Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.38

October 11, 1999

Michael A. Martino
President and Chief Operating Officer
SONUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
22026 20th Avenue, S.E.
Bothell, WA  98021

RE:  International License Agreement dated October 1, 1996

Dear Mr. Martino:

     This letter is to confirm our mutual decision to rescind the International
License Agreement dated October 1, 1996 between Abbott International, Ltd., a
Delaware corporation with principal offices at 100 Abbott Park Rd., Abbott Park,
IL 60064-3500 ("Abbott") and SONUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation
with principal offices at 22026 20th Avenue, S.E., Suite 102, Bothell, WA 98021
("Sonus"), as amended by the First Amendment dated January 31, 1999, as well as
the Trademark License Agreement between Sonus and Abbott referenced therein
(collectively referred to herein as "the International Agreement"), in
consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and covenants set forth in
this letter. The consideration for our mutual decision to rescind includes, but
is not limited to, the relinquishment of disputed claims and the resolution of
outstanding issues between the parties arising from the International Agreement.
Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms shall have the meanings
ascribed to such terms under the International Agreement. This rescission is
effective as of the date of this letter and as of such date, Sonus and Abbott
shall not have any further liability or obligation to each other, financial or
otherwise, except as expressly set forth in this letter.

1.   For a period of ten (10) years from the date of this letter, Sonus and
Abbott shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each other from and against all
claims, causes of action, settlement costs (including reasonable attorney's fees
and expenses), losses or liabilities of any kind which (a) are asserted by a
third party, (b) arise from or are attributable to any negligent act or omission
or willful misconduct on the part of Sonus or Abbott (as the case may be) or
their respective directors, employees, agents or representatives, and (c) which
relate to (i) the obligations, representations and warranties of Sonus or Abbott
(as the case may be) under the International Agreement or this letter, or (ii)
the mutual decision of Sonus and Abbott to rescind the International Agreement,
or (iii) any public statement or disclosure relating to the International
Agreement or the subject matter thereof or this letter of the subject matter
hereof. Any party seeking indemnification ("the indemnified party") under this
paragraph shall promptly notify the other party ("the indemnifying party") in
writing and

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shall fully cooperate with the indemnifying party in the defense of such claim.
If the indemnifying party wishes to enter into any settlement, consent to any
judgment, or otherwise resolve such claim in any manner which includes any
obligation, loss, or cost to the indemnified party, the indemnifying party must
first obtain the written consent of the indemnified party before finalizing such
settlement, judgment or resolution.

2.   Except for third party liability arising under section 1 above, in no event
shall Sonus or Abbott be liable for loss of profits or other economic loss, or
for indirect or incidental penalties or consequential damages, or other similar
damages arising out of anything relating to the International Agreement or the
subject matter thereof, or to this letter or the subject matter hereof.

3.   Within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter, Sonus and Abbott shall
return or destroy all Confidential Information provided to each other under the
International Agreement or the Confidential Disclosure Agreement between the
parties dated August 6, 1996 ("CDA"), and for a period of five (5) years from
the date of this letter, neither party shall use or disclose the other party's
Confidential Information, except that: (a) each party may retain one archival
copy of such Confidential Information; and (b) any Confidential Information
which was also provided under any other agreement presently in effect between
Sonus and Abbott Laboratories may be retained and used by Sonus and Abbott
Laboratories under the terms and conditions of such agreement(s).

4.   For a period of ten (10) years from the date of this letter, neither Sonus
nor Abbott shall (a) originate any publicity, news release or other public
announcement or make any public statement or response to questions, written or
otherwise, whether to the public press, stockholders, investment analysts or
otherwise, relating to the Confidential Information, to the International
Agreement or the subject matter thereof or to this letter or the subject matter
hereof, or (b) use the name of the other party in any publicity, news release,
public statement or response or other announcement, except (i) with the prior
written consent of the other party after affording such other party no less than
three (3) business days to review such proposed disclosure, or (ii) as required
by law, regulation or court order, in which case the originating party shall
give the other party no less than three (3) business days notice of such
proposed disclosure and the reason(s) requiring it so that the other party may
review the proposed disclosure and determine its response to such proposed
disclosure, provided that, if the operation of law, regulation or court order
requiring such disclosure does not allow the disclosing party itself three (3)
business days notice, the disclosing party shall give the other party as much
prior written notice as is practicable. The disclosing party shall, if requested
by the other party in the event of a proposed disclosure under subparagraph
(4)(ii) above, fully cooperate with the other party in taking or in assisting
the other party to take any actions, consistent with applicable law, which the
other party deems necessary or desirable to prevent, protect or modify the
disclosure. Consent by either party to a specific public disclosure shall also
be deemed to be consent to future disclosures of the same facts.

5.   Promptly following the date of this letter, Abbott shall cooperate in good
faith with Sonus to transition the duties and responsibilities of Abbott under
the International Agreement to Sonus as described in this Section 5. Within
ninety (90) days of the date of this letter, Abbott shall deliver to Sonus the
following:

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

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          (i)  all clinical trial data, reports and protocols prepared by or on
behalf of Abbott in connection with the International Agreement; and

          (ii) all filings, written information and materials relating to the
approval for price and reimbursement of the Product with all regulatory agencies
located in the Territory.

