Document:

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                                                                     Exhibit 4.4

                          SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         THIS SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of
April 3, 2001, by and among EMPYREAN BIOSCIENCE, INC., a Delaware corporation,
with headquarters located at 23800 Commerce Park Road, Suite A, Cleveland, Ohio
(the "COMPANY"), and the Buyers listed on Schedule I attached hereto
(individually, a "BUYER" or collectively "BUYERS").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Buyer(s) are executing and delivering this
Agreement in reliance upon an exemption from securities registration pursuant to
Section 4(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D ("REGULATION D") as promulgated by
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "1933 ACT");

         WHEREAS, the parties desire that, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions contained herein, the Company shall issue and sell to the Buyer(s),
as provided herein, and the Buyer(s) shall purchase up to One Million Dollars
($1,000,000) of convertible debentures (the "CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES") in up to
three (3) traunches, which shall be convertible into shares of the Company's
common stock, (the "COMMON STOCK") (as converted, the "CONVERSION SHARES"), for
a total purchase price of up to One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (the "PURCHASE
PRICE") in the respective amounts set forth opposite each Buyer(s) name on
Schedule I ( the "SUBSCRIPTION AMOUNT"); and

         WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the parties hereto are executing and delivering a Registration Rights
Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the
"REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the Company has agreed to
provide certain registration rights under the 1933 Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated there under, and applicable state securities laws; and

         WHEREAS, the Convertible Debentures are being offered through The May
Davis Group, Inc. (the "PLACEMENT AGENT"), as the Company's exclusive placement
agent for the offering; and

         WHEREAS, the aggregate proceeds of the sale of the Convertible
Debentures contemplated hereby shall be held in escrow pursuant to the terms of
an escrow agreement substantially in the form of the Escrow Agreement attached
hereto as Exhibit B.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and other
agreements contained in this Agreement the Company and the Buyer(s)hereby agree
as follows:

         1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES.
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                  (a) PURCHASE OF CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES. Subject to the
         satisfaction (or waiver) of the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
         each Buyer agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase at Closing
         (as defined herein below) and the Company agrees to sell and issue to
         each Buyer, severally and not jointly, at Closing, Convertible
         Debentures in amounts corresponding with the Subscription Amount set
         forth opposite each Buyer's name on Schedule I hereto. Upon execution
         hereof by a Buyer, the Buyer shall wire transfer the Subscription
         Amount set forth opposite his name on Schedule I in same-day funds or a
         check payable to "First Union National Bank, as Escrow Agent for
         Empyrean Bioscience, Inc./ The May Davis Group, Inc.", which
         Subscription Amount shall be held in escrow pursuant to the terms of
         the Escrow Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and disbursed in
         accordance therewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Buyer may
         withdraw his Subscription Amount and terminate this Agreement as to
         such Buyer at any time after the execution hereof and prior to Closing
         (as hereinafter defined).

                  (b) CLOSING DATE. The initial closing of the purchase and sale
         of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) of Convertible Debentures
         (the "INITIAL CLOSING") shall take place at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard
         Time on the fifth (5th) business day ("INITIAL CLOSING DATE") following
         the date hereof, subject to notification of satisfaction (or waiver) of
         the conditions to the Closing set forth in Sections 6 and 7 below (or
         such later date as is mutually agreed to by the Company and the
         Buyers). The secondary closing of the purchase and sale of Two Hundred
         and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) of Convertible Debentures (the
         "SECONDARY CLOSING") shall take place at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard
         Time on the fifth (5th) business day ("SECONDARY CLOSING DATE")
         following the filing of a registration statement (the "REGISTRATION
         STATEMENT") covering the shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable
         upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures, subject to notification
         of satisfaction (or waiver) of the conditions to the Closing set forth
         in Sections 6 and 7 below (or such later date as is mutually agreed to
         by the Company and the Buyers). A third closing of the purchase and
         sale of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) of
         Convertible Debentures (the "THIRD CLOSING") shall take place at 10:00
         a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the eleventh (11th) business day ("THIRD
         CLOSING DATE") following the effectiveness of the Registration
         Statement provided that for the ten (10) consecutive trading days
         following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement the Company's
         Common Stock is trading at an average daily volume of two hundred
         thousand (200,000) shares with a minimum closing bid price of Sixty
         Cents ($0.60) (the Initial Closing, Secondary Closing and the Third
         Closing shall collectively be referred to as the "CLOSINGS") (the
         Initial Closing Date, Secondary Closing Date and the Third Closing Date
         shall collectively be referred to as the "CLOSING DATES"). The Closings
         shall occur on the respective Closing Dates at the offices of Butler
         Gonzalez, LLP, 1000 Stuyvesant Avenue, Suite 6, Union, NJ 07083 (or
         such other place as is mutually agreed to by the Company and the
         Buyers).

                  (c) ESCROW ARRANGEMENTS; FORM OF PAYMENT. Upon execution
         hereof by Buyer(s) and pending the respective Closings, the aggregate
         proceeds of the sale of the Convertible Debentures to Buyer(s) pursuant
         hereto, plus the fees and expenses of the

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         Placement Agent, shall be deposited in a non-interest bearing escrow
         account with First Union National Bank, as escrow agent ("ESCROW
         AGENT"), pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement between the
         Company, the Placement Agent and the Escrow Agent in the form attached
         hereto as Exhibit B (the "ESCROW AGREEMENT"). Subject to the
         satisfaction of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the
         respective Closing Dates, (i) the Escrow Agent shall deliver to the
         Company in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement such
         aggregate gross proceeds for the Convertible Debentures to be issued
         and sold to such Buyer(s) at the respective Closing minus the fees and
         expenses of the Placement Agent, by wire transfer of immediately
         available funds in accordance with the Company's written wire
         instructions, and (ii) the Company shall deliver to each Buyer,
         Convertible Debentures which such Buyer(s) is purchasing in amounts
         indicated opposite such Buyer's name on Schedule I, duly executed on
         behalf of the Company.

