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                                                             EXHIBIT 10(a)

                                   CREDIT AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is made by and between Alliance Pharmaceutical, Corp.
("Borrower") and Imperial Bank, a California banking corporation, ("Bank").

     In consideration of mutual covenants and conditions hereof, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

1.   REPRESENTATIONS OF BORROWER

          Borrower represents and warrants that:

1.01      EXISTENCE AND RIGHTS.  Borrower is a corporation duly organized and
existing and in good standing under the laws of New York, without limit as to
the duration of its existence and is authorized and in good standing to do
business in the State of California; Borrower has corporate powers and adequate
authority, rights and franchises to own its property and to carry on its
business as now conducted, and is duly qualified and in good standing in each
State in which the character of the properties owned by it therein or the
conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary; and Borrower has the
power and adequate authority to make and carry out this Agreement

1.02      AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement are duly authorized and do not require the consent or approval of any
governmental body or other regulatory authority; are not in contravention of or
in conflict with any law or regulation or any term or provision of Borrower's
articles of incorporation, by-laws, as the case may be, and this Agreement is
the valid, binding and legally enforceable obligation of Borrower in accordance
with its terms; subject only to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally.

1.03      NO CONFLICT.  The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement are not in contravention of or in conflict with any agreement,
indenture or undertaking to which Borrower is a party or by which it or any of
its property may be bound or affected, and do not cause any lien, charge or
other encumbrance to be created or imposed upon any such property by reason
thereof.

1.04      LITIGATION.  There is no litigation or other proceeding pending or
threatened against or affecting Borrower which if determined adversely to
Borrower or its interest would have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition of Borrower, and Borrower is not in default with respect to any order,
writ, injunction, decree or demand of any court or other governmental or
regulatory authority. 

1.05      FINANCIAL CONDITION.  The balance sheet of Borrower as of September
30, 1997, a copy of which has heretofore been delivered to Bank by Borrower, and
all other statements and data submitted in writing by Borrower to Bank in
connection with this request for credit are true and correct, and said balance
sheet truly presents the financial condition of Borrower as of the date thereof,
and has been

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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997


prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on a basis
consistently maintained.  Since such date, there have been no material adverse
changes in the financial condition or business of Borrower. Borrower has no
knowledge of any liabilities, contingent or otherwise, at such date not
reflected in said balance sheet, and Borrower has not entered into any special
commitments or substantial contracts which are not reflected in said balance
sheet, other than in the ordinary and normal course of its business, which may
have a materially adverse effect upon its financial condition, operations or
business as now conducted.

1.06      TITLE TO ASSETS.  Borrower has good title to its assets, and the same
are not subject to any liens or encumbrances other than those permitted by
Section 3.03 hereof.

1.07      TAX STATUS.  Borrower has no liability for any delinquent state, local
or federal taxes, and, if Borrower has contracted with any government agency,
Borrower has no liability for renegotiation of profits.

1.08      TRADEMARKS, PATENTS.  Borrower, as of the date hereof, possesses all
necessary trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, and
licenses to conduct its business as now operated, without any known conflict
with the valid trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents and license rights
of others.

1.09      REGULATION U.  None of the proceeds of any loan from the Bank to
Borrower shall be used to purchase or carry margin stock (as defined within
Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve system).

2.   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF BORROWER

          Borrower agrees that so long as it is indebted to Bank, under
borrowings, or other indebtedness, it will, unless Bank shall otherwise consent
in writing:

2.01      RIGHTS AND FACILITIES.  Maintain and preserve all rights, franchises
and other authority adequate for the conduct of its business; maintain its
properties, equipment and facilities in good order and repair; conduct its
business in an orderly manner without voluntary interruption and, if a
corporation or partnership, maintain and preserve its existence.

2.02      INSURANCE.  Maintain public liability, property damage and workers'
compensation insurance and insurance on all its insurable property against fire
and other hazards with responsible insurance carriers to the extent usually
maintained by similar businesses and/or in the exercise of good business
judgment.
 