6.   Subject to the provisions of sections 7 and 8 below, for a period of three
(3) years from the date of this letter, Sonus may request that Abbott provide to
Sonus, for the benefit of Sonus and/ or Sonus's designated third-party partners
or distributors for the Product ("Sonus Partners"), certain services in
connection with the Product, as set forth in the following subsections. For the
purposes of this letter, "Product" means a colloidal dispersion ultrasound agent
for intravenous injection containing the active ingredient dodecafluoropentane,
constituted as the product Echogen(R) in the form for which Sonus has received
marketing authorization in the European Union (the "EU"). If Sonus so requests,
then within the same three (3) year period, Abbott shall provide such services
(or similar lesser services as the parties may agree, always provided that
Abbott shall not be required to provide greater or additional services beyond
those set forth in the subsections below).

     (a)  Upon the request of Sonus, Abbott shall transport the Product
intended for sale in the EU, from Abbott Laboratories's manufacturing *. The
Product shall then be held at such distribution center to be ready for pickup by
or further transport arranged by, and at the cost of, Sonus and/or Sonus
Partners, provided that Abbott shall not be required to release any such Product
to Sonus or any third party unless and until Abbott has (i) determined in its
reasonable discretion that such Product is acceptable for release under
applicable regulatory provisions and under the test results resulting from the
testing performed under Paragraph 6(b) below, and (ii) received written
instructions from Sonus which are sufficient to enable Abbott properly to
identify the Sonus Partner(s) to whom Abbott is to release the Product and the
amount of Product to be released to such Sonus Partner. The parties acknowledge
and agree that at no time after the shipment of Product from Abbott Laboratories
manufacturing facility * and during the transport, holding and release of the
Product by Abbott pursuant to this Section 6(a) shall Abbott have title to, or
any ownership interest or risk of loss in, such Product.

     (b)  Upon the request of Sonus, Abbott shall assist Sonus in connection
with quality assurance release testing of the Product intended for sale in the
EU, by conducting such testing in Abbott's laboratory facility * and by
providing the results of such testing to Sonus and/or Sonus Partners in the EU
(as Sonus may direct), and by determining in its reasonable discretion whether
such Product is acceptable for release based upon such test results; and
provided further that Abbott's obligations under this Paragraph 6(b) shall cease
as of the earlier of (i) the date upon which Abbott employee(s) are no longer
designated as "responsible persons" in connection with the Product in the EU
and/or in EU member states, or (ii) the end of the three-year period applicable
to this Paragraph 6.

     (c)  Abbott shall assist Sonus in connection with the transition of
regulatory activities for the Product, by:

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

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          (i)   convening, within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter, a
meeting with Sonus to review the status of all pending regulatory activities
regarding the Product in the Territory in which Abbott is involved as of the
date of this letter and to hand off responsibility for such activities to Sonus
(including but not limited to *;

          (ii)  providing advice to Sonus in connection with Sonus's taking over
such activities; and

          (iii) continuing such activities as are legally required by virtue of
the designation of certain Abbott employees within the EU, as of the date of
this letter, as "responsible persons" in connection with the Product in the EU
and/ or in EU member states.

7.   In consideration for the obligations undertaken by Abbott pursuant to this
letter, and in partial recognition of the value added to the Product by virtue
of Abbott's performance under the International Agreement, Sonus shall make the
following payments to Abbott:

     (a)

          (i)   If Sonus requests and Abbott provides services pursuant to
section 6 above, then in consideration for the provision by Abbott of such
services, Sonus shall pay to Abbott a fee for services equal to *. If Sonus
requests, Abbott shall provide Sonus with an estimate of the costs prior to
providing services and shall promptly advise Sonus of any material variance from
the estimate.

          (ii)  Abbott shall invoice Sonus for Abbott's services (and, if
applicable, for Abbott's cost for engaging additional resources) on a quarterly
basis, and Sonus shall make each payment to Abbott within thirty (30) days of
Sonus's receipt of such invoice.

          (iii) Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere in this letter, Sonus
acknowledges and agrees that, since the assistance to be rendered by Abbott
pursuant to section 6(c)(iii) above arises from legal requirement, Abbott shall
render such assistance, and Sonus shall pay for such assistance as provided in
this section 7(a), regardless of whether Sonus specifically requests such
assistance, until such time as Sonus removes the designation of Abbott and
Abbott's employees as "responsible persons" in connection with the Product in
the EU and in EU member states pursuant to section 9 below.

     (b)  (i)  Regardless of whether Sonus requests and Abbott provides services
pursuant to section 6 above, for a period commencing on the date of this letter
("Profit Sharing Commencement Date") and ending on the later of (i) five (5)
years from the Profit Sharing Commencement Date, or (ii) the date Abbott should
cease co-marketing SonoGen (as defined in Paragraph 10 below) in the event
Abbott exercises its option to co-market as provided in Paragraph 10 below,
Sonus shall pay to Abbott twenty-one percent (21%) of Sonus Net Profit on Sonus
and Sonus Partner sales of the Product in the Territory for so long as that
certain Agreement dated May

