Document:

exv10w5

 

Exhibit 10.5

CONSULTING AGREEMENT

     This Consulting Agreement (this Agreement”) is between Harvest Natural Resources, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Kerry R. Brittain, with a residence at 2403 Hidden Shore
Drive, Katy, Texas 75450 (“Consultant”), and is dated on the latest date set forth beside the
signatures of the parties at the end of this Agreement.

RECITALS:

     A. The Company desires to engage Consultant to render consulting services;

     B. The Company and Consultant wish to memorialize the terms and conditions upon which
Consultant is engaged to provide consulting services to the Company; and

     C. The Company and Consultant anticipate that the level of services Consultant will perform
for the Company after July 15, 2007 will permanently decrease to no more than 20 percent of the
average level of services performed by Consultant for the Company over the 36-month period
immediately preceding July 16, 2007.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1. SERVICES AND NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP

     1.1 Engagement. The Company hereby retains Consultant and Consultant hereby accepts
such appointment and agrees to perform the services covered by this Agreement with all due skill
and care on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Consultant’s services shall be
provided in connection with such assignments as the Company may make from time to time within the
area of Consultant’s expertise.

     1.2 Reporting Relationship and Assignment. Consultant shall report to the President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company or his or the Company’s designees.

     1.3 Method of Performing Services. Consultant, as an independent contractor, shall
determine the method, details, and means of performing any services furnished pursuant to this
Agreement, but the services contemplated herein shall meet the approval of the Company. Consultant
will devote sufficient time, attention and energies to the business and interests of the Company
and diligently and to the best of his ability perform such duties incident to this Agreement, and
perform such other duties as requested commensurate with the terms of this Agreement.

     1.4 Compliance With Law and Company Policy. Consultant represents that he is familiar
with the safety and health rules of the Company and its subsidiaries. Consultant shall comply with
all applicable safety and health rules, and policies, procedures and codes of conduct of the
Company and its subsidiaries, together with all

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applicable federal, state or local safety and health laws, rules, regulations or orders in
which the Company and its subsidiaries do business.

     Consultant acknowledges that he has been provided copies of, and has read and understands the
Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) and the Company’s Compliance Manual, and
Consultant agrees:

               (a) to comply with all policies of the Company and its subsidiaries, including, without
limitation, the Code and the Compliance Manual;

               (b) to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the
laws and regulations of the United States and Venezuela; and

               (c) to promptly report as provided in the Code any violation or suspected violation of any
law, regulation or Company policy.

     This clause will not require the Company to police Consultant’s compliance with the Code,
laws, regulations or company policies and shall not impose any obligation on the part of the
Company or its affiliates under such laws, regulations or Company policies. Nothing contained in
this provision shall be interpreted as enlarging the legal duty of the Company or its affiliates to
Consultant or alter the status of Consultant as set forth in this Agreement.

     The preceding paragraphs of this provision are agreed to by both the Company and Consultant to
be of the highest importance. A breach or violation of any of the terms of this provision by
Consultant will be considered to be a material breach of this Agreement.

     1.5 No Authority to Bind. Consultant shall have no authority to obligate the Company
in any manner whatsoever in the absence of specific prior written authority from the President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company permitting Consultant to do so, including without limitation
incurring expenses or entering into contracts.

     1.6 Status as Independent Consultant. Consultant acknowledges and agrees that, in
performing services pursuant to this Agreement, Consultant shall be serving as an independent
contractor. Consultant agrees that Consultant is not and will not become an employee of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries while this Agreement is in effect. Consultant agrees that the
provision of services pursuant to this Agreement will not entitle Consultant to any rights or
benefits afforded to the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, including such benefits as
worker’s compensation insurance, health insurance, sick leave, retirement benefits or any other
employment benefit. Consultant agrees that the indemnification provisions of Section 5.1 shall
apply to any claims relating to the subject matter of this Section 1.5.

     1.7 Payment of Taxes. Consultant agrees that he is solely responsible for paying when
due all income taxes, including estimated taxes, as a result of or in connection with the
compensation paid by the Company to Consultant for services

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rendered under this Agreement. The Company shall issue applicable U.S. or other tax forms or
reports to Consultant with respect to the compensation paid pursuant to this Agreement. Consultant
hereby indemnifies, and undertakes to defend the Company and hold it free and harmless from and
against any demands or claims for any taxes, interest or penalties assessed by any taxing authority
with respect to sums paid to Consultant pursuant to this Agreement.

2. TERM AND TERMINATION

     2.1 Term. This Agreement shall become effective on July 16, 2007. The term of this
Agreement shall commence on July 16, 2007, and shall continue through June 30, 2008 (the “Term”).

     2.2 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time for
material breach by the other party, upon ten (10) days written notice, if the breaching party has
failed to remedy the breach leading to the termination during that ten (10) day period.

3. FEES AND EXPENSES

     The Company shall compensate Consultant for services rendered pursuant to this Agreement as
follows:

     3.1 Rates. The Company agrees to compensate Consultant for services provided pursuant
to this Agreement at the rate of $200 per hour of service rendered under this Agreement, except
when providing services requiring travel outside of Houston, in which case the rate will be $2,000
per day including travel time.

     3.2 Expense Reimbursements. The Company agrees to reimburse Consultant for reasonable
business expenses incurred by Consultant in performing services pursuant to this Agreement;
provided, however, that Consultant shall have furnished the Company promptly with receipts or other
documentation concerning any reimbursable business expenses.

     3.3 Timing of Payments. Consultant shall provide the Company with a statement
describing his services and indicating the number of hours (or, in the case of travel outside of
Houston, the number of days) of service he has provided under this Agreement in each calendar month
within ten (10) days after the end of that calendar month. The Company shall pay Consultant the
amount shown on any such statement within thirty (30) days after receipt. Payments to Consultant
for reimbursement for expenses incurred shall be made within thirty (30) days after the Company’s
receipt of an expense statement.

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4. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS BY CONSULTANT

     4.1 Property of the Company.

          4.1.1 Consultant covenants and agrees that upon the termination of this Agreement for any
reason or, if earlier, upon the Company’s request, he shall promptly return all Property which had
been entrusted or made available to Consultant by the Company.

          4.1.2 The term “Property” shall mean all records, files, memoranda, reports, price lists,
drawing, plans, sketches, keys, codes, computer hardware and software and other property of any
kind or description prepared, used or possessed by Consultant during the term of this Agreement
relating to the Company or its business, operations or prospects (and any duplicates of any such
property) together with any and all information, ideas, concepts, discoveries, and inventions and
the like conceived, made, developed or acquired at any time by Consultant individually or with
others during the term of this Agreement relating to the Company or its business, operations or
prospects.