         2. BUYER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTEES.
            --------------------------------------

                  Each Buyer represents and warrants, severally and not jointly,
         that:

                  (a) INVESTMENT PURPOSE. Each Buyer is acquiring the
         Convertible Debentures and, upon conversion of Convertible Debentures,
         the Buyer will acquire the Conversion Shares then issuable, for its own
         account for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale
         in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof, except
         pursuant to sales registered or exempted under the 1933 Act; provided,
         however, that by making the representations herein, such Buyer reserves
         the right to dispose of the Conversion Shares at any time in accordance
         with or pursuant to an effective registration statement covering such
         Conversion Shares or an available exemption under the 1933 Act.

                  (b) ACCREDITED INVESTOR STATUS. Each Buyer is an "Accredited
         Investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D.

                  (c) RELIANCE ON EXEMPTIONS. Each Buyer understands that the
         Convertible Debentures are being offered and sold to it in reliance on
         specific exemptions from the registration requirements of United States
         federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in
         part upon the truth and accuracy of, and such Buyer's compliance with,
         the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and
         understandings of such Buyer set forth herein in order to determine the
         availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of such Buyer to
         acquire such securities.

                  (d) INFORMATION. Each Buyer and its advisors (and his or, its
         counsel), if any, have been furnished with the Company's 10-KSB for the
         fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 and all materials relating to the
         business, finances and operations of the Company and information he
         deemed material to making an informed investment decision regarding his
         purchase of the Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares, which
         have been requested by such Buyer. Each Buyer and its advisors, if any,
         have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and
         its management. Neither

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         such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by
         such Buyer or its advisors, if any, or its representatives shall
         modify, amend or affect such Buyer's right to rely on the Company's
         representations and warranties contained in Section 3 below. Each Buyer
         understands that its investment in the Convertible Debentures and the
         Conversion Shares involves a high degree of risk. Each Buyer is in a
         position regarding the Company, which, based upon employment, family
         relationship or economic bargaining power, enabled and enables such
         Buyer to obtain information from the Company in order to evaluate the
         merits and risks of this investment. Each Buyer has sought such
         accounting, legal and tax advice, as it has considered necessary to
         make an informed investment decision with respect to its acquisition of
         the Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares.

                  (e) NO GOVERNMENTAL REVIEW. Such Buyer understands that no
         United States federal or state agency or any other government or
         governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or
         endorsement of the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares, or
         the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Convertible
         Debentures or the Conversion Shares, nor have such authorities passed
         upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Convertible
         Debentures or the Conversion Shares.

                  (f) TRANSFER OR RESALE. Such Buyer understands that except as
         provided in the Registration Rights Agreement: (i) the Convertible
         Debentures have not been and are not being registered under the 1933
         Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale,
         sold, assigned or transferred unless (A) subsequently registered
         thereunder, or (B) such Buyer shall have delivered to the Company an
         opinion of counsel, in a generally acceptable form, to the effect that
         such securities to be sold, assigned or transferred may be sold,
         assigned or transferred pursuant to an exemption from such registration
         requirements; (ii) any sale of such securities made in reliance on Rule
         144 under the 1933 Act (or a successor rule thereto) ("RULE 144") may
         be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if
         Rule 144 is not applicable, any resale of such securities under
         circumstances in which the seller (or the person through whom the sale
         is made) may be deemed to be an underwriter (as that term is defined in
         the 1933 Act) may require compliance with some other exemption under
         the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC there under; and
         (iii) neither the Company nor any other person is under any obligation
         to register such securities under the 1933 Act or any state securities
         laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption there
         under. The Company reserves the right to place stop transfer
         instructions against the shares and certificates for the Conversion
         Shares.

                  (g) LEGENDS. Such Buyer understands that the certificates or
         other instruments representing the Convertible Debentures and or the
         Conversion Shares shall bear a restrictive legend in substantially the
         following form (and a stop transfer order may be placed against
         transfer of such stock certificates):

                           THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE
                           NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES

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                           ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE
                           SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED
                           SOLELY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW
                           TOWARD RESALE AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD,
                           TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN
                           EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES
                           UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR
                           APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR AN OPINION OF
                           COUNSEL, IN A GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE FORM, THAT
                           REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR
                           APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

         The legend set forth above shall be removed and the Company shall issue
         a certificate without such legend to the holder of the Conversion
         Shares upon which it is stamped, if, unless otherwise required by state
         securities laws, (i) in connection with a sale transaction, provided
         the Conversion Shares are registered under the 1933 Act or (ii) in
         connection with a sale transaction, such holder provides the Company
         with an opinion of counsel, in form acceptable to the Company and its
         counsel, to the effect that a public sale, assignment or transfer of
         the Conversion Shares may be made without registration under the 1933
         Act.

                  (h) AUTHORIZATION, ENFORCEMENT. This Agreement has been duly
         and validly authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of such Buyer
         and is a valid and binding agreement of such Buyer enforceable in
         accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited
         by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and other similar laws relating
         to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors'
         rights and remedies.

                  (i) RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS. Such Buyer and his or its counsel
         has received and read in their entirety: (i) this Agreement and each
         representation, warranty and covenant set forth herein, the
         Registration Rights Agreement, and the Escrow Agreement; (ii) all due
         diligence and other information necessary to verify the accuracy and
         completeness of such representations, warranties and covenants; (iii)
         the Company's Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000;
         and (iv) answers to all questions the Buyer submitted to the Company
         regarding an investment in the Company; and the Buyer has relied on the
         information contained therein and has not been furnished any other
         documents, literature, memorandum or prospectus.

                  (j) DUE FORMATION OF CORPORATE AND OTHER BUYERS. If the
         Buyer(s) is a corporation, trust, partnership or other entity that is
         not an individual person, it has been formed and validly exists and has
         not been organized for the specific purpose of purchasing the
         Convertible Debentures and is not prohibited from doing so.