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

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14, 1996 between Sonus and Abbott Laboratories, as amended on January 31, 1999
by that certain First Amendment to Agreement (collectively, the "HPD Agreement")
is in full force and effect under the terms currently set forth therein. In the
event that the terms of the HPD Agreement as currently set forth therein should
be modified or amended in any material respect which is financially adverse to
Sonus, Abbott and Sonus agree to renegotiate, in good faith, a reduction of the
rate of the Abbott Profit Split set forth above to reflect the changed nature of
the HPD Agreement resulting from such modification or amendment. In the event
the parties are unable to agree upon the reduction in the Abbott Profit Split
within thirty (30) days of the commencement of negotiations, the matter shall be
resolved by the Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") procedure as provided in
Section 14 below, provided that in no event shall Abbott be entitled to the
Abbott Profit Split if the HPD Agreement is cancelled or rescinded by Abbott. In
the event that any reduction to the Abbott Profit Split becomes necessary under
this Section 7(b), the twenty-one percent (21%) Abbott Profit Split shall
continue to be applicable until the date on which the parties agree as to the
reduced Abbott Profit Split or the date on which the ADR neutral has issued his
or her final decision determining such reduced Abbott Profit Split, whichever
occurs sooner. As used herein Sonus Net Profit shall mean the net revenues
received by Sonus from sales of the Product in the Territory determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (including revenues
received by Sonus from Sonus Partners relating to the sale of the Product in the
Territory), net of sales, use, value-added or other similar taxes,
transportation, shipping or delivery charges, and discounts actually granted,
and less direct expenses associated with the manufacturing, marketing, sale and
distribution of the Product, including without limitation any fees payable to
Abbott under paragraph 7(a) above. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, the obligations of Sonus to make payments to Abbott under this
Paragraph 7(b) shall terminate in the event Abbott or its Affiliates and/or
third party agents or representatives should market or sell a competing product
in the Territory. For the purpose of this Paragraph 7(b), a "competing product"
means an ultrasound contrast agent for intravenous injection.

          The following examples are provided by way of illustration only:

          Scenario #1 (Abbott performs services requested by Sonus; current HPD
          Agreement in effect)

          *

          Scenario #2 (Abbott does not perform services; current HPD Agreement
          in effect)

          *

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

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          *

          Scenario #3 (Abbott performs services requested by Sonus; current HPD
          Agreement in effect, Sonus Partners pay royalties)

          *

          (ii)  Sonus shall pay the Abbott Profit Split to Abbott on a quarterly
basis, and shall make each payment to Abbott within thirty (30) days after the
end of each calendar quarter in which any Sonus Partner makes any sales of the
Product in the Territory.

          (iii) At the same time as Sonus makes each Abbott Profit Split payment
to Abbott, Sonus shall provide Abbott with a report setting forth the
calculation of the Abbott Profit Split for the calendar quarter in question,
showing: the aggregate net revenues of Sonus, in the Territory; Sonus's
aggregate direct costs, Abbott's aggregate fees for services (if any), Sonus's
aggregate payment(s) to Sonus Partners (net of any rebate received by Sonus from
Sonus Partners), and Sonus Net Profit. The net revenues of Sonus shall be
translated from local currency into United States dollars at the average
exchange rate published in International Financial Statistics by the
International Monetary Fund for the month ending in the calendar quarter covered
in the report.

     (c)  Sonus shall pay to Abbott fifty percent (50%) of any prepaid royalties
or other upfront, fees or consideration which are paid by Sonus Partners to
Sonus upon or in connection with the initiation of the relationship and/ or any
other cash payments received by Sonus during the term of the agreement with any
Sonus Partner which are based upon the occurrence of milestones or events and
which are not in the nature of recurring royalties based upon the sales or
profits from sales of the Product by Sonus Partners in the Territory, excluding
any payments for equity of Sonus or which are in the nature of payments or
reimbursement for Sonus's actual cost plus a reasonable markup for research and
development, including without limitation, clinical studies, performed or
directed by Sonus for the benefit of such Sonus Partner (the "Sonus Partner
Fees"). Any amounts received by Sonus which are paid by Sonus Partners but which
are not Sonus Partner Fees, shall nonetheless constitute revenue of Sonus if
appropriate under generally accepted accounting principles for the purpose of
determining Sonus Net Profit under Paragraph 7(b) above. Sonus shall be
obligated to make payments under this Paragraph 7(c) during the same period
Sonus is obligated to make payments to Abbott under Paragraph 7(b) above.
Payments of the percentage of Sonus Partner Fees shall be made within thirty
(30) days after the end of the calendar quarter in which Sonus receives each
such Sonus Partner Fees from Sonus Partners. One half of the amounts paid by
Sonus to Abbott under this Paragraph 7(c) shall be applied as a credit against
any obligation of Sonus to make payments to Abbott under Paragraph 7(b) above.

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

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8.   (a)  All payments made by Sonus to Abbott pursuant to this letter shall be
in United States dollars by wire transfer. Abbott shall provide Sonus with all
necessary wire transfer instructions and information.

     (b)  If any payment by Sonus is more than 30 days overdue, then Sonus shall
also pay to Abbott interest on the overdue payment, running from the date on
which payment was due, at the United States prime rate of interest then
prevailing as published in the Wall Street Journal (Midwest Edition).

     (c)  Where any sum due to be paid to Abbott hereunder is subject to any
withholding or similar tax, the parties shall use their commercially reasonable
best efforts to do all such acts and things and to sign all such documents as
will enable them to take advantage of any applicable double taxation agreement
or treaty. In the event there is no applicable double taxation agreement or
treaty, or if an applicable double taxation agreement or treaty reduces but does
not eliminate such withholding or similar tax, Sonus shall pay such withholding
or similar tax to the appropriate government authority, deduct the amount paid
from the amount due Abbott and secure and send to Abbott the best available
evidence of such payment.

