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                                                                   Exhibit 10.19

                                LICENSE AGREEMENT

            This License Agreement (the "AGREEMENT") is entered into and made
effective the 31 day of January, 2005 (the "EFFECTIVE DATE") between UNIVERSITY
OF MIAMI and its School of Medicine, whose principal place of business is at
1600 N.W. 10th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33136 (hereinafter referred to as
"LICENSOR") and Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., whose principal place of business
is at 12750 High Bluff Drive, Suite 310, San Diego, California 92130
(hereinafter referred to as "LICENSEE").

                                   WITNESSETH

            WHEREAS, LICENSOR owns United States Patent Number 5,852,032
entitled "Method of Treating Nicotine Dependence"; and

            WHEREAS, LICENSOR warrants that it possesses the right to license
the subject patent and the right to market the Patent Rights; and,

            WHEREAS, LICENSEE desires to acquire an exclusive license in the
License Territory (as defined in Section 1.7 below) for the following use: human
treatment of nicotine dependence, with the right to sublicense, under the Patent
Rights (as defined in Section 1.12 below) and Know-How (as defined in Section
1.6 below) for the purposes of making, having made, using, selling, having sold,
offering for sale, importing or otherwise commercializing products and
practicing the invention disclosed and claimed in the Patent Rights;

            NOW THEREFORE, for these and other valuable considerations, the
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

            1. DEFINITIONS:

            1.1 "AFFILIATE" shall mean any corporation or other business entity
controlled by, controlling or under common control with LICENSOR or LICENSEE.
For this purpose, "control" shall mean direct or indirect beneficial ownership
of at least a fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of, or at least a fifty
percent (50%) interest in the income of such corporation or other business
entity, or such other relationship as in fact, constitutes actual control.

CERTAIN MATERIAL (INDICATED BY AN ASTERISK) HAS BEEN OMITTED FROM THIS DOCUMENT
PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. THE OMITTED MATERIAL HAS BEEN
FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

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            1.2 "FIELD OF USE" shall mean human treatment of nicotine
dependence, nicotine addiction and/or tobacco smoking.

            1.3 "FORCE MAJEURE EVENT" shall mean events beyond the reasonable
control of either party, including, but not limited to, war, terrorism, riot,
strikes, boycotts, seizure, allocation, requisition, or any further official
action by any department, bureau, board, administration, or other
instrumentality or agency.

            1.4 "GENERIC ENTRY DATE" shall mean the date of first regulatory or
marketing approval in the Net Sales Territory of a generic equivalent to any
Product, including, but not limited to, a product covered by an Abbreviated New
Drug Application (ANDA) which references the initial New Drug Application (NDA)
filed by LICENSEE or a sublicensee for such Product.

            1.5 "GOVERNMENT" shall mean the United States federal government.

            1.6 "KNOW-HOW" shall mean trade secrets, inventions, data,
processes, procedures, devices, methods, formulas, protocols, information and
other know-how, whether or not patentable, which is owned or controlled by
LICENSOR during the License Term and is necessary or useful for the commercial
exploitation of the Patent Rights.

            1.7 "LICENSE TERRITORY" shall mean worldwide.

            1.8 "METHOD" shall mean any method or process which is covered in
whole or in part by an issued or unexpired claim contained in the Patent Rights
or otherwise incorporating the Know-How.

            1.9 "NET SALES" shall mean the sum of all amounts invoiced on
account of sale or use of Products by LICENSEE and its Affiliates and any
Sublicensees to non-affiliated third party purchasers or users of Products, less
(a) [***], (b) [***], (c) [***], (d) [***] (e) [***].

            1.10 "NET SALES TERRITORY" shall mean the United States of America.

            1.11 "PATENT EXPIRATION DATE" shall mean the last to expire of the
Patent Rights.

            1.12 "PATENT RIGHTS" shall mean United States Patent Number
5,852,032 of Mason issued December 22, 1998 entitled "Method of Treating
Nicotine Dependence" and all divisions, renewals, continuations,
continuations-in-part, reissues, extensions and substitutions thereof and, to
the extent applicable, all foreign counterparts.

*** Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the
omitted portions.

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            1.13 "PRODUCT" shall mean any product or part thereof:

            (a)   the manufacture, use or sale or other commercialization of
                  which is covered in whole or in part by an issued or unexpired
                  claim contained in the Patent Rights or otherwise
                  incorporating the Know-How; or

            (b)   which is administered by using a Method.

