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                                                                   Exhibit 10.22
September 3, 2004

James G. Ham, III
31 Merion Place
Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648

Dear Jim:

I would like to formally offer you the position of Vice President, Finance at
NitroMed reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Officer.

The terms of this offer are as follows:

Responsibilities:          You will be responsible for all controller-related
                           functions, including general accounting and auditing
                           financial control as well as financial
                           analysis/analytical support of all departments.

Base Salary:               $180,000 per year paid in 24 equal payments to be
                           reviewed annually.

Stock:                     You will be offered an option to purchase 40,000
                           shares of common stock in the Company. The price at
                           which the stock closes on your start date will be the
                           exercise price of these options. These options will
                           vest over four years in equal installments as long as
                           you remain in the employ of the Company.

Performance Bonus:         You may be entitled to receive a bonus under the
                           NitroMed bonus plan, which is discretionary and
                           based on milestones to be determined and mutually
                           agreed upon by the Chief Financial Officer/Chief
                           Business Officer and you. You will be entitled to
                           receive a minimum guaranteed first year bonus of
                           20% that will be prorated for the months remaining
                           between your date of hire and December 31, 2004.
                           Such bonus may be subject to an upward adjustment
                           in 2004, depending on performance.

Group Benefits:            You will receive comprehensive group health,
                           disability, accident and life insurance benefits or
                           such comparable benefits and protections the Company
                           is able to reasonably obtain from another plan.
                           You will be entitled to participate in and enjoy the
                           benefits of NitroMed's 401K retirement plan as well
                           as any other retirement and pension plan or plans
                           if and when instituted by the Company for the
                           benefit of its employees generally.

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James G. Ham, III
September 3, 2004
Page Two


Leave:                     You will be entitled to illness and vacation days
                           consistent with the Company's standard policy. This
                           policy provides up to three weeks vacation per
                           calendar year accrued at a rate of 1.25 days per
                           month of employment and 20 days per calendar year
                           after five years of employment.

Relocation:                Subject to your continued employment the Company will
                           reimburse you Up to a sum not to exceed $30,000 for
                           moving your household contents, including buy and
                           sell side costs such as commissions and fees. You
                           will 12 months to exercise this relocation benefit.
                           You will also be entitled to six months of temporary
                           housing reimbursable at $3,000 per month. At your
                           request, the Company will pay directly all of the
                           deductible relocation and temporary housing expenses
                           for you.

Signing Bonus:             You will be entitled to receive a $20,000 signing
                           bonus payable on January 1st 2005 dependent on your
                           continued employment.

Severance:                 You will be eligible for six months of severance if
                           you are terminated for reasons other than for cause,
                           including corporate, reorganization, merger or
                           consolidation.

Agreements:                As a condition of employment, you will be required to
                           sign the Company's assignment of invention,
                           non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements.

The commencement date for this position is on or before September 13, 2004.
Please sign a copy of this letter and return it as acceptance of this offer by
September 9, 2004.

Jim, we look forward to working with you at NitroMed. It is my wish that this
position allows you to participate in the success of NitroMed and will both
enrich and enhance your career experience.

Sincerely,

/s/ Michael D. Loberg
---------------------
Michael D. Loberg

                                    Agreed and Accepted:


                                    /s/ James G. Ham, III
                                    ---------------------
                                    James G. Ham, III


                                    Dated: September 3, 2004
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