     (d)  Sonus shall keep complete copies of all agreements with Sonus Partners
and all records relating to the payments made and/ or owing to Abbott pursuant
to this letter, and to the calculation of such payments, and shall maintain
copies of such agreements and such records for a period of four (4) years after
the sales period to which such records relate. During this period, copies of
such agreements and such records shall be open to inspection upon reasonable
written notice by Abbott to Sonus. Such inspection shall be performed by an
independent certified public accountant, selected by Abbott and approved by
Sonus (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld). Abbott shall bear the
cost of such inspection, except that if an inspection reveals that payments to
Abbott have been understated by five percent (5%) or more, and if the
understatement is greater than $25,000, Sonus shall pay the cost of such
inspection, the understated amount, and interest on the understated amount
running from the date on which the payment was originally due at United States
prime rate of interest then prevailing as published in the Wall Street Journal
(Midwest Edition). Any independent certified public accountant engaged by Abbott
shall for an inspection hereunder shall sign a confidentiality agreement prior
to any audit and then shall have the right to examine the agreements and records
kept pursuant to this subsection 8(d) and report findings (but not disclosure of
the specific terms of the agreements or the underlying data) of the examination
to Abbott as is necessary to evidence that the records were or were not
maintained and used in accordance with this section 8(d) and to evidence that
the calculation of the payments to be made and/or owing to Abbott pursuant to
this letter was or was not made in accordance with the terms of this letter. A
copy of any report provided to Abbott by the independent certified public
accountant hereunder shall be given concurrently to Sonus.

     (e)  Sonus represents and warrants to Abbott that: (i) any and all
agreements between Sonus and Sonus Partners in connection with the Product shall
be entered into in good faith with terms and conditions negotiated at arms'
length and not in any way structured, written or otherwise devised so as to
avoid any part or all of Sonus's obligations to pay Abbott pursuant to section 7
above

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

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     (f)  Sonus acknowledges and agrees that Sonus shall bear all responsibility
and liability with respect to any and all third parties in connection with any
services provided by Abbott to Sonus and/ or Sonus Partners under this letter,
subject only to paragraph 1 above.

9.   Notwithstanding any provision elsewhere in this letter, Sonus shall use its
commercially reasonable best efforts, as expeditiously as possible, to replace
Abbott's employees in the EU as designated "responsible persons" in connection
with the Product in the EU and in EU member states, with Sonus employees, Sonus
Partners, or any other Sonus representative, agent or contractor (at Sonus's
sole discretion as to the specific choice of replacement individuals) ("Sonus
Replacements"), including but not limited to the prompt submission of any and
all such applications, notifications, variations and other materials or
information required by the relevant EU and EU member state authorities in order
to end any legal responsibility on the part of Abbott and/ or Abbott's employees
in the EU as "responsible persons" in connection with the Product in the EU and
in EU member states. Abbott shall fully cooperate with Sonus in such transition
and shall provide Sonus with such assistance as Sonus may reasonably request in
connection therewith, pursuant to section 6(c)(iii) above. On a country by
country basis, Abbott's obligations under section 6(c)(iii) above shall cease as
Abbott's employees in the EU are removed as "responsible persons" in connection
with the Product in the EU and in EU member states. Sonus acknowledges and
agrees that, if Sonus has not replaced all of Abbott's employees in the EU who
are such "responsible persons" as of the date of this letter with Sonus
Replacements, by at least twelve (12) months prior to the end of the three (3)
year period applicable to section 6 above, then Sonus shall, no later than
eleven (11) months prior to the end of such three (3) year period, submit any
and all such applications, notifications, variations and other materials or
information required by the relevant EU and EU member state authorities, in
order to end any legal responsibility on the part of Abbott and Abbott's
employees in the EU and in EU member states as "responsible persons" in
connection with the Product in the EU and in EU member states, regardless of
whether or not any Sonus Replacement(s) have been identified or submitted at
that time.

10.  Sonus hereby grants to Abbott the option to co-market that product
identified by Sonus as "QW7437" and also known as SonoGen(R), including all
improvements thereon ("SonoGen"), in the Territory, subject to the terms and
conditions of a separate agreement to be negotiated in good faith by the
parties, which terms shall be no less, nor no more, favorable in any material
respect from the terms of any agreement between Sonus and any third party in the
applicable country included within the Territory, or, if there is no such
agreement in the relevant country in the Territory, on terms and conditions
substantially similar to those of the International Agreement. Abbott shall have
the right to exercise this option for a period (the "Option Period") commencing
on the date of this letter and ending on the earlier to occur of (i) five (5)
years from the date of this letter, or (ii) the date the obligations of Abbott
under Section 11 below should terminate. The option to co-market may be
exercised only one time for the entire Territory. Abbott may irrevocably
terminate its option to co-market upon notice to Sonus at any time after the
date of this letter in which event the rights of Abbott under this Paragraph 10
and the obligations of Abbott under Paragraph 11 shall terminate. Sonus shall
not grant any rights to market, distribute or sell SonoGen in the Territory to
more than one (1) other third party in a given country in the Territory and
shall not, by itself or through any Sonus Affiliate, market, distribute or sell
SonoGen in a given country in the Territory if such action by Sonus would cause
there to be more than two entities (one of which being Abbott) marketing,
distributing or selling SonoGen in such country in the Territory at the same
time.

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

                                       8
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11.  For a period commencing on the date of this letter and continuing until the
later to occur of: (i) the end of the Option Period or (ii) the end of the
period of time during which Abbott is exercising its co-marketing rights as
provided in paragraph 10 above, Abbott shall not (nor shall Abbott cause its
Affiliates and/ or third party agents or representatives to) market or sell a
competing product in the Territory. The above notwithstanding, the obligations
of Abbott under this paragraph 11 shall terminate at such date on which Abbott
notifies Sonus that it has terminated its option to co-market under paragraph 10
above or the expiration of the Option Period. For the purposes of this section
11, a "competing product" means an ultrasound contrast agent for intravenous
injection.