            1.14 "SUBLICENSEE" shall mean any third party to whom LICENSEE has
granted a sublicense of LICENSEE's rights hereunder, provided said third party
has agreed in writing with LICENSEE to accept the conditions and restrictions
agreed to by LICENSEE in this Agreement.

            2. GRANT:

            2.1 In consideration for payment of royalties, LICENSOR hereby
grants to LICENSEE an exclusive (even as to LICENSOR except as specified in
Secantion 2.2 below) license, subject to any rights of the Government, in the
License Territory, for the Field of Use, with the right to sublicense, under the
Patent Rights and Know-How, to make, have made, use, sell, have sold, offer for
sale, import or otherwise commercialize the Product and to practice the Method.

            2.2 LICENSOR retains the right to practice such invention for its
own internal non-commercial, educational and research use.

            3. TERM:

      The license granted in this Agreement shall be Exclusive in the Field of
Use until the later of (i) the Patent Expiration Date or (ii) the date described
in Section 8.1(c)(ii) (the "LICENSE TERM"), unless terminated earlier as
provided herein, and commencing as of the Effective Date of this Agreement.

            4. UNITED STATES LAWS:

            4.1 LICENSEE understands that the Patent Rights may have been
developed under a funding agreement with the Government and, if so, that the
Government may have certain rights relative thereto. This Agreement is
explicitly made subject to the Government's rights under any

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agreement and any applicable law or regulation. If there is a conflict between
this Agreement and an agreement between LICENSOR and the Government, applicable
law or regulation, the terms of the agreement between LICENSOR and the
Government, applicable law or regulation, respectively, shall prevail.
Specifically, this Agreement is subject to all of the terms and conditions of
Title 35 United States Code sections 200 through 204, including an obligation
that Product sold or produced in the United States be "manufactured
substantially in the United States," and LICENSEE agrees to take all reasonable
action necessary on its part as licensee to enable LICENSOR to satisfy its
obligation thereunder, relating to the Patent Rights.

            4.2 It is understood that LICENSOR is subject to United States laws
and regulations controlling the export of technical data, computer software,
laboratory prototypes and other commodities (including the Arms Export Control
Act, as amended and the Export Administration Act of 1979), and that its
obligations hereunder are contingent on compliance by LICENSEE with applicable
United States export laws and regulations. The transfer of certain technical
data and commodities may require a license from the cognizant agency of the
United States Government and/or written assurances by LICENSEE that LICENSEE
shall not export data or commodities to certain foreign countries without prior
approval of such agency. LICENSOR neither represents that a license from an
agency of the Government shall not be required nor that, if required, it shall
be issued.

            5. PATENT PROTECTION AND INFRINGEMENT:

            5.1 LICENSOR, during the License Term, is responsible for the
maintenance of all Patent Rights. LICENSEE shall reimburse LICENSOR for all
payments made by LICENSOR in respect of the Patent Rights within thirty (30)
days of LICENSEE's receipt of the applicable invoice.

            5.2 LICENSEE shall promptly notify LICENSOR in writing of any claim
of Patent Rights infringement which, to LICENSEE's knowledge, is asserted
against LICENSEE or LICENSOR, its Affiliates and any sublicensees because of the
manufacture, use, promotion and sale of Products.

            5.3 Upon learning of any infringement of Patent Rights by third
parties in any country, LICENSEE and LICENSOR will promptly inform each other,
as the case may be, in writing

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of that fact and will supply the other with any available evidence pertaining to
the infringement. LICENSEE, at its own expense, shall have the option to take
whatever steps are necessary to stop the infringement at its expense and recover
damages therefore, and will be entitled to retain all damages so recovered. In
the event that LICENSOR and LICENSEE mutually agree to bring suit, costs and
expenses shall be shared equally and any recovery in excess of expenses shall be
shared equally. Each of the parties shall assist and cooperate with the other
party in connection with any such suit or other action relating to infringement.
In any event, no settlement, consent, judgment or other voluntary final
disposition of the suit may be entered into without the consent of LICENSOR,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event LICENSEE does not take
steps to stop the infringement within ninety days after notice from LICENSOR
specifically requesting such action and referring to this Section 5.3, LICENSOR
shall have the right to terminate the License Agreement. In connection with any
such termination, all Patent Rights and Know-How will revert to LICENSOR.

