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EXHIBIT 10.1
JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT

This Joint Venture Agreement dated as of June 29, 2011 by and between:

 
(1)
John E. Repine, M.D., with an address of  70 Cherry Hills Farm Drive, Englewood,
CO 80113 (“Repine”),

 
(2)
Oxis International, Inc., a Delaware corporation having a place of business at
468 N. Camden Dr., 2nd Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (“Oxis”), and

 
(3)
Ergo ARDS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company having a place of business
at 70 Cherry Hills Farm Drive, Englewood, CO 80113 (the “Company”).

Repine has formed the Company initially to conduct the Business (defined below)
on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

In connection with the formation of the Company, at the Closing (defined below)
Repine shall assign to the Company the Existing IP (defined below) in
consideration for 40% of the outstanding membership interests of the Company,
and Oxis shall supply Ergo (defined below) to the Company and bear certain
expenses related to the IP (defined below) and to the administration of the
Company, in consideration for 60% of the outstanding membership interests of the
Company.
 
 
The parties desire to reflect their various agreements regarding the Company
(the “Agreement”).

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1  Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, terms defined in the preamble of
this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth therein and the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below.

Additional Oxis Milestone Shares:  As set forth in Section 3.4.

Affiliates: Any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or
under common control with the relevant party to this Agreement.  “Control” means
the ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the issued share capital or
the legal power to direct or cause the direction of the general management and
policies of the party in question.

Agreement: This Agreement.

ARDS: (i) Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, (ii) Acute Lung Injury, a milder
form of lung injury, (iii) all ARDS Predisposing Conditions, (iv) all ARDS
Predisposing Disorders and (v) all ARDS Complicating Disorders.

ARDS Complicating Disorders:  Include, but are not limited to, multiple organ
failure, pulmonary fibrosis and pneumothorax.

 
 

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ARDS Predisposing Conditions: Includes all related predisposing conditions,
complicating conditions or other consequences of any medical problem that leads
to and/or is associated with ARDS, including insults produced by terrorism or
weapons of mass destruction.

ARDS  Predisposing Disorders:  Include, but are not limited to, sepsis, cardiac
arrest, surgery, shock, blast injury, irradiation, chemical toxins, infections,
pneumonia, pancreatitis, fat emboli, hemorrhage, drug reactions, aspiration,
drug overdoses, transplantation, transfusions, hyperoxia, burns, smoke
inhalation, neurogenic, chemotherapy, stem cell therapy, other forms of
non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema and traumatic injuries and any recognized or
presumed predisposing cause of ARDS (including ARDS of unknown etiology).

Assignment:  The Assignment, dated as of the date of the Closing, of the
Existing IP from Repine to the Company, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A.

Board:  The Board of Directors of the Company.

Business:  Developing, acquiring and marketing Dietary Supplements,
Cosmeceutical Products, Nutraceutical Products, Medical Foods and
Pharmaceuticals in the Field.

Claim: As set forth in Section 7.4.

Clinical Trial:  A Phase I Clinical Trial, Phase II Clinical Trial or Phase III
Clinical Trial.

Closing:  As set forth in Section 2.4.

Closing Shares:  The Initial Oxis Shares, the Stage 2 Rat Study Funding Shares
and the Stage 2 Large Animal Study Funding Shares.

Combination Product:  Any product that combines any Pharmaceutical Product with
any other product, technique, treatment or technology.

Consulting Agreement:  The Consulting Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2011,
between Oxis and Repine, in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit B.

Cosmeceutical Products:  Cosmetic products with a biologically active ingredient
purporting to have medical or drug-like benefits.

Default: The occurrence of any event which of itself or with the giving of
notice or the passage of time or both would constitute an event of default under
the applicable agreement, contract or instrument or would permit the other party
thereto to cancel or terminate performance or seek damages for breach.

Diagnostics:  Tests used in the diagnosis of disease and its precursors and
related conditions, including for biochemical estimation or the qualitative
detection of antigen or antibody.

Dietary Supplements:  A preparation intended to supply nutrients that may be
missing from or are not consumed in a sufficient quantity in a person’s diet, as
defined under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.

Dispute:  As set forth in Section 9.9.1.

 
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Dollars, or $: Dollars of the United States of America.

Eilenberg:  Adam Eilenberg.

EK:  Eilenberg & Krause LLP.

Ergo:  L-Ergothioneine (“ERGO”) and all derivatives, salts, enantiomers, crystal
structures, metabolites, esters, and polymorphs, formulations and improvements
thereof.

Ergo Patent Application:  PCT Application No. PCT/US2009/003704 “Compositions
and Materials for Treating Lung Disorders” issued during the term of this
Agreement by the US PTO or any like foreign body with respect thereto and any
continuations, substitutions, extensions (including supplemental protection
certificates), registrations, confirmations, renewals and divisions, as well as
any reissues or reexaminations of patent.

Existing IP:  The Ergo Patent Application and all Know-how related to the Ergo
Patent Application to be assigned by Repine to the Company at the Closing.

Expiration Date: As set forth in Section 7.1.

Field:  Any and all uses, including but not limited to, the therapeutic,
diagnostic, preventative, ameliorative and/or prognostic, of Ergo in Dietary
Supplements, Cosmeceutical Products, Nutraceutical Products, Medical Foods and
Pharmaceuticals for individuals at-risk for and with ARDS.

Governmental Entity: With respect to the United States or any other country, the
United States, or other national government, the government of any of the states
constituting the United States (in the case of the United States), any
municipality and any other national or provincial or regional government, and
all of their respective branches, departments, agencies, instrumentalities,
non-appropriated fund activities, subsidiary corporations or other subdivisions.

IP:  the Existing IP and the New Included IP.
 
 
Indemnitee: As set forth in Section 7.4.

Indemnitor: As set forth in Section 7.4.

Initial Oxis Shares:  As set forth in Section 3.1(a).

Know-how: All confidential information, business information, technical
knowledge and information, processes, computer programs, algorithms, methods,
formulae, prototypes, trade secrets, materials, designs, drawings and data
relating to the Business, and technology, compound, formulation, product or
process, in all forms of media (including digital formats), including (i)
pre-clinical and clinical research and data, data relating to pharmacology and
toxicology, technical information and data relating to manufacture and use and
all information contained in any issued patent or patent application, and other
regulatory applications and approvals and (ii) sales materials (including
analyses and strategies), competitive analyses, marketing materials (including
analyses and strategies), advertising and promotional materials and supplier
lists.

Laws: Any law, statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree promulgated by any Governmental Entity.