     4.2 Confidential Information. Except as required in the performance of Consultant’s
obligations hereunder, or otherwise specifically required by law, or with the prior written consent
of the Company on a case-by-case basis, Consultant shall hold confidential and shall not in any
manner disclose, use for personal benefit, or directly or indirectly use for the benefit of any
other person, Confidential Information (defined below) that has come or shall hereafter come into
Consultant’s possession. Consultant recognizes the importance to the Company of protecting its
Confidential Information without regard to the passage of time, and further recognizes that this
restriction shall continue in full force and effect during the Term of this Agreement and for a
period of five (5) years after the end of the Term, except as to Confidential Information which
constitutes a trade secret, in which case the restriction shall continue so long as such
information remains a trade secret. No later than the end of the Term of this Agreement,
Consultant shall return to the Company, without making and retaining copies thereof, all documents,
records, computer information, maps and charts and other repositories containing Confidential
Information. Consultant shall also return Confidential Information to the Company promptly
following its usefulness in performing its consulting services. As used in this Agreement, the
term “Confidential Information” shall mean all information of a confidential or non-public nature
concerning the Company or any of its affiliates existing or proposed business activities, including
without limitation, geological, geophysical and seismic data and interpretations, computer
analysis, maps, charts, reports, results of operations, proposed methods of operation, gas plant
designs, specifications or processes, financial information, information with respect to parties
with whom the Company or its affiliates has or intends to have business relationships and similar
information.

     4.3 Ownership. Consultant agrees that all processes, technologies, computer analysis,
discoveries and inventions whether new or enhanced and expanded, whether patentable or not,
conceived, developed, invented or made by Consultant during the Term

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of this Agreement which grew out of Consultant’s work for the Company shall belong to the
Company and not to Consultant. Consultant shall not contribute or publish articles based upon the
results of the services performed under this Agreement unless such articles are approved in advance
by the Company.

     4.4 Conflict of Interest and FCPA. Consultant covenants and agrees that Consultant
and his personnel and their immediate family will not receive and has not received any payments,
gifts or promises and Consultant will not engage in any employment or business enterprises that in
any way conflict with its ability to provide services for, or conflict with the interests of, the
Company or its affiliates under this Agreement. Consultant shall make all reasonable efforts
consistent with the terms of this Agreement to prevent occurrences of and eliminate conditions
which could result in a conflict with the best interest of the Company and its affiliates.
Consultant shall make all reasonable efforts to prevent conflicts of interest from arising out of
relationships between Consultant, his agents or his employees, on the one hand, and agents or
employees of the Company or its affiliates, on the other hand.

     Consultant shall not make any payments, loans, gifts or of anything of value or promises or
offers of payments, loans, gifts or of anything of value, directly or indirectly, to or for the use
or benefit of any official or employee of any government, political party or candidate for
political office or to any other person for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, or if
Consultant knows, or has reason to believe, that any part of such payments, loans or gifts, or
promise or offer, would violate the laws or regulations of any country, including, without
limitation, Venezuela and the United States, having jurisdiction over Consultant or the Company or
its affiliates.

     By signing this Agreement, Consultant acknowledges that he has not made any payments, loans,
gifts or of anything of value, or promises of payments, loans, gifts or of anything of value to or
for the use or benefit of any official or employee of any government, political party or candidate
for political office or to any other person for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, or
which would violate the laws or regulations of any country, including, without limitation,
Venezuela and the United States, having jurisdiction over Consultant or the Company or its
affiliates.

     4.5 Reasonable and Continuing Obligations. Consultant agrees that Consultant’s
obligations under Section 4 are obligations which will continue beyond the date this Agreement
terminates and that such obligations are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s
legitimate business interests. The Company additionally shall have the right to take such other
action as the Company deems necessary or appropriate to compel compliance with the provisions of
this Section 4 (including, without limitation, seeking a court order for specific performance).

5. GENERAL PROVISIONS

     5.1 Indemnities. CONSULTANT RECOGNIZES THAT INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING
ON-SITE WORK AND TRAVEL INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK, WHICH RISK CONSULTANT ALONE

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ASSUMES AS PART OF THE CONSIDERATION FOR HIS COMPENSATION. CONSULTANT HEREBY AGREES TO
RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD THE COMPANY AND ITS AFFILIATES, CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS
AND ALL OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS, LICENSEES AND
INVITEES (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO COLLECTIVELY AS THE “COMPANY GROUP”) HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST
ANY AND ALL LOSS, COST, DAMAGE OR EXPENSE OF EVERY KIND AND NATURE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
FINES, PENALTIES, REMEDIAL OBLIGATIONS, TAXES, COURT COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’
FEES INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES INCURRED IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS INDEMNITY CLAUSE) (HEREINAFTER
REFERRED COLLECTIVELY AS “INDEMNIFIABLE CLAIMS”) ARISING OUT OF BODILY INJURY (INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, SICKNESS TO OR DEATH OF PERSONS AND LOSSES THEREFROM TO RELATIVES OR DEPENDENTS) TO
CONSULTANT, LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY OR INTERESTS IN PROPERTY OF CONSULTANT, OR IN ANY
MANNER CAUSED BY, RESULTING FROM, INCIDENT TO, CONNECTED WITH OR ARISING OUT OF PERFORMANCE OF THE
SERVICES HEREUNDER WHETHER OR NOT RESULTING IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM THE SOLE, CONCURRENT, OR
COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE, OR STRICT LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY GROUP, OR DEFECT IN THE PREMISES,
EQUIPMENT, OR TOOLS OWNED, OPERATED OR CONTROLLED BY THE COMPANY GROUP. THIS INDEMNIFICATION AND
RELEASE SHALL BE BINDING UPON THE HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, BENEFICIARIES, ASSIGNS, EXECUTORS AND
ADMINISTRATORS OR OTHER PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OF CONSULTANT. THE COMPANY HEREBY AGREES TO
RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD THE CONSULTANT HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL
INDEMNIFIABLE CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF BODILY INJURY (INCLUDING SICKNESS TO OR DEATH OF PERSONS AND
LOSSES THEREFROM TO RELATIVES OR DEPENDENTS) TO THE COMPANY GROUP, OR LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF
PROPERTY OR INTERESTS IN PROPERTY OF THE COMPANY GROUP, IN ANY MANNER CAUSED BY, RESULTING FROM,
INCIDENT TO, CONNECTED WITH OR ARISING OUT OF PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICES HEREUNDER WHETHER OR NOT
RESULTING IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM THE SOLE, CONCURRENT, OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE, OR STRICT
LIABILITY OF THE CONSULTANT, OR DEFECT IN THE PREMISES, EQUIPMENT, OR TOOLS OWNED, OPERATED OR
CONTROLLED BY THE CONSULTANT.

