Benitec Biopharma Ltd (BNTC)

[Blane]

Latest comment from Panno....

http://seekingalpha.com/instablog/19837781-pannobhaso/4017976-benitec-a-reality-check#comments_header

Author’s reply » The latest presentation

http://bit.ly/1MKpqZG

expands slightly on the previous presentation.

The same inattention to detail is perpetuated in this new presentation, e.g. the use of a slide containing AAV transfection rates for TT-033 when referring to TT-034, but it does provide some new information.

There is confirmation of my suspicions about Benitec developing a new vector for Tribetarna. A stem cell delivery method is currently being tested. This makes perfect sense and, if successful, could likely be more easily adapted (compared to JetPEI) for use in the treatment of cancers other than NSCLC. If this is the cause of the delay in the start of the Tribetarna trial, then I think it is not unreasonable as it will allow Tribetarna to move beyond NSCLC faster than would otherwise have been the case.

The other news is about CAR T. This strategy seems perfectly sound, especially when Calimmune is about to announce new indications for its technology. I suspect that we may be hearing more about cooperation between Calimmune and Benitec in the near future.