Exhibit 10.16

                          OFFSHORE CURRENCY PROMISSORY NOTE
                          ---------------------------------



          U.S. $8,000,000                                 November 12, 1996


                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, IMTC HOLDINGS (UK)
          LIMITED, a corporation organized under the laws of England, and
          MUREX BIOTECH LIMITED, a corporation organized under the laws of
          England (collectively, the "Borrowers" and each, a "Borrower"),
          hereby each jointly and severally promise to pay to the order of
          BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, LONDON
          BRANCH (hereinafter, together with its successors and assigns
          called the "Lender"), at such place as the Lender may designate
          in writing to the Borrower Representative, the Equivalent Amount
          of the principal sum of EIGHT MILLION AND 00/100 U.S. DOLLARS
          (U.S. $8,000,000) in Offshore Currency and in immediately
          available funds, or, if less, so much thereof as may from time to
          time be advanced as Offshore Currency Loans by the Lender to the
          Borrowers hereunder, plus interest as hereinafter provided.  Such
          advances shall be endorsed from time to time on the grid attached
          hereto, but the failure to make such notations shall not affect
          the validity of any Borrower's obligation to repay unpaid
          principal and interest hereunder.

                  This Note is one of the Notes referred to in that certain
          Credit Agreement of even date herewith by and among International
          Murex Technologies Corporation, Murex Diagnostics International,
          Inc., IMTC Holdings, Inc., Murex Diagnostics Corporation, IMTC
          Holdings (UK) Limited, Murex Diagnostics, Inc. and Murex Biotech
          Limited, as Borrowers, Bank of America Illinois and Bank of
          America National Trust and Savings Association, acting through
          its London Branch, as Issuing Banks, Bank of America, F.S.B., as
          Agent and a Lender, and the other financial institutions party
          thereto from time to time as Lenders (as amended, supplemented or
          otherwise modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"). 
          All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings
          ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement, except to the
          extent such capitalized terms are otherwise defined or limited
          herein.

                  All principal amounts and other Obligations then
          outstanding hereunder shall be due and payable on the Maturity
          Date.  In addition, the Borrowers shall repay principal
          outstanding hereunder from time to time as set forth in the
          Credit Agreement.

                  Prior to the Maturity Date, each Borrower shall be
          entitled to borrow, re-pay and re-borrow funds hereunder pursuant
          to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.  Prepayment
          of the principal amount of any Offshore Currency Loan may be made
          only as provided in the Credit Agreement.

                  Each Borrower hereby promises to pay interest on the
          unpaid principal amount hereof as provided in the Credit
          Agreement.  Interest under this Note shall also be due and
          payable when this Note shall become due (whether at maturity, by
          reason of acceleration or otherwise).  Overdue principal and, to
          the extent permitted by law, overdue interest, shall bear
          interest at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate and shall
          be payable in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

                  In no event shall the amount of interest due or payable
          hereunder exceed the maximum rate of interest allowed by
          applicable law, and in the event any such payment is
          inadvertently made by the Borrowers or inadvertently received by
          the Lender, then such excess sum shall be credited as a payment
          of principal, unless the Borrower Representative shall notify the
          Lender in writing that it elects to have such excess sum returned
          forthwith.  It is the express intent hereof that the Borrowers
          not pay and the Lender not receive, directly or indirectly in any
          manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may legally
          be paid by the Borrowers under applicable law.

                  Except as otherwise expressly provided in any of the Loan
          Documents, all parties now or hereafter liable with respect to
          this Note, whether any Borrower, any guarantor, endorser, or any
          other Person hereby waive presentment for payment, demand, notice
          of non-payment or dishonor, protest, notice of protest and notice
          of any other kind whatsoever.

                  No delay or omission on the part of the Lender or any
          holder hereof in exercising its rights under this Note, or delay
          or omission on the part of the Lender, the Agent, the Issuing
          Banks, the Majority Lenders or the Lenders collectively, or any
          of them, in exercising its or their rights under the Credit
          Agreement or under any other Loan Document, or course of conduct
          relating thereto, shall operate as a waiver of such rights or any
          other right of the Lender or any holder hereof, nor shall any
          waiver by the Lender or any holder hereof, the Agent, the Issuing
          Banks, the Majority Lenders or the Lenders collectively, or any
          of them, of any such right or rights on any one occasion be
          deemed a bar to, or waiver of, the same right or rights on any
          future occasion.

                  Each Borrower promises to pay all reasonable costs of
          collection, including Attorneys' Costs, should this Note be
          collected by or through an attorney-at-law or under advice
          therefrom.

                  Time is of the essence in this Note.

                  This Note evidences the Lender's portion of the Offshore
          Currency Loans under, and is entitled to the benefits and subject
          to the terms of, the Credit Agreement, which contains provisions
          with respect to the acceleration of the maturity of this Note
          upon the happening of certain stated events, and provisions for
          prepayment.  This Note is secured by and is also entitled to the
          benefits of the Loan Documents and any other agreement or
          instrument providing collateral for the Offshore Currency Loans,
          whether now or hereafter in existence.

                  This Note shall be construed in accordance with and
          governed by the laws of the State of Georgia without reference to
          the conflicts or choice of law principles thereof.



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          <PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the duly authorized officers of each
          Borrower, have executed this Note, as of the day and year first
          above written.


                                           IMTC HOLDINGS (UK) LIMITED

                                           By: /s/ Steven C. Ramsey
                                              ----------------------------
                                              Its: Director 
                                                  ------------------------

                                           Attest:
                                                  ------------------------
                                              Its:
                                                  ------------------------
                                                                     (SEAL)


                                           MUREX BIOTECH LIMITED

                                           By: /s/ Steven C. Ramsey
                                              ----------------------------
                                              Its: Director
                                                  ------------------------

                                           Attest:
                                                  ------------------------
                                              Its:
                                                  ------------------------
                                                                     (SEAL)


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                               OFFSHORE CURRENCY LOANS

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                                             Amount of
                                             Principal
                    Amount of Offshore       Paid or        Notation
          Date        Currency Loan          Prepaid        Made By

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