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Exhibit 10.20    
    


COMMERCIAL GUARANTY  



	Principal
 
	 	Loan Date
	 	Maturity
	 	Loan No
	 	Call/Coll
	 	Account
	 	Officer
	 	Initials

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	***	 	 




References
in the shaded area are for Lender's use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan or item. Any item above containing "***" has been omitted due to text
length limitations. 



	Borrower:	INTERNATIONAL MEDICATION SYSTEMS, LIMITED

1886 Santa Anita Avenue

South El Monte, CA 91733	 	Lender:	BANK OF THE WEST

Ninth & Valley #717

855 W. Valley Blvd.

Alhambra, CA 91803

(888) 457-2692
	

Guarantor:	

AMPHASTAR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

11570 Sixth Street

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730	
 	

 	

 





AMOUNT OF GUARANTY.    The amount of this Guaranty Is Unlimited.  


CONTINUING UNLIMITED GUARANTY.    For good and valuable consideration, AMPHASTAR PHARMACEUTICALS INC. ("Guarantor") absolutely and
unconditionally guarantees and promises to pay to BANK OF THE WEST ("Lender") or its order, in legal tender of the United States of America, the Indebtedness (as that term is defined below) of
INTERNATIONAL MEDICATION SYSTEMS, LIMITED ("Borrower") to Lender on the terms and conditions set forth in this Guaranty. Under this Guaranty, the liability of Guarantor is unlimited and the
obligations of Guarantor are continuing.


INDEBTEDNESS GUARANTEED.    The Indebtedness guaranteed by this Guaranty includes any and all of Borrower's indebtedness to Lender and is used
in the most comprehensive sense and means and includes any and all of Borrower's liabilities, obligations and debts to Lender, now existing or hereinafter incurred or created, including, without
limitation, all loans, advances, interest, costs, debts, overdraft indebtedness, credit card indebtedness, lease obligations, other obligations, and liabilities of Borrower, or any of them, and any
present or future judgments against Borrower, or any of them; and whether any such Indebtedness is voluntarily or involuntarily incurred, due or not due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, determined or undetermined; whether Borrower may be liable individually or jointly with others, or primarily or secondarily, or as guarantor or surety; whether recovery on the
Indebtedness may be or may become barred or unenforceable against Borrower for any reason whatsoever; and whether the Indebtedness arises from transactions which may be voidable on account of infancy,
insanity, ultra vires, or otherwise. 


DURATION OF GUARANTY.    This Guaranty will take effect when received by Lender without the necessity of any acceptance by Lender, or any
notice to Guarantor or to Borrower, and will continue in full force until all Indebtedness Incurred or contracted before receipt by Lender of any notice of revocation shall have been fully and finally
paid and satisfied and all of Guarantor's other obligations under this Guaranty shall have been performed in full. If Guarantor elects to revoke this Guaranty, Guarantor may only do so in writing.
Guarantor's written notice of revocation must be mailed to Lender, by certified mail, at Lender's address listed above or such other place as Lender may designate in writing. Written revocation of
this Guaranty will apply only to advances or new Indebtedness created after actual receipt by Lender of Guarantor's written revocation. For this purpose and without limitation, the term "new
Indebtedness" does not include Indebtedness which at the time of notice of revocation is contingent, unliquidated, undetermined or not due and which later becomes absolute, 







 



liquidated,
determined or due. This Guaranty will continue to bind Guarantor for all Indebtedness incurred by Borrower or committed by Lender prior to receipt of Guarantor's written notice of
revocation, including any extensions, renewals, substitutions or modifications of the Indebtedness. All renewals, extensions, substitutions, and modifications of the Indebtedness granted after
Guarantor's revocation, are contemplated under this Guaranty and, specifically will not be considered to be new Indebtedness. This Guaranty shall bind Guarantor's estate as to Indebtedness created
both before and after Guarantor's death or incapacity, regardless of Lender's actual notice of Guarantor's death. Subject to the foregoing, Guarantor's executor or administrator or other legal
representative may terminate this Guaranty in the same manner in which Guarantor might have terminated it and with the same effect. Release of any other guarantor or termination of any other guaranty
of the Indebtedness shall not affect the liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty. A revocation Lender receives from any one or more Guarantors shall not affect the liability of any remaining
Guarantors under this Guaranty. Guarantor's obligations under this Guaranty shall be in addition to any of Guarantor's obligations, or any of them, under any other guaranties of Borrower's
Indebtedness or any other person heretofore or hereafter given to Lender unless such other guaranties are modified or revoked in writing; and this Guarantor shall not, unless provided in this
Guaranty, affect, invalidate, or supersede any such other guaranty. It is anticipated that fluctuations may occur in the aggregate amount of Indebtedness covered by this
Guaranty, and Guarantor specifically acknowledges and agrees that reductions In the amount of Indebtedness, even to zero dollars ($0.00), prior to Guarantor's written revocation of this Guaranty shall
not constitute a termination of this Guaranty. This Guaranty is binding upon Guarantor and Guarantor's heirs, successors and assigns so long as any of the guaranteed Indebtedness remains unpaid and
even though the Indebtedness guaranteed may from time to time be zero dollars ($0.00).


