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Exhibit 10.6.1    
    

 
 

PRIVATE AGREEMENT    
    
    MASTER AGREEMENT    
    

between

BIOSEARCH ITALIA S.p.A.—in the person of its pro tempore legal representative, having its registered office at Via Terraggio 17, Milan, Tax
and VAT No. 11922440158, and Milan Companies Registry no. 1523129 

        (hereinafter
referred to as "Biosearch") 

and 

        GRUPPO LEPETIT S.p.A.—in the person of its pro tempore legal representative, having its registered office at Via R. Lepetit 8,
Lainate (MI), Milan, Tax and VAT No. 0079596015, and Milan Companies Registry no. 22409 

        (hereinafter
referred to as "Lepetit") 

WHEREAS  

	•
	Biosearch
wishes to industrially [*] invented by it and for which has the necessary technology ([*]) and stock;

	•
	As
Biosearch does not have production facilities of its own, it has asked Lepetit whether the latter would be willing to collaborate with it in industrially
[*] concerned, also participating in adapting the relevant production methods and development activities, understood in the sense of improving processes and methods, were such
to prove necessary or be expressly requested of it by Biosearch;

	•
	Lepetit
possesses the required competencies as well as manufacturing facilities at its plant in Brindisi (hereinafter the "Plant") and is willing to work with Biosearch
subject to adapting the facilities at the Plant if necessary;

	•
	the
parties have already negotiated some aspects of their reciprocal relations, as evidenced in the minutes of the meeting held in Frankfurt on 18 August 1998 and the
letter of 9 July 1998, both of which are considered as preparatory by the parties;

	•
	the
parties now wish to agree some principles on the basis of which their future co-operation will be regulated. 

THEREFORE BIOSEARCH AND LEPETIT AGREE AS FOLLOWS  

	1.
	In the event that Biosearch wishes to proceed with [*], for production itself as well as for activities deriving
from or related thereto (engineering, maintenance, quality control, quality assurance, stocks) and the adaptation of production methods for industrial purposes, Biosearch undertakes to negotiate in
good faith and in advance with Lepetit—[*]—the contracts governing the activities carried out by each of the parties subject to the principles set forth
hereunder.

	2.
	Should it prove necessary to adapt the facilities at the Plant in order to [*], the parties hereby agree that
the costs of purchasing new equipment, including engineering and installation, shall be [*] which in such instance, assuming all liability in this regard (technical solutions,
etc.) shall remain the owner of the equipment. 

        [*] Indicates that certain information in this exhibit has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

 

In
such case the equipment [*] for a duration equal to that of the co-operation between them and shall be used strictly for [*] production
unless otherwise agreed by the parties. It is further expressly agreed that upon cessation of the relationship between Lepetit and Biosearch, the latter shall proceed at its own risk and expense to
disassemble the equipment unless a different solution is agreed between the parties. 

	3.
	Should it prove necessary for [*] that Lepetit collaborate in development activities, understood in the sense of
improving processes and methods, the parties undertake to negotiate in good faith specific agreements covering such activities, which will be carried out by Lepetit through its own technical and
scientific resources. For development activities a fee will be agreed in accordance with what has already been discussed in the preparatory agreements referred to in the recitals. 

Ownership
of all rights deriving from the development activities commissioned from Lepetit and performed in collaboration with Lepetit, patentable or otherwise, shall belong to Biosearch, which will
thus have title to all the relevant patents rights, if any, subject to the right of the inventor to be recognised as such. Accordingly, Biosearch shall be entirely responsible for the development
process. 

	4.
	The parties shall negotiate specific agreements concerning production of the [*] at the Plant, reaching an
agreement in good faith on the fee payable for manufacturing, the purchase of the raw material that Lepetit will have to use to produce the [*] from the stock and the duration.
The fee payable by Biosearch for production will be revised each year on the basis of increases in the ISTAT index relative to labour costs in the chemical industry or analogous indices that will be
applied after the changeover to the euro. It shall be further provided that [*] for the [*] just as [*] such that the latter
will make available a specific and validated production line for Biosearch for the entire duration of the contract. Biosearch will be entitled nonetheless to [*] in order to
ensure [*]. Such [*], [*], shall be assigned solely the [*] to maintain the agreement operational and in
no case may [*] save where such need arises as a result of negligence or fault on the part of Lepetit. 