 
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Liquidity Event:  A consolidation or merger of Company or a sale of all or
substantially all of its assets or the closing of a firm commitment underwritten
public offering of shares of common stock of Company for total gross offering
proceeds of not less than $15,000,000.

Litigation Expense: Any expenses incurred in connection with investigating,
defending or asserting any claim, action, suit or proceeding incident to any
matter indemnified against under this Agreement, including, without limitation,
court filing fees, court costs, arbitration fees or costs, witness fees and
reasonable fees and disbursements of legal counsel (whether incurred in any
action or proceeding between the parties to this Agreement or between any party
to this Agreement and any third party), investigators, expert witnesses,
accountants and other professionals.

Loss: Any loss, obligation, claim, liability, settlement payment, award,
judgment, fine, penalty, interest charge, expense, damage or deficiency or other
charge, other than Litigation Expense.

Medical Foods:  Foods prescribed by a physician to manage a patient’s disease or
health condition.

New Excluded IP:  all new Know-how and intellectual property created as a result
of the collaboration by Repine and Oxis hereunder which, if commercially
exploited, would not infringe and/or be covered by a claim being prosecuted in
the Ergo Patent Application or would not infringe any other Existing IP covered
by the Assignment.

New Included IP:  all new Know-how and intellectual property created as a result
of the collaboration by Repine and Oxis hereunder (except for the New Excluded
IP), including, without limitation, patents, patent applications, goodwill and
know-how.

Nutraceutical Products:  Natural, bioactive chemical compounds that have health
promoting, disease preventing or medicinal properties.

Operating Agreement:  The Operating Agreement of the Company dated as of the
date of the Closing between Oxis and Repine, the form of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit C.

Oxis Milestone Shares:  As set forth in Section 3.3.

Person: An individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability
company, a limited liability partnership, a joint venture, a trust, an
unincorporated association, a Governmental Entity or any other entity or any
other entity, wherever located or organized.

Pharmaceutical Product:  A drug or potential drug containing Ergo.

Pharmaceuticals:  Therapeutics and Diagnostics.

Phase I Clinical Trial:  A human clinical trial in any country conducted by the
Company to initially evaluate the safety of a Pharmaceutical Product in human
subjects or that would otherwise satisfy the requirements of 21 CFR 312.21(a) or
the equivalent laws, rules or regulations in a regulatory jurisdiction outside
the United States.

Phase II Clinical Trial:  A human clinical trial in any country conducted by the
Company to initially evaluate the effectiveness of a Pharmaceutical Product in
human subjects with the disease or indication under study or that would
otherwise satisfy the requirements of 21 CFR 312.21(b) or the equivalent laws,
rules or regulations in a regulatory jurisdiction outside the United States.

 
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Phase III Clinical Trial:  The first patient dosed in a pivotal human clinical
trial in any country conducted by the Company the results of which could be used
to establish safety and efficacy of a Pharmaceutical Product as a basis for
approval of an NDA for such Pharmaceutical Product or a Combination Product or
that would otherwise satisfy the requirements of 21 CFR 312.21(c) or the
equivalent laws, rules or regulations in a regulatory jurisdiction outside the
United States.

Stage 1:  Formation of the Company, assignment of the Ergo Patent Application by
Repine to the Company and the issuance of the Closing Shares by Oxis to Repine.

Stage 2:  Animal studies of Ergo; first study of Ergo in hemorrhaged rats and
second study of Ergo in large animals (most likely, pigs).

Stage 3:  Decision to proceed with human clinical studies of Ergo, either as
Pharmaceutical Products, which would involve Clinical Trials, or as Dietary
Supplements, Cosmeceutical Products, Nutraceutical Products and/or Medical
Foods.

Stage 4:  Clinical Trials of Ergo (for Pharmaceuticals) or Human Use (for
Dietary Supplements, Cosmeceutical Products, Nutraceutical Products or Medical
Foods).

Stage 2 Large Animal Study Funding Shares: As set forth in Section 3.1.

Stage 2 Large Animal Study Completion Shares:  As set forth in Section 3.3.

Stage 2 Rat Study Funding Shares:  As set forth in Section 3.1.

Stage 2 Rat Study Completion Shares:  As set forth in Section 3.2.
 
 
Therapeutics:  The use of drugs and the method of their administration in the
treatment or prevention of disease and its precursors and related conditions.

Transactions: The transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Assignment
and the Operating Agreement.

1.2  Other Rules of Construction.  References in this Agreement to any gender
shall include references to all genders.  Unless the context otherwise requires,
references in the singular include references in the plural and vice
versa.  References to a party to this Agreement or to other agreements described
herein means those Persons executing such agreements.  The words “include”,
“including” or “includes” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without
limitation” or the phrase “but not limited to” in all places where such words
appear in this Agreement.  The phrases “have heretofore been provided” or “has
provided” or similar words mean that one party has delivered such information to
the other party.  This Agreement is the joint drafting product of Repine and
Oxis and each provision has been subject to negotiation and agreement and shall
not be construed for or against either party as drafter thereof.
 

 
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ARTICLE II
 
THE JOINT VENTURE; ISSUANCE OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS; OPERATING AGREEMENT
 
2.1  Formation of Company; Initial Activities.  The parties have formed the
Company for the purpose of conducting the Business.  In connection with the
formation of the Company, at the Closing Repine shall assign to the Company the
Existing IP pursuant to the Assignment.  Repine represents and warrants that he
has already obtained funding to conduct and complete the Stage 2 animal studies,
and has provided to Oxis evidence confirming the status of such funding to its
reasonable satisfaction.  Repine will be responsible for conducting the Stage 2
animal studies (at no cost to the Company or to Oxis) and, together with Adam
Eilenberg (“Eilenberg”), for advising Oxis on the status of the development of
the Company’s Business, all pursuant to the terms of the Consulting
Agreement.  Oxis will be responsible for supplying Ergo to the Company (at no
cost to the Company or to Repine) for the Stage 2 animal studies.  Oxis also
will pay all IP prosecution and maintenance costs and the costs of filing any
new patent applications for New Included IP through the completion of Stage 3
(“IP Costs”) and will also pay directly or reimburse Repine for any filing and
related costs of establishing and maintaining the Company as a Delaware limited
liability company as well as the costs of accounting and preparing appropriate
tax returns and/or K-1 statements for the members of the Company
(“Administrative Costs”).  Oxis shall also be responsible, though the completion
of Stage 3, for paying the costs of all insurance obtained by the Company
pursuant to Section 5.10 (“Insurance Costs”).