2.03      TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES.  Pay and discharge, before the same
become delinquent and before penalties accrue thereon, all taxes, assessments
and governmental charges upon or against it or any of its properties, and all
its other liabilities at any time existing, except to the extent and so long as:


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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997


          a.   The same are being contested in good faith and by appropriate
          proceedings in such manner as not to cause any materially adverse
          effect upon its financial condition or the loss of any right of
          redemption from any sale thereunder; and

b.        It shall have set aside on its books reserves (segregated to the
          extent required by generally accepted accounting practice) deemed by
          it adequate with respect thereto.


          All financial information referenced herein shall be interpreted and
          prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals
          applied on a basis consistent with previous years.

2.04      RECORDS AND REPORTS.  Maintain a standard and modern system of
accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles on a
basis consistently maintained; permit Bank's representatives to have access to,
and to examine its properties, books and records at all reasonable times and
upon reasonable notice during normal business hours; and furnish Bank:

          a.   QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Within forty five (45) days after
          the close of each quarter of each fiscal year of Borrower, commencing
          with the quarter next ending, Borrower to submit 10-Q as of the close
          of such period and covering operations for the portion of Borrower's
          fiscal year ending on the last day of such period, all in reasonable
          detail, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
          principles on a basis consistently maintained by Borrower and
          certified by an appropriate officer of Borrower;

          b.   ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT. As soon as available, and in any
          event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of each
          fiscal year of Borrower, a report of Company as of the close of and
          for each fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared on a audited
          basis by an independent certified public accountant selected by
          Borrower and reasonably acceptable to Bank, in accordance with
          generally accepted accounting principles on a basis consistently
          maintained by Borrower and certified by an appropriate officer of
          Borrower;

          c.   OTHER INFORMATION.  Such other information relating to the
          affairs of Borrower as the Bank reasonably may request from time to
          time;

          d.   MANAGEMENT LETTER.  In connection with each fiscal year end
          financial statement furnished to Bank hereunder, any management letter
          of Borrower's independent certified public accountant.


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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997


2.05      NOTICE OF DEFAULT.  Promptly notify Bank in writing of the occurrence
of any Event of Default  hereunder  or any event which upon notice and lapse of
time would be an Event of  Default.

2.06      OPERATING ACCOUNTS.  Maintain most operating accounts with Bank during
the term of  any loans from Bank to Borrower.  Borrower shall maintain, or cause
to be maintained, on deposit with Imperial Bank, non-interest bearing demand
deposit balances sufficient to compensate Bank for all services provided by
Bank.  Balances shall be calculated after reduction for the reserve requirement
of the Federal Reserve Board and uncollected funds.  Any deficiencies shall be
charged directly to the Borrower on a monthly basis.













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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997


2.07      ATTORNEY'S FEES.  Pay promptly to Bank without demand after notice,
with interest thereon from the date of expenditure at the rate applicable to any
loans from Bank to Borrower, reasonable attorneys' fees and all costs and
expenses paid or incurred by Bank in collecting or compromising  any such loan
after the occurrence of an Event of Default, whether or not suit is filed.  If
suit is brought to enforce any provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party
shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs in
addition to any other remedy or recovery awarded by the court.

2.08      FEES.  A one time loan fee of $30,000 for the term loan facility shall
be due upon execution of this document.  

2.09      DOCUMENTATION FEE.  Pay to the Bank a $250.00 documentation fee per
facility at the time of execution of documents.

3.   NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF BORROWER

          Borrower agrees that so long as it is indebted to Bank, it will not,
without Bank's written consent:

3.01      TYPE OF BUSINESS.   Make any substantial change in the character of
its business.

3.02      OUTSIDE INDEBTEDNESS.  Other than in the ordinary course of business
and consistent with past practices,  create, incur, assume or permit to exist
any indebtedness for borrowed moneys, other than loans from the Bank, except
obligations now existing as shown in the financial statement dated September 30,
1997, excluding those obligations being refinanced by Bank.