In
the event that [*], Biosearch shall be entitled to withdraw from the production agreement subject to giving adequate notice of at least [*]. 

	5.
	The parties shall enter either into separate agreements regulating the [*] loan, the development activities (if
any) and production or into a single agreement depending on what is most appropriate.

	6.
	The parties undertake in any case not to disclose to third parties any information which may be exchanged in relation to the stock and
elaborated [*] and more in general all of the activities that could be carried out together by the parties as well as any information in connection with development. Each party
will ensure that such secrecy obligations are observed by their employees who are directly or indirectly involved in the activities concerned.

	7.
	All of the agreements that the parties enter into will be subject to registration.

	8.
	Should changes take place in the Biosearch's [*] or should its [*], Biosearch shall
notify Lepetit accordingly within [*] of such change occurring. Lepetit shall have the right, within [*] of receipt of such notice, to terminate this
Agreement subject to giving adequate notice of at least [*].

	9.
	The obligations assumed by the parties hereunder shall remain valid for [*] from the date of execution of this
Agreement and may be amended by the parties only by written agreement between them.

	10.
	The Courts of Milan shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute that may arise between the parties in relation to the
interpretation and/or performance of the provisions of this Agreement. 

Milan, 

Gruppo
Lepetit S.p.A. 

        Biosearch
Italia S.p.A. 

2

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Exhibit 10.6.1

PRIVATE AGREEMENT MASTER AGREEMENTQuickLinks
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Exhibit 10.6.2    
    

PRIVATE AGREEMENT  

between 

        GRUPPO LEPETIT S.p.A., having its registered office at Via R. Lepetit 8, Lainate (MI), Milan, Tax and VAT No. 0079596015, and Milan
Companies Registry no. 22409,—in the person of its pro tempore legal representative, 

        (hereinafter
referred to as "LEPETIT ") 

and 

        BIOSEARCH ITALIA S.p.A., having its registered office at Via Terraggio 17, Milan, Tax and VAT No. 11922440158, and Milan Companies
Registry no. 1523129,—in the person of its pro tempore legal representative 

        (hereinafter
referred to as "BIOSEARCH") 

WHEREAS  

	•
	On
4 December 1998 BIOSEARCH and LEPETIT entered into a private agreement whereby they agreed the basic principles governing their future relations in connection with
the development and production of propriety [*] and BIOSEARCH technology (hereinafter the "Deed")

	•
	BIOSEARCH
has asked LEPETIT whether the latter would be willing to produce for it the [*] [*] (hereinafter
"[*]") at LEPETIT's Brindisi plant (hereinafter the "Plant") using technology owned by BIOSEARCH ITALIA (hereinafter the "Technology");

	•
	LEPETIT
has declared that is willing to perform such activities and accordingly the parties have, in keeping with the terms of the Deed, negotiated in good faith all the
aspects of the activities to be carried out;

	•
	now
it is necessary to formalise in a specific agreement the contents of the understanding reached. 

THEREFORE THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS  

ARTICLE 1—RECITALS  

        The preceding recitals are an integral part of this Agreement. 

ARTICLE 2—OBJECT  

        BIOSEARCH appoints LEPETIT to proceed to produce [*] subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. For its part LEPETIT accepts
the appointment. 

        [*] Indicates that certain information in this exhibit has been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

1

 
ARTICLE 3—[*] LOAN  

	3.1
	In
view of the necessity to adapt the facilities at the Plant in order to proceed to production of [*] and in keeping with the terms of the Deed,
[*] undertakes to acquire the equipment agreed with [*] and to take responsibility for modifying and adapting the facilities required for the production
process (hereinafter referred to all together as the "Equipment"), subject to joint testing of the Equipment.

