470 | ||||||
| Deposits | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Right-of-use assets | 395 | |||||||
| Total assets | $ | 11,587 | $ | 19,235 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Trade and other payables | $ | 741 | $ | 2,494 | ||||
| Accrued employee benefits | 203 | 147 | ||||||
| Lease liabilities, current portion | 192 | |||||||
| Total current liabilities | 1,136 | 2,641 | ||||||
| Lease liabilities, less current portion | 213 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,349 | 2,641 | ||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) | ||||||||
| Stockholders equity: | ||||||||
| Common stock, $0.0001 par value 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,108,374 and 856,765 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 128,826 | 127,327 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (116,636 | ) | (108,870 | ) | ||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,953 | ) | (1,864 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders equity | 10,238 | 16,594 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders equity | $ | 11,587 | $ | 19,235 |
About Benitec Biopharma Inc.
Benitec Biopharma Inc. ( Benitec or the Company ) is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the advancement of novel
genetic medicines with headquarters in Hayward, California. 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 Company is developing ddRNAi-based therapeutics for chronic and life-threatening human conditions including Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy
(OPMD), and Chronic Hepatitis B. A comprehensive overview of the Company can be found on Benitec s website at www.benitec.com.
Except for the historical information set forth herein, the matters set forth in this press release include forward-looking statements,
including statements regarding Benitec s plans to develop and commercialize its product candidates, the timing of the initiation and completion of preclinical and clinical trials, the timing of patient enrolment and dosing in clinical trials,
the timing of expected regulatory filings, the clinical utility and potential attributes and benefits of ddRNAi and Benitec s product candidates, potential future out-licenses and collaborations, the
intellectual property position and the ability to procure additional sources of financing, and other forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking
statements are based on the Company s current expectations and subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including unanticipated developments in and risks related to: unanticipated delays; further
research and development and the results of clinical trials possibly being unsuccessful or insufficient to meet applicable regulatory standards or warrant continued development; the ability to enroll sufficient numbers of subjects in clinical
trials; determinations made by the FDA and other governmental authorities; the Company s ability to protect and enforce its patents and other intellectual property rights; the Company s dependence on its relationships with its
collaboration partners and other third parties; the efficacy or safety of the Company s products and the products of the Company s collaboration partners; the acceptance of the Company s products and the products of the Company s
collaboration partners in the marketplace; market competition; sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution requirements; greater than expected expenses; expenses relating to litigation or strategic activities; the Company s ability to
satisfy its capital needs through increasing its revenue and obtaining additional financing; the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which may adversely impact the Company s business and preclinical and future clinical trials; the impact of local, regional, and national and international economic conditions and
events; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Media & Investor Relations Contact:
CEO of M Group Strategic Communications (for Benitec Biopharma, Inc.)
Email: jmorakis@mgroupsc.com