Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT

is made as of the 1st day of March, 2004 by and between Minrad Inc., a Delaware
corporation, with an office at 847 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 (the
"Corporation") and William H. Burns, Jr. residing at 69 Forest Road, Orchard
Park, NY 14127 (the "Executive").

Introductory Statement

. The Executive has been employed as President of the Corporation and also
served as a Director of Corporation for many years. During the course of his
employment, the Executive has become experienced in the business of the
Corporation, including its trade secrets, customers, market areas, sources of
supply and manner of doing business. Therefore, the Corporation desires to
continue to employ the Executive as President of the Corporation, and elect the
executive as a member of the Board of Directors, and the Executive desires to
accept continued employment, upon the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE,

in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement the parties agree as follows:

1.0

Term of Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the Corporation shall employ the Executive as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation for the period beginning on the date of
this Agreement and continuing until April 30, 2007 or until earlier terminated
as provided in this Agreement.

2.0

Duties. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and as
President, until such time the Board of Directors shall appoint a President, who
shall report to the Chief Executive Officer, be in full charge of the operation
of its business and affairs, subject to the provisions of the by-laws of the
Corporation in respect of the duties and responsibilities assigned by the Board
of Directors to the Chief Executive Officer, and subject also at all times to
the control of the Board of Directors. The Executive shall perform such duties
and discharge such responsibilities as are commensurate with his position, and
as the Board of Directors shall from time to time reasonably direct executive
nature and scope of the Executive's employment.

The Executive shall perform his duties and discharge his responsibilities in a
faithful manner and to the best of his ability. Unless otherwise agreed upon by
the Corporation and the Executive, the Executive shall devote substantially all
of his business time and attention to the performance of the duties called for
by this Agreement. The Executive shall not serve as a director or manager of any
other business corporation or entity without the prior written consent of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation.

The Board of Directors of the Corporation reserves the right from time to time
to assign to the Executive additional duties and responsibilities and to
delegate to other executives of the Corporation duties and responsibilities
normally discharged by the Executive subject to the Executive's supervision as
Chief Executive Officer.

3.0

Compensation. So long as the Executive is employed by the Corporation:

3.1

The Executive shall receive an annual base salary of $200,000 payable bi-weekly

3.2

The Executive shall be entitled to an annual bonus for each fiscal year of the
Corporation during which the Executive is employed and, subject to Articles 6.0,
7.0 and 7.1-7.5 hereof, any part thereof, determined as follows:

(a)

The Corporation's gross profit after distribution expenses will be determined
for each fiscal year as herein provided (the "Net Profit Amount"); and

The Executive shall be entitled to one percent (1%) of the portion of the Net
Profit Amount for each fiscal year (the "Bonus Year") up to the amount of the
Net Profit Amount for the prior year plus two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the
amount by which the Net Profit Amount for each Bonus Year exceeds the Net Profit
Amount for the prior year; provided, however, that the maximum amount of any
bonus that can be earned under this Section 3.2 is $400,000. The bonus is to be
payable on an annual basis, based on the Corporation's audited financial
statements. Such bonus shall be paid as soon as practicable after the
Corporation's audited financial statements have been completed.

3.3

The Corporation shall deduct or withhold from all payments made to the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement all amounts which may be required to be deducted or
withheld under any applicable law now in effect or which may become effective
during the term of this Agreement (including but not limited to Social Security
contributions and income tax withholdings).

3.4

The Executive shall be entitled to participate in the qualified retirement plan
or plans, if any, adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation for the
executive officers of the Corporation as such plan or plans may be amended from
time to time.

3.5

The Executive shall receive the various other fringe benefits, if any, provided
for the executive officers of the Corporation that may be authorized from time
to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in its sole discretion.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation shall pay or reimburse the
Executive for the dues of one country club in Western New York.