12.  Either party may terminate the rights and obligations of sections 1 through
18 of this letter (not including the rescission of the International Agreement)
in accordance with the following provisions (in addition to any other rights and
remedies which may be available to that party):

     (a)  By notice by one party to the other party upon (i) the insolvency of
the other party, or the appointment of a receiver by the other party for all or
any substantial part of its properties, provided that such receiver is not
discharged within sixty (60) days of his/ her appointment; (ii) the adjudication
of the other party as a bankrupt; (iii) the admission by the other party in
writing of its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (iv) the
execution by the other party of an assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
or (v) the filing by the other party of a petition to be adjudged a bankrupt, or
a petition or answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed
against the other party in any bankruptcy proceeding, or the act of the other
party in instituting or voluntarily being or becoming a party to any other
judicial proceeding intended to effect a discharge of the debts of the other
party, in whole or in substantial part.

     (b)  By ninety (90) days notice by one party to the other party of the
other party's breach of a material provision of this letter, provided that the
other party has failed to remedy such breach to the notifying party's reasonable
satisfaction within such ninety (90) day period.

13.  Neither party may assign or transfer its obligations under this letter, by
operation of law or otherwise, except that either party may assign this letter
to any of its Affiliates, or to any successor by merger or sale of substantially
all of its business unit to which this letter relates without the consent of the
other party. This letter and the rights and obligations hereof shall inure to
the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their permitted
assigns.

14.  Any dispute that arises in connection with this letter shall first be
presented to the respective presidents of Abbott and of Sonus, or their
designees, for resolution. If no resolution is reached, then such dispute shall
be resolved by binding ADR in the manner described in Appendix 14 attached
hereto and made a part hereof.

15.  The relationship of the parties under this letter is that of independent
contractors. Nothing in this letter shall be construed or is intended so as to
constitute the parties as partners, joint venturers, or either party as an agent
or employee of the other. Neither party has any express or implied right under
this letter to assume or create any obligation on behalf of or in the name of
the other, or to bind the other party to any contract, agreement or undertaking
with any third party, and no conduct of the parties shall be deemed to infer
such right.

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

                                       9
<PAGE>   10
16.  This letter sets forth the entire understanding and agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supercedes any and all
prior agreements, written and oral, between the parties. No modification of any
of the terms of this letter shall be valid, including any course of dealing or
usage of trade, unless it is made in writing and signed by both parties. If any
term or provision of this letter shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other term or provision hereof.

17.  No waiver by either party of any default, right or remedy shall be
effective unless in writing, nor shall any such waiver operate as a waiver of
any other or of the same default, right or remedy respectively, on a future
occasion.

18.  This letter shall be governed by the laws of the state of Washington,
excluding its choice of laws provisions.

     If you are in agreement, please sign both originals of this letter and
return one fully-executed original to me.

Very truly yours,

/s/ William Dempsey

William Dempsey

ACCEPTED:

SONUS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By:     /s/ Michael A. Martino
        -------------------------

Title:  President and CEO
        -------------------------

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11
                         ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The parties recognize that a bona fide dispute as to certain matters may arise
from time to time during the term of this Agreement which relates to either
party's right and/or obligations. To have such a dispute resolved by this
Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") provision, a party first must send
written notice of the dispute to the other party for attempted resolution by
good faith negotiations between their respective presidents (or their
equivalents) of the affected subsidiaries, divisions, or business units within
twenty-eight (28) days after such notice is received (all references to "days"
in this ADR provision are to calendar days).

If the matter has not been resolved within twenty-eight (28) days of the notice
of dispute, or if the parties fail to meet within such twenty-eight (28) days,
either party may initiate an ADR proceeding as provided herein. The parties
shall have the right to be represented by counsel in such a proceeding.

1.   Initiation of ADR Proceeding. To begin an ADR proceeding, a party shall
     provide written notice to the other party of the issues to be resolved by
     ADR. Within fourteen (14) days after its receipt of such notice, the other
     party may, by written notice to the party initiating the ADR, add
     additional issues to be resolved within the same ADR.

2.   Selection of Neutral. Within twenty-one (21) days following receipt of the
     original ADR notice, the parties shall select a mutually acceptable neutral
     to preside in the resolution of any disputes in this ADR proceeding. If the
     parties are unable to agree on a mutually acceptable neutral within such
     period, either party may request the President of the CPR Institute for
     Dispute Resolution ("CPR"), 366 Madison Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, New
     York 10017, to select a neutral pursuant to the following procedures:

     (a)  The CPR shall submit to the parties a list of not less than five (5)
          candidates within fourteen (14) days after receipt of the request,
          along with a Curriculum Vitae for each candidate. No candidate shall
          be an employee, director, or shareholder of either party or any of
          their subsidiaries or affiliates.

     (b)  Such list shall include a statement of disclosure by each candidate of
          any circumstances likely to affect his or her impartiality.

     (c)  Each party shall number the candidates in order of preference (with
          the number one (1) signifying the greatest preference) and shall
          deliver the list to the CPR within seven (7) days following receipt of
          the list of candidates. If a party believes a conflict of interest
          exists regarding any of the candidates, that party shall provide a
          written explanation of the conflict to the CPR along with its list
          showing its order of preference for the candidates. Any party failing
          to return a list of preferences on tie shall be deemed to have no
          order of preference.

     (d)  If the parties collectively have identified fewer than three (3)
          candidates deemed to have conflict, the CPR immediately shall
          designate as the neutral the candidate

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

                                       11
<PAGE>   12
          for whom the parties collectively have indicated the greatest
          preference. If a tie should result between two candidates, the CPR may
          designate either candidate. If the parties collectively have
          identified three (3) or more candidates deemed to have conflicts, the
          CPR shall review the explanations regarding the conflicts and, in its
          sole discretion, may either (i) immediately designate as the neutral
          the candidate for whom the parties collectively have indicated the
          greatest preference, or (ii) issue a new list of not less than five
          (5) candidates, in which case the procedures set forth in
          subparagraphs 2(a) - 2(d) shall be repeated.

