Benitec Biopharma : PRESENTS AT ESGCT

Sydney Australia, October 20 2016: Benitec Biopharma Limited (ASX: BLT; NASDAQ: BNTC; NASDAQ: BNTCW), a biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics based on its patented gene-­‐ silencing technology called ddRNAi or 'expressed RNAi', today announced it is making three presentations at the 24th Congress of the European Society of Cell and Gene Therapy (ESGCT) being held in Florence, Italy from October 18-­‐21, 2016. The presentations cover the scientific results from three of Benitec's programs: hepatitis B, AMD and CAR-­‐T.

1. Poster: BB-­‐HB-­‐331, a DNA-­‐Directed RNA Interference Agent, Suppresses Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) In Vitro and In Vivo

2. Poster: Towards a DNA-­‐Directed RNA Interference (ddRNAi) Therapy for Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization

3. Poster: RNAi-­‐Mediated Knockdown of TCR Prevents Surface Expression on T-­‐Cells and Completely Abrogates IL-­‐2 Secretion

David Suhy, Chief Scientific Officer of Benitec Biopharma, stated: "It is important to continue to highlight our work to the scientific community at conferences, particularly those which focus on gene and cell therapy. In addition to the posters noted above for hepatitis B, AMD and CAR-­‐T, an oral presentation is being given by our collaborators on the oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) project. Besides having our research exposed to our scientific peers, we will continue to use these presentations to update our investors on the progress of each of Benitec's therapeutic programs.

In particular, I am excited to release details regarding our work on the AMD program, which is the first time that we have released data around our collaboration with 4D Molecular Therapeutics to identify novel AAV capsids for delivery of our ddRNAi based constructs for the treatment of retinal diseases. Although work remains to determine if these vectors will be beneficial for human clinical use, these early results are encouraging and an indication that we are on the right path."

A copy of the posters can be found at the following link http://www.benitec.com/news/presentations.

For further information regarding Benitec and its activities, please contact the persons below, or visit the Benitec website at www.benitec.com

Market Eye Orla Keegan Director

Tel: +61 (2) 8097 1201

Email: orla.keegan@marketeye.com.au

M Group Strategic Communications Jay Morakis

Managing Director Tel: +1 212.266.0190

Email: jmorakis@MGroupSC.com

Benitec Biopharma Limited (ASX: BLT; NASDAQ: BNTC; NASDAQ: BNTCW) is a biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics based on its patented gene-­‐silencing technology called ddRNAi or 'expressed RNAi'. Based in Sydney, Australia with laboratories in Hayward, California (USA), and collaborators and licensees around the world, the company is developing ddRNAi-­‐based therapeutics for chronic and life-­‐threatening human conditions including hepatitis B, wet age-­‐related macular degeneration and OPMD. Benitec has also licensed ddRNAi to other biopharmaceutical companies for applications including HIV/AIDS, Huntington's Disease, chronic neuropathic pain and retinitis pigmentosa.

This press release contains "forward-­‐looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any forward-­‐looking statements that may be in the press release are subject to risks and uncertainties relating to the difficulties in 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. Accordingly, you should not rely on those forward-­‐looking statements as a prediction of actual future results.