	3.2
	[*]
undertakes to follow installation of the Equipment in the Plant with its own engineering personnel.

	3.3
	Further
to and within the meaning of Article 1803 et seq. of the Civil Code, [*] grants a
[*] loan of the Equipment to [*] which accepts. At a subsequent date the Equipment shall be described in a separate written document which will upon its
signing form an integral part of this Agreement. 

The
Equipment will be used at the Plant within the framework of the [*] production process 

	3.4
	[*]
shall maintain custody of and manage the Equipment with the care one would expect of a good father, performing all ordinary and special maintenance.

	3.5
	Upon
cessation for any reason of the relationship concerning [*], [*] will [*] possession of the Equipment,
arranging to remove it at its own risk and expense.

	3.6
	The
[*] loan shall commence from the date of effective installation of the Equipment, as indicated in the installation report, and will terminate on the date
of cessation of relations concerning [*]. On that date the parties may also reach an agreement in good faith on the possibility for [*] to purchase the
Equipment unless further relations are entertained between the parties regarding other studies and products which will entail use of the Equipment.

	3.7
	In
any event [*] shall accept the return of the Equipment in the state it finds it resulting from fair wear and tear, hereby waiving any right to compensation
or right to have the Equipment returned in a pristine state unless the damage thereto is connected to the clear negligence of [*].

	3.8
	[*]
shall assist in the installation of the Equipment and provide the engineering support of its own personnel or third parties as the case may be. Such
service, as well as any assistance provided by third parties (engineering companies, specialists, assemblers, etc.) must be authorised in advance by [*], which shall bear the
full costs thereof. Any objections concerning defects (latent or otherwise) in the Equipment or the machinery lent [*] shall be made by [*] directly to
the suppliers, as [*] has made such arrangements with the latter. [*] undertakes to ensure that the [*] lent Equipment is kept
free of any charges and burdens. 

        Any
claims or complaints regarding possible defects or faults, including hidden defects, in the Equipment or the machinery granted on [*] loan must be addressed
by [*] directly to the suppliers, as has been agreed by
[*] with the said suppliers themselves. [*] undertakes to keep the Equipment granted on [*] loan free of all liens and
encumbrances. 

ARTICLE 4—MANUFACTURING  

	4.1
	BIOSEARCH
appoints LEPETIT to proceed to utilise the technology for the production of [*] according to the procedure (hereinafter the "Manufacturing") that
will be the result of activities performed in collaboration with LEPETIT for its finalisation on an industrial scale.

	4.2
	In
accordance with Article 4 of the Deed, [*] for [*] and BIOSEARCH is expressly [*] of
[*] of [*] of its [*] during the period of effectiveness of this Agreement.

	4.3
	LEPETIT
undertakes to perform the Manufacturing fully observing the applicable laws and good manufacturing practice as well as the production licenses issued by the Ministry of
Health. 

2

 
ARTICLE 5—LIABILITY  

	5.1
	LEPETIT
shall be liable for any loss, damage or claim of any nature arising out of or in connection with the Manufacturing and directly stemming from its activities save for cases of
force majeure and circumstances beyond the control of LEPETIT. Such liability refers solely to activities carried out or to be carried out by LEPETIT further to this Agreement.

	5.2
	LEPETIT
shall not be liable for any loss, damage or claim where such have arisen as a result of the activities carried out or to be carried out by BIOSEARCH further to this Agreement.

	5.3
	Should
LEPETIT come to know of any claim and/or legal proceedings instituted with reference to [*], it shall timely notify BIOSEARCH accordingly in order to
agree a common line of defence.

	5.4
	BIOSEARCH
shall be liable for any loss, damage or claim of any nature arising out of or in connection with the application of the manufacturing procedure provided to LEPETIT that stem
from shortcomings in its analysis of the risks involved in the said procedure or in the information it has given to LEPETIT. 