3.   Hearing. No earlier than twenty-eight (28) days or later than fifty six
     (56) days after selection, the neutral shall hold a hearing to resolve each
     of the issues identified by the parties. The ADR proceeding shall take
     place at a location agreed upon by the parties. If the parties cannot
     agree, the neutral shall designate a location other than the principal
     place of business of either party or any of their subsidiaries or
     affiliates.

4.   Exchange of Information Within thirty-five (35) days following receipt of
     the original ADR notice, each party shall submit the following to the other
     party and neutral:

     (a)  a copy of all documents on which such party intends to rely in any
          oral or written presentation to the neutral; and

     (b)  a list of any witnesses such party intends to call at the hearing, and
          a short summary of the anticipated testimony of each witness.

     At least fourteen (14) days prior to the hearing, each party shall submit
     the following to the other party and the neutral:

     (c)  a proposed ruling on each issue to be resolved, together with
          a request for a specific damage award or other remedy for each
          issue. The proposed rulings and remedies shall not contain any
          recitation of the facts or any legal arguments and shall not
          exceed one (1) page per issue.

     (d)  a brief in support of such party's proposed rulings and
          remedies, provided that the brief shall not exceed twenty (20)
          pages. This page limitation shall apply regardless of the
          number of issues raised in the ADR proceeding.

     Except as expressly set forth in subparagraphs 4(a) - 4(d), no discovery
     shall be required or permitted by any means, including depositions,
     interrogations, request for admissions or production of documents.

5.   Conduct of Hearing. The hearing shall be conducted on two (2) consecutive
     days and shall be governed by the following rules:

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

          (a)  Each party shall be entitled to five (5) hours of hearing time to
               present its case. The neutral shall determine whether each party
               has had the five (5) hours to which it is entitled.

          (b)  Each party shall be entitled, but not required, to make an
               opening statement to present regular and rebuttal testimony,
               documents or other evidence, to cross-examine witnesses, and to
               make a closing argument. Cross-examination of witnesses shall
               occur immediately after their direct testimony, and
               cross-examination time shall be charged against the party
               conducting the cross-examination.

          (c)  The party initiating the ADR shall begin the hearing and, if it
               chooses to make an opening statement, shall address not only
               issues it raised but also any issues raised by the responding
               party. The responding party, if it chooses to make an opening
               statement, also shall address all issues raised in the ADR.
               Thereafter, the presentation of regular and rebuttal testimony
               and documents, other evidence, and closing arguments shall
               proceed in the same sequence.

          (d)  Except when testifying, witnesses shall be excluded from the
               hearing until closing arguments.

          (e)  Settlement negotiations, including any statements made therein,
               shall not be admissible under any circumstances. Affidavits
               prepared for purposes of the ADR hearing also shall not be
               admissible. As to all other matters, the neutral shall have sole
               discretion regarding the admissibility of any evidence.

6.   Post-Hearing Brief. Within seven (7) days following completion of the
     hearing, each party may submit to the other party and the neutral a
     post-hearing brief in support of its proposed rulings and remedies,
     provided that such brief shall not contain or discuss any new evidence and
     shall not exceed ten (10) pages. This page limitation shall apply
     regardless of the number of issues raised in the ADR proceeding.

     Within eleven (11) days following completion of the hearing, each party may
     submit to the other party and the neutral a post-hearing rebuttal brief,
     responding to the matters raised in the other party's post hearing brief,
     provided that such rebuttal brief shall only respond to matters raised in
     the other party's post-hearing brief, shall not contain or discuss any new
     evidence, and shall not exceed five (5) pages.

7.   Ruling. The neutral shall rule on each disputed issue within seventeen (17)
     days following completion of the hearing. Such ruling shall adopt in its
     entirety the proposed rulings and remedy of one of the parties on each
     disputed issue but may adopt one party's proposed rulings and remedies on
     some issues and the other party's proposed rulings and remedies on other
     issues. The neutral shall not issue any written opinion or otherwise
     explain the basis of the ruling.

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

                                       13
<PAGE>   14
8.   Neutral's Fees. The neutral shall be paid a reasonable fee plus expenses.
     These fees and expenses, along with the reasonable legal fees and expenses
     of the prevailing party (including all expert witness fees and expenses),
     the fees and expenses of a court reporter, and any expenses for a hearing
     room, shall be paid as follows:

     (a)  If the neutral rules in favor of one party on all disputed issues in
          the ADR, the losing party shall pay 100% of such fees and expenses.

     (b)  If the neutral rules in favor of one party on some issues and the
          other party on other issues, the neutral shall issue with the rulings
          a written determination as to how such fees and expenses shall be
          allocated between the parties. The neutral shall allocate fees and
          expenses in a way that bears a reasonable relationship to the outcome
          of the ADR, with the party prevailing on more issues, or on issues of
          greater value or gravity, recovering a relatively larger share of its
          legal fees and expenses.

9.   Binding Ruling. The rulings of the neutral and the allocation of fees and
     expenses shall be binding, non-reviewable, and non-appealable, and may be
     entered as a final judgement in any court having jurisdiction.

10.  Confidentiality. Except as provided in Section 9 above or as required by
     law, the existence of the dispute, any settlement negotiations, the ADR
     hearing, any submissions (including exhibits, testimony, proposed rulings,
     and briefs), and rulings shall be deemed Confidential Information. The
     neutral shall have the authority to impose sanctions for unauthorized use
     or disclosure of Confidential Information.

* Confidential portions omitted and
  filed separately with the Commission.