     5.2 Notice. Notices and all other communications shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by United States registered
or certified mail. Notices to the Company shall be sent to 1177 Enclave Parkway, Suite 300,
Houston, Texas 77077. Notices and communications to Consultant shall be sent to the Consultant’s
address provided above. Either party may change its/his address by providing notice to the other
party consistent with the terms of this section.

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     5.3 Assignment/Subcontracting. This Agreement, and all duties and obligations
hereunder are personal in nature, and Consultant shall not assign this Agreement, or any portion
hereof, voluntarily or involuntarily by operation of law, or enter into any subcontract for the
performance of any services under this Agreement, or any portion thereof, without the Company’s
prior written approval. If the Company consents to a subcontract hereunder, Consultant shall
assume full responsibility for the acts or omissions of subcontractors. The Company may assign
this Agreement (1) to any affiliate of the Company, (2) to any person who agrees in writing to be
bound by the terms of this Agreement or (3) upon written notice to and written consent by
Consultant, which written consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     5.4 Audit. The Company, or its designated representative, shall have the right to
inspect and audit Consultant’s books, records and all associated documents to ensure compliance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Consultant agrees to maintain such books, records
and associated documents for a period of two (2) years from the end of the calendar year in which
such costs were invoiced and to make such books, records and associated documents available to the
Company at all reasonable times within such period and for so long thereafter as any dispute
existing as of the expiration of such period remains unresolved. The Company may photocopy or
reproduce any such books and records.

     5.5 Governing Law. This Agreement and all matters relating to the meaning, validity
or enforceability thereof and the performance of the services hereunder shall be governed by the
laws of the State of Texas, exclusive of its conflict of laws rule.

     5.6 Arbitration. SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 4.5 OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY
UNRESOLVED DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY BETWEEN CONSULTANT AND THE COMPANY ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE SETTLED EXCLUSIVELY BY ARBITRATION, CONDUCTED BEFORE A SINGLE
ARBITRATOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION THEN IN EFFECT.
THE ARBITRATOR SHALL NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ADD TO, DETRACT FROM, OR MODIFY ANY PROVISION
HEREOF. A DECISION BY THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE IN WRITING AND WILL BE FINAL AND BINDING. JUDGMENT
MAY BE ENTERED ON THE ARBITRATOR’S AWARD IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION. THE ARBITRATION
PROCEEDING SHALL BE HELD IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.

     5.7 Drugs, Deadly Weapons and Searches. Consultant shall abide by the following
Company policy regarding drugs, deadly weapons and alcohol:

               (a) Using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs,
narcotics, or other controlled substances, and unauthorized drugs for which a person does not have
a current prescription, while on the Company’s Premises, is prohibited. Possession of deadly
weapons or explosives while on the Company’s Premises is prohibited.

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               (b) The term “the Company’s Premises” is used in its broadest sense to include all work
locations, buildings, structures and all other facilities owned or controlled by the Company or one
of its affiliated companies or otherwise being utilized for the business of the Company or any of
its affiliates.

               (c) Violation of this Company policy will be cause for immediate removal from the Company’s
Premises, and termination as a material breach under this Agreement.

     5.8 Computer Facilities. If required for Consultant to perform services under this
Agreement, Consultant will have access to certain parts of the computer facilities and programs of
the Company and its affiliates. Consultant agrees that such access shall be subject to the
following conditions:

               (a) Access to computers of the Company and its affiliates shall be made only in the manner
prescribed by a Company representative. Access shall be made using only terminals owned or
controlled by the Company and its affiliates and only by Consultant.

               (b) Any user identification code provided by the Company or its affiliates shall be used
solely for access to the computers for conduct of the services for the Company or its affiliates
and only by Consultant.

               (c) Consultant shall not access software or data on the computer system of the Company and its
affiliates other than Consultant’s software or data without the Company’s prior written consent.

               (d) If Consultant should accidentally or inadvertently access any software of the Company and
its affiliates or data which Consultant is not authorized to access, then Consultant shall
immediately inform the Company and shall deliver to the Company or destroy as the Company may
advise any tangible materials (and all copies thereof) resulting from such improper access.

               (e) The Company or its affiliates may copy, use, disclose, distribute, dispose of or destroy
anything placed on computer systems of the Company or any of its affiliates by Consultant.

     5.9 Entire Agreement and Modification. This Agreement supersedes any and all
agreements, either oral or written, between the parties with respect to the rendering of consulting
services by Consultant for the Company, and contains all representations, covenants and agreements
between the parties with respect to the rendering of such services by Consultant. Any modification
of this Agreement will be effective only if it is in writing and signed by the party to be charged.

     5.10 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement
shall be or become illegal, null, void or against public policy, or shall be held by an arbitrator
to be illegal, null or void or against public policy, the remaining provisions of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be

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affected, impaired or invalidated thereby. The term, provision, covenant or condition that is
so invalidated, voided or held to be unenforceable shall be modified or changed by the parties to
the extent possible to carry out the intentions and directives set forth in this Agreement.

     5.11 Successors and Assigns. Except as restricted herein, this Agreement shall be
binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, legal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns.

     5.12 Waiver. No waiver of any provision or consent to any action shall constitute a
waiver of any other provision or consent to any other action, whether or not similar. No waiver or
consent shall constitute a continuing waiver or consent or commit a party to provide a waiver in
the future except to the extent specifically set forth in writing. Any waiver given by a party
shall be null and void if the party requesting such waiver has not provided a full and complete
disclosure of all material facts relevant to the waiver requested. No waiver shall be binding
unless executed in writing by the party making the waiver.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date(s) set forth
below.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Date:                     , 2007

	 	HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Title:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	Date:                     , 2007	 	KERRY R. BRITTAIN
	 	 

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                                                                     Exhibit 4.2

                                                               EXECUTION VERSION

            THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

     This Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated as of
June 13, 2007 (this "Agreement") is entered into by and among Archemix Corp., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the persons or entities listed on
Exhibit A hereto whose names are set forth under the headings entitled (i)
"Series A Purchasers" (the "Series A Purchasers"), (ii) "Series B Purchasers"
(the "Series B Purchasers", and together with the Series A Purchasers and the
Series B Purchasers, each individually, a "Senior Preferred Purchaser," and
collectively, the "Senior Preferred Purchasers")), and (iii) "Series C
Purchasers" (the "Series C Purchasers" and together with the Senior Preferred
Purchasers, each individually, a "Purchaser," and collectively, the
"Purchasers")), as that exhibit may be amended from time to time.