ARTICLE 6—SUPPLY OF TECHNOLOGY AND RAW MATERIALS NECESSARY FOR THE MANUFACTURING  

        BIOSEARCH shall be obliged to supply LEPETIT information on the quantity and quality of raw materials, the specifications, the control and analysis methods and
the [*] manufacturing process. At its own risk and expense BIOSEARCH shall be obliged to supply the technology to LEPETIT at the Plant, of which a fundamental part is the Stock
of [*] necessary for the manufacturing. The Technology supplied shall be shall be utilised by LEPETIT exclusively for the Manufacturing. 

        LEPETIT
for its part undertakes to directly supply all the raw materials necessary for the Manufacturing, acquiring them from its regular suppliers or those agreed with BIOSEARCH. The
costs of the raw materials will be charged by LEPETIT to BIOSEARCH at the end of each Manufacturing at effective average inventory price at the time of their use. 

ARTICLE 7—CHECKS AND CONTROLS  

        Without prejudice to the provisions of specific articles of this Agreement, as regards quality control and inspection procedures the parties will adhere to the
relevant procedures used in the Plant and the methods described in the documentation furnished by BIOSEARCH. BIOSEARCH shall be entitled to carry out checks and inspections on the Manufacturing, which
LEPETIT shall permit provided they are performed during normal working hours on business days. 

ARTICLE 8—PERMITS AND AUTHORISATIONS  

        At its own risk and expense LEPETIT shall apply for the grant of whatever authorisations are required from an environmental and safety point of view to produce
[*] in compliance with the applicable laws, rules and regulations in force. Moreover, LEPETIT shall send the required communications and notices concerning the production of
[*], complying with the specific obligations imposed by the applicable legislation. 

ARTICLE 9—CONFIDENTIALITY  

        The parties undertake to treat as secret and confidential all information they become aware of from the other party during the performance of this Agreement and
also agree not to use such information for purposes other than this Agreement. The parties further undertake not to disclose such information to third parties, strictly limiting knowledge thereof to
the employees involved in performing this Agreement. 

3

 

        The
following are exceptions to the foregoing prohibition: 

	1)
	information
which at the time of its communication is already in the public domain;

	2)
	information
which after being communicated will enter the public domain following publication or for other reasons provided such is not a result of breach of this Agreement;

	3)
	information
which a party can prove was already in its possession prior to communication thereof by the other party and which was not obtained directly or indirectly from that other
party;

	4)
	information
received from third parties provided such third parties have not directly or indirectly received it by virtue of a secrecy agreement. 

ARTICLE 10—CONSERVATION OF THE STOCK AND THE [*]  

	10.1
	Without
charging any additional fees therefor LEPETIT shall arrange to store and maintain custody of the Stock and the [*] produced and LEPETIT also
undertakes to move it in conformity with BIOSEARCH's instructions. LEPETIT further undertakes to comply with all of the accounting and administrative formalities in connection with such storage and
movement.

	10.2
	The
Stock and the [*] stored in LEPETIT premises shall belong to BIOSEARCH and be considered as such by LEPETIT. LEPETIT will arrange for proper conservation
of the Stock and the [*] in accordance with instructions to be agreed.

	10.3
	The
Stock and the [*] shall be insured by LEPETIT with a leading insurance company against all risks in connection with its storage including theft, fire and
robbery. 

ARTICLE 11—ORDERS  

11.1    Orders    

With
effect from the commencement date of this Agreement, BIOSEARCH shall send LEPETIT orders for the [*] to be produced and delivered by LEPETIT during the subsequent
[*] period subject to availability of the production procedure and the Equipment. In order to ensure optimal planning of production, the orders shall be communicated within the
[*]. The delivery dates will be agreed between the parties. The quantity to be ordered by BIOSEARCH will be agreed from time to time taking account of the jointly agreed
production yield. 