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                  (k) DUE AUTHORIZATION OF FIDUCIARY BUYERS. If the Buyer(s) is
         purchasing the Convertible Debentures in a fiduciary capacity for
         another person or entity, including, without limitation, a corporation,
         partnership, trust or any other entity, the Buyer(s) has been duly
         authorized and empowered to execute this Agreement and such other
         person fulfills all the requirements for purchase of the Convertible
         Debentures and agrees to be bound by the obligations, representations,
         warranties, and covenants contained herein. Upon request of the
         Company, the Buyer(s) will provide true, complete and current copies of
         all relevant documents creating the Buyers, authorizing its investment
         in the Company and/or evidencing the satisfaction of the foregoing.

                  (l) FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS BY FOREIGN BUYERS. If the Buyer(s)
         is not a U.S. Person (as defined below), such Buyer hereby represents
         that such Buyer(s) is satisfied as to full observance of the laws of
         such Buyer's jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to
         subscribe for the securities or any use of this Agreement, including:
         (i) the legal requirements of such Buyer's jurisdiction for the
         purchase of the securities, (ii) any foreign exchange restrictions
         applicable to such purchase, (iii) any governmental or other consents
         that may need to be obtained, and (iv) the income tax and other tax
         consequences, if any, which may be relevant to the purchase, holding,
         redemption, sale, or transfer of the securities. Such Buyer's
         subscription and payment for, and such Buyer's continued beneficial
         ownership of, the securities will not violate any applicable securities
         or other laws of such Buyer's jurisdiction. The term "U.S. Person" as
         used herein shall mean any person who is a citizen or resident of the
         United States or Canada, or any state, territory or possession thereof,
         including, but not limited to, any estate of any such person, or any
         corporation, partnership, trust or other entity created or existing
         under the laws thereof, or any entity controlled or owned by any of the
         foregoing.

                  (m) NO LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE COMPANY. Each Buyer acknowledges,
         that it had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement with his or its own legal
         counsel and investment and tax advisors. Each Buyer is relying solely
         on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or
         representations of the Company or any of its representatives or agents
         for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this investment,
         the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the securities laws
         of any jurisdiction.

                  3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
                     ---------------------------------------------

         The Company represents and warrants to each of the Buyers that:

                  (a) ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. The Company and its
         subsidiaries are corporations duly organized and validly existing in
         good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are
         incorporated, and have the requisite corporate power to own their
         properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted. Each
         of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign
         corporation to do business and is in good standing in every
         jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by

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         it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the
         failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a
         material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
         whole.

                  (b) AUTHORIZATION, ENFORCEMENT, COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER
         INSTRUMENTS. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and
         authority to enter into and perform this Agreement, the Registration
         Rights Agreement and any related agreements, and to issue the
         Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares in accordance with the
         terms hereof and thereof, (ii) the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and any related agreements
         by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions
         contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the
         issuance of the Convertible Debentures the Conversion Shares and the
         reservation for issuance and the issuance of the Conversion Shares
         issuable upon conversion or exercise thereof, have been duly authorized
         by the Company's Board of Directors and no further consent or
         authorization is required by the Company, its Board of Directors or its
         stockholders, (iii) this Agreement and the Registration Rights
         Agreement and any related agreements have been duly executed and
         delivered by the Company, (iv) this Agreement, the Registration Rights
         Agreement and any related agreements constitute the valid and binding
         obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in
         accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be
         limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy,
         insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws
         relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors'
         rights and remedies.

                  (c) CAPITALIZATION. As of the date hereof, the authorized
         capital stock of the Company consists of 90,000,000 shares of Common
         Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which as of April 3, 2001,
         49,025,326 shares were issued and outstanding. All of such outstanding
         shares have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.
         Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents (as defined in Section 3(f))
         as amended, no shares of Common Stock are subject to preemptive rights
         or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances suffered or
         permitted by the Company. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, as
         of the date of this Agreement, (i) there are no outstanding options,
         warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any
         character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible
         into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements
         by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may become bound
         to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of
         its subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to,
         calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or
         securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of
         the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) there are no outstanding
         debt securities and (iii) there are no agreements or arrangements under
         which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is obligated to register
         the sale of any of their securities under the 1933 Act (except pursuant
         to the Registration Rights Agreement). There are no securities or
         instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be
         triggered by the issuance of the Convertible Debentures as described in
         this Agreement. The Company has attached as Schedule 3(C) true and
         correct copies of the Company's Certificate of

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         Incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the
         "CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION"), and the Company's By-laws, as in
         effect on the date hereof (the "BY-LAWS"), and the terms of all
         securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock and the
         material rights of the holders thereof in respect thereto other than
         stock options issued to employees and consultants.

                  (d) ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES. The Convertible Debentures are
         duly authorized and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof,
         shall be duly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, are free from all
         taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof. The
         Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible
         Debentures have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance. Upon
         conversion or exercise in accordance with the Convertible Debentures
         the Conversion Shares will be duly issued, fully paid and
         nonassessable.

                  (e) NO CONFLICTS. Except as disclosed in SEC Documents, the
         execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company
         and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
         hereby will not (i) result in a violation of the Certificate of
         Incorporation or the By-laws or (ii) conflict with or constitute a
         default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
         become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination,
         amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or
         instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party,
         or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment
         or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations
         and the rules and regulations of The National Association of Securities
         Dealers, Inc., OTC Bulletin Board on which the Common Stock is quoted)
         applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or by which any
         property or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or
         affected. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, neither the Company
         nor its subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or in default under
         its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or their organizational
         charter or by-laws, respectively, or any material contract, agreement,
         mortgage, indebtedness, indenture, instrument, judgment, decree or
         order or any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or
         its subsidiaries. The business of the Company and its subsidiaries is
         not being conducted in violation of any material law, ordinance, or
         regulation of any governmental entity. Except as specifically
         contemplated by this Agreement and as required under the 1933 Act and
         any applicable state securities laws, the Company is not required to
         obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or
         registration with, any court or governmental agency in order for it to
         execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or
         contemplated by this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement in
         accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. Except as disclosed in the
         SEC Documents, all consents, authorizations, orders, filings and
         registrations which the Company is required to obtain pursuant to the
         preceding sentence have been obtained or effected on or prior to the
         date hereof. The Company and its subsidiaries are unaware of any facts
         or circumstance, which might give rise to any of the foregoing.