3.6

The Executive may be entitled to receive increases in compensation. The
determination of the amount of such bonus and increases in compensation, if any,
and the time and method of payment of such increases shall be vested in the sole
discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

3.7 Vacations. The Executive shall be entitled to take four (4) weeks of
vacation per year on a non-cumulative basis.

4.0

Stock Options. The Executive shall be granted stock options to purchase commons
stock of the Corporation ("New Options") that, when added to the Executive's
currently vested options, shall result in the Executive having options to
purchase a total 3% of the Corporation's common stock (shares of stock or stock
equivalents) as provided for below. Such New Options shall vest at the rate of
1/36 per month for each month that Executive is employed according to the terms
and conditions of this Employment Agreement. Accordingly, the Corporation shall
(i) grant 285,000 options subject to the vesting provided for above and (ii)
grant 180,000 options provided that, by December 31, 2004, the Company shall
have sold $2.7 Million in equity after November 1, 2004 and, further provided
that if the company sells less than $2.7 Million in new equity in such period,
180,000 options shall be reduced proportionately.

The Executive shall also be eligible for stock options equivalent to an
additional 2% of the Corporation's issued shares of common stock as provided for
on Enclosure 1 ("Additional Options"), subject to the achievement of milestones
recommended by the Compensation Committee of the Board. Such milestones are
defined in Enclosure 1. The milestones must be achieved during the term of this
Employment Agreement. Upon agreement by the Compensation Committee of the Board
that achievement has been reached, the Additional Options shall be awarded and
shall be fully vested. For purposes of defining issued shares of common stock,
etc., such calculation shall be based on the Company's 2004 financing target
resulting in a capitalization of 42 million shares of stock.

Strike prices and exercise periods for the Executive's New Options and any
Additional Options shall be consistent with awards made according to the
administration of the Corporation's incentive stock option plan.

Issuance of the options shall be in accordance with all applicable securities
laws and the other terms and conditions of a Stock Option Agreement form to be
adopted by the Company's Board of Directors at the time of the first vesting
under this provision.

Notwithstanding any language in this Agreement to the contrary, in any event
where there is a transaction which results in a merger of the Company into
another Company such that it is not the surviving entity or a transaction in
which there is a change of control of the Company such that there is a new
single majority share-holder, all of the options available under Section 4.0 of
this Agreement shall immediately vest in Executive and be available for exercise
by Executive.

5.0

Reimbursement for Expenses. The Corporation shall reimburse the Executive for
expenses which the Executive may from time to time reasonably incur on behalf of
and at the request of the Corporation in the performance of his responsibilities
and duties under this Agreement, provided that the Executive shall be required
to account to the Corporation for such expenses in the manner prescribed by the
Corporation.

6.0

Termination of Employment by Reason of Death. If the Executive shall die during
the term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate automatically as of
the date of his death, and the Corporation shall pay to the Executive's legal
representatives the sum of the salary which would otherwise be payable to the
Executive up to the end of the month in which his death occurs plus (a) a
prorated portion of any bonus payable under Section 3.2, or otherwise approved
by the board of directors of the Corporation, for the fiscal year in which
termination occurs and not yet paid (determined by multiplying the bonus for the
fiscal year in which termination occurs by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of whole or partial months in such fiscal year during which this
Agreement was in effect and the denominator of which is twelve (12), and (b) all
other benefits and reimbursable expenses accrued and owing to the Executive with
respect to his employment prior to such termination (the amounts provided for in
clauses (a) and (b) being the "Accrued Obligations"). All vested stock options
shall be transferred to the Executive's legal representatives.

7.0

Termination of Employment by Reason of Disability. If the Executive shall become
temporarily disabled during the term of this Agreement, all of the Executive's
rights under this Agreement shall continue until such time as the Executive
either returns to work or is deemed "permanently disabled" (as hereinafter
defined in Section 7.2).

7.1

If the Executive shall be deemed permanently disabled, the Executive's
employment shall automatically terminate at the end of the month in which it is
determined that the Executive has a permanent disability. Upon such termination,
the Corporation shall pay the Executive (or his legal representatives) as if the
Executive were terminated by Reason of Death. During the period of permanent
disability the Executive shall be entitled to receive any benefits payable under
the Corporation's disability insurance program.