            6. INDEMNIFICATION:

            6.1 LICENSEE agrees to release, indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the LICENSOR and its Trustees, officers, faculty, employees and students against
any and all losses, expenses, claims, actions, lawsuits and judgments thereon
(including attorney's fees through the appellate levels) ("DAMAGES") which may
be brought against LICENSOR, its Trustees, officers, faculty, employees or
students as a result of or arising out of (a) any negligent act or omission of
LICENSEE or its agents or employees, (b) the use, production, manufacture, sale,
lease, consumption or advertisement by LICENSEE, its Affiliates or their
sublicensees or any third party with whom LICENSEE has or enters into an
agreement of any Patent Rights, Methods, Know-How, Product, invention or
technology licensed under this Agreement, (c) the use of LICENSEE's own
trademarks and tradenames relating to the Products, or (d) any and all third
party claims of Patent Rights infringement which may be asserted against
LICENSOR, and Affiliates because of the manufacture, use, promotion and sale of
Products; provided, however, that such indemnification right shall not apply to
any judgments and Damages to the extent directly attributable to the negligence,
reckless misconduct, or intentional misconduct of a party seeking
indemnification under this Section 6.1.

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            6.2 LICENSOR agrees to release, indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the LICENSEE and its officers, employees and Affiliates against any and all
Damages which may be brought against LICENSEE or its officers, employees or
Affiliates as a result of or arising out of any negligent act or omission of
LICENSOR or its Trustees, officers, faculty, agents, employees or other
Affiliates, provided, however, that such indemnification right shall not apply
to any judgments and Damages to the extent directly attributable to the
negligence, reckless misconduct, or intentional misconduct of a party seeking
indemnification under this Section 6.2.

            6.3 Promptly after receipt by a party seeking indemnification under
this Section 6 (an "INDEMNITEE") of notice of any pending or threatened claim
against it (an "ACTION"), such Indemnitee shall give written notice to the party
to whom the Indemnitee is entitled to look for indemnification pursuant to this
Section 6 (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") of the commencement thereof, provided that
the failure so to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve it of any
liability that it may have to any Indemnitee hereunder. In case any Action that
is subject to indemnification under this Section 6 shall be brought against an
Indemnitee and it shall give written notice to the Indemnifying Party of the
commencement thereof, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate
therein and, if it so desires, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee and, after notice from the
Indemnifying Party to the Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense
thereof, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such Indemnitee under
this Section 6 for any fees of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case
subsequently incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof,
other than reasonable costs of investigation. Notwithstanding an Indemnifying
Party's election to assume the defense of any such Action that is subject to
indemnification under this Section 6, the Indemnitee shall have the right to
employ separate counsel and to participate in the defense of such Action. If an
Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of such Action, no compromise or
settlement thereof may be effected by the Indemnifying Party without the
Indemnitee's written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld
or delayed, unless (A) there is no finding or admission of any violation of law
or any violation of the rights of any Person and no effect on any other claims
that may be made against the Indemnitee and (B) the sole relief provided is
monetary damages that are paid in full by the Indemnifying Party.

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            6.4 This Agreement to reimburse and indemnify under the
circumstances set forth above shall continue after the termination of this
Agreement.

            7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES:

            7.1 Mutual Representations and Warranties.

            (a)   Each party represents and warrants that it is duly authorized
                  to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
                  obligations hereunder.

            (b)   Each party represents and warrants that this Agreement is a
                  legal and valid obligation binding upon it and enforceable in
                  accordance with its terms Each party represents that to the
                  best of its knowledge the execution, delivery and performance
                  of this Agreement does not conflict with any agreement,
                  instrument or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a
                  party or by which it may be bound, nor violate any law or
                  regulation of any court, governmental body or administrative
                  or other agency having jurisdiction over it.

            7.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LICENSOR.

            (a)   LICENSOR represents and warrants that, subject to any interest
                  of the Government, LICENSOR owns the Patent Rights and
                  Know-How and has sufficient rights and power to grant the
                  licenses to LICENSEE which LICENSOR purports to grant herein.

            (b)   LICENSOR represents that, to the best of its knowledge, except
                  as set forth in Section 4 above, there are no outstanding
                  liens, encumbrances, agreements or understandings of any kind,
                  either written, oral or implied, regarding the Patent Rights
                  or Know-How which are inconsistent or in conflict with any
                  provision of this Agreement.