                                       14<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.39

                                  May 10, 1999

Mr. John T. Flaherty, M.D.
c/o SONUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
22026 20th Avenue
Bothell, Washington 98021

          Re: Change In Control Agreement

Dear John:

     In consideration of your employment with SONUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), this letter agreement (the "Agreement")
sets forth the compensation benefits you will be entitled to receive in the
event your employment terminates in connection with a change in control of the
Company under the conditions described below. This Agreement takes effect on
the date you commence employment with the Company.

1.   TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

     1.1  During the term of this Agreement, you will be entitled to the
benefits provided in Section 2 of this Agreement in the event (A) a Change in
Control has occurred; and (B)(i) you terminate your employment with the Company
for Good Reason within 12 months following the Change of Control, or (ii) the
Company terminates your employment for reasons other than Cause, Disability, or
your death within 12 months following the Change of Control, provided you
fulfill your obligations under this Agreement.

     1.2  For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Change in Control" shall
mean (i) a sale of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company; (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company, or (iii) a merger, consolidation or reorganization
whereby the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the consummation
of such merger, consolidation or reorganization own less than fifty percent
(50%) of the outstanding shares of common stock immediately following the
consummation of the merger, consolidation or reorganization.

     1.3  For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Good Reason" shall mean any
of the following, if done without your consent:

          1.3.1.    A substantial diminution in your duties and
responsibilities to a level substantially beneath that of your duties and
responsibilities at the outset of your employment under this Agreement other
than actions that are not taken in bad faith and are remedied by the Company
within thirty days after written notice by you;

          1.3.2.    A reduction by the Company in your current annual base
salary unless such reduction is attributable to an across the board salary
reduction for all of management personnel of the Company and then only if the
percentage of your reduction is (i) not greater than 20%, and (ii) no greater
in percentage than that of the other management personnel;

<PAGE>   2

          1.3.3.  The company requires the relocation of your base of employment
outside the Seattle, Washington metropolitan area;

          1.3.4.  A material breach by the Company of any of the terms and
provisions of this Agreement, which is not cured within 30 days of written
notice by you of such breach; or

          1.3.5  the failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement
from any successor in a Change of Control to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement, as contemplated in Section 6 hereof.

     1.4  For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall mean any of
the following: (i) your willful and continued failure or refusal to perform your
duties with the Company; (b) your willfully engaging in gross misconduct
injurious to the Company; (c) your being convicted or pleading guilty or nolo
contendere to any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or to any felony; (d)
your having materially breached any provision of this Agreement, or any
agreement concerning confidentiality or ownership of inventions with the
Company and failed to cure such breach to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Company promptly after receiving written notice of breach if such cure is
possible.

     1.5  For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Disability" shall mean your
inability to perform the essential functions of your position due to any
physical or mental illness even with reasonable accommodation to the extent
required by law, for any period of six months in the aggregate during any
twelve months, provided the Company has given you a written demand to return to
your fill time duties.

     1.6  Any termination of employment by you or by the Company pursuant to
this Agreement shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination
indicating the termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, if any. For
purposes of this Agreement, the "Date of Termination" shall mean the date
specified in the Notice of Termination which shall not be earlier than ten (10)
business days after the date on the Notice of Termination is given and the
expiration of any time period given to cure a breach as provided in Section
1.4(d) of this Agreement.

2.   COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION

     2.1  If your employment shall be terminated and you are entitled to
benefits under Section 1 of this Agreement then you shall receive the following
benefits:

          2.1.1.  the Company shall pay to you in a lump sum within ten days
following the Date of Termination (a) your base salary unpaid through  the Date
of Termination at the rate in effect as of the time of Notice of Termination
and (b) an amount equal to the value as of the Date of Termination of the
deferred portion of any bonus which has been declared but is unpaid under any
incentive compensation plan or program of the Company then in effect;

          2.1.2.  the Company shall pay to you as severance pay in a lump sum
within thirty days following the Date of Termination an amount equal to the
product of (a) the sum of your highest annual base salary in effect any time
during the twelve (12) month period prior to the Date of Termination,
multiplied by 2.99; and

          2.1.3. the Company shall maintain in full force and effect, for the
continued benefit of you for three years after the Date of Termination, or if
sooner, until you are employed in a full-time capacity by another employer, all
non-cash health and welfare plans and programs (excluding 401(k) or any
employee bonus plans and programs or retirement plans or programs) in which you
participated immediately prior to the Date of Termination provided that you
continued participation is permissible under the general terms and provisions
of such plans and programs. In the event that your participation in any such
plan or program is barred, the Company shall arrange to provide you with
benefits substantially similar to those which you are entitled to receive under
such plans and programs at no cost to you. At the end of the period of
coverage, you shall have the option to have assigned to you at no cost and with
no apportionment of prepaid premiums, any assignable insurance policy owned by
the Company and relating to specifically to you.
<PAGE>   3
      2.2.  Notwithstanding Section 1, the respective obligations of, and
benefits afforded to, the Company and you as provided in this Section 2, shall
survive termination of this Agreement.

      2.3.  No compensation or benefits shall be due under this Agreement in
the event your employment is terminated by you or the Company in circumstances
other than those described in Section 1.1, including but not limited to a
termination by you for any reason other than Good Reason, a termination by the
Company for Cause, Disability, or death, or any termination that does not occur
within twelve months following a Change in Control.

      2.4.  To the extent that any or all of the payments and benefits provided
for in this Agreement constitute "parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and, but for this
Section 2.4 would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the
Code, the aggregate amount of such payments and benefits shall be reduced such
that the present value thereof (as determined under the Code and applicable
regulations) is equal to 2.99 times the Executive's "base amount" (as defined
in the Code). The determination of any reduction of any payment or benefits
under Section 2 pursuant to the foregoing provision shall be made by a
nationally recognized public accounting firm chosen by the Company in good
faith, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on the Company
and you.