GUARANTOR'S AUTHORIZATION TO LENDER.    Guarantor authorizes Lender, either before or after any revocation hereof,  without notice or demand and without lessening
Guarantor's liability under this Guaranty, from time to time: (A) prior to revocation as set forth
above, to make one or more additional secured or unsecured loans to Borrower, to lease equipment or other goods to Borrower, or otherwise to extend additional credit to Borrower; (B) to alter,
compromise, renew, extend, accelerate, or otherwise change one or more times the time for payment or other terms of the Indebtedness or any part of the Indebtedness, including increases and decreases
of the rate of interest on the Indebtedness;
extensions may be repeated and may be for longer than the original loan term; (C) to take and hold security for the payment of this Guaranty or the Indebtedness, and exchange enforce, waive,
subordinate, fail or decide not to perfect, and release any such security, with or without the substitution of new collateral; (D) to release, substitute, agree not to sue, or deal with any one
or more of Borrower's sureties, endorsers, or other guarantors on any terms or in any manner Lender may choose; (E) to determine how, when and what application of payments and credits shall be
made on the Indebtedness (F) to apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof, including without limitation, any non-judicial sale permitted by the terms of the
controlling security agreement or deed of trust, as Lender in its discretion may determine; (G) to sell, transfer, assign or grant participations in all or any part of the Indebtedness; and
(H) to assign or transfer this Guaranty in whole or in part. 


GUARANTOR'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.    Guarantor represents and warrants to Lender that (A) no representations or agreements of
any kind have been made to Guarantor which would limit or qualify in any way the terms of this Guaranty; (B) this Guaranty is executed at Borrower's request and not at the request of Lender;
(C) Guarantor has full power, right and authority to enter into this Guaranty; (D) the provisions of this Guaranty do not conflict with or result in a default under any agreement or
other instrument binding upon Guarantor and do not result in a violation of any law, regulation, court decree or order applicable to Guarantor; (E) Guarantor has not and will not, without the
prior written consent of Lender, sell, lease, assign, encumber, hypothecate, transfer, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of Guarantor's assets, or any Interest therein; 


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(F) upon
Lender's request, Guarantor will provide to Lender financial and credit information in form acceptable to Lender, and all such financial information which currently has been, and all
future financial information which will be provided to Lender is and will be true and correct in all material respects and fairly present Guarantor's financial condition as of the dates the financial
information is provided; (G) no material adverse change has occurred in Guarantor's financial condition since the date of the most recent financial statements provided to Lender and no event
has occurred which may materially adversely affect Guarantor's financial condition; (H) no litigation, claim, investigation, administrative proceeding or similar action (including those for
unpaid taxes) against Guarantor is pending or threatened; (I) Lender has made no representation to Guarantor as to the creditworthiness of Borrower; and (J) Guarantor has established
adequate means of obtaining from Borrower on a continuing basis information regarding Borrower's financial condition. Guarantor agrees to keep adequately informed from such means of any facts, events,
or circumstances that might in any way affect Guarantor's risks under this Guaranty, and Guarantor further agrees that, absent a request for information, Lender shall have no obligation to disclose to
Guarantor any information or documents acquired by Lender in the course of its relationship with Borrower. 


GUARANTOR'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.    Guarantor agrees to furnish Lender with the following: 



Tax Returns.    As soon as available, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the applicable filing date for the tax
reporting period ended, Federal and other governmental tax returns, prepared by a certified public accountant satisfactory to Lender. 


Additional Requirements. 


Annual Statements.    As soon as available, but in no event later than one-hundred-twenty (120) days after the end of each
fiscal year, Guarantor's consolidated balance sheet and income statement for the year ended, audited by a certified public accountant satisfactory to Lender. 




All
financial reports required to be provided under this Guaranty shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis, and certified by Guarantor as being true and correct. 


