Benitec Biopharma, Inc., a successor entity to Benitec Biopharma Limited (NASDAQ: BNTC), a development-stage biotechnology company focused on the advancement of novel genetic medicines, today announced the appointment of Edward Smith to the Board of Directors.

Edward brings more than 20 years of experience in executive finance and operations leadership in the biotechnology industry to Benitec's Board of Directors. Mr. Smith currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MRNS), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics to treat patients suffering from rare seizure disorders. Prior to the start of his tenure at Marinus Pharmaceuticals in 2013, Mr. Smith served as the CFO of PolyMedix, Inc., and before his time at PolyMedix, Inc. he served as the executive director of finance at InKine Pharmaceutical Company, Inc.

Jerel A. Banks, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Benitec Biopharma, Inc. commented on Mr. Smith's appointment, "Edward's extensive background in finance and operations in the biotherapeutics space will make him an exceptional contributor to the Board. We are excited to welcome him as a director."

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 Company's proprietary "Silence and Replace" approach combines DNA-directed RNA interference, or ddRNAi, 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.