**Exhibit10.9**

[NitroMed, Inc.Letterhead]

NitroMed, Inc.125 Spring StreetLexington, MA 02421

August 1, 2005

Jane KramerFour Deer Hill CourtBoonton, New Jersey 07005

Dear Jane:

I would like to formallyoffer you the position of Vice President of Corporate Communications atNitroMed reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.  In this position you will be responsible forthe Company’s investor relations, public relations and government affairsfunctions.  You will also serve as amember of the Management Operating Team and the Executive Committee.

The terms of this offerare as follows:

Bas Salary:                                                                                     $210,000per year paid in 24 equal payments to be reviewed annually.

Stock:                                                                                                               Youwill be offered an option to purchase 42,000 shares of common stock in theCompany.  The price at which the stockcloses on your start date will be the exercise price of these options.  These options will vest over four years inequal installments as long as you remain in the employ of the Company.

Performance Bonus:                                     Effectivebeginning in 2006, you may be entitled to participate in the employee bonusprogram at target of 23% of your annual salary. The size of the bonus program will be based on the overall NitroMedperformance against its major objectives. Individual awards will be granted from this bonus pool dependent onindividual achievement.  The program doesnot necessarily provide additional income for all employees, but it does saythat if NitroMed is successful, the Company will seek to share its success withall those who carried the heaviest load.

Signing Bonus:                                                              Youwill receive a signing bonus of $40,000 payable upon your employment atNitroMed in lieu of a 2005 performance bonus.

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Group Benefits:                                                           Youwill receive comprehensive group health, disability, accident and life insurancebenefits or such comparable benefits and protections the Company is able toreasonably obtain from another plan.  Youwill be entitled to participate in and enjoy the benefits of NitroMed’s 401Kretirement plan as well as any other retirement and pension plan or plans ifand when instituted by the Company for the benefit of its employees generally.

Change of Control:                                           The Companyis currently developing a change-of-control provision at the Board level.  Once adopted, you will be eligible for thesame change-of-control benefits as other members of the Executive Committeereporting to the Chief Executive Officer.

Leave:                                                                                                             Youwill be entitled to illness and vacation days consistent with the Company’sstandard policy.  This policy willprovide you will four weeks of vacation per calendar year.

Relocation:                                                                                    Subjectto your continued employment the Company will reimburse you up to a sum not toexceed $40,000 for moving your household contents, including buy and sell sidecosts, such as commissions and fees.  Thisbenefit could be applied alternatively to pay for temporary housingexpenses.  You will have 18 months toexercise this relocation benefit. Relocation benefit amounts must be returned should you voluntarily leaveNitroMed within one year of receiving the last relocation benefit payment.

Agreements:                                                                            Asa condition of employment, you will be required to sign the Company’s Inventionand Non-disclosure Agreement and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

The commencement date forthis position is on or before September 1, 2005.  Please sign a copy of this letter and returnit as an acceptance of this offer by August 3, 2005.

Jane, we look forward toworking with you at NitroMed.  It is mywish that this position allows you to participate in the success of NitroMedand will both enrich and enhance your career experience.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Loberg, Ph.D.President and Chief Executive Officer

Agreed and Accepted:

Jane Kramer

 

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