GUARANTOR'S WAIVERS.    Except as prohibited by applicable law, Guarantor waives any right to require Lender to (A) make any
presentment, protest, demand, or notice of any kind, including notice of change of any terms of repayment of the Indebtedness, default by Borrower or any other guarantor or surety, any action or
nonaction taken by Borrower, Lender, or any other guarantor or surety of Borrower, or the creation of new or additional Indebtedness; (B) proceed against any person, including Borrower, before
proceeding against Guarantor; (C) proceed against any collateral for the Indebtedness, including Borrower's collateral, before proceeding against Guarantor; (D) apply any payments or
proceeds received against the Indebtedness in any order; (E) give notice of the terms, time, and place of any sale of the collateral pursuant to the Uniform Commercial Code or any other law
governing such sale; (F) disclose any information about the Indebtedness, the Borrower, the collateral, or any other guarantor or surety, or about any action or nonaction of Lender; or
(G) pursue any remedy or course of action in Lender's power whatsoever. 


Guarantor
also waives any and all rights or defenses arising by reason of (H) any disability or other defense of Borrower, any other guarantor or surety or any other person; (I) the
cessation from any cause whatsoever, other than payment in full, of the Indebtedness; (J) the application of proceeds of the Indebtedness by Borrower for purposes other than the purposes
understood and intended by Guarantor and Lender; (K) any act of omission or commission by Lender which directly or indirectly results in or contributes to the discharge of Borrower or any other
guarantor or surety, or the Indebtedness, or the loss or release of any collateral by operation of law or otherwise; (L) any statute of limitations in any action under this Guaranty or on the
Indebtedness; or (M) any modification or change in terms of the Indebtedness, whatsoever, including without limitation, the renewal, extension, acceleration, or other change in the time payment
of the Indebtedness is due and any change in the 


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interest
rate, and including any such modification or change in terms after revocation of this Guaranty on Indebtedness incurred prior to such revocation. 


Guarantor
waives all rights and any defenses arising out of an election of remedies by Lender even though that the election of remedies, such as a non-judicial foreclosure with respect to
security for a guaranteed obligation, has destroyed Guarantor's rights of subrogation and
reimbursement against Borrower by operation of Section 580d of the California Code of Civil Procedure or otherwise. 



Guarantor
waives all rights and defenses that Guarantor may have because Borrower's obligation is secured by real property. This means among other things: (1) Lender may collect from Guarantor
without first foreclosing on any real or personal property collateral pledged by Borrower. (2) If Lender forecloses on any real property collateral pledged by Borrower: (a) the amount of
Borrower's obligation may be reduced only by the price for which the collateral is sold at the foreclosure sale, even if the collateral is worth more than the sale price, (b) Lender may collect
from Guarantor even if Lender, by foreclosing on the real property collateral, has destroyed any right Guarantor may have to collect from Borrower. This is an unconditional and irrevocable waiver of
any rights and defenses Guarantor may have because Borrower's obligation is secured by real property. These rights and defenses include, but are not limited to, any rights and defenses based upon
Section 580a, 580b, 580d, or 726 of the Code of Civil Procedure. 


Guarantor
understands and agrees that the foregoing waivers are unconditional and irrevocable waivers of substantive rights and defenses to which Guarantor might otherwise be entitled under state and
federal law. Guarantor acknowledges that Guarantor has provided these waivers of rights and defenses with the intention that they are fully relied upon by Lender. Guarantor further understands and
agrees that this Guaranty is a separate and independent contract between Guarantor and Lender, given for full and ample consideration, and is enforceable on its own terms. Until all Indebtedness is
paid in full, Guarantor waives any right to enforce any remedy Guarantor may have against the Borrower or any other guarantor, surety, or other person, and further, Guarantor waives any right to
participate in any collateral for the Indebtedness now or hereafter held by Lender. 


In
addition to the waivers set forth herein, if now or hereafter Borrower is or shall become insolvent and the Indebtedness shall not at all times until paid be fully secured by collateral pledged by
Borrower, Guarantor hereby forever waives and gives up in favor of Lender and Borrower, and Lender's and Borrower's respective successors, any claim or right to payment Guarantor may now have or
hereafter have or acquire against Borrower, by subrogation or otherwise, so that at no time shall Guarantor be or become a "creditor" of Borrower within the meaning of 11 U.S.C. section 547(b),
or any successor provision of the Federal bankruptcy laws. 


GUARANTOR'S UNDERSTANDING WITH RESPECT TO WAIVERS.    Guarantor warrants and agrees that each of the waivers set forth above is made with
Guarantor's full knowledge of its significance and consequences and that, under the circumstances, the waivers are reasonable and not contrary to public policy or law. If any such waiver is determined
to be contrary to any applicable law or public policy, such waiver shall be effective only to the extent permitted by law or public policy. 