2.2  Issuance of Membership Interests.  In consideration for their respective
contributions, at the Closing the Company will issue 6,000 membership interests
(designated as “Shares”) to Oxis and 4,000 membership interests to Repine.  Such
membership interests are also characterized as “Shares” of the Company, as
provided in the Operating Agreement.  The Company acknowledges that Repine and
Eilenberg have a separate agreement covering Eilenberg’s beneficial ownership of
a portion of Repine’s Shares.  To the extent the Company will issue certificates
representing the Shares, the Company will issue a certificate for a portion of
Repine’s Shares in Eilenberg’s name, based upon written instructions from
Repine.

2.3  The Operating Agreement.  The respective rights and obligations of Oxis and
Repine relating to the Company, its management and operations, and their
ownership and disposition of their Shares, will be governed by the provisions of
the Operating Agreement.  To the extent there is any inconsistency between the
provisions of this Agreement and the Operating Agreement, the provisions of this
Agreement will govern.

2.4  The Closing.  The Closing (the “Closing”) will occur simultaneously with
the execution of this Agreement.  At the Closing, (i) Repine shall execute and
deliver the Assignment, (ii) the Company, Oxis and Repine each shall execute and
deliver the Operating Agreement, and (iii) Oxis shall issue the Closing Shares
and shall cause certificates representing the Closing Shares to be delivered,
free of any restricted legends or other restrictions on transferability.

 
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ARTICLE III
CONSULTING PAYMENTS TO REPINE

3.1  Stage 1 Milestone and Closing Shares.  In consideration for Repine serving
as a consultant to Oxis in connection with the development of the Business, Oxis
shall immediately issue to Repine the Closing Shares, consisting of $100,000 in
value of shares of Oxis Common Stock (“the Initial Oxis Shares”), plus $50,000
in value for the Stage 2 Rat Study Funding Shares (the “the Stage 2 Rat Study
Funding Shares”) and $100,000 in value for the Stage 2 Large Animal Study
Funding Shares (the “Stage 2 large Animal Study Funding Shares”).  The aggregate
number of Closing Shares shall equal that number of shares of Oxis’ Common Stock
equal to (x) $250,000, divided by (y) the average closing stock price for such
Common Stock for the five days immediately prior to June 28, 2011, the date of
the Consulting Agreement.  The additional shares of Oxis common stock issuable
to Repine pursuant to Sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 shall also be in consideration
of the consulting services being performed by him.  The issuance by Oxis of the
Closing Shares will be covered by a current registration statement on Form S-8.

3.2  Stage 2 Milestone – First Study.  Upon the completion of the first Stage 2
animal study and Repine’s delivery to Oxis of a summary presentation of the
findings of the study, Oxis shall issue to Repine that number of shares of its
Common Stock equal to (x) $50,000, divided by (y) the average closing stock
price for such Common Stock for the five trading days immediately prior to the
date Repine notified Oxis and the Company of the completion of such animal study
and presented a summary presentation of the findings of such study (the “Stage 2
Rat Study Completion Shares”).  The issuance by Oxis of the Stage 2 Rat Study
Completion Shares will be covered by a current registration statement on Form
S-8.
 
3.3  Stage 2 Milestone – Second Study.  Upon the completion of the second Stage
2 animal study and Repine’s delivery to Oxis of a summary presentation of the
findings of the study, Oxis shall issue to Repine that number of shares of its
Common Stock equal to (x) $100,000, divided by (y) the average closing stock
price for such Common Stock for the five trading days immediately prior to the
date Repine notified Oxis and the Company of the completion of such animal study
and presented a summary presentation of the findings of such study (the “Stage 2
Large Animal Study Completion Shares”; together with the Closing Shares , the
Stage 2 Rat Study Completion Shares, the “Oxis Milestone Shares”).  The issuance
by Oxis of the Stage 2 Large Animal Completion Shares will be covered by a
current registration statement on Form S-8.

3.4  Issuance of Additional Oxis Milestone Shares.  On each date that is six
months following the date of issuance of any of the Oxis Milestone Shares (an
“Adjustment Date”), if the market value of such Oxis Milestone Shares is less
than $250,000 or $50,000 or $100,000, as applicable, Oxis shall issue to Repine
that number of additional unregistered shares of Oxis Common Stock (“Additional
Oxis Milestone Shares”) such that the sum of the value of (x) the relevant Oxis
Milestone Shares, based on the closing price of Oxis’common stock on the
relevant Adjustment Date, and (y) the value of the Additional Oxis Milestone
Shares to be issued, will equal $250,000, $50,000 or $100,000, as
applicable.  The number of Additional Oxis Milestone Shares to be issued will
equal (i) the dollar amount by which the market value of the relevant Oxis
Milestone Shares is less than $250,000, $50,000 or $100,000, as applicable, on
the Adjustment Date, divided by (ii) the average closing stock price for Oxis’
Common Stock for the five days immediately prior to the Adjustment
Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Additional Oxis Milestone Shares will
be issued for any corresponding Oxis Milestone Shares that were sold by
Repine  prior to the relevant Adjustment Date for such Oxis Milestone Shares,
and the value of Additional Oxis Milestone Shares to be issued to make the
adjustment required by this Section 3.4 will be adjusted accordingly on a pro
rata basis.  For example, if Repine sold 20% of the Closing Shares prior to the
Adjustment Date, the number of Additional Milestone Shares to be issued will be
based on the sum of the value of (x) the remaining unsold Closing Shares, taking
into account the closing price of

 
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Oxis’common stock on such Adjustment Date, and (y) the value of the Additional
Oxis Milestone Shares to be issued, which will equal 80% of $250,000, or
$200,000.  The issuance by Oxis of the Additional Oxis Milestone Shares will be
covered by a current registration statement on Form S-8.

3.5  Stage 4 Milestones – Pharmaceutical.  The Company (as opposed to Oxis)
shall be responsible for paying the following cash amounts to Repine (subject to
Repine directing the Company to pay a portion thereof to Eilenberg) upon the
attainment of the following milestones:

 
(i)
Licensing the IP to a pharmaceutical company -- $1,000,000;

 
(ii)
Completion of Phase I Clinical Trial -- $250,000;

 
(iii)
Completion of Phase II Clinical Trial --  $1,000,000;

 
(iv)
Completion of pivotal Phase III Clinical Trial -- $1,500,000; and

 
(v)
Receipt of FDA Marketing approval -- $3,000,000.

3.6  Stage 4 Milestones – Nutraceutical.   The Company (as opposed to Oxis)
shall be responsible for paying the following cash amounts to Repine (subject to
Repine directing the Company to pay a portion thereof to Eilenberg) upon the
attainment of the following milestones:
 

 
(i)
Licensing the IP to, or entering into a distribution agreement with, a
nutraceutical or similar company -- $100,000; and

 
(ii)
Gross sales of products utilizing Ergo in the Field -- 5% of annual gross sales
by the Company or any licensee or distributor (including Oxis).

