EXHIBIT 10.8

                                    SUBLEASE

This sublease (the "Sublease") is entered into as of this 1st day of August by
and between Ancile Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Ancile") and Mera Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. ("Mera").

WHEREAS, Ancile is a subtenant of certain office and laboratory space located at
9381 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA (the "Premises"), which is more completely
and specifically described in the sublease dated April 10, 2002 between Ancile
and Triad Therapeutics, Inc. ("Triad"), a copy of which is attached hereto as
APPENDIX A (together with the Operating Services Agreement between Ancile and
Triad dated April 10, 2002, the "Triad Sublease"); and

WHEREAS, Triad is the prime tenant of the Premises (plus additional space at the
same location) under a lease between Triad and University Center East, LLC (the
"Prime Lease"), a copy of which is attached hereto as APPENDIX B;

WHEREAS, Ancile wishes to sublet to Mera, and Mera wishes to sublet from Ancile,
a portion of the Premises, which is shown on the floor plan attached hereto as
APPENDIX C (the "Mera Premises") on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Sublease;

NOW, THEREFORE, Ancile and Mera agree as follows:

     1.   SUBLEASE. Ancile hereby sublets to Mera and Mera hereby sublets from
          Ancile the Mera Premises, consisting of approximately 3414 square
          feet, 1860 square feet of which is laboratory, 1045 square feet of
          which is the Initial Office Area and 509 square feet of which
          constitutes a pro rata portion of common areas and shared space. Mera
          may restrict access by Ancile to any portion of the Mera Premises that
          is not designated shared space on APPENDIX C (the "Mera Space") to
          Mera personnel only, and Ancile may restrict access to any portion of
          the Premises that is not the Mera Premises (the "Ancile Space") to
          Ancile personnel only, in each case the use of connecting corridors or
          passageways to move between the Mera Space and shared space on the one
          hand and the Ancile Space and shared space on the other is not to be
          restricted at any time. The use of the main ground floor conference
          room shall be on a reservation basis. Ancile and Mera shall cooperate
          to resolve any scheduling conflicts for the conference room.

     2.   MOVE TO THE LONG-TERM OFFICE SPACE. Mera may, upon not less than 30
          days prior notice, elect to move from the Initial Office Area into the
          Long-Term Office Area, or on such lesser notice, as Ancile may accept.
          Upon the move into the Long-Term Office Area, the total area of the
          Mera premises shall be increased to 4977 square feet, and the rent
          payable under paragraph 3, below, shall be adjusted accordingly. Each
          party shall bear its own expenses associated with Mera's move from the
          Initial Office Area into the Long-Term Office Area.

     3.   RENT. Subject to the adjustment provide for in paragraph 2, above,
          Mera shall pay to Ancile rent equal to $3.00 per square foot, or a
          monthly rent of $10,578, NNN. The rent shall increase by 3.5% (to
          $3.105 per square foot) on June 1, 2003, and by an additional 3.5%
          each year thereafter, for as long as Mera continues to occupy the Mera
          Premises. Rent shall be due and payable in advance on the first day of
          each month during the term of this Sublease.

     4.   OPERATING EXPENSES AND UTILITIES. In addition to the rent, Mera shall
          be responsible for the per square foot charges for operating expenses
          and utilities, as assessed against Ancile under the Triad sublease,
          pursuant to the Operating Services Agreement attached as part of
          APPENDIX A. Any separate additional charges incurred by either Ancile
          or Mera shall be the responsibility of that party alone.


<PAGE>


     5.   USE OF THE MERA PREMISES. Mera shall be entitled to use the Mera
          Premise for the purposes set forth in the Triad Sublease and for no
          other purpose.

     6.   TERM. The term of this Sublease shall commence on June 1, 2002 and
          continue for a period of not less than twelve (12) months thereafter.
          Mera shall have the right to continue occupying the Mera Premises
          month-to-month commencing June 1, 2003 provided Ancile continues to
          occupy the Premises under the Triad Sublease. After May 31, 2003, Mera
          shall have the right to give Ancile not less than 60 days notice of
          Mera's intention to terminate the Sublease and vacate the Mera
          Premises. Beginning March 31, 2004, Ancile shall have the right to
          terminate the Sublease with not less than 60 days notice to Mera.
          [Note: this provides Mera with 2 years total guaranteed occupancy, if
          so desired.]