SUBORDINATION OF BORROWER'S DEBTS TO GUARANTOR.    Guarantor agrees that Indebtedness of Borrower to Lender, whether now existing or hereafter
created, shall be superior to any claim that Guarantor may now have or hereafter acquire against Borrower, whether or not Borrower becomes insolvent. Guarantor hereby expressly subordinates any claim
Guarantor may have against Borrower, upon any account whatsoever, to any claim that Lender may now or hereafter have against Borrower. In the event of insolvency and consequent liquidation of the
assets of Borrower, through bankruptcy, by an assignment for the benefit of creditors, by voluntary liquidation, or otherwise, the assets of Borrower applicable to the payment of the claims of both
Lender and Guarantor shall be paid to Lender and shall be first applied by Lender to the Indebtedness of Borrower to Lender. Guarantor does hereby assign to Lender all claims which it may have or
acquire 


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against
Borrower or against any assignee or trustee in bankruptcy of Borrower; provided however, that such assignment shall be effective only for the purpose of assuring to Lender full payment in
legal tender of the Indebtedness. If Lender so requests, any notes or credit agreements now or hereafter evidencing any debts or obligations of Borrower to Guarantor shall be marked with a legend that
the same are subject to this Guaranty and shall be delivered to Lender. Guarantor agrees, and Lender is hereby authorized, in the name of Guarantor, from time to time to execute and file financing
statements and continuation statements and to execute such other documents and to take such other actions as Lender deems necessary or appropriate to perfect, preserve and enforce its rights under
this Guaranty. 


MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.    The following miscellaneous provisions are a part of this Guaranty: 



Amendments.    This Guaranty, together with any Related Documents, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties as to the
matters set forth in this Guaranty. No alteration of or amendment to this Guaranty shall be effective unless given in writing and signed by the party or parties sought to be charged or bound by the
alteration or amendment. 


Attorneys' Fees; Expenses.    Guarantor agrees to pay upon demand all of Lender's costs and expenses, including Lender's attorneys' fees and
Lender's legal expenses, incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Guaranty. Lender may hire or pay someone else to help enforce this Guaranty, and Guarantor shall pay the costs and expenses
of such enforcement. Costs and expenses include Lender's attorneys' fees and legal expenses whether or not there is a lawsuit, including attorneys' fees and legal expenses for bankruptcy proceedings
(including efforts to modify or vacate any automatic stay or injunction), appeals, and any anticipated post-judgment collection services. Guarantor also shall pay all court costs and such
additional fees as may be directed by the court. 


Caption Headings.    Caption headings in this Guaranty are for convenience purposes only and are not to be used to interpret or define the
provisions of this Guaranty. 


Governing Law.    This Guaranty will be governed by, construed and enforced In accordance with federal law and the laws of the State of California. This Guaranty has
been accepted by Lender in the State of California.


Choice of Venue.    If there is a lawsuit, Guarantor agrees upon Lender's request to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of
California, in the county in which Borrower's following address is located: 1886 Santa Anita Avenue, South El Monte, CA 91733. 


Integration.    Guarantor further agrees that Guarantor has read and fully understands the terms of this Guaranty; Guarantor has had the
opportunity to be advised by Guarantor's attorney with respect to this Guaranty; the Guaranty fully reflects Guarantor's intentions and parol evidence is not required to interpret the terms of this
Guaranty. Guarantor hereby indemnifies and holds Lender harmless from all losses, claims, damages, and costs (including Lender's attorneys' fees) suffered or incurred by Lender as a result of any
breach by Guarantor of the warranties, representations and agreements of this paragraph. 


Interpretation.    In all cases where there is more than one Borrower or Guarantor, then all words used in this Guaranty in the singular shall
be deemed to have been used in the plural where the context and construction so require; and where there is more than one Borrower named in this Guaranty or when this Guaranty is executed by more than
one Guarantor, the words "Borrower" and "Guarantor" respectively shall mean all and any one or more of them. The words "Guarantor," "Borrower," and "Lender" include the heirs, successors, assigns, and
transferees of each of them. If a court finds that any provision of this Guaranty is not valid or should not be enforced, that fact by itself will not mean that the rest of this Guaranty will not be
valid or 



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enforced.
Therefore, a court will enforce the rest of the provisions of this Guaranty even if a provision of this Guaranty may be found to be invalid or unenforceable. If any one or more of Borrower
or Guarantor are corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, or similar entities, it is not necessary for Lender to inquire into the powers of Borrower or Guarantor or of the officers,
directors, partners, managers, or other agents acting or purporting to act on their behalf, and any Loan indebtedness made or created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be
guaranteed under this Guaranty. 


