Benzinga | Apr 27, 2021 04:45PM EDT

Benitec Biopharma Announces $7.5M Bought Deal Offering Of Common Stock

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 announced that it has entered into an underwriting agreement with H.C. Wainwright & Co. under which the underwriter has agreed to purchase on a firm commitment basis 1,764,705 shares of common stock of the Company at a price to the public of $4.25 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The Company has also granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 264,705 shares of common stock at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The offering is expected to close on or about April 30, 2021, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering.

The gross proceeds of the offering are expected to be approximately $7.5 million, prior to deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company and excluding the exercise of the underwriter's option to purchase additional shares. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for the continued advancement of development activities for its product pipeline, general corporate purposes, and strategic growth opportunities.

The shares of common stock are being offered pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-253259) that was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 18, 2021 and declared effective on February 26, 2021. The shares of common stock may be offered only by means of a prospectus supplement forming a part of the effective registration statement. A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering, when filed, may also be obtained from H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, 430 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by email at placements@hcwco.com or by phone at (212) 856-5711.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.