Form: SC 13G

Schedule filed to report acquisition of beneficial ownership of 5% or more of a class of equity securities by passive investors and certain institutions

August 25, 2023

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 13G
 
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
 

Benitec Biopharma Inc.

(Name of Issuer)
 

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)
 

08205P209

(CUSIP Number)
 

August 15, 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:
 
¨ Rule 13d-1(b)
ý Rule 13d-1(c)
¨ Rule 13d-1(d)
 
(Page 1 of 11 Pages)

 

______________________________

*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 11 Pages

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Adage Capital Partners, L.P.

2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ¨

(b) ¨

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

0

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

189,188

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

189,188

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

189,188

10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ¨
11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

7.50%

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

PN

         

 

 

 

 

CUSIP No. 08205P209

13G Page 3 of 11 Pages

 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.

2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ¨

(b) ¨

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

0

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

189,188

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

189,188

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

189,188

10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ¨
11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

7.50%

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

OO

         

 

 

 

CUSIP No. 08205P209

13G Page 4 of 11 Pages

 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Adage Capital Management, L.P.

2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ¨

(b) ¨

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

0

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

189,188

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

189,188

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

189,188

10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ¨
11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

7.50%

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

PN, IA

         

 

 

 

CUSIP No. 08205P209

13G Page 5 of 11 Pages

 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Robert Atchinson

2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ¨

(b) ¨

3 SEC USE ONLY
4

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

United States

NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH:
5

SOLE VOTING POWER

0

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

189,188

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

189,188

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

189,188

10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ¨
11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

7.50%

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

         

 

 

 

 

CUSIP No. 08205P209

13G Page 6 of 11 Pages

 

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Phillip Gross

2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ¨

(b) ¨

3 SEC USE ONLY
4

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

United States

NUMBER OF
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY
EACH
REPORTING
PERSON WITH:
5

SOLE VOTING POWER

0

6

SHARED VOTING POWER

189,188

7

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

0

8

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

189,188

9

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

189,188

10 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ¨
11

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

7.50%

12

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

         

 

 

 

 

CUSIP No. 08205P209

13G Page 7 of 11 Pages

 

 

Item 1(a). NAME OF ISSUER
  The name of the issuer is Benitec Biopharma Inc. (the “Company”).

 

Item 1(b). ADDRESS OF ISSUER’S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES
  The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 3940 Trust Way, Hayward, California 94545.

 

Item 2(a). NAME OF PERSON FILING
  This statement is filed by:

 

  (i) Adage Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ACP”) with respect to the Common Stock directly owned by it;
   
  (ii) Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“ACPGP”), as general partner of ACP with respect to the Common Stock directly owned by ACP;
   
  (iii) Adage Capital Management, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ACM”), as the investment manager of ACP, with respect to the Common Stock directly owned by ACP;
   
  (iv) Robert Atchinson (“Mr. Atchinson”), as (1) managing member of Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (“ACA”), managing member of ACPGP and (2) managing member of Adage Capital Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ACPLLC”), general partner of ACM, with respect to the Common Stock directly owned by ACP; and
   
  (v) Phillip Gross (“Mr. Gross”), as (1) managing member of ACA, managing member of ACPGP and (2) managing member of ACPLLC, general partner of ACM, with respect to the Common Stock directly owned by ACP.

 

  The foregoing persons are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the “Reporting Persons.”  Any disclosures herein with respect to persons other than the Reporting Persons are made on information and belief after making inquiry to the appropriate party.
   
  The filing of this statement should not be construed in and of itself as an admission by any Reporting Person as to beneficial ownership of the securities reported herein.

 

Item 2(b). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE
  The address of the business office of each of the Reporting Persons is 200 Clarendon Street, 52nd Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.

 

Item 2(c). CITIZENSHIP
  ACP is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.  ACPGP and ACA are limited liability companies organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Messrs. Gross and Atchinson are citizens of the United States.

 

Item 2(d). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES
  Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”).

 

 

CUSIP No. 08205P209

13G Page 8 of 11 Pages

 

 

Item 2(e). CUSIP NUMBER
  08205P209

 

Item 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO Rules 13d-1(b), OR 13d-2(b) OR (c), CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING IS A:
  (a) ¨ Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act;
  (b) ¨ Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act;
  (c) ¨ Insurance company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act;
  (d) ¨ Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940;
  (e) ¨ An investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
  (f) ¨

An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);

 

  (g) ¨

A parent holding company or control person in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);

 

  (h) ¨

A savings association as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act;

 

  (i) ¨

A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act;

 

  (j) ¨ A non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J);
  (k) ¨ Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

 

 

If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please

specify the type of institution: Not applicable.                         

 

Item 4. OWNERSHIP
  The information required by Items 4(a) – (c) is set forth in Rows (5) – (11) of the cover page for each Reporting Person hereto and is incorporated herein by reference for each such Reporting Person.
   
  The percentage set forth in this Schedule 13G is calculated based upon 2,521,900 shares of Common Stock outstanding, as reported in the Company’s Prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 10, 2023 and in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2023, after giving effect to the completion of the offering and the partial exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, all as described therein.

 

Item 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS
  Not applicable.

 

Item 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON
  Not applicable.

 

CUSIP No. 08205P209

13G Page 9 of 11 Pages

 

 

Item 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY OR CONTROL PERSON
  Not applicable.

 

Item 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP
  Not applicable.

 

Item 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP
  Not applicable.

 

Item 10. CERTIFICATION  
  Each of the Reporting Persons hereby makes the following certification:
   
  By signing below each Reporting Person certifies that, to the best of his or its knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above 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.

 

 

 

CUSIP No. 08205P209

13G Page 10 of 11 Pages

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his or its knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

DATE: August 25, 2023

 

ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.  
By:  Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.,  
its general partner  
   
By:  Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,  
its managing member  
   
/s/ Robert Atchinson  
Name:  Robert Atchinson  
Title: Managing Member  
   
ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS GP, L.L.C.  
By:  Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,  
its managing member  
   
/s/ Robert Atchinson  
Name:  Robert Atchinson  
Title: Managing Member  
   
ADAGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.  
By: Adage Capital Partners LLC,  
its general partner  
   
/s/ Robert Atchinson  
Name:  Robert Atchinson  
Title: Managing Member  
   
/s/ Robert Atchinson  
ROBERT ATCHINSON, individually  
   
/s/ Phillip Gross  
PHILLIP GROSS, individually  

 

 

CUSIP No. 08205P209

13G Page 11 of 11 Pages

 

EXHIBIT 1

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(k)

The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing statement on Schedule 13G is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that all subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13G shall be filed on behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional joint filing agreements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained herein and therein, but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning the others, except to the extent that he or it knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate.

 

DATE: August 25, 2023

 

ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.  
By:  Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.,  
its general partner  
   
By:  Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,  
its managing member  
   
/s/ Robert Atchinson  
Name:  Robert Atchinson  
Title: Managing Member  
   
ADAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS GP, L.L.C.  
By:  Adage Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,  
its managing member  
   
/s/ Robert Atchinson  
Name:  Robert Atchinson  
Title: Managing Member  
   
ADAGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.  
By: Adage Capital Partners LLC,  
its general partner  
   
/s/ Robert Atchinson  
Name:  Robert Atchinson  
Title: Managing Member  
   
/s/ Robert Atchinson  
ROBERT ATCHINSON, individually  
   
/s/ Phillip Gross  
PHILLIP GROSS, individually