     WHEREAS, the Company is issuing shares of its Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Series C Preferred Stock") to
the Series C Purchasers on the date hereof pursuant to a Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof between the
Company and the Series C Purchasers the "Series C Purchase Agreement");

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Senior Preferred Purchasers have previously
entered into a Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (as
defined below); and

     WHEREAS, it is a condition to the obligations of the Series C Purchasers
under the Series C Purchase Agreement that the Second Amended and Restated
Registration Rights Agreement be amended and restated by the parties hereto, and
the parties are willing to execute this Agreement and to be bound by the
provisions hereof;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, representations,
warranties, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the
agreements pursuant to which the parties hereto acquire securities of the
Company, the parties mutually agree as follows:

     1. Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following respective meanings:

     "Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement" shall mean the
Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 31,
2004 by and among the Company and the persons or entities listed on Exhibit A
thereto.

     "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any
other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.

     "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of
the Company, as constituted as of the date of this Agreement.

     "Conversion Shares" shall mean shares of Common Stock issued or issuable
upon conversion of the Preferred Shares and any shares of capital stock received
in respect thereof.

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     "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any
similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

     "Preferred Shares" shall mean the shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock.

     "Preferred Stock" shall mean the Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share,
of the Company, as constituted as of the date of this Agreement.

     "Registration Expenses" shall mean the expenses so described in Section 6.

     "Restricted Stock" shall mean the Conversion Shares, excluding Conversion
Shares which (a) have been registered under the Securities Act pursuant to an
effective registration statement filed thereunder and disposed of in accordance
with the registration statement covering them, (b) have been publicly sold
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (c) are eligible for sale
pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

     "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

     "Selling Expenses" shall mean the expenses so described in Section 6.

     "Senior Conversion Shares" shall mean shares of Common Stock issued or
issuable upon conversion of the Senior Preferred Shares and any shares of
capital stock received in respect thereof.

     "Senior Preferred Shares" shall mean the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
and Series B Preferred Stock.

     "Senior Restricted Stock" shall mean the Senior Conversion Shares,
excluding Senior Conversion Shares which have been (a) registered under the
Securities Act pursuant to an effective registration statement filed thereunder
and disposed of in accordance with the registration statement covering them or
(b) publicly sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

     "Series A Preferred Stock" shall mean the Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company.

     "Series B Preferred Stock" shall mean the Series B Convertible Preferred
Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company.

     "Series C Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals.

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<PAGE>

     2. Required Registration.

          (a) At any time after the earliest of (i) six months after any
registration statement covering a public offering of securities of the Company
under the Securities Act shall have become effective, (ii) six months after the
Company shall have become a reporting company under Section 12 of the Exchange
Act, and (iii) the third anniversary of the date of this Agreement, the holders
of Senior Restricted Stock constituting at least two-thirds in interest of the
total shares of Senior Restricted Stock then outstanding may request the Company
to register under the Securities Act all or any portion of the shares of Senior
Restricted Stock held by such requesting holder or holders for sale in the
manner specified in such notice. For purposes of this Section 2 and Sections 3,
4, 11(a) and 11(d), the term "Senior Restricted Stock" shall be deemed to
include the number of shares of Senior Restricted Stock which would be issuable
to a holder of Senior Preferred Shares upon conversion of all shares of Senior
Preferred Shares held by such holder at such time, and the term "Restricted
Stock" shall be deemed to include the number of shares of Restricted Stock which
would be issuable to a holder of Preferred Shares upon conversion of all shares
of Preferred Shares held by such holder at such time; provided, however, that
the only securities which the Company shall be required to register pursuant
hereto shall be shares of Common Stock; provided, further, however, that, in any
underwritten public offering contemplated by this Section 2 or Sections 3 and 4,
the holders of Preferred Shares shall be entitled to sell such Preferred Shares
to the underwriters for conversion and sale of the shares of Common Stock issued
upon conversion thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, no registration shall be effected under this Section 2 within 90 days
after the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company
covering a firm commitment underwritten public offering in which the holders of
Restricted Stock shall have been entitled to join pursuant to Sections 3 or 4
and in which there shall have been effectively registered all shares of
Restricted Stock as to which registration shall have been requested.

          (b) Following receipt of any notice under this Section 2, the Company
shall immediately notify all holders of Senior Restricted Stock and shall use
its best efforts to register under the Securities Act, for public sale in
accordance with the method of disposition described in paragraph (a) above, the
number of shares of Senior Restricted Stock specified in such notice (and in all
notices received by the Company from other holders within 30 days after the
giving of such notice by the Company). The Company shall be obligated to
register Senior Restricted Stock pursuant to this Section 2 on two occasions
only; provided, however, that such obligation shall be deemed satisfied only
when a registration statement covering all shares of Senior Restricted Stock
specified in notices received as aforesaid for sale in accordance with the
method of disposition specified by the requesting holders shall have become
effective or if such registration statement has been withdrawn prior to the
consummation of the offering at the request of or with the written approval
(which approval shall specifically reference this sentence) of the Senior
Preferred Purchasers (other than as a result of a material adverse change in the
business or financial condition of the Company) and, if such method of
disposition is a firm commitment underwritten public offering, all such shares
shall have been sold pursuant thereto.

          (c) Except for registration statements on Form S-4, S-8 or any
successor thereto, the Company will not file with the Commission any other
registration statement with respect to its Common Stock, whether for its own
account or that of other stockholders, from the

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<PAGE>

date of receipt of a notice from requesting holders pursuant to this Section 2
until the completion of the period of distribution of the registration
contemplated thereby. For purposes of clarification, a registration statement
filed pursuant to this Section 2 shall be subject to the incidental rights
described in Section 3.