ARTICLE IV
FUNDRAISING FOR THE COMPANY

4.1  Stage 3 Fundraising.  Following the successful completion of the Stage 2
animal studies, Oxis and Repine will make a joint decision whether or not to
commence human clinical trials (in the case of Pharmaceuticals) and/or testing
and distribution for human use (in the case of Dietary Supplements,
Cosmeceutical Products, Nutraceutical Products and Medical Foods).  If the
parties do not agree to proceed, this Agreement shall terminate and all IP of
the Company shall be assigned to the party that elected to proceed.  If neither
party elected to proceed, the IP shall continue to be held by the Company or
otherwise disposed of by agreement of the parties.  If the parties elect to
proceed, Oxis will be responsible in raising at least $3 million for the Company
(from its own capital or from third parties), whether in the form of equity,
debt, convertible debt or by means of funding from a new strategic partner, or
any combination thereof.  Any equity (or securities convertible into equity)
raised for the Company shall dilute Oxis and Repine equally up until the point
that Repine’s equity interest, on an as-converted, fully diluted basis, is
reduced to 10% of the Company, and after such point, Repine’s interest in the
Company shall no longer be diluted without its permission.  If Oxis fails to
raise such funding, Repine, in its sole discretion, may terminate this
Agreement, and all IP of the Company shall be assigned to Repine.

4.2  Post Fundraising Expenses of the Company.  If the $3 million in financing
referred to in Section 4.1 has been successfully raised and the Company
continues operations into human trials (Stage 4), Oxis shall no longer be
responsible for paying the IP Costs, the Insurance Costs or the Administrative
Costs.  The parties shall negotiate in good faith a fair and appropriate price
for the Ergo to be supplied to the Company by Oxis for ongoing research and
development and clinical use.

 
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ARTICLE V
OPERATIONS; EXCLUSIVITY

5.1  Management.  Following the Closing, the Company will initially be managed
by Repine as Manager and as Chief Executive Officer, who will be responsible for
establishing Company’s research and development activities for the Stage 2
animal studies; provided, however, that Repine shall only be responsible for
conducting one rat study and one large animal study.  The Company’s offices
initially will be in the Denver, Colorado area, with the specific location to be
determined by Dr. Repine on behalf of the Company.  The parties recognize that
while Dr. Repine shall devote the time necessary to the Business and the Company
to advance the Stage 2 animal studies, his business and professional activities
shall not be limited to that of the Company, particularly relating to his
academic commitments to the University of Colorado and to his private medical
practice, and that any obligations he has to the University of Colorado shall
take priority to his obligations hereunder.  The officers of Company initially
will be Dr. Repine, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer, and Adam Eilenberg,
Secretary.  Repine, in his discretion, may cause the Company to enter into
agreements with research scientists and others relating to the Company’s use of
data from their own separate research endeavors.  To the extent such data
becomes Know-how, Repine may grant such third parties permission to use such
Know-how for their own academic, research and non-commercial purposes if, in his
reasonable belief, such use by them may be in the best interests of the Company.

5.2  Other Payments to Repine.  Apart from the issuance of the Oxis Milestone
Shares and the Additional Oxis Milestone Shares to Repine as set forth in
Article III, Repine shall not initially receive any payments or compensation
from the Company, but the Board may elect in its discretion to establish an
additional consulting or employment arrangement with Repine in the future and
/or to pay bonus or other compensation to Repine following the successful
completion of the Stage 2 animal studies or future Stage 4 milestones.

5.3  The Board; Creation of Company Scientific Advisory Board.  Following the
Closing and until a Liquidity Event occurs, the Board will consist of five
members, two of whom will be designees of Repine (initially Repine and
Eilenberg), and three of whom will be designees of Oxis.  Decisions of the Board
shall be made by a majority vote, except approval of Repine and Eilenberg will
be required (i) to proceed with the first or second animal study of Stage 2,
(ii) to proceed with the Clinical Trials or human use in Stage 4, (iii) to enter
into any licensing arrangement or similar strategic partnering transaction
involving the Company or its assets, (iv) the sale of all or substantially all
of the Company or the Business, whether by means of merger, stock issuance or
otherwise, (v) the admission of new members to the Company or the issuance of
any Shares to any Person, (vi) the hiring of any senior management of the
Company, (vii) the financing transaction identified in Section 4.1 hereof and
(viii) payments to or compensation of any Board or Scientific Advisory Board
members, consultants or employees, in the form or cash and/or equity securities
of the Company .  The Board shall create a Scientific Advisory Board for
Company, which will include Repine and others to be determined by the Chief
Executive Officer or the Board.

5.4  Financing.  If the Company is proceeding with the Stage 3 financing, Repine
will use his best efforts to assist Oxis in obtaining the required $3 million
financing identified in Section 4.1 hereof.  The parties acknowledge that,
following the Closing, apart from Repine’s assignment of the Existing IP
pursuant to the Assignment and Oxis’ agreement hereunder to fund the IP Costs,
the Insurance Costs and the Administrative Costs and to provide Ergo to the
Company through the completion of the Stage 2 animal studies, neither party has
any obligation to make any further investment in the Company or to loan money or
otherwise provide any form of financial assistance to the Company.

 
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5.5  Ownership of Intellectual Property; Confidentiality.  All Existing IP,
which shall be assigned by Repine to the Company pursuant to the Assignment, and
all New Included IP created as a result of the collaboration by Repine and Oxis
hereunder (but not the New Excluded IP), shall be owned by the Company and will
be maintained by the parties and their Affiliates in confidence during the term
of this Agreement and for a period of three (3) years following the termination
of this Agreement.  The IP may not be used by any party or its Affiliates
without the prior approval of the Company, as determined by the disinterested
members of the Board, except that each of Repine and Oxis, as well as their
Affiliates, shall have a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty free license to use
the IP for research purposes.  The New Excluded IP will be owned by Repine
personally and/or by the University of Colorado, other academic or research
institutions or scientists who were responsible for the creation of such New
Excluded IP, and neither the Company nor Oxis shall have any rights to the New
Excluded IP.