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                  (f) SEC DOCUMENTS: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Since January 1,
         2000, the Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements
         and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC under of
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT") (all
         of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof or amended after the
         date hereof and all exhibits included therein and financial statements
         and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein,
         being hereinafter referred to as the "SEC DOCUMENTS"). The Company has
         delivered to the Buyers or their representatives, or made available
         through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov, true and complete
         copies of the SEC Documents. As of their respective dates, the
         financial statements of the Company disclosed in the SEC Documents (the
         "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS") complied as to form in all material respects
         with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and
         regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Such financial statements
         have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
         principles, consistently applied, during the periods involved (except
         (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such Financial Statements or the
         notes thereto, or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to
         the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary
         statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial
         position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its
         operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the
         case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). No
         other information provided by or on behalf of the Company to the Buyer
         which is not included in the SEC Documents, including, without
         limitation, information referred to in Section 2(d) and (i) of this
         Agreement, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
         state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
         therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
         not misleading.

                  (g) 10(b)-5. The SEC Documents do not include any untrue
         statements of material fact, nor do they omit to state any material
         fact required to be stated therein necessary to make the statements
         made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
         misleading.

                  (h) ABSENCE OF LITIGATION. Except as disclosed in the SEC
         Documents, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or
         investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency,
         self-regulatory organization or body pending against or affecting the
         Company, the Common Stock or any of the Company's subsidiaries, wherein
         an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would (i) have a material
         adverse effect on the transactions contemplated hereby (ii) adversely
         affect the validity or enforceability of, or the authority or ability
         of the Company to perform its obligations under, this Agreement or any
         of the documents contemplated herein, or (iii) except as expressly
         disclosed in the SEC Documents, have a material adverse effect on the
         business, operations, properties, financial condition or results of
         operation of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                  (i) ACKNOWLEDGMENT REGARDING BUYER'S PURCHASE OF THE
         CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the
         Buyer(s) is acting solely in

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         the capacity of an arm's length purchaser with respect to this
         Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company further
         acknowledges that the Buyer(s) is not acting as a financial advisor or
         fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to
         this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and any advice
         given by the Buyer(s) or any of their respective representatives or
         agents in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
         contemplated hereby is merely incidental to such Buyer's purchase of
         the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares.

                  (j) NO GENERAL SOLICITATION. Neither the Company, nor any of
         its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has
         engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising
         (within the meaning of Regulation D under the 1933 Act) in connection
         with the offer or sale of the Convertible Debentures or the Conversion
         Shares.

                  (k) NO INTEGRATED OFFERING. Neither the Company, nor any of
         its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has,
         directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or
         solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that
         would require registration of the Convertible Debentures or the
         Conversion Shares under the 1933 Act or cause this offering of the
         Convertible Debentures or the Conversion Shares to be integrated with
         prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the 1933 Act.

                  (l) EMPLOYEE RELATIONS. Neither the Company nor any of its
         subsidiaries is involved in any labor dispute nor, to the knowledge of
         the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is any such dispute threatened.
         None of the Company's or its subsidiaries' employees is a member of a
         union and the Company and its subsidiaries believe that their relations
         with their employees are good.

                  (m) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. Except as otherwise
         disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company and its subsidiaries own or
         possess adequate rights or licenses to use all trademarks, trade names,
         service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents,
         patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals,
         governmental authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to
         conduct their respective businesses as now conducted. The Company and
         its subsidiaries do not have any knowledge of any infringement by the
         Company or its subsidiaries of trademark, trade name rights, patents,
         patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, service names, service
         marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other similar rights
         of others, and, to the knowledge of the Company there is no claim,
         action or proceeding being made or brought against, or to the Company's
         knowledge, being threatened against, the Company or its subsidiaries
         regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights, invention,
         copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark
         registrations, trade secret or other infringement; and the Company and
         its subsidiaries are unaware of any facts or circumstances which might
         give rise to any of the foregoing.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

                  (n) ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. The Company and its subsidiaries are
         (i) in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state
         and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human
         health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or
         wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (ii) have
         received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them
         under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective
         businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of
         any such permit, license or approval.

                  (o) TITLE. Any real property and facilities held under lease
         by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid,
         subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not
         material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made
         of such property and buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries.

                  (p) INSURANCE. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are
         insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such
         losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company
         believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the
         Company and its subsidiaries are engaged. Neither the Company nor any
         such subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or
         applied for and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any
         reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing
         insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain
         similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue
         its business at a cost that would not materially and adversely affect
         the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business or
         operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (q) REGULATORY PERMITS. The Company and its subsidiaries
         possess all material certificates, authorizations and permits issued by
         the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities
         necessary to conduct their respective businesses, and neither the
         Company nor any such subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings
         relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate,
         authorization or permit.

                  (r) INTERNAL ACCOUNTING CONTROLS. The Company and each of its
         subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls
         sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are
         executed in accordance with management's general or specific
         authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
         preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
         accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability,
         and (iii) the recorded amounts for assets is compared with the existing
         assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
         respect to any differences.

                  (r) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE BREACHES, ETC. Except as set forth in
         the SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is
         subject to any charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any
         judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation which in the judgment of
         the Company's officers has or is expected in the future to have a
         material adverse effect on the business, properties, operations,
         financial condition, results

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

         of operations or prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries. Neither
         the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in breach of any contract or
         agreement which breach, in the judgment of the Company's officers, has
         or is expected to have a material adverse effect on the business,
         properties, operations, financial condition, results of operations or
         prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries.