7.2

The Executive shall be deemed permanently disabled for purposes of this
Agreement if:

(a)

in the opinion of the Board of Directors, the Executive is unable to render
full-time service to the Corporation pursuant to the terms of this Agreement for
six consecutive months; or

(b)

in the opinion of the Board of Directors, the Executive is unable to render
full-time service to the Corporation pursuant to the terms of this Agreement for
nine months out of any twelve consecutive month period; or

(c)

in the opinion of the Corporation's Medical Director or, if there is no Medical
Director at such time, a physician mutually selected by the Corporation and the
Executive or selected in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.2, the
Executive is permanently unable to render full-time service to the Corporation
under this Agreement.

If the Corporation and the Executive are unable to mutually agree upon the
selection of a physician under "(c)" above within 30 days of either party
requesting the other to so agree, each party shall select a physician and the
two physicians so selected shall promptly select a third physician who shall
make such determination.

7.3

Termination of Employment for Cause. The Corporation may immediately terminate
the Executive's employment in the event that the Executive shall do or cause to
be done any act which constitutes "cause" (as hereinafter defined) for
termination. For purposes of this Agreement, cause shall be deemed to mean a
material breach by the Executive of this Agreement, gross negligence or willful
misconduct in the performance of his duties, dishonesty to the Corporation
(conviction of a crime in any court which could have the effect of causing the
termination or suspension of any license which the Corporation holds),
conviction of a felony or excessive absenteeism not related to disability. If
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Corporation for cause, the
Corporation's only obligation shall be to pay the Executive his salary under
Article 3.0 of this Agreement plus any reimbursable expenses that have not been
paid as of the date of such termination. Nothing contained in this Article 7.0
shall in any way waive, restrict or prejudice the Corporation's rights and
remedies in equity and at law against the Executive with respect to the matter
for which the Executive's employment under this Agreement is terminated for
cause. All vested but unexercised and unvested stock options shall be voided and
returned to the Corporation.

7.4

Termination Without Cause. The Corporation may terminate the Executive without
cause. If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Corporation without
cause, the Corporation shall pay the Executive the sum of (a) his salary for the
remainder of the term of this Agreement or one year, whichever is shorter, plus
(b) any Accrued Obligations. The non-milestone stock options shall be
automatically vested.

7.5

Accrued Obligations. All Accrued Obligations to be paid under this Article 7.0
shall be payable within 30 days after they are determinable.

8.0

Confidentiality. During the course of his employment as an executive officer of
the Corporation, the Executive has had and will have access to and will gain
knowledge with respect to all of the lines of business of the Corporation,
including product information, information concerning customers, brokers,
suppliers and other valuable information relating to the development,
manufacture, storage, shipment, marketing and sale of products of the
Corporation ("Confidential Information"). The parties also agree that covenants
by the Executive not to make unauthorized disclosures of the Confidential
Information and not to use the Confidential Information after the termination of
the Executive's employment with the Corporation in a business in competition
with that of the Corporation are essential to the growth and stability of the
business of the Corporation. Accordingly, Executive agrees that, except as
required by his duties under this Agreement, he or she shall not use or disclose
to anyone at anytime during or after the term of this Agreement any Confidential
Information obtained by him or her in the course of his employment with the
Corporation.

9.0

Non-Competition.

9.1

During the term of this Agreement and for a period of 12 months after the date
of the termination of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that he shall not
directly or indirectly, for his own account or as agent, officer, director,
trustee, consultant or shareholder of any corporation or a member of any firm or
otherwise, anywhere in the United States engage or attempt to engage in any
business activity which is the same as, substantially similar to or directly
competitive with (a) the type of business of the Corporation in designing,
developing and producing products intended to minimize radiation exposure and
enhance surgical accuracy in fluoroscopically assisted medical procedures, (b)
the Corporation's generic inhalation pharmaceutical business involving
enflurane, isoflurane or sevoflurane or related products and/or (c) the
Corporation's conscious sedation business.

9.2

During the term of this Agreement and for a period of 12 months from the date of
termination of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that he or she shall not,
directly or indirectly, for his own account or as agent, employee, officer,
director, trustee, consultant or shareholder of any corporation, or member of
any firm or otherwise, employ or solicit the employment of any employee of the
Corporation.