5.6  Public Announcements.  Repine and Oxis shall not (nor shall they permit any
of their respective Affiliates to), without prior consultation with the other
party and such other party’s review of and consent to any public announcement
concerning this Agreement or the Transactions or any subsequent development
relating to Company or the Business, issue any press release or make any public
announcement with respect to the Transactions except such disclosures as may be
required by Law.  Repine and Oxis shall, to the extent practicable, allow the
other party reasonable time to review and comment on such release or
announcement in advance of its issuance and use reasonable efforts in good faith
to reflect the reasonable and good faith comments of such other party, provided,
however, no party shall be prevented from making any disclosure required by Law
at the time so required.  The parties intend that the initial announcement of
the terms of this Agreement concurrently or shortly after the execution hereof
shall be made by joint press release of Repine and Oxis, and Repine acknowledges
that in Oxis’case, public disclosure of the execution of this Agreement may be
required under applicable securities laws.

5.7  Accounting.  The Company shall keep written records and reports relating to
the Transactions and the Business it conducts.  All of such financial records
and reports promptly shall be made available to Repine and Oxis and their
representatives. Oxis shall be responsible for paying the Administrative Costs
until the $3 million in financing referred to in Section 4.1 has been
successfully raised and the Company continues operations into human trials
(Stage 4), at which point the Company will bear the Administrative Costs.

5.8  Inspection of Books and Records.  During the regular office hours of the
Company, and upon reasonable notice to the Company, each of Repine and Oxis,
shall have (a) full access to all properties, books of account and records of
the Company and (b) the right to make copies from such books and records at his
or its own expense.  Upon the request of either Repine or Oxis and on reasonable
notice, Company shall permit, at the expense of the requesting party (Repine or
Oxis, as the case may be), an independent certified public accountant reasonably
acceptable to the Company and the requesting party, to have access during
reasonable business hours to such records as may be necessary (a) to obtain any
additional information and records as may be required to comply with financial
reporting and disclosure requirements of such party or (b) to determine the
correctness of any fee or payment statements and actual payments made under this
Agreement.  Any information obtained by Repine or Oxis through the exercise of
the rights granted under this Section 5.8 shall be kept confidential by the
parties, except as otherwise required by Law.

5.9  Additional Assurances.   The parties shall and shall cause their Affiliates
to take such additional actions and execute any such additional documents and
instruments as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the Transactions.

 
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5.10  Liability Insurance.  The Company shall use reasonable commercial efforts
to purchase and maintain in effect a policy of commercial, general product
liability insurance to protect the Company, its officers, directors, employees
and stockholders, from any liabilities, claims, demands, damages, judgments,
losses and expenses of any nature, including without limitation legal expenses
and attorneys’ fees, arising out of any theory of liability and the death,
personal injury or illness of any Person relating to their use of any other
product of the Company, or resulting from their production, manufacture, sale,
consumption or advertisement (collectively “Product Liability Claims”).  Oxis
shall assist the Company in identifying and obtaining such insurance coverage
and shall be responsible for paying Insurance Costs until the $3 million in
financing referred to in Section 4.1 has been successfully raised and the
Company continues operations into human trials (Stage 4), at which point the
Company will bear the Insurance Costs.  

5.11  Exclusivity.  During the term of this Agreement and for two years
thereafter, Repine, Oxis, and their respective Affiliates, will not, outside of
Company, directly or indirectly engage in the Business or (b) provide services
to, or have any ownership interest in, any Person engaged in the
Business.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Repine shall not be restricted from
any other academic or commercial activities relating to ARDS that do not involve
Ergo, and the foregoing restrictions do not limit in any respect Dr. Repine’s
non-commercial, research or academic activities or any of his other current
responsibilities to the University of Colorado.  Additionally, Oxis shall not be
prohibited from developing and marketing any Dietary Supplements, Cosmeceutical
Products, Nutraceutical Products or Medical Foods containing Ergo that are not
designed to treat or prevent ARDS.

5.12  Injunctive Relief.  Because of the unique nature of the joint venture
created by this Agreement and the confidential information to be shared, each
party understands and agrees that  Company and the other party will suffer
irreparable harm in the event that such party fails to comply, or threatens not
to comply, with any of its obligations under this Agreement, in particular its
obligations under Sections 5.1 hereof, and acknowledges that monetary damages
will be inadequate to compensate Company and the other party for such
breach.  Accordingly, each party agrees that Company and the other party will,
in addition to any other remedies available to it at law or in equity, be
entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief in the federal or state
courts located in Denver, Colorado York (to which the parties consent to
jurisdiction), and wherever else the parties can obtain jurisdiction, to enforce
the terms of this Agreement.  Any such injunction shall be available without the
requirement that the Company or such other party post any bond or other security
and each party hereby consents to the issuance of any such injunction without
the requirement of posting any bond.

ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

6.1  By Repine.  Repine represents and warrants to Oxis that:

6.1.1 This Agreement, the Assignment, the Consulting Agreement and the Operating
Agreement each is (or when executed and delivered, will be) a valid and binding
obligation of Repine, enforceable against him in accordance with its respective
terms.

6.1.2  Repine has all requisite power and authority to enter into this
Agreement, the Assignment, the Consulting Agreement and the Operating Agreement
and to perform all of its obligations hereunder and thereunder.

 
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6.1.3  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the
Assignment, the Consulting Agreement and the Operating Agreement by Repine and
the consummation of the Transactions do not and will not constitute a breach by
Repine of, or result in a Default under or cause the acceleration of any
payments pursuant to, any agreement, contract, indenture, lease or mortgage to
which Repine is a party, or violate any provision of any Law to which Repine is
subject.

6.1.4  No permit, consent, approval or authorization of, or designation,
declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity or any other Person on the
part of Repine is required in connection with the execution or delivery by
Repine of this Agreement,  the Assignment, the Consulting Agreement or the
Operating Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions.

6.1.5  There are no actions, suits, proceedings, orders, grievance procedures or
claims pending by or against or, to Repine’s knowledge, threatened against, or
investigations involving Repine related to this Agreement, the Assignment, the
Consulting Agreement or the Operating Agreement or the Transactions; and Repine
is not subject to, or in Default of, any outstanding order, writ, injunction,
judgment or decree of any Governmental Entity.

6.2  By Oxis.  Oxis represents and warrants to Repine that:

6.2.1  Oxis is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has all requisite
corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted and to own and operate the properties and assets now owned and
operated by it.

6.2.2  This Agreement, the Consulting Agreement and the Operating Agreement each
is (or when executed and delivered, will be) a valid and binding obligation of
Oxis, enforceable against it in accordance with its respective terms.