     3. Incidental Registration. If the Company at any time is required
(including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2 or Section 4) or proposes
to register any of its securities under the Securities Act for sale to the
public, whether for its own account or for the account of other security holders
or both (except with respect to registration statements on Forms S-4, S-8 or
another form not available for registering the Restricted Stock for sale to the
public), each such time it will give written notice to all holders of
outstanding Restricted Stock of its intention so to do. Upon the written request
of any such holder received by the Company within 30 days after the giving of
any such notice by the Company to register any of its Restricted Stock, the
Company will use its best efforts to cause the Restricted Stock as to which
registration shall have been so requested to be included in the securities to be
covered by the registration statement proposed to be filed by the Company, all
to the extent requisite to permit the sale or other disposition by the holder
(in accordance with such written request) of such Restricted Stock so
registered. In the event that any registration pursuant to this Section 3 shall
be, in whole or in part, an underwritten public offering of Common Stock, the
number of shares of Restricted Stock to be included in such an underwriting may
be reduced (pro rata among the requesting holders based upon the number of
shares of Restricted Stock held by such requesting holders) if and to the extent
that the managing underwriter shall be of the opinion that such inclusion would
adversely affect the marketing of the securities to be sold by the Company
therein; provided, however, that such number of shares of Restricted Stock shall
not be reduced if any shares are to be included in such underwriting for the
account of any person other than the Company or requesting holders of Restricted
Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Company may withdraw any
registration statement referred to in this Section 3 without thereby incurring
any liability to the holders of Restricted Stock. For purposes of clarification,
holders of the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the
Series C Preferred Stock shall be, except as set forth in the definition of
Restricted Stock, entitled to the incidental rights described in this Section 3.

     4. Registration on Form S-3. If at any time (i) a holder or holders of
Senior Preferred Shares or Senior Restricted Stock then outstanding request that
the Company file a registration statement on Form S-3 or any successor thereto
for a public offering of all or any portion of the shares of Senior Restricted
Stock held by such requesting holder or holders, the reasonably anticipated
aggregate price to the public of which would exceed $500,000, and (ii) the
Company is a registrant entitled to use Form S-3 or any successor thereto to
register such shares, then the Company shall use its best efforts to register
under the Securities Act on Form S-3 or any successor thereto, for public sale
in accordance with the method of disposition specified in such notice, the
number of shares of Senior Restricted Stock specified in such notice. Whenever
the Company is required by this Section 4 to use its best efforts to effect the
registration of Senior Restricted Stock, each of the procedures and requirements
of Section 2 (including but not limited to the requirement that the Company
notify all holders of Preferred Shares or Restricted Stock from whom notice has
not been received and provide them with the opportunity to participate in the
offering) shall apply to such registration. The Senior Preferred Purchasers may
request an

                                        4

<PAGE>

unlimited number of registrations on Form S-3 under this Section 4. For purposes
of clarification, a registration statement filed pursuant to this Section 4
shall be subject to the incidental rights described in Section 3.

     5. Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required by the
provisions of Sections 2, 3, or 4 to use its best efforts to effect the
registration of any shares of Restricted Stock under the Securities Act, the
Company will, as expeditiously as possible:

          (a) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement
(which, in the case of an underwritten public offering pursuant to Section 2,
shall be on Form S-1 or other form of general applicability satisfactory to the
managing underwriter selected as therein provided) with respect to such
securities and use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to
become and remain effective for the period of the distribution contemplated
thereby (determined as hereinafter provided);

          (b) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for
the period specified in paragraph (a) above and comply with the provisions of
the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Restricted Stock
covered by such registration statement in accordance with the sellers' intended
method of disposition set forth in such registration statement for such period;

          (c) furnish to each seller of Restricted Stock and to each underwriter
such number of copies of the registration statement and each such amendment and
supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits) and the prospectus
included therein (including each preliminary prospectus) as such persons
reasonably may request in order to facilitate the public sale or other
disposition of the Restricted Stock covered by such registration statement;

          (d) use its best efforts to register or qualify the Restricted Stock
covered by such registration statement under the securities or "blue sky" laws
of such jurisdictions as the sellers of Restricted Stock or, in the case of an
underwritten public offering, the managing underwriter reasonably shall request;
provided, however, that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required
to qualify generally to transact business as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction where it is not so qualified or to consent to general service of
process in any such jurisdiction;

          (e) use its best efforts to list the Restricted Stock covered by such
registration statement with any securities exchange on which the Common Stock of
the Company is then listed;

          (f) immediately notify each seller of Restricted Stock and each
underwriter under such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus
relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the
happening of any event of which the Company has knowledge as a result of which
the prospectus contained in such registration statement, as then in effect,
includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in light of the

                                        5

<PAGE>

circumstances then existing, and promptly prepare and furnish to such seller a
reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as
thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Restricted Stock, such prospectus
shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;

          (g) if the offering is underwritten and at the request of any seller
of Restricted Stock, use its best efforts to furnish to such seller on the date
that Restricted Stock is delivered to the underwriters for sale pursuant to such
registration: (i) a copy of an opinion dated such date of counsel representing
the Company for the purposes of such registration, addressed to the underwriters
and to such seller, to such effect as reasonably may be requested by counsel for
the underwriters, and (ii) a letter dated such date from the independent public
accountants retained by the Company, addressed to the underwriters and to such
seller, stating that they are independent public accountants within the meaning
of the Securities Act and that, in the opinion of such accountants, the
financial statements of the Company included in the registration statement or
the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof, comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities
Act, and such letter shall additionally cover such other financial matters
(including information as to the period ending no more than five business days
prior to the date of such letter) with respect to such registration as such
underwriters reasonably may request;

          (h) make available for inspection by each seller of Restricted Stock,
any underwriter participating in any distribution pursuant to such registration
statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such seller
or underwriter, reasonable access to all financial and other records, pertinent
corporate documents and properties of the Company, as such parties may
reasonably request, and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to
supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter,
attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;

          (i) cooperate with the selling holders of Restricted Stock and the
managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery
of certificates representing Restricted Stock to be sold, such certificates to
be in such denominations and registered in such names as such holders or the
managing underwriters may request at least two business days prior to any sale
of Restricted Stock; and

          (j) permit any holder of Restricted Stock which, in the sole and
exclusive judgment, exercised in good faith, of such holder, might be deemed to
be a controlling person of the Company, to participate in good faith in the
preparation of such registration or comparable statement and to require the
insertion therein of material, furnished to the Company in writing, which in the
reasonable judgment of such holder and its counsel should be included.

          For purposes of Section 5(a) and 5(b) and of Section 2(c), the period
of distribution of Restricted Stock in a firm commitment underwritten public
offering shall be deemed to extend until each underwriter has completed the
distribution of all securities purchased by it, and the period of distribution
of Restricted Stock in any other registration shall

                                        6

<PAGE>

be deemed to extend until the earlier of the sale of all Restricted Stock
covered thereby and 180 days after the effective date thereof.

