SEC Form SC 13G/A filed by Benitec Biopharma Inc. (Amendment)

12/11/23 12:41:50 PM ET

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SC 13G/A 1 beni23a2.htm beni23a2.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 1 of 15

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 2)*

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, par value $0.0001

(Title of Class of Securities)

08205P209

(CUSIP Number)

November 30, 2023

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

[X] Rule 13d‑1(b)

[ ] Rule 13d‑1(c)

[ ] Rule 13d‑1(d)

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial

filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent

amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover

page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be

"filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or

otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all

other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 2 of 15

1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.

Franklin Resources, Inc.

2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a)

(b) X

3. SEC USE ONLY

4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

Delaware

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

5. SOLE VOTING POWER

(See Item 4)

6. SHARED VOTING POWER

(See Item 4)

7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

(See Item 4)

8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

(See Item 4)

9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

588,237¹

10. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

22.9%

12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

HC, CO (See Item 4)

1 This figure does not include 13,108,808 warrants. A holder of warrants does not

have the right to exercise any portion of its warrants, if the holder (together

with such holder’s affiliates, and any persons acting as a group together with

such holder or any of such holder’s affiliates) would beneficially own a number

of shares of Common Stock in excess of 4.99% (or, upon election by a holder prior

to the issuance of any warrants, 9.99%) of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding.

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 3 of 15

1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.

Charles B. Johnson

2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a)

(b) X

3. SEC USE ONLY

4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

USA

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

5. SOLE VOTING POWER

(See Item 4)

6. SHARED VOTING POWER

(See Item 4)

7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

(See Item 4)

8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

(See Item 4)

9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

(See Item 4)

10. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

(See Item 4)

12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

HC, IN (See Item 4)

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 4 of 15

1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a)

(b) X

3. SEC USE ONLY

4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

USA

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

5. SOLE VOTING POWER

(See Item 4)

6. SHARED VOTING POWER

(See Item 4)

7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

(See Item 4)

8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

(See Item 4)

9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

(See Item 4)

10. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

(See Item 4)

12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

HC, IN (See Item 4)

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 5 of 15

1. NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.

Franklin Advisers, Inc.

2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a)

(b) X

3. SEC USE ONLY

4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

California

NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

5. SOLE VOTING POWER

588,237

6. SHARED VOTING POWER

7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

588,237

8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

588,237

10. CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

22.9%

12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IA, CO (See Item 4)

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 6 of 15

Item 1.

(a) Name of Issuer

BENITEC BIOPHARMA INC.

(b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices

3940 Trust Way

Hayward, CA 94545

Item 2.

(a) Name of Person Filing

(i): Franklin Resources, Inc.

(ii): Charles B. Johnson

(iii): Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

(iv): Franklin Advisers, Inc.

(b) Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

(i), (ii), (iii), and (iv):

One Franklin Parkway

San Mateo, CA 94403‑1906

(i): Delaware

(ii) and (iii): USA

(iv): California

(d) Title of Class of Securities

Common Stock, par value $0.0001

(e) CUSIP Number

08205P209

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 7 of 15

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d‑1(b) or 240.13d‑2(b) or (c),

check whether the person filing is a:

(a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o).

(b) [ ] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

78c).

(d) [ ] Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company

Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a‑8).

(e) [X] An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

(f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with

§240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

(g) [X] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with

§240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

(h) [ ] A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit

Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

(i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment

company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15

U.S.C. 80a‑3);

(j) [ ] A non‑U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(ii)(J);

(k) [ ] Group, in accordance with §240.13d 1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

If filing as a non‑U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii) (J).

please specify the type of institution:

Item 4. Ownership

The securities reported herein are beneficially owned by one or more open or closed end

investment companies or other managed accounts that are investment management clients of

investment managers that are direct and indirect subsidiaries (each, an “Investment

Management Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Investment Management Subsidiaries”) of

Franklin Resources Inc. (“FRI”), including the Investment Management Subsidiaries listed

in this Item 4. When an investment management contract (including a sub advisory

agreement) delegates to an Investment Management Subsidiary investment discretion or

voting power over the securities held in the investment advisory accounts that are

subject to that agreement, FRI treats the Investment Management Subsidiary as having sole

investment discretion or voting authority, as the case may be, unless the agreement

specifies otherwise. Accordingly, each Investment Management Subsidiary reports on

Schedule 13G that it has sole investment discretion and voting authority over the

securities covered by any such investment management agreement, unless otherwise noted in

this Item 4. As a result, for purposes of Rule 13d‑3 under the Act, the Investment

Management Subsidiaries listed in this Item 4 may be deemed to be the beneficial owners

of the securities reported in this Schedule 13G.