3.03      LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES.  Other than in the ordinary course of business
which includes obtaining collaboration agreements with corporate partners, and
consistent with past practices, create, incur, or assume any mortgage, pledge,
encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind upon any asset now owned and given as
security in connection with this agreement, other than liens for taxes not
delinquent and liens in Bank's favor, except for those already existing as of
September 30, 1996.  

3.04      LOANS, INVESTMENTS, SECONDARY LIABILITIES.  Make any loans or advances
to any person or other entity other than in the ordinary and normal course of
its business and consistent with past practices or make any investment in the
securities of any person or other entity inconsistent with company investment
guidelines; or guarantee or otherwise become liable upon the obligation of any
person or other entity, except by endorsement of negotiable instruments for
deposit or collection in the ordinary and normal course of its business and
consistent with past practices.  The foregoing will not restrict the Borrower
from issuing guarantees or otherwise becoming obligated to its landlords for
security deposits.


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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997


3.05      ACQUISITION OR SALE OF BUSINESS; MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION.   Liquidate,
dissolve, merge or consolidate, or commence any proceedings therefor; or sell
any material assets except in the ordinary course of its business consistent
with past practices; or except in the ordinary course of business, sell, lease
assign or transfer any substantial part of its business or fixed assets, or any
property or other assets necessary for the continuance of its business as now
conducted, including without limitation the selling of any dividends, property
or other asset accompanied by the leasing back of the same.

3.06      COLLATERAL.  Allow the total cumulative principal amount outstanding
under that certain term loan evidenced by a promissory note dated December 5,
1997, in the principal amount of $15,181,000 executed by Borrower in favor of
Bank (the "Term Loan") to exceed 90% of the market value of Borrower's U.S.
Fixed Income Portfolio maintained in Montgomery Asset Management Account #
____________ and assigned to Bank as collateral in support of the Term Loan (the
"Collateral").  Whenever the principal balance outstanding under the Term Loan
exceeds 90% of the market value of the Collateral, Borrower shall reduce the
principal amount outstanding or deliver to Bank, not later than three business
days following such notice by Bank, sufficient additional collateral to bring
the market value of the Collateral within foregoing percentage.  If additional
Collateral is not received, Bank shall have the right, at its sole option, to
liquidate the Collateral, or any portion thereof, and reduce the Commitment and
any amount outstanding thereunder by the amount received from such liquidation. 
The Collateral shall be marked to market quarterly. Upon Borrower's request,
Bank will allow Borrower, at any time, to reduce the market value of the
Collateral to no less than the Required Margin.

4.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT

          The occurrence of any of the following events (each an "Event of
Default") shall, at Bank's option, terminate Bank's commitment to lend and make
all sums of principal and interest then remaining unpaid on all Borrower's
indebtedness to Bank immediately due and payable, all without demand,
presentment or notice, all of which are hereby expressly waived:

4.01      FAILURE TO PAY.  Failure to pay any installment of principal or
interest on any indebtedness of Borrower to Bank within 10 days of due date.

4.02      BREACH OF COVENANT.  Failure to perform any other term or condition of
this Agreement binding upon Borrower within 20 days of notice from Bank.

4.03      BREACH OF WARRANTY.  Any of Borrower's representations or warranties
made herein or any statement or certificate at any time given in writing
pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall be false or misleading in any
respect.

4.04      INSOLVENCY; RECEIVER OR TRUSTEE.  Borrower shall become insolvent; or
admit its inability to pay its debts as they mature; or make an assignment for
the


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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997

benefit of creditors; or apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver
or trustee for it or for a substantial part of its property or business.

4.05      JUDGMENTS, ATTACHMENTS.  Any money judgment greater than $100,000,
writ or warrant of attachment, or similar process shall be entered or filed
against Borrower or any of its assets and shall remain unvacated, unbonded or
unstayed for a period later than five days prior to the date of any proposed
sale thereunder.