                  (s) TAX STATUS. The Company and each of its subsidiaries has
         made or filed all federal and state income and all other tax returns,
         reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is
         subject and (unless and only to the extent that the Company and each of
         its subsidiaries has set aside on its books provisions reasonably
         adequate for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes) has paid
         all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are
         material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns,
         reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith
         and has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the
         payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which
         such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes
         in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any
         jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company know of no basis for any
         such claim.

                  (t) CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS. Except as set forth in the SEC
         Documents and except for arm's length transactions pursuant to which
         the Company makes payments in the ordinary course of business upon
         terms no less favorable than the Company could obtain from third
         parties and other than the grant of stock options disclosed in the SEC
         Documents, none of the officers, directors, or employees of the Company
         is presently a party to any transaction with the Company (other than
         for services as employees, officers and directors), including any
         contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing
         of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property
         to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer,
         director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any
         corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer,
         director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an
         officer, director, trustee or partner.

                  (u) FEES AND RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL. The Company is not
         obligated to offer the securities offered hereunder on a right of first
         refusal basis or otherwise to any third parties including, but not
         limited to, current or former shareholders of the Company,
         underwriters, brokers, agents or other third parties.

                  4. COVENANTS.
                     ---------

                  (a) BEST EFFORTS. Each party shall use its best efforts timely
         to satisfy each of the conditions to be satisfied by it as provided in
         Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement.

                  (b) FORM D. The Company agrees to file a Form D with respect
         to the Conversion Shares as required under Regulation D and to provide
         a copy thereof to the

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

         Placement Agent promptly after such filing. The Company shall, on or
         before the respective Closing Date, take such action as the Company
         shall reasonably determine is necessary to qualify the Conversion
         Shares, or obtain an exemption for the Conversion Shares for sale to
         the Buyers at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement under applicable
         securities or "Blue Sky" laws of the states of the United States, and
         shall provide evidence of any such action so taken to the Buyers on or
         prior to the respective Closing Date.

                  (c) REPORTING STATUS. Until the earlier of (i) the date as of
         which the Investor(s) (as that term is defined in the Registration
         Rights Agreement) may sell all of the Conversion Shares without
         restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) promulgated under the 1933 Act (or
         successor thereto), or (ii) the date on which (A) the Buyer(s) shall
         have sold all the Conversion Shares and (B) none of the Convertible
         Debentures are outstanding (the "REGISTRATION PERIOD"), the Company
         shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to file in a timely
         manner all reports required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the
         1934 Act and the regulations of the SEC there under, and the Company
         shall not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports
         under the 1934 Act even if the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations
         there under would otherwise permit such termination.

                  (d) USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company will use the proceeds from
         the sale of the Convertible Debentures for general corporate purposes.

                  (e) RESERVATION OF SHARES. The Company shall take all action
         reasonably necessary to at all times have authorized, and reserved for
         the purpose of issuance, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall
         be necessary to effect the issuance of the Conversion Shares. If at any
         time the Company does not have available such shares of Common Stock as
         shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all
         of the Conversion Shares of the Company shall call and hold a special
         meeting of the shareholders within sixty (60) days of such occurrence,
         for the sole purpose of increasing the number of shares authorized. The
         Company's management shall recommend to the shareholders to vote in
         favor of increasing the number of shares of Common Stock authorized.
         Management shall also vote all of its shares in favor of increasing the
         number of authorized shares of Common Stock.

                  (f) LISTINGS OR QUOTATION. The Company shall promptly secure
         the listing or quotation of the Conversion Shares upon each national
         securities exchange, automated quotation system or Over-The-Counter
         Bulletin Board or other market, if any, upon which shares of Common
         Stock are then listed or quoted (subject to official notice of
         issuance) and shall use its best efforts to maintain, so long as any
         other shares of Common Stock shall be so listed, such listing of all
         Conversion Shares from time to time issuable under the terms of this
         Agreement. The Company shall maintain the Common Stock's authorization
         for quotation in the over-the counter market

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

                  (g) EXPENSES. Each of the Company and the Buyer(s) shall pay
         all costs and expenses incurred by such party in connection with the
         negotiation, investigation, preparation, execution and delivery of this
         Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. The costs and expenses
         of the Placement Agent and its counsel as well as the issuer's counsel
         shall be paid for by the Company at Closing in accordance with the
         terms of the Placement Agent Agreement between the Company and the
         Placement Agent, dated April 3, 2001.

                  (h) CORPORATE EXISTENCE. So long as any of the Convertible
         Debentures remain outstanding, the Company shall not directly or
         indirectly consummate any merger, reorganization, restructuring,
         consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets
         or any similar transaction or related transactions (each such
         transaction, a "SALE OF THE COMPANY") unless, prior to the consummation
         of a Sale of the Company, the Company makes appropriate provision to
         insure that, upon the consummation of such Sale of the Company, each of
         the holders of the Convertible Debentures will thereafter have the
         right to acquire and receive such shares of stock, securities or assets
         as may be issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for the
         number of shares of Common Stock immediately theretofore acquirable and
         receivable upon the conversion of such holder's Convertible Debentures
         had such Sale of the Company not taken place. In any such case, the
         Company will make appropriate provision with respect to such holders'
         rights and interests to insure that the provisions of this Section 4(h)
         will thereafter be applicable to the Convertible Debentures.