11.2    Execution of the Orders    

LEPETIT
shall execute the orders on the agreed delivery dates. The [*] produced as a result of this Agreement shall be sent by LEPETIT in accordance with the instructions given
by BIOSEARCH for each order. Any delays in delivering the [*] owing to transportation problems may not in any way be imputed to LEPETIT. As soon as manufacturing of the ordered
quantity has been completed, LEPETIT will immediately notify BIOSEARCH accordingly. 

11.3    Forecast Volumes    

Over
the next [*] BIOSEARCH envisages that it will require the quantities set forth in Exhibit A hereto. In any event BIOSEARCH will give notice of
[*] (+/- [*]) or timing with respect to what is currently indicated in Exhibit A. 

4

 
ARTICLE 12—MANUFACTURING FEES AND PAYMENT TERMS  

	12.1
	Apart
from the costs of the raw materials that will be specifically charged to BIOSEARCH and be the object of separate invoicing by LEPETIT, the fee for the Manufacturing that is the
subject matter of this Agreement shall be determined as follows: 

for
every single Manufacturing corresponding to an entire batch of industrial [*] of [*] of total volume and about [*] of useful
volume (save for any technical variations owing to the normal carrying out of the [*] process) as well as all the activities necessary for the [*],
BIOSEARCH shall pay LEPETIT the sum of ITL. [*] ([*]) plus VAT ex-Plant. Such prices will at the end of each year be revised in accordance
with variations in the ISTAT index or other index that will be introduced at the effective changeover to the EURO. 

	12.2
	In
the event of significant variations in the productivity and/or yield of the Manufacturing the parties agree to renegotiate in good faith the fee under the preceding paragraph.
Should the parties fail to reach agreement on the new fee, LEPETIT shall be entitled to withdraw from this Agreement subject to giving adequate notice.

	12.3
	Payment
of the sums under the preceding Article 12.1 shall by made by BIOSEARCH by wire transfer within [*] from the end of the month in which the
invoice is issued. 

ARTICLE 13—TERM  

	13.1
	This
Agreement shall take effect from 1 January 1999 and run for a term of [*] from such date

	13.2
	Upon
[*] of the [*], this [*]will [*] for [*].

	13.3
	This
Agreement may be terminated immediately by either of the parties without any notice period and subject to communicating the termination by registered letter (with advice of
receipt) in the event that the other party breaches any one of its obligations and fails to remedy the breach with [*] of being requested to do by the
non-defaulting party.

	13.4
	BIOSEARCH
shall have the right to withdraw from this Agreement subject to giving at least [*] prior written notice in the event that one of its production
units becomes available provided it that notifies LEPETIT of such in writing by registered post (with advice of receipt). No indemnity shall be due to LEPETIT in such case.

	13.5
	LEPETIT
shall have the right to withdraw from this Agreement subject to giving at least [*] prior written notice, without incurring any penalty or having to
pay any compensation or indemnity to BIOSEARCH, in the event of the further unavailability of its plants necessary for the production of its own products. 

ARTICLE 14—ASSIGNMENT  

        This Agreement may in no case be assigned or transferred by either party in whole or in part to third parties without the prior written consent of the other
party. LEPETIT shall have the right to assign this Agreement to other companies of the Hoechst Marion Roussel Group in Italy or other future group it will belong to subject to giving BIOSEARCH written
notice thereof. BIOSEARCH shall have the right to assign this Agreement to one of its production companies subject to giving LEPETIT written notice thereof. 

ARTICLE 15—DISPUTES  

        The Courts of Milan shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute that may arise between the parties in relation to the interpretation and/or performance of
the provisions of this Agreement. 

5

 

ARTICLE 16—CONTRACTUAL EXPENSES AND TAXATION  

        The parties declare that the goods and services contemplated by this Agreement are subject to VAT and thus this Agreement will be registered at a fixed tax. 

Lainate,
8 March 1999 

Gruppo
Lepetit S.p.A.                        Biosearch Italia S.p.A. 

Quantities
of [*] forecast for the duration of this Agreement 

from
1999 [*] 

	YEAR
 
	 	KG

	[*]	 	 

6

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Exhibit 10.6.2

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