     7.   NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO TERMINATE. In the event Ancile elects to
          terminate the Triad Sublease for any reason, Ancile will provide Mera
          with written notice of its intent to terminate no later than 60 days
          prior to termination of the Triad Sublease.

     8.   SECURITY DEPOSIT. Upon its occupancy of the Mera Premises, Mera will
          deliver to Ancile a refundable security deposit of $30,000, to be held
          in a trust account identifying Mera as the beneficiary. So much of the
          security deposit as is needed shall be credited toward the payment by
          Mera of the last month of rent due from it under this Sublease. The
          remainder shall be held as security for the repair of any damages
          caused by Mera to the Premises during its occupancy of the Mera
          Premises under this Sublease, and it shall be refunded to Mera on the
          same terms as Ancile is entitled to receive a refund of its security
          deposit under the Triad Sublease. In the event that the Triad Sublease
          terminates prior to May 31, 2003 for any reason, Ancile shall return
          the entire security deposit then remaining to Mera upon the effective
          date of termination, less any amount necessary to restore the Mera
          Premises to suitable condition.

     9.   SIGNAGE. Mera shall be entitled to affix a sign at the entrance to the
          Premises indicating its occupancy of the Mera Premises, subject to any
          consents required under the Triad Sublease. Such sign shall be of a
          size and in a style that complies with the requirements and
          limitations therefor applicable under the Triad Sublease.

     10.  SUBLETTING. Mera may not assign this Sublease or further sublet all or
          any part of the Mera Premises without the prior written consent of
          Ancile and, if required under the Triad Sublease, the prior written
          consent of Triad and Master Landlord (as defined in the Triad
          Sublease).

     11.  APPLICABILITY OF TRIAD SUBLEASE. All of the terms and provisions of
          the Triad Sublease are incorporated into and made a part of this
          Sublease, with Ancile substituted for Triad in the Triad Sublease, and
          Mera substituted for Ancile in the Triad Sublease. Notwithstanding the
          foregoing, in the event of any conflict between the terms of this
          Sublease and the terms of the Triad Sublease, then as between Ancile
          and Mera, the terms of this Sublease shall control.

     12.  AGENCY DISCLOSURE. Ancile and Mera each warrants that it has not dealt
          with any real estate broker or agent in connection with this Sublease
          and that none of them is obligated to pay any commission to any third
          party by virtue of this transaction.


<PAGE>


     13.  INDEMNIFICATION. Mera and Ancile each shall hold the other harmless
          from any loss, cost, damage, claim or liability resulting from their
          respective use of the Premises.

     14.  INSURANCE. Mera shall be responsible for compliance with the insurance
          provisions of the Triad Sublease. Mera shall name Ancile, Triad and
          Master Landlord (as such term is defined in the Triad Sublease) as
          additional insureds on such policy(ies).

     15.  NOTICES. All notices required or permitted to be given to any party
          under this Sublease shall be in writing, and shall be delivered either
          by hand delivery, facsimile, overnight delivery service or via First
          Class U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, to the addresses set forth below or
          to such other address as any party may, in writing, specify by notice
          to the other parties:

                     If to Ancile:
                     Ancile Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                     9381 Judicial Drive, Suite 160
                     San Diego, CA  92121
                     Attn:     Chief Executive Officer
                     Facsimile:858 677 2180

                     If to Mera:
                     777 South Highway 101, Suite 215
                     Solana Beach, CA  92075
                     Attn:     Richard D. Propper, MD
                     Facsimile:858 847 9090


ANCILE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.              MERA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By:                                      By:
      ------------------------------           ------------------------------

Name:                                    Name:
      ------------------------------           ------------------------------

Its:                                     Its:
      ------------------------------           ------------------------------




<PAGE>