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            (c)   LICENSOR represents and warrants that it has no knowledge of
                  any outstanding and unresolved claim or accusation that the
                  practice of the Patent Rights or Know-How infringes or may
                  infringe any third-party patent right(s).

            (d)   LICENSOR represents that, to the best of its knowledge, no
                  patent application or patent within the Patent Rights or
                  Know-How is the subject of any interference, opposition,
                  cancellation or other protest proceeding.

            7.3 Disclaimer of Other Warranties. Except as set forth in Sections
7.1 and 7.2 above, LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND HEREBY
DISCLAIMS ALL SUCH WARRANTIES, AS TO ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, THE CONDITION OF ANY INVENTION(S) OR PRODUCT, WHETHER TANGIBLE OR
INTANGIBLE, LICENSED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT; OR THE MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION OR PRODUCT; OR THAT THE USE OF THE
LICENSED PRODUCT WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHTS, TRADEMARKS, OR OTHER
RIGHTS. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 6.2. LICENSOR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR OTHER DAMAGES SUFFERED BY LICENSEE OR ANY THIRD
PARTIES RESULTING FROM THE USE, PRODUCTION, MANUFACTURE, SALE, LEASE,
CONSUMPTION, OR ADVERTISEMENT OF THE PRODUCT.

            7.4 The provisions of this Section 7 shall continue beyond the
termination of this Agreement.

            8. PAYMENTS:

            8.1 In partial consideration of the license herein granted, LICENSEE
shall pay the following amounts to LICENSOR:

            (a)   "LICENSE ISSUE FEE" of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000),
                  which said License Issue Fee shall be deemed earned and due
                  immediately upon the execution of this Agreement.

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            (b)   "LICENSE MAINTENANCE FEES" of [***] per year payable on the
                  first anniversary of the Effective Date and each anniversary
                  thereafter until the end of the License Term; provided,
                  however, that the License Maintenance Fee for any given year
                  shall be creditable against any Running Royalties subsequently
                  due during said year under subsection 8.1(c) below.

            (c)   "RUNNING ROYALTY" on each Product with the applicable royalty
                  rate determined on a Product-by-Product basis as follows:

                  (i)   until the Patent Expiration Date for such Product, a
                        royalty amount equal to [***] of the Net Sales of such
                        Product in the Net Sales Territory; and

                  (ii)  after the Patent Expiration Date for such Product and
                        until the earlier of (A) the Generic Entry Date for such
                        Product or (B) [***] after the date of the first
                        commercial sale of the first Product developed
                        hereunder, a royalty amount equal to one and [***] of
                        the Net Sales of such Product in the Net Sales
                        Territory.

                  LICENSEE shall be entitled to reduce the royalty rates as set
                  forth in clause (i) and (ii) above if the LICENSEE licenses
                  intellectual property rights owned by a third party to
                  develop, discover, use, make, have made or sell the Product,
                  excluding LICENSEE's license agreement with BioTie Therapies
                  Corp. The amount of royalty reduction shall be equal to the
                  amount of royalty paid to the third party; however, in no case
                  shall the royalty rate under clause (i) be less than [***] and
                  under clause (ii) be less than [***]. For the avoidance of
                  doubt, the parties agree that no royalty shall be due with
                  respect to the Net Sales of any Product outside the Net Sales
                  Territory.

            8.2 In partial consideration of the license herein granted, LICENSEE
shall pay the following amounts to LICENSOR:

            (a)   A milestone payment in the amount of [***] shall be payable
                  upon [***].

            (b)   A milestone payment in the amount of [***] shall be payable
                  upon [***].

*** Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the
omitted portions.

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            (c)   A milestone payment in the amount of [***] shall be payable
                  upon [***].

            (d)   A milestone payment in the amount of [***] shall be payable
                  upon [***].

            (e)   A milestone payment in the amount of [***] shall be payable
                  upon [***].

            8.3 All payments shall be made hereunder in U.S. dollars; provided
however, that if the proceeds of the sales upon which such royalty payments are
based are received by the LICENSEE in a foreign currency or other form that is
not convertible or exportable in dollars, and the LICENSEE does not have ongoing
business operations or bank accounts in the country in which the currency is not
convertible or exportable, the LICENSEE shall pay such royalties in the currency
of the country in which such sales were made by depositing such royalties in
LICENSOR'S name in a bank designated by LICENSOR in such country. Royalties in
dollars shall be computed by converting the royalty in the currency of the
country in which the sales were made at the exchange rate for dollars prevailing
at the close of the business day of the LICENSEE'S quarter for which royalties
are being calculated as published the following day in the Wall Street Journal
(or, if it ceases to be published, a comparable publication to be agreed upon
from time to time by the parties), and with respect to those countries for which
rates are not published in the Wall Street Journal, the exchange rate fixed for
such date by the appropriate United States governmental agency.