6.2.3  Oxis has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement , the Consulting Agreement and the Operating Agreement and to perform
all of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation to issue the Oxis
Milestone Shares and the Additional Oxis Milestone Shares.  The Board of
Directors of Oxis has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the Consulting Agreement and the Operating Agreement and the
performance of the Transactions, including without limitation the issuance of
the Oxis Milestone Shares and the Additional Oxis Milestone Shares.  No approval
of the stockholders of Oxis is required with respect to the consummation of the
Transactions, including without limitation the issuance of the Oxis Milestone
Shares and the Additional Oxis Milestone Shares.   When issued in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement the Oxis Milestone Shares and the
Additional Oxis Milestone shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable shares of Common Stock of Oxis.  The issuance by Oxis of the Oxis
Milestone Shares and the Additional Oxis Milestone Shares will be covered under
a currently effective registration statement on Form S-8.

 
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6.2.4  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Consulting
Agreement and the Operating Agreement by Oxis and the consummation of the
Transactions, including without limitation the issuance of the Oxis Milestone
Shares and the Additional Oxis Milestone Shares, do not and will not (a)
contravene any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of Oxis;
(b) constitute a breach by Oxis of, or result in a Default under or cause the
acceleration of any payments pursuant to, any agreement, contract, indenture,
lease or mortgage to which Oxis is a party, or violate any provision of any Law
to which Oxis is subject.

6.2.5  No permit, consent, approval or authorization of, or designation,
declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity or any other Person on the
part of Oxis is required in connection with the execution or delivery by Oxis of
this Agreement, the Consulting Agreement or the Operating Agreement or the
consummation of the Transactions, including without limitation the issuance of
the Oxis Milestone Shares and the Additional Oxis Milestone Shares.

6.2.6  There are no actions, suits, proceedings, orders, grievance procedures or
claims pending by or against or, to Oxis’s knowledge, threatened against, or
investigations involving Oxis related to this Agreement, the Consulting
Agreement or the Operating Agreement or the Transactions, including without
limitation the issuance of the Oxis Milestone Shares and the Additional Oxis
Milestone Shares; and Oxis is not subject to, or in Default of, any outstanding
order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree of any Governmental Entity.

6.2.7  Oxis is not currently engaged in any aspect of the Business and has not
currently directly or indirectly invested in any Person that is currently
engaged in any aspect of the Business.

6.3  Additional Representations by Repine with respect to Company.  Repine
represents to Oxis that:

6.3.1  The Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of Delaware, and has all requisite
corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being
conducted and to own and operate the properties and assets now owned and
operated by it.

6.3.2  This Agreement, the Consulting Agreement and the Operating Agreement each
is (or when executed and delivered, will be) a valid and binding obligation of
the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its respective terms.

6.3.3  The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into
this Agreement, the Consulting Agreement and the Operating Agreement and to
perform all of its obligations hereunder and thereunder.  The Board of Directors
of the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the Consulting Agreement and the Operating Agreement and the performance of the
Transactions.

6.3.4  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Consulting
Agreement and the Operating Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the
Transactions do not and will not (a) contravene any provision of the Certificate
of Organization of the Company; (b) constitute a breach by the Company, or
result in a Default under or cause the acceleration of any payments pursuant to,
any agreement, contract, indenture, lease or mortgage to which Company a party,
or violate any provision of any Law to which the Company is subject.

 
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6.3.5  No permit, consent, approval or authorization of, or designation,
declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity or any other Person on the
part of the Company is required in connection with the execution or delivery by
the Company of this Agreement, the Consulting Agreement or the Operating
Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions.

6.3.6  There are no actions, suits, proceedings, orders, grievance procedures or
claims pending by or against or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against,
or investigations involving Company related to this Agreement, the Consulting
Agreement or the Operating Agreement or the Transactions; and the Company is not
subject to, or in Default of, any outstanding order, writ, injunction, judgment
or decree of any Governmental Entity.

6.3.7  The Company has not commenced operations prior to the date of this
Agreement.  Company has authorized membership interests of 10,000 Shares.  There
currently are no Shares outstanding, or obligations to issue Shares or other
ownership interests of the Company, other than the obligation hereunder to issue
6,000 Shares to Oxis and 4,000 Shares to Repine at the Closing.  Such shares,
when issued in accordance with the provision of this Agreement, will be duly and
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable membership interests of the
Company.  There are no currently outstanding convertible securities, options,
warrants or other contractual rights of any Person to acquire any securities of
the Company.

ARTICLE VII
SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
7.1  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.  The representations
and warranties of the parties contained in this Agreement shall survive for two
(2) years following the date of the Agreement.  In the event notice of any claim
for indemnification under this Article VII shall have been given prior to
midnight on the last day of the applicable survival period (the “Expiration
Date”), the representations and warranties that are the subject of such
indemnification claim shall survive until the claim is finally resolved.  The
covenants and agreements of the parties contained in this Agreement shall
survive until fully performed.
 
7.2  Indemnification by Repine.  Repine shall indemnify and hold harmless Oxis
and its Affiliates, and their respective employees, directors, agents and
representatives, from and against any and all Loss and Litigation Expense, which
they or any of them may suffer or incur as a result of or arising from any of
the following:  (a) any misrepresentation or breach of warranty of Repine
contained in this Agreement or (b) the failure of Repine to perform his
covenants contained in this Agreement.

7.3  Indemnification by Oxis.  Oxis shall indemnify and hold harmless Repine and
his Affiliates, and their respective members, employees, directors, agents and
representatives, from and against any and all Loss and Litigation Expense which
they, or any of them, may suffer or incur as a result of or arising from any of
the following:  (a) any misrepresentation or breach of warranty of Oxis
contained in this Agreement, (b) the failure of Oxis to perform its covenants
contained in this Agreement.
 
7.4  Procedure.  Promptly after acquiring knowledge of any Loss, or any action,
suit, investigation, proceeding, demand, assessment, audit, judgment, or claim
(“Claim”) which may result in a Loss, and prior to the Expiration Date, the
Person seeking indemnity under this Article VII (the “Indemnitee”) shall give
written notice thereof to the party from whom indemnity is sought (the
“Indemnitor”).  The Indemnitor shall have the right, at its expense, to defend,
contest or compromise such Claim, through counsel of its choice (unless such
Indemnitor is relieved of its liability hereunder with respect to such Claim and
Loss and Litigation Expense by the Indemnitee) and shall not then be liable for
 

 
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fees or expenses of the Indemnitee’s attorneys (unless the Indemnitor and
Indemnitee are parties to the action and there exists a conflict of interest
between the Indemnitor and the Indemnitee, in which event the Indemnitor will be
responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of one firm), and the
Indemnitee and the Indemnitor shall provide to each other all necessary and
reasonable cooperation in the defense of all Claims.  In the event that the
Indemnitor shall undertake to compromise or defend any Claim, it shall promptly
notify the Indemnitee of its intention to do so.  In the event that the
Indemnitor, after written notice from Indemnitee, fails to take timely action to
defend the same, the Indemnitee shall have the right to defend the same by
counsel of its own choosing, but at the cost and expense of the Indemnitor,
provided that no settlement of a Claim by Indemnitee shall be effected without
the consent of the Indemnitor unless Indemnitee waives any right to
indemnification therefor.  The Indemnitor may settle or compromise the entry of
any judgment (a) which includes the unconditional release by the Person
asserting the Claim and any related claimants of Indemnitee from all liability
with respect to such Claim in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Indemnitee, and (b) which would not adversely affect the right of Indemnitee and
its Affiliates to own, hold use and operate their respective assets and
businesses.
 