4.06      BANKRUPTCY.  Bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or liquidation
proceedings or other proceedings for relief under any bankruptcy law or any law
for the relief of debtors, if not terminated within 60 days, shall be instituted
by or against Borrower and, if instituted against it, shall be consented to.

5.   MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

5.01      FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER.  No failure or delay on the part of
Bank or any holder of any note issued by Borrower to Bank, in the exercise of
any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege
preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or
privilege.  All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement or any note
issued in connection with a loan that Bank may make hereunder, are cumulative
to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

5.02      ADDITIONAL REMEDIES.  The rights, powers and remedies given to Bank
hereunder shall be cumulative and not alternative and shall be in addition to
all rights, powers and remedies given to Bank by law against Borrower or any
other person, including but not limited to Bank's rights of setoff or banker's
lien.

5.03      INUREMENT.  The benefits of this Agreement shall inure to the
successors and assigns of Bank and the permitted successors and assigns of
Borrower.

5.04      APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement and all other agreements and
instruments required by Bank in connection therewith shall be governed by and
construed according to the laws of the State of California, to the jurisdiction
of whose courts the parties hereby agree to submit.

5.05      OFFSET.  In addition to and not in limitation of all rights of offset
that Bank or other holder of  any note issued by Borrower in favor of Bank may
have under applicable law, Bank or other holder of  such notes shall, upon the
occurrence of any Event of Default or any event which with the passage of time
or notice would constitute such an Event of Default, have the right to
appropriate and apply to the payment of the outstanding under any such note any
and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts or monies of Borrower then or
thereafter with Bank or other holder, within ten (10) days after the Event of
Default, and notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default by Bank to
Borrower.


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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997

5.06      SEVERABILITY.  Should any one or more provisions of the Agreement be
determined to be illegal or unenforceable, all other provisions nevertheless
shall be effective.

5.07      TIME OF THE ESSENCE. Time is hereby declared to be of the essence of
this Agreement and of every part hereof.


5.08      ACCOUNTING.  All accounting terms shall have the meanings applied
under generally accepted accounting principles unless otherwise specified.

5.10      MODIFICATION.  This Agreement may be modified only by a writing signed
by both parties hereto. 

5.11      JUDICIAL REFERENCE.

     (a)  Other than (i) nonjudicial foreclosure and all matters in connection
therewith regarding security interests in real or personal property; or (ii) the
appointment of a receiver, or the exercise of other provisional remedies (any
and all of which may be initiated pursuant to applicable law), each controversy,
dispute or claim between the parties arising out of or relating to this Credit
Agreement, any General Security Agreement executed by Borrower in favor of Bank
or any Note executed by Borrower in favor of Bank (collectively, in this Section
5.11, the "Agreement") which controversy, dispute or claim is not settled in
writing within thirty (30) days after the "CLAIM DATE" (defined as the date on
which a party subject to this Agreement gives written notice to all other
parties that a controversy, dispute or claim exists), will be settled by a
reference proceeding in California in accordance with the provisions of Section
638 ET SEQ. of the California Code of Civil Procedure, or their successor
section ("CCP"), which shall constitute the exclusive remedy for the settlement
of any controversy, dispute or claim concerning this Agreement, including
whether such controversy, dispute or claim is subject to the reference
proceeding and except as set forth above, the parties waive their rights to
initiate any legal proceedings against each other in any court or jurisdiction
other than the Superior Court in the County where the Real Property, if any, is
located or San Diego County if none (the "COURT").  The referee shall be a
retired Judge of the Court selected by mutual agreement of the parties, and if
they cannot so agree within forty-five (45) days after the Claim Date, the
referee shall be promptly selected by the Presiding Judge of the Court (or his
representative).  The referee shall be appointed to sit as a temporary judge,
with all of the powers for a temporary judge, as authorized by law, and upon
selection should take and subscribe to the oath of office as provided for in
Rule 244 of the California Rules of Court (or any subsequently enacted Rule). 
Each party shall have one peremptory challenge pursuant to CCP Section 170.6. 
The referee shall (a) be requested to set the matter for hearing within sixty
(60) days after the date of selection of the referee and (b) try any and all
issues of law or fact and report a statement of decision upon them, if possible,
within ninety (90) days of the Claim Date.  Any decision rendered by the referee
will be final, binding and conclusive and judgment shall be entered