          In connection with each registration hereunder, the sellers of
Restricted Stock will furnish to the Company in writing such information
requested by the Company with respect to themselves and the proposed
distribution by them as reasonably shall be necessary in order to assure
compliance with federal and applicable state securities laws.

          In connection with each registration hereunder covering an
underwritten public offering, the Company and each seller agree to enter into a
written agreement with the managing underwriter selected in the manner herein
provided in such form and containing such provisions as are customary in the
securities business for such an arrangement between such underwriter and
companies of the Company's size and investment stature.

     6. Expenses. All expenses incurred by the Company in complying with
Sections 2, 3 and 4, including, without limitation, all registration and filing
fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and independent
public accountants for the Company, fees and expenses (including counsel fees)
incurred in connection with complying with state securities or "blue sky" laws,
fees and expenses of one counsel for the selling holders of Restricted Stock in
connection with the registration of Restricted Stock, fees of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., transfer taxes, fees of transfer agents
and registrars, costs of any insurance which might be obtained, but excluding
any Selling Expenses, are called "Registration Expenses." All underwriting
discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale of Restricted Stock and
the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for the selling holders of
Restricted Stock in connection with the registration of Restricted Stock are
called "Selling Expenses."

          The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with each
registration statement hereunder. All Selling Expenses in connection with each
registration statement hereunder shall be borne by the participating sellers in
proportion to the number of shares sold by each, or by such participating
sellers other than the Company (except to the extent the Company shall be a
seller) as they may agree.

     7. Indemnification.

          (a) In the event of a registration of any of the Restricted Stock
under the Securities Act pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 4, the Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each holder of Restricted Stock, its officers and
directors, each underwriter of such Restricted Stock thereunder and each other
person, if any, who controls such seller or underwriter within the meaning of
the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or
several, to which such holder, officer, director, underwriter or controlling
person may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in any registration statement under which such
Restricted Stock was registered under the Securities Act pursuant to Sections 2,
3 or 4, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any
amendment or supplement

                                        7

<PAGE>

thereof, (ii) any blue sky application or other document executed by the Company
specifically for that purpose or based upon written information furnished by the
Company filed in any state or other jurisdiction in order to qualify any or all
of the Restricted Stock under the securities laws thereof (any such application,
document or information herein called a "Blue Sky Application"), (iii) the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (iv)
any violation by the Company or its agents of any rule or regulation promulgated
under the Securities Act applicable to the Company or its agents and relating to
action or inaction required of the Company in connection with such registration,
or (v) any failure to register or qualify the Restricted Stock in any state
where the Company or its agents has affirmatively undertaken or agreed in
writing that the Company (the undertaking of any underwriter chosen by the
Company being attributed to the Company) will undertake such registration or
qualification on the seller's behalf (provided that in such instance the Company
shall not be so liable if it has undertaken its best efforts to so register or
qualify the Restricted Stock) and will reimburse each such holder, and such
officer and director, each such underwriter and each such controlling person for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action;
provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case if and
to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is
based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by any such
seller, any such underwriter or any such controlling person in writing
specifically for use in such registration statement or prospectus.

          (b) In the event of a registration of any of the Restricted Stock
under the Securities Act pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 4, each seller of
Restricted Stock thereunder, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of the Securities Act, each officer of the Company who signs the
registration statement, each director of the Company, each other holder of
Restricted Stock, each underwriter and each person who controls any underwriter
within the meaning of the Securities Act, against all losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which the Company or such officer, director,
other seller, underwriter or controlling person may become subject under the
Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
the registration statement under which such Restricted Stock was registered
under the Securities Act pursuant to Sections 2, 3 or 4, any preliminary
prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement
thereof, or any Blue Sky Application or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and
will reimburse the Company and each such officer, director, other seller,
underwriter and controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action, provided, however, that such seller will be
liable hereunder in any such case if and only to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information pertaining to such seller, as such, furnished
in writing to the Company by such seller specifically for use in such
registration

                                        8

<PAGE>

statement or prospectus, and provided, further, however, that the liability of
each seller hereunder shall be limited to the proportion of any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or expense which is equal to the proportion that the
public offering price of the shares sold by such seller under such registration
statement bears to the total public offering price of all securities sold
thereunder, but not in any event to exceed the net proceeds received by such
seller from the sale of Restricted Stock covered by such registration statement.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice
of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify
the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
such indemnified party other than under this Section 7 and shall only relieve it
from any liability which it may have to such indemnified party under this
Section 7 if and to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such
omission. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party
and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it
shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel
satisfactory to such indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying
party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the
defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified
party under this Section 7 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation and of liaison with counsel so selected; provided,
however, that, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified
party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably
concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to it which are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or if
the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with
the interests of the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the
right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defenses and
otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the expenses and
fees of such separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation
to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred.

     8. Changes in Common Stock or Preferred Shares. If, and as often as, there
is any change in the Common Stock or the Preferred Stock by way of a stock
split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through a merger,
consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, or by any other means,
appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions hereof so that the rights
and privileges granted hereby shall continue with respect to the Common Stock or
the Preferred Stock as so changed.

     9. Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits of
certain rules and regulations of the Commission which may at any time permit the
sale of the Restricted Stock to the public without registration, at all times
after 90 days after any registration statement covering a public offering of
securities of the Company under the Securities Act shall have become effective,
the Company agrees to:

          (a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

                                        9

<PAGE>

          (b) use its best efforts to file with the Commission in a timely
manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and

          (c) furnish to each holder of Restricted Stock forthwith upon request
a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting
requirements of such Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a
copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such
other reports and documents so filed by the Company as such holder may
reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the
Commission allowing such holder to sell any Restricted Stock without
registration.

     10. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents
and warrants to the holders of Restricted Stock as follows:

          (a) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
Company have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action and will not
violate any provision of law, any order of any court or other agency of
government, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company
or any provision of any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which it or
any or its properties or assets is bound, conflict with, result in a breach of
or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any
such indenture, agreement or other instrument or result in the creation or
imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any
of the properties or assets of the Company.

          (b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company
and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent the
indemnification provisions herein may be deemed not enforceable.