                  (i) TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. So long as any Convertible
         Debentures are outstanding, the Company shall not, and shall cause each
         of its subsidiaries not to, enter into, amend, modify or supplement, or
         permit any subsidiary to enter into, amend, modify or supplement any
         agreement, transaction, commitment, or arrangement with any of its or
         any subsidiary's officers, directors, person who were officers or
         directors at any time during the previous two (2) years, stockholders
         who beneficially own five percent (5%) or more of the Common Stock, or
         Affiliates (as defined below) or with any individual related by blood,
         marriage, or adoption to any such individual or with any entity in
         which any such entity or individual owns a five percent (5%) or more
         beneficial interest (each a "Related Party"), except for (a) customary
         employment arrangements and benefit programs on reasonable terms and
         customary agreements, (b) any investment in an Affiliate of the
         Company, (c) any agreement, transaction, commitment, or arrangement on
         an arms-length basis on terms no less favorable than terms which would
         have been obtainable from a person other than such Related Party, (d)
         any agreement transaction, commitment, or arrangement which is approved
         by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, for
         purposes hereof, any director who is also an officer of the Company or
         any subsidiary of the Company shall not be a disinterested director
         with respect to any such agreement, transaction, commitment, or
         arrangement. "Affiliate" for purposes hereof means, with respect to any
         person or entity, another person or entity that, directly or
         indirectly, (i) has a ten percent (10%) or more equity interest in that
         person or entity, (ii) has ten percent (10%) or more common ownership
         with that person or entity, (iii) controls that person or entity, or
         (iv) shares common control with that person or

                                       14
<PAGE>   15

         entity. "Control" or "controls" for purposes hereof means that a person
         or entity has the power, direct or indirect, to conduct or govern the
         policies of another person or entity.

                           (j) TRANSFER AGENT. The Company covenants and agrees
         that, in the event that the Company's agency relationship with the
         transfer agent should be terminated for any reason prior to a date
         which is two (2) years after the Closing Date, the Company shall
         immediately appoint a new transfer agent and shall require that the
         transfer agent execute and agree to be bound by the terms of the
         Irrevocable Instructions (as defined herein) to Transfer Agent.

         5. TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS.
            ---------------------------

                  The Company shall issue irrevocable instructions in the form
         attached hereto as Exhibit D to its transfer agent to issue
         certificates, registered in the name of the Buyer(s) or its respective
         nominee(s), for the Conversion Shares representing such amounts of
         Convertible Debentures as specified from time to time by the Buyer(s)
         to the Company upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures (the
         "IRREVOCABLE TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS"). Prior to registration of
         the Conversion Shares under the 1933 Act, all such certificates shall
         bear the restrictive legend specified in Section 2(g) of this
         Agreement. The Company warrants that no instruction other than the
         Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions referred to in this Section 5,
         and stop transfer instructions to give effect to Section 2(f) hereof
         (in the case of the Conversion Shares prior to registration of such
         shares under the 1933 Act) will be given by the Company to its transfer
         agent and that the Conversion Shares shall otherwise be freely
         transferable on the books and records of the Company as and to the
         extent provided in this Agreement and the Registration Rights
         Agreement. Nothing in this Section 5 shall affect in any way the
         Buyer's obligations and agreement to comply with all applicable
         securities laws upon resale of Conversion Shares. If the Buyer(s)
         provides the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably
         satisfactory in form, and substance to the Company, that registration
         of a resale by the Buyer(s) of any of the Conversion Shares is not
         required under the 1933 Act, the Company shall permit the transfer of
         the Conversion Shares promptly instruct its transfer agent to issue one
         or more certificates in such name and in such denominations as
         specified by the Buyer. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of
         its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Buyer by
         vitiating the intent and purpose of the transaction contemplated
         hereby. Accordingly, the Company acknowledges that the remedy at law
         for a breach of its obligations under this Section 5 will be inadequate
         and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened breach by the
         Company of the provisions of this Section 5, that the Buyer(s) shall be
         entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction
         restraining any breach and requiring immediate issuance and transfer,
         without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or
         other security being required.

                                       15
<PAGE>   16

         6. CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO SELL.
            ----------------------------------------------

                  The obligation of the Company hereunder to issue and sell the
         Convertible Debentures to the Buyer(s) at the respective Closing is
         subject to the satisfaction, at or before the respective Closing Dates,
         of each of the following conditions, provided that these conditions are
         for the Company's sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any
         time in its sole discretion:

                  (a) Each Buyer shall have executed this Agreement and the
         Registration Rights Agreement and delivered the same to the Company.

                  (b) The Buyer(s) shall have delivered to the Escrow Agent the
         Purchase Price for Convertible Debentures in respective amounts as set
         forth next to each Buyer as outlined on Schedule I attached hereto and
         the Escrow Agent shall have delivered such funds to the Company by wire
         transfer of immediately available U.S. funds pursuant to the wire
         instructions provided by the Company.

                  (c) The representations and warranties of the Buyer(s) shall
         be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made
         and as of the respective Closing Date as though made at that time
         (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a specific
         date), and the Buyer(s) shall have performed, satisfied and complied in
         all material respects with the covenants, agreements and conditions
         required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with
         by the Buyer(s) at or prior to the respective Closing Date.

         7. CONDITIONS TO THE BUYER'S OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE.
            ------------------------------------------------

                  The obligation of the Buyer(s) hereunder to purchase the
         Convertible Debentures at the respective Closing is subject to the
         satisfaction, at or before the respective Closing Date, of each of the
         following conditions, provided that these conditions are for the
         Buyer's sole benefit and may be waived by the Buyer(s) at any time in
         its sole discretion:

                  (a) The Company shall have executed this Agreement and the
         Registration Rights Agreement, and delivered the same to the Buyer(s).

                  (b) The Common Stock shall be authorized for quotation on The
         National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. OTC Bulletin Board,
         trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended for any
         reason and all of the Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the
         Convertible Debentures shall be approved for listing or quotation on
         The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. OTC Bulletin
         Board.

                  (c) The representations and warranties of the Company shall be
         true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent that
         any of such representations and warranties is already qualified as to
         materiality in Section 3 above, in which case, such representations and
         warranties shall be true and correct without further qualification) as

                                       16
<PAGE>   17

         of the date when made and as of the respective Closing Date as though
         made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak
         as of a specific date) and the Company shall have performed, satisfied
         and complied in all material respects with the covenants, agreements
         and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or
         complied with by the Company at or prior to the respective Closing
         Date. The Buyer shall have received a certificate, executed by the
         President of the Company, dated as of the respective Closing Date, to
         the foregoing effect and as to such other matters as may be reasonably
         requested by the Buyer including, without limitation an update as of
         the respective Closing Date regarding the representation contained in
         Section 3(c) above.