            8.4 In the event the royalties set forth herein are higher than the
maximum royalties permitted by the law or regulations of a particular country,
the royalty payable for sales in such country shall be equal to the maximum
permitted royalty under such law or regulation.

            8.5 In the event that any taxes, withholding or otherwise, are
levied by any taxing authority in connection with accrual or payment of any
royalties payable to LICENSOR under this Agreement, the LICENSEE shall have the
right to pay such taxes to the local tax authorities on behalf of LICENSOR and
the payment to LICENSOR of the net amount due after reduction by the amount of
such taxes shall fully satisfy the LICENSEE'S royalty obligations under this
Agreement.

            9. DILIGENCE REQUIREMENTS:

            9.1 LICENSEE shall diligently develop, manufacture, market and sell
the Products in the Net Sales Territory and will diligently endeavor to create a
demand for the Products.

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the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the
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            9.2 LICENSEE agrees to submit reports, upon LICENSOR's request, as
to its efforts to develop markets for the Licensed Products. Such reports shall
include assurance by LICENSEE of its intent to actively develop commercial
embodiments of the inventions of Patents Rights and a summary of its efforts in
this regard.

            9.3 Unless LICENSEE has a Product available for commercial sale
prior to January 1, 2012, LICENSEE agrees to pay LICENSOR an annual minimum
royalty of [***] within thirty (30) days of such date and each January 1
thereafter; provided that the annual minimum royalty shall increase by [***] on
each January 1 thereafter until a Product is available for commercial sale or
the license subject to this Agreement has expired or been terminated. In the
event that an uncontrollable delay related to the FDA regulatory process and in
the event LICENSEE has exercised diligence consistent with industry standards
which can be demonstrated in writing by LICENSEE, LICENSEE may request a one
year extension from LICENSOR to pay the first annual minimum royalty of [***]
where such extension shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event LICENSEE
discontinues sales and marketing of the Product for more than [***], LICENSOR
may terminate this Agreement; provided, however, that the foregoing right to
terminate shall not apply in the event that such discontinuation is primarily
the result of (i) any Force Majeure Event, or (ii) any undue delays caused by
the FDA or any other regulatory body.

*** Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed separately with
the Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the
omitted portions.

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            10. REPORTS AND RECORDS:

            10.1 Commencing one (1) year after the first commercial sale of a
Product by LICENSEE and/or its Affiliates or sublicensees, the LICENSEE shall
furnish to LICENSOR a report in writing specifying during the preceding calendar
quarter (a) the number or amount of Products sold hereunder by LICENSEE, and/or
its Affiliates or sublicensees, (b) the total billings for all Products sold,
(c) deductions as applicable in Section 1.9, (d) total royalties due, (e) names
and addresses of all sublicensees. Such reports shall be due within forty-five
(45) days following the last day of each calendar quarter in each year during
the License Term of this Agreement. Each such report shall be accompanied by
payment in full of the amount, if any, due LICENSOR in United States dollars
calculated in accordance with Section 8.1 hereof.

            10.2 For a period of three (3) years from the date of each report
pursuant to Section 10.1, LICENSEE shall keep records adequate to verify each
such report and accompanying payment made to LICENSOR under this Agreement, and
an independent Certified Public Accountant or Accounting Firm selected by
LICENSOR and acceptable to LICENSEE may have access, on reasonable notice during
regular business hours, not to exceed once per year, to such records to verify
such reports and payments. Such Accountant or Accounting Firm shall not disclose
to LICENSOR any information other than that information relating solely to the
accuracy of, or necessity for, the reports and payments made hereunder. The fees
and expense of the Certified Public Accountant or Accounting Firm performing
such verification shall be borne by LICENSOR unless in the event that the audit
reveals an underpayment of royalty by more than ten (10%) percent, the cost of
the audit shall be paid by LICENSEE.

            11. MARKING AND STANDARDS:

            11.1 LICENSEE agrees to mark and have sublicensees mark Products (or
their containers or labels) made, sold, or otherwise disposed of by it under the
license granted in this Agreement with a proper patent notice as specified under
the patent laws of the United States.