7.5  Exclusive Remedy.  The exclusive remedies for any breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement hereunder shall be the
indemnification provided by this Article VII, and each party expressly waives
any other rights or remedies it may have, provided, however, that equitable
relief, including the remedies of specific performance and injunction, shall be
available with respect to the breach of any covenant to be performed hereunder.
 
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION

8.1           Events of Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated with no
further action by Repine or Oxis by written notice of termination only as
follows:
 
 
8.1.1
Mutual Consent.  By mutual written consent of Repine and Oxis;

 
8.1.2           By Oxis.  Provided that Oxis or its Affiliates has not (a)
misstated in a material respect any representation, or (b) breached in a
material respect any covenant, undertaking or restriction contained herein and
which breach shall not have been cured within five (5) business days following
receipt by Oxis party of notice of such breach, Oxis may terminate this
Agreement on thirty (30) days’ prior written notice in the event that:

 
(i)
Repine has misstated in a material respect any representation or breached in any
material respect any covenant, undertaking or restriction contained herein and
which breach shall not have been cured within five (5) business days following
receipt by Repine of notice of such breach;

 
(ii)
the first animal study for Stage 2 (hemorrhaged rats) shall not have been
completed and an initial summary report shall not have been delivered to the
Company by the second anniversary of the Closing, other than as a result of
Oxis’ failure to provide Ergo as is required by this Agreement;

 
(iii)
the second animal study for Stage 2 (large animal, most likely pigs) shall not
have been completed and an initial summary report shall not have been delivered
to the Company by the fourth anniversary of the date of the Closing , other than
as a result of Oxis’ failure to provide Ergo as is required by this Agreement.

 
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8.1.3           By Repine.  Provided that Repine or his Affiliates has not (a)
misstated in a material respect any representation, or (b) breached in a
material respect any covenant, undertaking or restriction contained herein and
which breach shall not have been cured within five (5) business days following
receipt by Repine of notice of such breach, Repine may terminate this Agreement
on thirty (30) days’ prior written notice in the event that:

 
(i)
if Oxis fails to pay or reimburse the Company for IP expenses, as provided by
this Agreement;

 
(ii)
fails to provide reasonable amounts of Ergo for the either of the Stage 2 animal
studies, as is required by this Agreement;

 
(iii)
fails to issue any of the Oxis Milestone Shares or Additional Oxis Milestone
Shares to Repine (or its designees) pursuant to Section 3 hereof in a timely
manner; or

 
(iv)
fails to raise the financing required in Section 4.1, following the agreement by
Repine and Oxis to proceed with such financing, within 6 months after the
successful completion of the Stage 2 large animal trial.

8.2           Consequences of Termination.  Upon termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.1.1, the parties shall determine in good faith how to
dispose of the existing IP of the Company.  Upon termination of this Agreement
by Oxis pursuant to Section 8.1.2, all IP of the Company shall be transferred to
Oxis.  Upon termination of this Agreement by Repine pursuant to Section 8.1.3,
all IP of the Company shall be transferred to Repine.  Any termination of this
Agreement shall be without any liability on the part of any of the parties,
their Affiliates and their respective directors, officers or stockholders in
respect of this Agreement, except for any breach of the Agreement by a party,
and the termination by the other party shall be without prejudice to its rights
to recover damages for any such breach by the breaching party (subject to the
provisions of Section 7.5).
 
8.3           Limitations on Termination Rights.  Oxis shall not have any right
to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Sections 8.1.2 following the completion
of the Stage 2 animal studies and the decision of the parties during Stage 3 to
proceed with Stage 4 human trials or use.  Repine shall not have any right to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Sections 8.1.3 following the successful
completion of the $3 million financing for the Company referred to in Section
4.1.
 
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS

9.1  Headings and References.  The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect its interpretation.  Any
reference in this Agreement to an Article or Section, unless it clearly refers
to another instrument, means the specified Article or Section of this Agreement.
 
9.2  Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable
and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.  If any provision of
this Agreement, or the application thereof to any Person or any circumstance, is
invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be
substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and
enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision
and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to
other persons, entities or circumstances shall not be affected by such
invalidity or unenforceability.
 

 
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9.3  Expenses.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of Repine
and Oxis shall be responsible for his and its own expenses in connection with
the negotiation and preparation of the Agreement.
 
9.4  Notices.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given to the Person if delivered personally, buy fax
or upon sending a copy thereof by first class or express mail, postage prepaid,
or by Federal Express or other recognized overnight courier, charges prepaid, to
such party’s address (or to such party’s telecopier):
 
If to Repine, to:

John E. Repine, M.D. Inc.
70 Cherry Hills Farm Drive
Englewood, CO 80113

Fax:

With a copy to:

Eilenberg & Krause LLP
11 East 44th Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Attention: Adam Eilenberg, Esq.
Fax: 212-986-2399

If to Oxis, to:

Oxis International, Inc.
468 N. Camden Dr., 2nd Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Attention:
Fax:

With a copy to:
 
_________
_________
_________

Fax:

If to the Company, to:
both Oxis and Repine at the addresses set forth above

 
or to such other Person or address as any of the foregoing may have designated
for that purpose by notice to the others.
 

 
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9.5  Waiver; Consents.  The failure by any party to exercise any right under, or
to object to the breach by any other party of any term, provision or condition
of, this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver thereof and shall not preclude
such party from thereafter exercising that or any other right, or from
thereafter objecting to that or any prior or subsequent breach of the same or
any other term, provision or condition of the Agreement.  Any consent granted
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing, executed by the person
authorized by the consenting party to receive notices, and shall be a consent
only to the transaction, act or agreement specifically referred to in the
consent and not to other similar transactions, acts or agreements.
 
9.6  Assignment.  This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party without the
prior written consent of the other party.  Any attempted assignment in
contravention with the foregoing shall be void.  This Agreement shall be binding
on and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their successors and any
permitted assigns.
 