     11. Miscellaneous.

          (a) All covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on
behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit of the
respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto (including without
limitation permitted transferees of any Preferred Shares or Restricted Stock),
whether so expressed or not; provided, however, that registration rights
conferred herein on the holders of Preferred Shares or Restricted Stock shall
only inure to the benefit of a transferee of Preferred Shares or Restricted
Stock if (i) there is transferred to such transferee at least 50,000 shares of
Restricted Stock (appropriately adjusted for any subdivision, stock split,
combination or recapitalization) and such transferee is not engaged in (or a
partner, officer, director, employee, consultant, agent, independent contractor
or shareholder of) any business that competes with the products or services
being developed, manufactured or sold by the Company, as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; or (ii) such transferee is a
partner, shareholder or affiliate of a party hereto; and provided, further, that
in the case of either (i) or (ii) such transferee executes a writing agreeing to
be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.

                                       10

<PAGE>

          (b) All notices shall be in writing and given by personal delivery,
certified mail, return receipt requested, or by commercial overnight courier, to
the recipient's address set forth below and any such notice shall be deemed
given the date of personal delivery, the fifth business day after mailing, or
the next business day after delivery to such courier (unless the return receipt
or the courier's records evidence a later delivery):

               (i) if to the Company, Archemix Corp., 300 Third Street,
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, with a copy to Jeffrey M. Wiesen, Esq., Mintz,
Levin, Cohen, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., One Financial Center, Boston, MA
02111; or

               (ii) if to the Senior Preferred Purchasers, at the address of
such party set forth in that certain Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and
Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement by and among the
Company and the Series B Purchasers and Series B-1 Purchasers dated March 31,
2004; or

               (iii) if to any Series C Purchaser, at the address of such party
set forth in the Series C Purchase Agreement, with a copy to Hans-Friedrich
Geiss, Senior Vice President, Merck KGgA, Frankfurter Str. 250D 64293 Darmstadt,
Germany;

or, in any case, at such other address or addresses as shall have been furnished
in writing to the Company (in the case of a holder of Preferred Shares or
Restricted Stock) or to the holders of Preferred Shares or Restricted Stock (in
the case of the Company) in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.

          (c) This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with
and governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as to
matters within the scope thereof, and as to all other matters shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the internal law of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

          (d) This Agreement may not be amended or modified, and no provision
hereof may be waived, without the written consent of the Company and the holders
of at least a majority in interest of the outstanding shares of Senior
Restricted Stock, which in every event must include the holders of at least
two-thirds (66-2/3%) in interest of the outstanding Senior Conversion Shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such amendment or modification shall be
effective if and to the extent that such amendment or modification either (a)
creates any additional affirmative obligations to be complied with by any or all
of the Purchasers or (b) grants to any one or more Purchasers any rights more
favorable than or disproportionate to any rights granted to all other Purchasers
hereunder or otherwise deprives any one or more Purchasers of any rights in a
manner disproportionate to any rights taken away from other Purchasers, must be
approved by each Purchaser so as to be effective against such Purchaser.

          (e) This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

                                       11

<PAGE>

          (f) The Company shall not grant to any third party any registration
rights comparable to or more favorable than any of those contained herein, so
long as any of the registration rights under this Agreement remains in effect.

          (g) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal,
invalid or unenforceable, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall
attach only to such provision and shall not in any manner affect or render
illegal, invalid or unenforceable any other provision of this Agreement, and
this Agreement shall be carried out as if any such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision were not contained herein.

          (h) By their execution of this Agreement, the undersigned Senior
Preferred Purchasers who hold more than a majority in interest of Senior
Restricted Stock, including the holders of at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) in
interest of the outstanding Senior Conversion Shares, consent, on behalf of all
the parties to the Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, to
the termination of the Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement
and acknowledge and agree that they and each of the other parties thereto have
no remaining rights under the Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights
Agreement.

          (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the
event any Purchaser holds, either alone or together with its affiliates, more
than one class or series of the Company's capital stock, its rights and
obligations hereunder shall be determined separately with respect to each such
class or series as if such shares were held by unrelated individuals or
entities.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       12

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Third Amended and
Restated Registration Rights Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.

                                        ARCHEMIX CORP.

                                        By: /s/ Errol B. DeSouza
                                            ------------------------------------
                                        Name: Errol B. DeSouza, Ph.D.
                                        Title: President and Chief Executive
                                               Officer

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]
<PAGE>

PURCHASERS:

INTERNATIONAL LIFE SCIENCES FUND III (LP1), L.P.,
By: International Life Sciences Fund III (GP), L.P., its sole General Partner,
By: ILSF III, LLC, its sole General Partner

By: /s/ Denise W. Marks
    ---------------------------------
Name: DENISE W. MARKS
Title: ILSF III LLC, MEMBER

INTERNATIONAL LIFE SCIENCES FUND III (LP2), L.P.,
By: International Life Sciences Fund III (GP), L.P., its sole General Partner,
By: ILSF III, LLC, its sole General Partner

By: /s/ Denise W. Marks
    ---------------------------------
Name: DENISE W. MARKS
Title: ILSF III LLC, MEMBER

INTERNATIONAL LIFE SCIENCES FUND III CO-INVESTMENT, L.P.,
By: International Life Sciences Fund III (GP), L.P., its sole General Partner,
By: ILSF III, LLC, its sole General Partner

By: /s/ Denise W. Marks
    ---------------------------------
Name: DENISE W. MARKS
Title: ILSF III LLC, MEMBER

INTERNATIONAL LIFE SCIENCES FUND III STRATEGIC PARTNERS, L.P.,
By: International Life Sciences Fund III (GP), L.P., its sole General Partner,
By: ILSF III, LLC, its sole General Partner

By: /s/ Denise W. Marks
    ---------------------------------
Name: DENISE W. MARKS
Title: ILSF III LLC, MEMBER

INTERNATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY TRUST PLC
Signatory

By: /s/ Nich Coleman
    ---------------------------------
Name: NICH COLEMAN
Title: IBT Signatory

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

<PAGE>

ATLAS VENTURE FUND V, L.P.
ATLAS VENTURE PARALLEL FUND V-A C.V.
ATLAS VENTURE ENTREPRENEURS' FUND V, L.P.
By: Atlas Venture Associates V, L.P.,
    their general partner
By: Atlas Venture Associates V, Inc.,
    its general partner

By: /s/ Jeanne Larkin Henry
    ---------------------------------
    Jeanne Larkin Henry, Vice President

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

<PAGE>

PROSPECT VENTURE PARTNERS , L.P.
By: Prospect Management Co., L.L.C.
Title: General Partner

By: /s/ Dave Markland
    --------------------------------------------
Name:  Alex Barkas              Dave Markland
Title: General Partner          Attorney-in-Fact

PROSPECT VENTURE PARTNERS II, L.P.
By: Prospect Management Co. II, L.L.C.
Title: General Partner