            11.2 LICENSEE further agrees to maintain standards consistent with
pharmaceutical industry norms in respect to the nature of the Product
manufactured and/or sold by LICENSEE.

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LICENSEE agrees that all Product manufactured and/or sold by it shall be of a
quality which is appropriate to pharmaceutical products. LICENSEE agrees that
similar provisions shall be included by sublicenses of all tiers.

            12. ASSIGNMENT:

            12.1 This Agreement is not assignable by LICENSEE or by operation of
law without the prior written consent of LICENSOR at its sole discretion.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, LICENSEE shall have the right to assign this
Agreement or its rights or obligations hereunder to any of its Affiliates,
successors in interest or acquirers of all or substantially all of its assets
provided such Affiliate, successor in interest or acquirer assumes all of
LICENSEE's obligations under this Agreement.

            12.2 This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the
successors and legal representatives and permitted assigns of LICENSOR and
LICENSEE.

            13. NOTICE:

            Any notice, payment, report or other correspondence (hereinafter
collectively referred to as "correspondence") required or permitted to be given
hereunder shall be mailed by certified mail, overnight delivery (receipt
verified) by recognized courier (e.g., Federal Express, UPS, Airborne Express or
DHL) or delivered by hand to the party to whom such correspondence is required
or permitted to be given hereunder. If mailed, any such notice shall be deemed
to have been given when mailed as evidenced by the postmark at point of mailing.
If delivered by courier by overnight delivery, any such notice shall be deemed
to have been given when delivery is confirmed by the applicable courier. If
delivered by hand, any such correspondence shall be deemed to have been given
when received by the party to whom such correspondence is given, as evidenced by
written and dated receipt of the receiving party.

            All correspondence to LICENSEE shall be addressed as follows:

                                Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                                12750 High Bluff Drive, Suite 310
                                San Diego, CA   92130
                                Attn: Ms. Susan E. Dube, Sr. VP

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            All correspondence to LICENSOR shall be addressed, in duplicate, as
follows:

                                FOR OFFICIAL NOTICE ONLY:

                                University of Miami
                                School of Medicine
                                Research and Graduate Studies
                                P.O. Box 016960
                                1600 N.W. 10th Avenue
                                Miami, FL  33101
                                Attention:  Dr. Norman Altman

                                Vice President
                                Business Services
                                327 Max Orovitz Building
                                1507 Levante Avenue
                                Coral Gables, FL  33124-1432
                                Attention:  Mr. Alan J. Fish

                                FOR NOTICE, PAYMENT AND PATENT CORRESPONDENCE:

                                Assistant Provost
                                Office of Technology Transfer
                                P.O. Box 016960 (M811)
                                Miami, FL 33101
                                Attention: Dr. Gary S.Margules

Either party may change the address to which correspondence to it is to be
addressed by notification as provided herein.

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            14. TERMINATION:

            14.1 LICENSOR shall have the right to terminate this Agreement if
LICENSEE commits a material breach of an obligation under this Agreement or
provides a false report and continues in default for more than two (2) months
after receiving written notice of such default or false report; however, in the
event LICENSEE breaches its obligations under Sections 5.1, 5.3, 8, 9.3 or 15.2,
LICENSEE shall have ten (10) business days after receiving written notice to
cure such breach, after which LICENSOR shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement. Such termination shall be effective upon further written notice to
the breaching party after failure by the breaching party to cure such default.
If LICENSOR commits a material breach or defaults, then LICENSEE has no duty to
continue the payment of royalties, milestones or other amounts set forth in
Section 8 of this Agreement.

            14.2 The license and rights granted in this Agreement have been
granted on the basis of the special capability of LICENSEE to perform research
and development work leading to the manufacture and marketing of the Products.
Accordingly, LICENSEE covenants and agrees that in the event any proceedings
under the Bankruptcy Act or any amendment thereto, be commenced by or against
LICENSEE, and, if against LICENSEE, said proceedings shall not be dismissed with
prejudice before either an adjudication in bankruptcy or the confirmation of a
composition, arrangement, or plan of reorganization, or in the event LICENSEE
shall be adjudged insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, or if a writ of attachment or execution be levied upon the license
hereby created and not be released or satisfied within ten (10) days thereafter,
or if a receiver be appointed in any proceeding or action to which LICENSEE is a
party with authority to exercise any of the rights or privileges granted
hereunder and such receiver be so discharged within a period of forty-five (45)
days after his appointment, any such event shall be deemed to constitute a
breach of this Agreement by LICENSEE and, LICENSOR, at the election of LICENSOR,
but not otherwise, ipso facto, and without notice or other action by LICENSOR,
shall terminate this Agreement and all rights of LICENSEE hereunder and all
rights of any and all persons claiming under LICENSEE.

