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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.42

                             CONSULTING AGREEMENT
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          THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") shall be effective as of
April 18, 1998 (the "Effective Date"), by and between CHIREX INC. (the
"Company"), and Elizabeth M. Greetham ("Consultant").

          WHEREAS, the Consultant has expertise as a financial and international
business consultant;

          WHEREAS, the Company desires to obtain the services of Consultant to
consult with and perform services as an independent contractor with respect to
certain business opportunities, and Consultant desires to provide services to
the Company upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

          WHEREAS, this Agreement supersedes any previous agreement concerning
this subject entered into by the parties.

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the adequacy and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:


          1.  Consulting Services.  The Company hereby engages Consultant as an
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independent contractor, and not as an employee, to render consulting services to
the Company as hereinafter provided, and Consultant hereby accepts such
engagement.  During the term of this Agreement, Consultant shall render such
consulting services to the Company in connection with the Company's business
opportunities as the Company from time to time requests.

          2.  Compensation.  In consideration of Consultant's consulting
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services set forth in Paragraph 1 above, the Company will pay to Consultant
beginning on the Effective Date, U.S. $10,000 per week. The weekly fees referred
to herein will be paid to Consultant on the last day of each month this
Agreement is in effect beginning April 30, 1998.  The Company's obligation to
pay these weekly fees shall terminate upon the earlier to occur of  (a) notice
of termination given by the Company pursuant to Paragraph 4 herein; or (b) June
27, 1998 (ten weeks from the Effective Date, the "Expiration Date").

          3.  Confidential Information.  Consultant acknowledges that the
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information, observations and data relating to the business of the Company and
its respective affiliates which Consultant will obtain during the course of his
association 

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with the Company and its affiliates and his performance under this Agreement are
the property of the Company. Consultant agrees that he will not use for his own
purposes or disclose to any third party any of such information, observations or
data without the prior written consent of the Company, unless and to the extent
that the aforementioned matters become generally known to and available for use
to the public other than as a result of Consultant's acts or omissions to act.
Upon the termination of this Agreement, Consultant agrees to deliver to the
Company at the end of the Consulting Period, or at any other time the Company
may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records and other documentation (and
copies thereof) relating to the business of the Company and its affiliates which
Consultant may then possess or have under its control.

          4.  Term and Termination.  This Agreement shall commence on the
              --------------------                                       
Effective Date and unless earlier terminated pursuant to this Paragraph 4, shall
terminate on the Expiration Date.  The Company may terminate this Agreement at
any time upon 2 days written notice by the Company to Consultant.

          5.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement
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between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any
previous understandings or agreements, whether written or oral, regarding such
subject matter.

          6.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
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and interpreted in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Connecticut
without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule
that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
State of Connecticut.

          7.  Consultant Representation.  Consultant represents and warrants to
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the Company that its execution and delivery of this Agreement does not conflict
with, or result in the breach of or violation of, any other agreement, order,
judgement or decree to which it is bound, nor does it conflict with any position
or office Consultant may hold with any other organization.



 
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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
Effective Date.



CHIREX INC.


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By:  Michael A. Griffith
Title: Chief Financial Officer



ELIZABETH M. GREETHAM


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