In brief: Benitec, Biota, Eqitx

Benitec (ASX:BLT) has appointed former Axon Instruments VP Michael Catelani as executive director and Boron Molecular founder Peter Francis as non-executive director. Catelani joined Benitec as its CFO in April 2005 after serving as a consultant since January 2005. Francis is a partner at law firm Francis Abourizk Lightowlers and a non-executive director of Xceed Biotechnology (ASX:XBL) and PolyNovo.

Grant Latta has been appointed as a non-executive director of Biota Holdings (ASX:BTA), and will also assume the chair of the company's Audit and Risk Committee following the release of its half year results in March. Latta is executive chairman of GCM Corp, chairman of Optiscan Imaging (ASX:OIL), TP Health and Kailis & France Goods. He is deputy chairman of Vision Systems (ASX:VSL) and a director of Ricegrowers Co-operative.

Dr Wayne Millen is the new non-executive chairman of Melbourne-based Eqitx (ASX:EQX), replacing Sol Majteles. Perth-based Majteles has been Eqitx's chairman since mid 2002 and will remain as a non executive director. Millen, who is based in Melbourne, was the founding managing director of Epitan (ASX:EPT) and recently stepped down as the company's chairman. He has a PhD in chemistry and biochemistry and is a chartered chemist with over 30 years experience operating his own commercial enterprises.