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            14.3 LICENSEE shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon
sixty (60) days notice to LICENSOR. 14.4 Any termination of this Agreement shall
be without prejudice to LICENSOR's right to recover all amounts accruing to
LICENSOR prior to such termination and cancellation. Except as otherwise
provided, should this Agreement be terminated for any reason, LICENSEE shall
have no rights, express or implied, under any patent property which is the
subject matter of this Agreement, nor have the right to recover any royalties
paid LICENSOR hereunder. Upon termination, LICENSEE shall have the right to
dispose of Products then in its possession and to complete existing contracts
for such Products, so long as contracts are completed within six (6) months from
the date of termination, subject to the payment of royalties to LICENSOR as
provided in Section 8 hereof.

            15. CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE:

            15.1 LICENSEE shall maintain liability insurance coverage for the
Product prior to any human subject testing in the amount of five million dollars
($5,000,000) and at no expense to LICENSOR, LICENSEE shall name LICENSOR as an
additional insured. At the time of execution of this Agreement, LICENSEE shall
provide a certificate of insurance to LICENSOR. LICENSEE agrees to carry and
keep in force, at its expense, general liability insurance with limits not less
than $1,000,000 per person and $3,000,000 aggregate to cover liability for
damages on account of bodily or personal injury or death to any person, or
damage to property of any person. Such insurance shall contain an endorsement
naming the LICENSOR as an additional insured with respect to this Agreement.
Insurance Certificates should be sent to LICENSOR upon execution of this
Agreement and on the anniversary of that date every year thereafter as follows:
Office of Technology Transfer, attention Dr. Gary Margules, 1475 N.W. 12 Avenue,
Room 2012 (M811), Miami, Florida 33136.

            15.2 LICENSEE shall not cancel such insurance without thirty (30)
days prior notice to LICENSOR unless it contemporaneously replaces such
insurance with substantially the same or more comprehensive coverage which again
names LICENSOR as an additional insured. Such cancellation shall be cause for
termination subject to the cure provision set forth in Section 14.1.

                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>

            15.3 The terms of this provision shall extend beyond the termination
of this Agreement for a period of seven (7) years following the last sale of any
Product.

            16. CONFIDENTIALITY; USE OF NAME:

            16.1 NON-USE AND NON-DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS. Each of LICENSOR and
LICENSEE shall use any information received by it from the other party solely in
connection with performance of their respective obligations under this Agreement
and shall not disclose such information to any third party, without the prior
written consent of the other party. These obligations shall survive the
expiration or termination of this Agreement for a period of seven (7) years.
These obligations shall not apply to information that:

            (a) is known by the receiving party, as evidenced by its records, at
the time of receipt and not through a prior disclosure by the disclosing party;

            (b) is at the time of disclosure or thereafter becomes published or
otherwise part of the public domain through no breach of this Agreement by the
receiving party;

            (c) is subsequently disclosed to the receiving party, as evidenced
by its records, by a third party having the right to make such a disclosure;

            (d) is developed by the receiving party, as evidenced by its
records, independently of information received by it from the disclosing party
hereunder;

            (e) is disclosed to any governmental authority in order to prosecute
or maintain any Patent Rights or Know-How or any regulatory authority to obtain
approval to market a Product, but such disclosure may be made only to the extent
necessary to pursue such prosecution or maintenance or to obtain such approval;
or

            (f) is required by law, regulation, rule, act or order of any
governmental authority or agency to be disclosed by a party, provided that only
such portion of the information which is legally required to be disclosed is so
disclosed and notice is promptly given to the other party in order to provide it
an opportunity to seek a protective order or the like with respect to such
information.

            16.2 PERMITTED DISCLOSURE. Information provided under this Agreement
may be disclosed to employees, agents, consultants, or suppliers of the
receiving party, but only to the extent required to accomplish the purposes of
this Agreement; provided that such employees, agents, consultants or suppliers
shall also agree to appropriate and comparable confidentiality and non-use
provisions.