Beneficial ownership by Investment Management Subsidiaries and other FRI affiliates is

being reported in conformity with the guidelines articulated by the SEC staff in Release

No. 34‑39538 (January 12, 1998) (the “1998 Release”) relating to organizations, such as

FRI, where related entities exercise voting and investment powers over the securities

being reported independently from each other. The voting and investment powers held by

each of FRI’s affiliates whose ownership of securities is disaggregated from that of FRI

in accordance with the 1998 Release (“FRI Disaggregated Affiliates”) are exercised

independently from FRI and from all other Investment Management Subsidiaries (FRI, its

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 8 of 15

affiliates and the Investment Management Subsidiaries other than FRI Disaggregated

Affiliates are collectively, “FRI Aggregated Affiliates”). Furthermore, internal policies

and procedures of, on the one hand, FRI Disaggregated Affiliates, and, on the other hand,

FRI establish informational barriers that prevent the flow among, on the one hand, FRI

Disaggregated Affiliates (including preventing the flow between such entities), and, on

the other hand, the FRI Aggregated Affiliates of information that relates to the voting

and investment powers over the securities owned by their respective investment management

clients. Consequently, FRI Disaggregated Affiliates report the securities over which they

hold investment and voting power separately from the FRI Aggregated Affiliates for

purposes of Section 13 of the Act.

Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (the “Principal Shareholders”) each own in

excess of 10% of the outstanding common stock of FRI and are the principal stockholders

of FRI. FRI and the Principal Shareholders may be deemed to be, for purposes of Rule

13d‑3 under the Act, the beneficial owners of securities held by persons and entities for

whom or for which FRI subsidiaries provide investment management services. The number of

shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned and the percentage of the class of

which such shares are a part are reported in Items 9 and 11 of the cover pages for FRI

and each of the Principal Shareholders. FRI, the Principal Shareholders and each of the

Investment Management Subsidiaries disclaim any pecuniary interest in any of such

securities. In addition, the filing of this Schedule 13G on behalf of the Principal

Shareholders, FRI and the FRI Aggregated Affiliates, as applicable, should not be

construed as an admission that any of them is, and each of them disclaims that it is, the

beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d‑3, of any of the securities reported in this

Schedule 13G.

FRI, the Principal Shareholders, and each of the Investment Management Subsidiaries

believe that they are not a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d‑5 under the Act and

that they are not otherwise required to attribute to each other the beneficial ownership

of the securities held by any of them or by any persons or entities for whom or for which

the Investment Management Subsidiaries provide investment management services.

(a) Amount beneficially owned:

588,237

(b) Percent of class:

22.9%

(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote

Franklin Resources, Inc.: 0

Charles B. Johnson: 0

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.: 0

Franklin Advisers, Inc.: 588,237

(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote 0

(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

Franklin Resources, Inc.: 0

Charles B. Johnson: 0

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.: 0

Franklin Advisers, Inc.: 588,237

(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of 0

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 9 of 15

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof

the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five

percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ].

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

The clients of the Investment Management Subsidiaries, including investment

companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed

accounts, have the right to receive or power to direct the receipt of dividends

from, and the proceeds from the sale of, the securities reported herein.

Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund, a series of Franklin Strategic Series, an

investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, has an

interest in 364,887 shares, or 14.2% of class of securities reported herein and

the Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund, a sub-fund of Franklin Templeton

Investment Funds, a Luxembourg Registered SICAV has an interest in 223,350

shares, or 8.7% of class of securities reported herein.

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the

Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company

See Attached Exhibit C

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

Not Applicable

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group

Not Applicable

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 10 of 15

Item 10. Certification

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities

referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and

were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or

influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are

not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose

or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under §

240.14a‑11.

This report shall not be construed as an admission by the persons filing the report

that they are the beneficial owner of any securities covered by this report.

Exhibits.

Exhibit A Joint Filing Agreement

Exhibit B Limited Powers of Attorney for Section 13 Reporting Obligations

Exhibit C Item 7 Identification and Classification of Subsidiaries

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that

the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: December 8, 2023

Franklin Resources, Inc.