Notices.    Any notice required to be given under this Guaranty shall be given in writing, and, except for revocation notices by Guarantor,
shall be effective when actually delivered, when actually received by telefacsimile (unless otherwise required by law), when deposited with a nationally recognized overnight courier, or, if mailed,
when deposited in the United States mail, as first class, certified or registered mail postage prepaid, directed to the addresses shown near the beginning of this Guaranty. All revocation notices by
Guarantor shall be in writing and shall be effective upon delivery to Lender as provided in the section of this Guaranty entitled "DURATION OF GUARANTY." Any party may change its address for notices
under this Guaranty by giving formal written notice to the other parties, specifying that the purpose of the notice is to change the party's address. For notice purposes,
Guarantor agrees to keep Lender informed at all times of Guarantor's current address. Unless otherwise provided or required by law, if there is more than one Guarantor, any notice given by Lender to
any Guarantor is deemed to be notice given to all Guarantors. 


No Waiver by Lender.    Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any rights under this Guaranty unless such waiver is given in writing and
signed by Lender. No delay or omission on the part of Lender in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by Lender of a provision of this Guaranty
shall not prejudice or constitute a waiver of Lender's right otherwise to demand strict compliance with that provision or any other provision of this Guaranty. No prior waiver by Lender, nor any
course of dealing between Lender and Guarantor, shall constitute a waiver of any of Lender's rights or of any of Guarantor's obligations as to any future transactions. Whenever the consent of Lender
is required under this Guaranty, the granting of such consent by Lender in any instance shall not constitute continuing consent to subsequent instances where such consent is required and in all cases
such consent may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of Lender. 


Successors and Assigns.    Subject to any limitations stated in this Guaranty on transfer of Guarantor's interest, this Guaranty shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties, their successors and assigns. 


Waive Jury.    Lender and Guarantor hereby waive the right to any jury trial in any action, proceeding, or counterclaim brought by either Lender or Borrower against
the other.




DEFINITIONS.    The following capitalized words and terms shall have the following meanings when used in this Guaranty. Unless specifically
stated to the contrary, all references to dollar amounts shall mean amounts in lawful money of the United States of America. Words and terms used in the singular shall include the plural, and the
plural shall include the singular, as the context may require. Words and terms not otherwise defined in this Guaranty shall have the meanings attributed to such terms in the Uniform Commercial Code: 



Borrower.    The word "Borrower" means INTERNATIONAL MEDICATION SYSTEMS, LIMITED and includes all co-signers and
co-makers signing the Note. 


GAAP.    The word "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles. 



Guarantor.    The word "Guarantor" means each and every person or entity signing this Guaranty, including without limitation AMPHASTAR
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 



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Guaranty.    The word "Guaranty" means the guaranty from Guarantor to Lender, including without limitation a guaranty of all or part of the
Note. 


Indebtedness.    The word "Indebtedness" means Borrower's indebtedness to Lender as more particularly described in this Guaranty. 


Lender.    The word "Lender" means BANK OF THE WEST, its successors and assigns. 


Note.    The word "Note" means and includes without limitation all of Borrower's promissory notes and/or credit agreements evidencing
Borrower's loan obligations in favor of Lender, together with all renewals of, extensions of, modifications of, refinancings of, consolidations of and substitutions for promissory notes or credit
agreements. 


Related Documents.    The words "Related Documents" mean all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan agreements, environmental agreements,
guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, security deeds, collateral mortgages, and all other instruments, agreements and documents, whether now or hereafter existing, executed in
connection with the Indebtedness. 




EACH UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GUARANTY AND AGREES TO ITS TERMS. IN ADDITION, EACH GUARANTOR UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS GUARANTY IS
EFFECTIVE UPON GUARANTOR'S EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS GUARANTY TO LENDER AND THAT THE GUARANTY WILL CONTINUE UNTIL TERMINATED IN THE MANNER SET FORTH IN THE SECTION TITLED "DURATION OF GUARANTY".
NO FORMAL ACCEPTANCE BY LENDER IS NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS GUARANTY EFFECTIVE. THIS GUARANTY IS DATED 3/1/04.


GUARANTOR:  


AMPHASTAR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.  



	By:	 	/s/  JACK YONGFENG ZHANG    

Jack Yongfeng Zhang, President of

AMPHASTAR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.	 	By:	 	/s/  PETE LANGOSH    

Pete Langosh, Secretary of

AMPHASTAR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.




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Exhibit 10.20