9.3

It is acknowledged and agreed by the Corporation that the Executive's ownership
of shares of a company which competes with the business of the Corporation shall
not violate this Article 9.0 unless (a) the Executive also participates in the
management of such company as an officer, director or consultant or (b) the
Executive owns a controlling interest in such company.

9.4

The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing territorial and time
limitations and restrictive covenants are reasonable and properly required for
the adequate protection of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and in
the event any such territorial or time limitation is found to be unreasonable by
a court of competent jurisdiction, the Executive agrees and submits to the
reduction of either said territorial or time limitation or both, to such an area
or period as the court may determine to be reasonable.

10.0

Rights to Discoveries.

10.1

Subject to Section 10.2 hereof, the Executive agrees that all ideas, inventions,
trademarks and other developments or improvements conceived, developed or
acquired by the Executive, whether or not during working hours, at the premises
of the Corporation or elsewhere, alone or with others, that are within the scope
of the Corporation's business operations or that relate to any work or projects
of the Corporation ("Inventions") shall be the sole and exclusive property of
the Corporation. The Executive agrees to disclose promptly and fully to the
Corporation all such Inventions, trademarks or other developments and, at the
request of the Corporation, the Executive shall submit to the Corporation a full
written report thereof regardless of whether the request for a written report is
made after the termination of this Agreement. The Executive agrees that during
the term of this Agreement and for 6 months thereafter, upon the request of the
Corporation and at its expense, he shall execute and deliver any and all
applications, assignments and other instruments which the Corporation shall deem
necessary or advisable to transfer to and vest in the Corporation the
Executive's entire right, title and interest in and to all such Inventions,
trademarks or other developments and to apply for and to obtain patents or
copyrights for any such patentable or copyrightable ideas, inventions,
trademarks and other developments.

10.2 The Corporation and the Executive agree that notwithstanding the provisions
of Section 10.1, the Executive shall have the rights under the Corporation's
Patent and Invention Policy, including but not limited to the rights to any
royalty payable thereunder, with respect to Inventions conceived, developed or
acquired prior to the date of this Agreement but not with respect to any
Inventions that were conceived, developed or acquired by the Executive both (a)
after the date of this Agreement and (b) while Executive was Chief Executive
Officer of the Company.

11.0

Insurance. The Executive agrees that the Corporation, in its sole discretion,
may apply for insurance coverage to be owned by it and for its benefit covering
the Executive in any amounts deemed advisable by the Corporation, and the
Executive waives any right, title or interest therein. The Executive agrees to
submit to all required examinations and to execute, assign and deliver all
applications and other documents necessary to effectuate such insurance
coverage.

The Executive shall have the right to purchase from the Corporation, within 30
days after termination of this Agreement, all such policies of insurance
covering him or her, at a price equal to the cash value of such policies, plus
the unearned portion of any premiums, on the date of such termination. For
purposes of this Article 11.0, "cash value" shall mean the net cash amount,
after adjustment for credits and debits, at which such policies could be
surrendered by the Corporation on the date of such termination. Upon receipt of
the purchase price, the Corporation shall deliver such policies to the Executive
and shall execute all necessary instruments of transfer. The Executive shall
have no further rights in any such policies not so purchased within such 30-day
period.

12.0

Notices. All notices and other communications given pursuant to this Agreement
shall be deemed to have been properly given or delivered if mailed, by certified
mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the appropriate party, at the address for
such party set forth at the beginning of this Agreement. Any party may from time
to time designate by written notice given pursuant to this Article 12.0 any
other address or party to which any such notice or communication or copies
thereof shall be sent.