By: /s/ Dave Markland
    --------------------------------------------
Name:  Alex Barkas              Dave Markland
Title: General Partner          Attorney-in-Fact

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

<PAGE>

RHO VENTURES IV, L.P.
By: Rho Management Ventures IV, L.L.C.,
    General Partner

By: /s/ Jeffrey I. Martin
    ---------------------------------
Name: Jeffrey I. Martin
Title: Attorney in Fact

RHO VENTURES IV (QP), L.P.
By: Rho Management Ventures IV, L.L.C.,
    General Partner

By: /s/ Jeffrey I. Martin
    ---------------------------------
Name: Jeffrey I. Martin
Title: Attorney in Fact

RHO VENTURES IV GmbH & CO.
BETEILIGUNGS KG
By: Rho Capital Partners Verwaltungs GmbH,
    General Partner

By: /s/ Jeffrey I. Martin
    ---------------------------------
Name: Jeffrey I. Martin
Title: Attorney in Fact

RHO MANAGEMENT TRUST I
By: Rho Capital Partners, Inc.
    as Investment Adviser

By: /s/ Jeffrey I. Martin
    ---------------------------------
Name: Jeffrey I. Martin
Title: Attorney in Fact

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

<PAGE>

POSCO BIOVENTURES I, L.P.
By: POSCO BioVentures Management, LLC.
    its general partner

By:
    ---------------------------------
Name:
      -------------------------------
Title:
       ------------------------------

EXCELSIOR VENTURE PARTNERS III, L.L.C.

By: /s/ Ben Tanen
    ---------------------------------
Name: Ben Tanen
Title: Vice President

MDS LIFE SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY FUND II NC LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: MDS LSTF II (NCGP) Inc.
Title: General Partner

By:
    ---------------------------------
Name:
      -------------------------------
Title:
       ------------------------------
Date:
      -------------------------------

MDS LIFE SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY FUND II QUEBEC LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: MDS LSTF II (QGP) Inc.
Its: General Partner

By:
    ---------------------------------
Name:
      -------------------------------
Title:
       ------------------------------

MDS LIFE SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY FUND II

By:
    ---------------------------------
Its:
     --------------------------------

By:
    ---------------------------------
Name:
      -------------------------------
Title:
       ------------------------------

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

<PAGE>

CARE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS II, LP
By: Care Capital II, LLC,
    as general partner of Care Capital Investments II, LP

By:
    ---------------------------------
Name:
      -------------------------------
Title:
       ------------------------------

CARE CAPITAL OFFSHORE INVESTMENTS II, LP
By: Care Capital II, LLC,
    as general partner of Care Capital Investments II, LP

By:
    ---------------------------------
Name:
      -------------------------------
Title:
       ------------------------------

/s/ George Whitesides
-------------------------------------
George Whitesides

/s/ Lawrence C. Best
-------------------------------------
Lawrence C. Best

ATHENIAN VENTURE PARTNERS III L.P.
By: Athenian III, Ltd.,
    its General Partner

By: /s/ Karl O. Elderkin
    ---------------------------------
Name: Karl O. Elderkin
Title: President

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

<PAGE>

HIGHLAND CAPITAL PARTNERS VI LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Highland Management Partners VI Limited Partnership,
    its General Partner

By: Highland Management Partners VI, Inc.,
    its General Partner

By: /s/ Illegible
    ---------------------------------
    Managing Director

HIGHLAND CAPITAL PARTNERS VI-B LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Highland Management Partners VI Limited Partnership,
    its General Partner

By: Highland Management Partners VI, Inc.,
    its General Partner

By: /s/ Illegible
    ---------------------------------
    Managing Director

HIGHLAND ENTREPRENEURS' FUND VI LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: HEF VI Limited Partnership,
    its General Partner

By: Highland Management Partners VI, Inc.,
    its General Partner

By: /s/ Illegible
    ---------------------------------
    Managing Director

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

<PAGE>

Merck KGaA
ppa.                                    I.V.

/s/ Hans-Friedrich Geiss                /s/ Jens Eckhardt
-------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------
Hans-Friedrich Geiss                    Jens Eckhardt
Senior Vice President                   Legal Counsel
Accounting & Controlling

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

SERIES A PURCHASERS

International Life Sciences Fund III (LP1), L.P.
International Life Sciences Fund III Co-Investment, L.P.
International Life Sciences Fund III (LP2), L.P.
International Life Sciences Fund III Strategic Partners, L.P.
Atlas Venture Fund V, L.P.
Atlas Venture Parallel Fund V-A C.V.
Atlas Venture Entrepreneurs' Fund V, L.P.
Prospect Venture Partners, L.P.
Prospect Venture Partners II, L.P.
Rho Ventures IV, L.P.
Rho Ventures IV (QP), L.P.
Rho Ventures IV GmbH & Co. Beteiligungs KG
Rho Management Trust I
POSCO BioVentures I, L.P.
MDS Life Sciences Technology Fund II NC Limited Partnership
MDS Life Sciences Technology Fund II Quebec Limited Partnership
MLII Co-Investment Fund NC Limited Partnership
Excelsior Venture Partners III, L.L.C.
Care Capital Investments II, LP
George Whitesides

SERIES B PURCHASERS

International Life Sciences Fund III (LP1), L.P.
International Life Sciences Fund III Co-Investment, L.P.
International Life Sciences Fund III (LP2), L.P.
International Life Sciences Fund III Strategic Partners, L.P.
International Biotechnology Trust plc
Atlas Venture Fund V, L.P.
Atlas Venture Parallel Fund V-A C.V.
Atlas Venture Entrepreneurs' Fund V, L.P.
Highland Capital Partners VI Limited Partnership
Highland Capital Partners VI-B Limited Partnership
Highland Entrepreneurs' Fund VI Limited Partnership
Prospect Venture Partners II, L.P.
Rho Ventures IV, L.P.
Rho Ventures IV (QP), L.P.
Rho Ventures IV GmbH & Co. Beteiligungs KG
Rho Management Trust I
POSCO BioVentures I, L.P.
MDS Life Sciences Technology Fund II NC Limited Partnership
MDS Life Sciences Technology Fund II Quebec Limited Partnership
MDS Life Sciences Technology Fund II
MLII Co-Investment Fund NC Limited Partnership
Excelsior Venture Partners III, L.L.C.
Care Capital Investments II, LP

<PAGE>

Care Capital Offshore Investments II, LP
George Whitesides
Athenian Venture Partners III L.P.
Lawrence C. Best

SERIES C PURCHASERS

Merck KGaA

  [Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]

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