Charles B. Johnson

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

Franklin Templeton Investment Funds on behalf of

Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund

By: /s/KIMBERLY H. NOVOTNY

‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

Kimberly H. Novotny

Assistant Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

Attorney‑in‑Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney

attached to this Schedule 13G

Attorney‑in‑Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney

attached to this Schedule 13G

Attorney-in-Fact for Franklin Templeton Investment Funds pursuant to

Power of Attorney attached to this Schedule 13G

Franklin Advisers, Inc.

Franklin Strategic Series on behalf of

Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund

By: /s/ALISON E. BAUR

‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

Alison E. Baur

Assistant Secretary of Franklin Advisers, Inc.

Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Franklin Strategic Series

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 11 of 15

EXHIBIT A

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities

referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were

not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or

influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not

held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or

effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement on December 8, 2023.

Franklin Resources, Inc.

Charles B. Johnson

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

Franklin Templeton Investment Funds on behalf of

Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund

By: /s/KIMBERLY H. NOVOTNY

‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

Kimberly H. Novotny

Assistant Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

Attorney‑in‑Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney

attached to this Schedule 13G

Attorney‑in‑Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney

attached to this Schedule 13G

Attorney-in-Fact for Franklin Templeton Investment Funds pursuant to

Power of Attorney attached to this Schedule 13G

Franklin Advisers, Inc.

Franklin Strategic Series on behalf of

Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund

By: /s/ALISON E. BAUR

‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑

Alison E. Baur

Assistant Secretary of Franklin Advisers, Inc.

Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Franklin Strategic Series

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 12 of 15

EXHIBIT B

LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

FOR

SECTION 13 AND 16 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes and appoints each

of Alison E. Baur, Steven J. Gray, Beth McAuley O’Malley, Thomas C. Merchant, Kimberly H.

Novotny, Virginia E. Rosas, Navid J. Tofigh and Lori A. Weber each acting individually, as the

undersigned’s true and lawful attorney‑in‑fact, with full power and authority as hereinafter

described on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned to:

1. prepare, execute, acknowledge, deliver and file Forms ID, Schedules 13D and 13G, and

Forms 3, 4 and 5 (including any amendments thereto and any related documentation) with the

United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any national securities exchanges

relating to Franklin Resources, Inc. (“FRI”) and/or any registered closed‑end company to which

an affiliate of FRI is an investment adviser (each, a “Reporting Entity”), as considered

necessary or advisable under Regulation S‑T and Sections 13(d) and 16(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from

time to time (the “Exchange Act”); and

2. seek or obtain, as the undersigned’s representative and on the undersigned’s behalf,

information on transactions in the securities of any Reporting Entity from any person,

including brokers, employee benefit plan administrators and trustees, and the undersigned

hereby authorizes any such person to release any such information to the undersigned and

approves and ratifies any such release of information; and

3. perform any and all other acts which in the discretion of such attorney‑in‑fact are

necessary or desirable for and on behalf of the undersigned in connection with the foregoing.

The undersigned acknowledges that:

1. this Limited Power of Attorney authorizes, but does not require, each such

attorney‑in‑fact to act in their discretion on information provided to such attorney‑in‑fact

without independent verification of such information;

2. any documents prepared and/or executed by any such attorney‑in‑fact on behalf of the

undersigned pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney will be in such form and will contain

such information and disclosure as such attorney‑in‑fact, in his or her discretion, deems

necessary or desirable;

3. none of FRI, any Reporting Entity nor any of such attorneys‑in‑fact assumes (i) any

liability for the undersigned’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of the Exchange

Act, (ii) any liability of the undersigned for any failure to comply with such requirements,

or (iii) any obligation or liability of the undersigned for profit disgorgement under Section

16(b) of the Exchange Act; and

4. this Limited Power of Attorney does not relieve the undersigned from responsibility

for compliance with the undersigned’s obligations under the Exchange Act, including without

limitation, the reporting requirements under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

The undersigned hereby gives and grants each of the foregoing attorneys‑in‑fact full

power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite,

necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the foregoing matters as fully to all intents

and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if present, hereby ratifying all that each

such attorney‑in‑fact of, for and on behalf of the undersigned, shall lawfully do or cause to

be done by virtue of this Limited Power of Attorney, and indemnifies each of the foregoing

attorneys‑in‑fact against any loss of any nature whatsoever arising in connection therewith.

This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by the

undersigned in a signed writing delivered to each such attorney‑in‑fact.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to be

executed as of this 16th day of August, 2021.

/s/CHARLES B. JOHNSON

Signature

Charles B. Johnson

Print Name

CUSIP NO. 08205P209 13G Page 13 of 15