13.0

Equitable Relief. The Executive acknowledges that the Corporation will suffer
damages incapable of ascertainment in the event that any of the provisions of
Article 8.0, 9.0 or 10.0 hereof are breached and that the Corporation will be
irreparably damaged in the event that the provisions of Articles 8.0, 9.0 and
10.0 are not enforced. Therefore, should any dispute arise with respect to the
breach or threatened breach of Articles 8.0, 9.0 or 10.0 of this Agreement, the
Executive agrees and consents, that in addition to any and all other remedies
available to the Corporation, an injunction or restraining order or other
equitable relief may be issued or ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction
restraining any breach or threatened breach of Articles 8.0, 9.0 or 10.0 of this
Agreement. The Executive agrees not to urge in any such action that an adequate
remedy exists at law. All expenses, including, without limitation, attorney's
fees and expenses incurred in connection with any legal proceeding arising as a
result of a breach or threatened breach of Articles 8.0, 9.0 or 10.0 of this
Agreement shall be borne by the losing party to the fullest extent permitted by
law and the losing party hereby agrees to indemnify and hold the other party
harmless from and against all such expenses.

14.0

Miscellaneous. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal domestic laws of
the State of New York without reference to conflict of laws principles. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the legal
representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto (provided,
however, that the Executive shall not have the right to assign this Agreement in
view of its personal nature). All headings and subheadings are for convenience
only and are not of substantive effect. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and writings (or any part
thereof) whether oral or written between the parties hereto relating to the
subject matter hereof. There are no oral agreements in connection with this
Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any provision of this Agreement may be
waived, modified or amended orally or by any course of conduct but only by an
agreement in writing duly executed by both of the parties hereto. If any
article, section, portion, subsection or subportion of this Agreement shall be
determined to be unenforceable or invalid, then such article, section, portion,
subsection or subportion shall be modified in the letter and spirit of this
Agreement to the extent permitted by applicable law so as to be rendered valid
and any such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement,
which shall be and remain binding and effective as against all parties hereto.

15.0

Arbitration. The Executive and the Corporation agree that, except as
contemplated by Article 13.0 for any action or proceeding to enforce Articles
8.0, 9.0 and 10.0 hereof, any dispute or controversy arising out of, relating
to, or in connection with this Agreement or the termination thereof, or the
interpretation, validity, construction, performance, breach, or termination
thereof, shall be settled by expedited, binding arbitration to be held in
Buffalo, New York in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of
Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association (the
"Rules"). The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute
or controversy. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and
binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the
arbitrator's decision in any court having jurisdiction.

The arbitrator(s) shall apply New York law to the merits of any dispute or
claim, without reference to rules of conflicts of law. The arbitration
proceedings shall be governed by federal arbitration law and by the Rules,
without reference to state arbitration law.

THE EXECUTIVE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THIS SECTION, WHICH DISCUSSES
ARBITRATION. EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THAT BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, EXECUTIVE IS
AGREEING TO SUBMIT ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH
THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE INTERPRETATION, VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE,
BREACH OF TERMINATION THEREOF, TO BINDING ARBITRATION, AND THAT THIS ARBITRATION
CLAUSE CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF EXECUTIVE'S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND RELATES TO
THE RESOLUTION OF ALL DISPUTES RELATING OT ALL ASPECTS OF THE EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE
RELATIONSHIP, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, STATUTORY DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF

, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first
above written.

  /s/ William H. Burns, Jr.  

William H. Burns, Jr. (Executive)

 

 

 

 

MINRAD INC.

 

  By /s/ Donald Farley    

Donald Farley, Director and

   

Chairman of Compensation Committee

Enclosure 1

William Burns Employment Agreement
Stock Option Incentives

 

Ratio

Capitalization

Max Option

        Total Value 2%

42,250,000

845,000

                  Milestone

Value

Amount of Shares Awarded

        Quarterly Revenue $ 5 Million

10%

84,500

  $10 Million

15%

126,750

  $15 Million

25%

211,250

  Total  

50%

422,500

        Projected Milestones               SabreSource 500 US Placements
Achieved 25%

211,250

Conscious Sedation NDA Application Accepted for Review by the US FDA 25%

211,250

     

422,500

  Maximum Total Award  

845,000

 

 

 

 

Note

- Failure of Company to achieve 42 million shares of equity by 12/31/04, shall
result in appropriate reduction of shares awarded for milestone options.