                  (d) The Placement Agent on behalf of the Buyer(s), shall
         receive an opinion letter from counsel to the Company (updated where
         applicable) prior to the Initial Closing substantially in form
         acceptable to the Investor.

                  (e) The Company shall have executed and delivered to the
         Buyer(s) the Convertible Debentures in the respective amounts set forth
         opposite each Buyer(s) name on Schedule I attached hereto.

                  (f) As of the respective Closing Date, the Company shall have
         reserved out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for
         the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Convertible Debentures,
         shares of Common Stock to effect the conversion of all of the
         Conversion then outstanding.

                  (g) The Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Buyer, shall have been delivered to and
         acknowledged in writing by the Company's transfer agent.

         8. INDEMNIFICATION.
            ---------------

                  (a) In consideration of the Buyer's execution and delivery of
         this Agreement and acquiring the Convertible Debentures and the
         Conversion Shares hereunder, and in addition to all of the Company's
         other obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall defend,
         protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer(s) and each other holder
         of the Convertible Debentures and the Conversion Shares, and all of
         their officers, directors, employees and agents (including, without
         limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the "BUYER INDEMNITEES")
         from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims,
         losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses
         in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Buyer
         Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder
         is sought), and including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements
         (the "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES"), incurred by the Buyer Indemnitees or
         any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any
         misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by
         the Company in this Agreement, the

                                       17
<PAGE>   18

         Convertible Debentures or the Registration Rights Agreement or any
         other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or
         thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the
         Company contained in this Agreement, or the Registration Rights
         Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated
         hereby or thereby, or (c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or
         made against such Indemnitee and arising out of or resulting from the
         execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this Agreement or
         any other instrument, document or agreement executed pursuant hereto by
         any of the Indemnities, any transaction financed or to be financed in
         whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of the
         issuance of the Convertible Debentures or the status of the Buyer or
         holder of the Convertible Debentures the Conversion Shares, as a Buyer
         of Convertible Debentures in the Company. To the extent that the
         foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any
         reason, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment
         and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is
         permissible under applicable law.

                  (b) In consideration of the Company's execution and delivery
         of this Agreement, and in addition to all of the Buyer's other
         obligations under this Agreement, the Buyer shall defend, protect,
         indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all of it's officers,
         directors, employees and agents (including, without limitation, those
         retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement) (collectively, the "COMPANY INDEMNITEES") from and against
         any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Indemnitees or any
         of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any
         misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by
         the Buyer(s) in this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, or
         any other instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby
         executed by the Buyer, (b) any breach of any covenant, agreement or
         obligation of the Buyer(s) contained in this Agreement, the
         Registration Rights Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or
         document contemplated hereby or thereby executed by the Buyer, or (c)
         any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Company
         Indemnitee based on material misrepresentations or due to a material
         breach and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery,
         performance or enforcement of this Agreement, the Registration Rights
         Agreement, or any other instrument, document or agreement executed
         pursuant hereto by any of the Company Indemnities. To the extent that
         the foregoing undertaking by each Buyer may be unenforceable for any
         reason, each Buyer shall make the maximum contribution to the payment
         and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is
         permissible under applicable law.

         (C) Within five (5) business days after receipt by an indemnified party
         of notice of commencement of any action covered by Section 8(a) or 8(b)
         hereof, the party to be indemnified shall notify the indemnifying party
         of the commencement thereof; provided, however, that the omission by
         one indemnified party to so notify the indemnifying party shall not
         relieve the indemnifying party of its obligation to indemnify any other
         indemnified party that has given such notice and shall not relieve the
         indemnifying party

                                       18
<PAGE>   19

         of any liability outside of this indemnification if not materially
         prejudiced thereby. In the event that any action is brought against the
         indemnified party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to
         participate therein and, to the extent it may desire, to assume and
         control the defense thereof with counsel chosen by it which is
         reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party. After notice from the
         indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election to so
         assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable
         to such indemnified party under such Section 8(a) or 8(b) for any legal
         or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in
         connection with the defense thereof, but the indemnified party may, at
         its own expense, participate in such defense by counsel chosen by it,
         without, however, impairing the indemnifying party's control of the
         defense. Subject to the proviso of this sentence and notwithstanding
         any other statement to the contrary contained herein, the indemnified
         party or parties shall have the right to choose its or their own
         counsel and control the defense of any action, all at the expense of
         the indemnifying party if (i) the employment of such counsel shall have
         been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party in connection with
         the defense of such action at the expense of the indemnifying party, or
         (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably
         satisfactory to such indemnified party to have charge of the defense of
         such action within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of
         the action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have
         reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them
         which are different from or additional to those available to one or all
         of the indemnifying parties (in which case the indemnifying parties
         shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf
         of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events such fees
         and expenses of one additional counsel shall be borne by the
         indemnifying party; provided, however, that the indemnifying party
         shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but
         substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction
         arising out of the same general allegations or circumstance, be liable
         for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of
         attorneys at any time for all such indemnified parties. No settlement
         of any action or proceeding against an indemnified party shall be made
         without the consent of the indemnifying party.

         9. GOVERNING LAW: MISCELLANEOUS.
            ----------------------------

                  (a) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
         interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware
         without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The parties
         further agree that any action between them shall be heard in New York
         City, New York, and expressly consent to the jurisdiction and venue of
         the Supreme Court of New York and the United States District Court for
         the Southern District of New York for the adjudication of any civil
         action asserted pursuant to this Paragraph.