3.    OTHER BENEFITS.

      In the event you are entitled to any compensation or benefits under this
Agreement, you shall not be entitled to any other severance compensation or
benefits under any other policy or agreement with the Company.

4.    PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND UNFAIR COMPETITION

      4.1.  You acknowledge that in the course of your employment with the
Company, you will be entrusted with access to extensive confidential
information of the Company concerning its products and service, methods of
manufacture, research and development, know-how, patents, copyrights,
trademarks, and other proprietary data, as well as the identity, needs, and
preferences of its customers and prospects, all of which the Company considers
its legally protected trade secrets and intellectual property. You further
acknowledge the highly competitive nature of the business of the Company, and
the fact that unauthorized disclosure or use of such trade secrets and
intellectual property would be inevitable if you were to compete with the
Company or solicit competing business from its prospects and customers. You
therefore agree that in the event of a termination following a Change of
Control as described in this Agreement, the following provisions shall apply:

      4.2.  Commencing on the Date of Termination, and ending two years
thereafter (the "Non-Compete Period"), you will not provide goods or services
to or become an employee, owner (except for passive investments of not more
than three percent of the outstanding shares of, or any other equity interest
in, any company or entity listed or traded on a national securities exchange or
in an over-the-counter securities market), officer, agent, consultant, advisor
or director of any firm or person in any geographic area which competes in the
"Business". For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Business" shall mean the
research, design, development, manufacture, sale or distribution of ultrasound
contrast agents.

      4.3.  During the Non-Compete Period, you will not directly or indirectly
induce any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates to engage in any
activity in which you are prohibited from engaging by paragraph 4.1 above, or
to terminate such employee's employment with the Company, or any of its
affiliates, and will not directly or indirectly employ or offer employment to
any person who was employed by the Company or any of its affiliates unless such
person shall cease to be employed by the Company or any of its affiliates for a
period of at least 12 months; provided, however, that this provision shall not
apply to any person who is no longer an employee of the Company or any of its
affiliates as of a result of actions taken by the Company or its affiliates.

      4.4.  During the Non-Compete Period, you will refrain from making any
statement which has the effect of demeaning the name or the business reputation
of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, or any officer of employee
thereof, or which materially adversely effects the best interests (economic or
otherwise) of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.

                                       3
<PAGE>   4
      4.5.  It is expressly understood and agreed that although you and the
Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 4 to be reasonable,
if a final judicial determination is made by a court of jurisdiction that the
time or territory or any other restriction contained in this Agreement is an
unenforceable restriction against you, provisions of this Agreement shall not
be rendered void, but shall be deemed amended to apply to such maximum time and
territory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or
indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent
jurisdiction finds that any restriction contained in this Agreement is
unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it
enforceable, such finding shall not effect the enforceability of any of the
other restriction contained herein.

5.    MISCELLANEOUS.

      Any payment required under this Agreement shall be subject to all
requirements of the law with regard to withholding, filing, making of reports
and the like, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable best
efforts to satisfy promptly all such requirements. No provisions of this
Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver,
modification or discharge is agreed to in a writing signed by both parties. The
validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall
be governed by the law of the State of Delaware.

6.    SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNMENT.

      This agreement and all of your rights thereunder shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by your personal or legal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and
legatees. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement is
personal to you and may not be assigned to you. If you should die while any
amounts would still be payable to you hereunder if you had continued to live,
all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement to your devisee, legatee, or other designee
or, if there be no such designee, to your estate. This Agreement shall be
binding upon any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
the business and/or assets of the Company.

7.    TERM OF AGREEMENT.

      This Agreement shall commence as of the date of this Agreement and shall
terminate on the earliest of (i) three (3) years from the date of this
Agreement, (ii) the termination of your employment by the Company for Cause,
Disability or death; (iii) your termination of employment other than for Good
Reason or (iv) your reaching age 65.

8.    NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT.

      This Agreement is intended solely to provide you with certain
compensation and benefits in the event your employment terminates in the
circumstances described in Section 1.1. Nothing in this Agreement constitutes
or implies any specific term of employment. You acknowledge and agree that your
employment with the Company can be terminated by you or the Company at any
time with or without cause or prior warning, as provided in your written offer
of employment dated May 7, 1999. Nothing in this Agreement limits or supercedes
any other agreements between you and the Company concerning confidentiality or
ownership of intellectual property.

9.    MEDIATION.

      In the event that the Company terminates you for Cause and you dispute
its right to do so or you claim that you are entitled to terminate your
employment for Good Reason and the Company disputes your right to do so, a
mediator acceptable to you and the Company will be appointed within ten (10)
days to assist in reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution but will have no
authority to issue a binding decision. Such mediation must be concluded within
60 days of the date of termination or claim to termination. Should such
mediation fail to reach an acceptable conclusion and you are successful in any
litigation or settlement that issues from such dispute, you shall be entitled

                                       4
<PAGE>   5
to receive from the Company all of the expenses incurred to you in connection
with any such dispute including reasonable attorney's fees.

      If this Agreement is acceptable to you, kindly sign and return to the
Company the enclosed copy of this letter.

                                    Sincerely,

                                    SONUS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

                                    By: /s/ Michael A. Martino
                                        --------------------------

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

/s/ John T. Flaherty
--------------------

John T. Flaherty, M.D.
----------------------

Dated: May 10, 1999

                                       5

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