9.7  Governing Law.  This Agreement, including any dispute or controversy
arising out of or related to this Agreement or the breach thereof, shall be
subject to, governed by, and construed in accordance with, the substantive and
procedural laws of the State of Colorado, without reference to its principles of
conflict of laws.
 
9.8  Parties in Interest.  This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and permitted
assigns.  Nothing contained in this Agreement, express or implied, shall give
any other Person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with
respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
except as expressly provided in Article VII.
 
 
9.9  Dispute Resolution.  
 
 
 
9.9.1
Management Meeting.  In the event that Repine and Oxis are unable, after
exercising good faith efforts, to reach agreement on any disputes, questions or
claims relating to this Agreement (the “Dispute”), then upon written notice to
the other, the Dispute shall be referred to Repine and the Chief Executive
Officer of Oxis, or other members of senior management of Oxis, each with full
authority to settle the Dispute.  Such designees shall meet within fifteen
(15) Business Days of receipt of such notice and use good faith efforts to reach
agreement on the Dispute.  If either such designee intends to be accompanied at
the meeting by counsel, the other shall be given at least five (5) business days
notice of such intention and may also be accompanied by counsel.  All
negotiations pursuant to this Subsection 9.9.1 shall be confidential and treated
as compromise and settlement negotiations and shall not be admissible in any
arbitration or other proceeding.  In the event that the designees are unable to
reach agreement on the Dispute within fifteen (15) business days following the
meeting, either party may by notice to the other party submit the Dispute to
arbitration in accordance with the provisions below.

 
 
 
9.9.2
Arbitration.  The Dispute shall be finally settled by arbitration by three
arbitrators who shall be impartial and disinterested individuals who do not have
a direct or indirect interest in either Repine or Oxis or the subject matter of
the arbitration.  The parties agree that notices served in the manner provided
herein shall be valid for such arbitration. Any such arbitration shall be
conducted in English and shall be held in Denver, Colorado.  The arbitrators
shall apply the substantive law that the Parties have chosen as the governing
law pursuant to Section 9.7 hereof.

 

 
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9.9.3
Arbitration Panel.  Within fifteen (15) business days after the receipt of the
notice provided for in Subsection 9.9.1 of this Agreement, Repine and Oxis each
shall appoint an independent expert, knowledgeable in the field of the Dispute,
to serve on the arbitration panel.  The two independent experts so appointed by
the parties shall, within fifteen (15) business days thereafter, appoint a
neutral third independent expert, knowledgeable in the field of the
Dispute.  Such neutral third independent expert shall serve as the chairperson
of the arbitration panel.  Each of the members of the arbitration panel shall be
required to sign a confidentiality agreement, acceptable in form to both
parties, with respect to any information provided by either party during the
arbitration procedure.

 
 
 
9.9.4
Statement.  Within fifteen (15) business days after the chairperson of the
arbitration panel is appointed, Repine and Oxis each shall submit, to each
member of the arbitration panel and to the other party, a written statement
setting forth the relevant facts with respect to the Dispute in reasonable
detail and arguments and documentation supporting such party’s position with
respect to the resolution of the Dispute.

 
 
 
9.9.5
Decision.  Pending the issuance of the arbitrators’ decision, Repine and Oxis
shall continue to operate under the Agreement as it existed on the date the
Dispute notice was given; provided, however, that the arbitrators’ decision
shall be retroactive to such date. The parties hereby exclude any right of
appeal to any court on the merits of the Dispute. Judgment on the award may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction over the award or any of the Parties or
their assets.  The award may grant any relief appropriate under the applicable
law, including without limitation declaratory relief and/or specific
performance.

 
 
 
9.9.6
Costs.  Repine and Oxis each shall bear his or its own costs incurred in
connection with the arbitration (including without limitation the fees and
expenses of attorneys and experts, the travel and other expenses of witnesses,
as well as the fees and expenses in any collateral actions, such as actions for
enforcement), provided, however, that the nonprevailing party shall bear the
fees, costs and expenses of the arbitration panel.

 
9.10  Conflict of Interest Waiver; Counsel.  The parties acknowledge that
Eilenberg and EK are representing Repine in connection with this Agreement, the
Assignment, the Consulting Agreement and the Operating Agreement and the
Transactions.  Oxis and the Company each acknowledges and agrees that it is in
their respective and mutual interests to have Eilenberg and his law firm EK
provide legal services to the Company going forward.  Oxis and Repine have each
agreed to waive any conflict of interest arising out of Eilenberg’s and EK’s
prior engagements, and that each party will not object to the representation of
the Company by Eilenberg and EK.  Additionally, Oxis and Repine each
acknowledges the following:  (i)  Although the interests of Oxis and Repine in
this joint venture are generally consistent, differences may exist or become
evident during the course of the transaction; (ii) Eilenberg and EK in the past
separately have represented both Repine, on the one hand, and Oxis, on the other
hand; (iii) Eilenberg has a separate with Repine regarding his beneficial
interest in Repine’s interest in this Agreement, and neither Mr. Eilenberg nor
EK will be representing the interests of Oxis or in connection with this
Agreement, the Assignment, the Consulting Agreement or the Operating Agreement;
and (iv) any legal services to be provided to the Company by EK after the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Assignment, the Consulting
Agreement and the Operating Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions
(including, but not limited to, the negotiation of any strategic partnering
agreement on behalf of the Company with a pharmaceutical company) will be
provided at its customary billing rates for so long as the Board of Directors of
the Company wishes to retain and used the

 
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services of EK and/or Eilenberg for the Business.  Oxis each further
acknowledges and agrees that it has had an opportunity to retain its own
counsel, other than EK, in connection with the negotiation, preparation and
review of this Agreement, the Assignment, the Consulting Agreement and the
Operating Agreement and the Transactions.
 
 
9.11  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but such counterparts shall together
constitute one and the same Agreement.
 
9.12  Entire Agreement; Amendments.  This Agreement, and the exhibits hereto,
constitutes the entire understanding among the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter contained herein and therein and supersede any prior
understandings and agreements among them respecting such subject matter.  This
Agreement may be amended, supplemented, and terminated only by a written
instrument duly executed by Repine, Oxis and the Company.  Each of Repine and
Oxis recognizes that the liability and remedy provisions of this Agreement are
material to the Agreement and have been bargained for and are reflected in the
mutual promises and agreements set forth in the Agreement.
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
by their duly authorized officers on the date first above written.
 

_____________________
John E. Repine, M.D.

OXIS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

By:_____________________________
Name:
Title:

ERGO ARDS, LLC

By:_____________________________
Name:  John E. Repine, M.D.
Title:  Chief Executive Officer

 
 
21 

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