                  (b) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or
         more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and
         the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have
         been signed by each party and delivered to the

                                       19
<PAGE>   20

         other party. In the event any signature page is delivered by facsimile
         transmission, the party using such means of delivery shall cause four
         (4) additional original executed signature pages to be physically
         delivered to the other party within five (5) days of the execution and
         delivery hereof

                  (c) HEADINGS. The headings of this Agreement are for
         convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the
         interpretation of, this Agreement.

                  (d) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
         invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or
         unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
         remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or
         enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other
         jurisdiction.

                  (e) ENTIRE AGREEMENT, AMENDMENTS. This Agreement supersedes
         all other prior oral or written agreements between the Buyer(s), the
         Company, their affiliates and persons acting on their behalf with
         respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement and the
         instruments referenced herein contain the entire understanding of the
         parties with respect to the matters covered herein and therein and,
         except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the Company
         nor any Buyer makes any representation, warranty, covenant or
         undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this
         Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in
         writing signed by the party to be charged with enforcement.

                  (f) NOTICES. Any notices, consents, waivers, or other
         communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of
         this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been
         delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon
         confirmation of receipt, when sent by facsimile, (iii) three (3) days
         after being sent by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested, or
         (iv) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight
         delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to
         receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such
         communications shall be:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                    <C>
                  If to the Company, to:               Empyrean Bioscience, Inc.
                                                       23800 Commerce Park Road
                                                       Suite A
                                                       Cleveland, Ohio 44122
                                                       Attention:        Richard C. Adamany
                                                                         President & Chief Executive Officer
                                                       Telephone:        (216) 360-7900
                                                       Facsimile:        (216) 360-7909
</TABLE>

                                       20
<PAGE>   21

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                    <C>
                  With a copy to:                      Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan and Aronoff LLP
                                                       2300 BP America Building - 200 Public Square
                                                       Cleveland, OH 44114
                                                       Attention:        Joseph G. Tegreene, Esq.
                                                       Telephone:        (216) 363-4643
                                                       Facsimile:        (216) 363-4588

                  If to the Transfer Agent, to:        Jersey Transfer & Trust Company
                                                       201 Bloomfield Avenue
                                                       Verona, NJ 07044
                                                       Telephone:    (973) 239-2712
                                                       Facsimile:     (973) 239-2361

                  If to the Investor:                  At the address listed on Schedule A.
</TABLE>

                  If to the Buyer(s), to its address and facsimile number on
         Schedule I, with copies to the Buyer's counsel as set forth on Schedule
         I. Each party shall provide five (5) days' prior written notice to the
         other party of any change in address or facsimile number.

                  (g) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
         upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective
         successors and assigns. Neither the Company nor any Buyer shall assign
         this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
         written consent of the other party hereto.

                  (h) NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is intended
         for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted
         successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any
         provision hereof be enforced by, any other person.

                  (i) SURVIVAL. Unless this Agreement is terminated under
         Section 9(l), the representations and warranties of the Company and the
         Buyers contained in Sections 2 and 3, the agreements and covenants set
         forth in Sections 4, 5 and 9, and the indemnification provisions set
         forth in Section 8, shall survive the respective Closing for a period
         of one (1) year following the date on which the Convertible Debentures
         are converted in full. The Buyer(s) shall be responsible only for its
         own representations, warranties, agreements and covenants hereunder.

                  (j) PUBLICITY. The Company and the May Davis shall have the
         right to approve, before issuance any press release or any other public
         statement with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby made by
         any party; provided, however, that the

                                       21
<PAGE>   22

         Company shall be entitled, without the prior approval of May Davis, to
         issue any press release or other public disclosure with respect to such
         transactions required under applicable securities or other laws or
         regulations (the Company shall use its best efforts to consult May
         Davis in connection with any such press release or other public
         disclosure prior to its release and May Davis shall be provided with a
         copy thereof upon release thereof).

                  (k) FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each party shall do and perform, or
         cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and
         shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates,
         instruments and documents, as the other party may reasonably request in
         order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this
         Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (1) TERMINATION. In the event that the respective Closing
         shall not have occurred with respect to the Buyers on or before five
         (5) business days from the date hereof due to the Company's or the
         Buyer's failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Sections 6 and 7
         above (and the non-breaching party's failure to waive such unsatisfied
         condition(s)), the non-breaching party shall have the option to
         terminate this Agreement with respect to such breaching party at the
         close of business on such date without liability of any party to any
         other party; provided, however, that if this Agreement is terminated
         pursuant to this Section 9(l), the Company shall remain obligated to
         reimburse the Buyer(s) for the expenses described in Section 4(g)
         above.

                  (m) FINDER. The Company acknowledges that it has engaged The
         May Davis Group, Inc., as the placement agent in connection with the
         sale of the Convertible Debentures. The Company shall be responsible
         for the payment of any placement agent fees (which includes cash)
         relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby and
         from the proceeds thereof.

                  (n) NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION. The language used in this
         Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to
         express their mutual intent, and no rules of strict construction will
         be applied against any party.

                    [REMAINDER PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       22
<PAGE>   23

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Buyers and the Company have caused this
Securities Purchase Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written
above.

                            EMPYREAN BIOSCIENCE, INC.

                            By:  _____________________________________________
                                 Name:    Richard C. Adamany
                                 Title:   President & Chief Executive Officer

                            By:  _____________________________________________
                                 Name:    ____________________________________
                                 Title:   ____________________________________

                                       23<PAGE>

                                                                 Exhibit 10.2(a)

                 ORAPHARMA, INC. 1999 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN

                                Amendment No. 1

   Pursuant to resolutions of the stockholders and the Board of Directors of
OraPharma, Inc., the first sentence of Section 3(a) of the OraPharma, Inc. 1999
Equity Compensation Plan is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

  "Subject to the adjustments as described below, the aggregate number of
  shares of common stock of the Company ("Company Stock") that may be issued
  or transferred under the Plan is 1,920,000 shares."

                                     ORAPHARMA, INC.

                                     By: /s/ James A. Ratigan
                                         --------------------
                                         Name: James A. Ratigan
                                         Title: Executive Vice President,
                                         Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Dated: June 14, 2001

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