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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997


pursuant to CCP Section 644 in any court in the State of California having
jurisdiction.  Any party may apply for a reference proceeding at any time after
thirty (30) days following notice to any other party of the nature of the
controversy, dispute or claim, by filing a petition for a hearing and/or trial. 
All discovery permitted by this Section 5.11 shall be completed no later than
fifteen (15) days before the first hearing date established by the referee.  The
referee may extend such period in the event of a party's refusal to provide
requested discovery for any reason whatsoever, including, without limitation,
legal objections raised to such discovery or unavailability of a witness due to
absence or illness.  No party shall be entitled to "priority" in conducting
discovery.  Depositions may be taken by either party upon seven (7) days written
notice, and request for production or inspection of documents shall be responded
to within ten (10) days after service.  All disputes relating to discovery which
cannot be resolved by the parties shall be submitted to the referee whose
decision shall be final and binding upon the parties.  Pending appointment of
the referee as provided herein, the Superior Court is empowered to issue
temporary and/or provisional remedies, as appropriate.








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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997


     (b)  Except as expressly set forth in this Section 5.11, the referee shall
determine the manner in which the reference proceeding is conducted including
the time and place of all hearings, the order of presentation of evidence, and
all other questions that arise with respect to the course of the reference
proceeding.  All proceedings and hearings conducted before the referee, except
for trial, shall be conducted without a court reporter except that when any
party so requests, a court reporter will be used at any hearing conducted before
the referee.  The party making such a request shall have the obligation to
arrange for and pay for the court reporter.  The costs of the court reporter at
the trial shall be borne equally by the parties.

     (c)  The referee shall be required to determine all issues in accordance
with existing case law and the statutory laws of the State of California.  The
rules of evidence applicable to proceedings at law in the State of California
will be applicable to the reference proceeding.  The referee shall be empowered
to enter equitable as well as legal relief, to provide all temporary and/or
provisional remedies and to enter equitable orders that will be binding upon the
parties.  The referee shall issue a single judgment at the close of the
reference proceeding which shall dispose of all of the claims of the parties
that are the subject of the reference.  The parties hereto expressly reserve the
right to contest or appeal from the final judgment or any appealable order or
appealable judgment entered by the referee.  The parties hereto expressly
reserve the right to findings of fact, conclusions of laws, a written statement
of decision, and the right to move for a new trial or a different judgment,
which new trial, if granted, is also to be a reference proceeding under this
provision.

     (d)  In the event that the enabling legislation which provides for
appointment of a referee is repealed (and no successor statute is enacted), any
dispute between the parties that would otherwise be determined by the reference
procedure herein described will be resolved and determined by arbitration.  The
arbitration will be conducted by a retired judge of the Court, in accordance
with the California Arbitration Act, Section 1280 through Section 1294.2 of the
CCP as amended from time to time.  The limitations with respect to discovery as
set forth hereinabove shall apply to any such arbitration proceeding.

     This Agreement is executed on behalf of the parties by duly authorized
representatives as of December 5, 1997.

                         IMPERIAL BANK ("BANK")

                         By:
                              -----------------------
                              Tim Bubnack, Vice President

                         Date:
                              -----------------------

                         ALLIANCE PHARMACEUTICAL, CORP. ("BORROWER")

                         By:
                              -----------------------
                              Theodore D.  Roth, CFO


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CREDIT AGREEMENT
DECEMBER 5, 1997


                         By:
                              -----------------------
                              Tim T. Hart, Treasurer

                         Date:
                              -----------------------




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