                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>

            16.3 PUBLICITY. Except as required by law, regulation or court
order, (a) LICENSEE shall not use the name of the LICENSOR (i.e., University of
Miami), or any of its employees, or any adaptation thereof, in any publication,
including advertising, promotional or sales literature without the prior written
consent of Mr. Alan J. Fish, Vice President of Business Services (or such
individual's successor), 327 Max Orovitz Bldg., 1507 Levante Avenue, Coral
Gables, FL 33124-1432, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed more than 24 hours from the time of LICENSEE's request, and (b) all
publicity, press releases and other announcements relating to the terms of this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reviewed in advance
by, and shall be subject to the written approval of, both parties.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if time does not permit a 24 hour prior
review in the reasonable judgment of LICENSEE, LICENSEE may issue a press
release or public announcement concerning any aspect of LICENSEE's development
or commercialization of a Product without the prior written consent of LICENSOR
provided that no reference is made therein to LICENSOR's name (i.e., University
of Miami) and (ii) LICENSEE may disclose the existence of this Agreement and the
terms and conditions hereof, without the prior written consent of LICENSOR, as
reasonably necessary in connection with the due diligence process associated
with future capital investment in LICENSEE or the negotiation or exploration of
a possible strategic transaction.

            17. GOVERNING LAW:

            This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance
with the laws of the State of Florida.

            18. CAPTIONS: The captions and section heading of this Agreement are
solely for the convenience of reference and shall not affect its interpretation.

                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>

            19. SEVERABILITY:

            Should any part or provision of this Agreement be held unenforceable
or in conflict with the applicable laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the
invalid or unenforceable part or provision shall be replaced with a provision
which accomplishes, to the extent possible, the original business purpose of
such part or provision in valid and enforceable manner, and the remainder of the
Agreement shall remain binding upon the parties hereto.

            20. SURVIVAL:

            20.1 The provisions of Sections 1.8, 1.13, 5, 6, 7, 15, 16, 19, 20,
21, 22, 23, and 24 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement
and shall remain in full force and effect. In addition, for clarity, absent an
uncured breach of this Agreement by LICENSEE, nothing herein shall be deemed to
prevent LICENSEE from making, having made, using, selling, having sold, offering
for sale, importing or otherwise commercializing the Product and to practice the
Method following the expiration of the License Term.

            20.2 The provisions of this Agreement which do not survive
termination or expiration hereof (as the case may be) shall, nonetheless, be
controlling on, and shall be used in construing and interpreting, the rights and
obligations of the parties hereto with regard to any dispute, controversy or
claim which may arise under, out of, in connection with, or relating to this
Agreement.

            21. AMENDMENT:

            No amendment or modification of the terms of this Agreement shall be
binding on either party unless reduced to writing and signed by an authorized
officer of the party to be bound.

            22. WAIVER:

            No failure or delay on the part of a party in exercising any right
hereunder will operate as a waiver of, or impair, any such right. No single or
partial exercise of any such right will preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right. No waiver of any such right will be
deemed a waiver of any other right hereunder.

                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>

            23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT:

            This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
hereto respecting the subject matter hereof, and supersedes and terminates all
prior agreements respecting the subject matter hereof, whether written or oral,
and may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by both parties
hereto.

            24. COUNTERPARTS:

            This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and each such
counterpart shall be deemed an original hereof.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized to be
effective as of the Effective Date.

                            SOMAXON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

Date:  1-26-05          By: /s/ Kenneth Cohen
                            --------------------------------------------
                            Name:  Kenneth Cohen
                            Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                            UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

Date:  1-31-05          By: /s/ Alan J. Fish
                            --------------------------------------
                            Name:  Alan J. Fish
                            Title: VP, Business Services

                                     - 21 -<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                          MASTER AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES

This Master Services Agreement ("Master Agreement") is made this 10th day of May
2004 ("Effective Date") by and between Synteract, Inc., a California corporation
with offices at 5759 Fleet St, Suite 100, Carlsbad, CA 92008 ("Synteract"), and
Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, with offices at 12750 High Bluff Drive, Suite 310, San
Diego, CA 92130 ("Client").

WHEREAS, Client would like to retain the services of Synteract from time to time
to conduct certain services ("Services"), as more fully set forth in various
specific project agreements to be attached to this Master Agreement and
incorporated herein by reference (each individually a "Project Agreement"); and

WHEREAS, Synteract is engaged in the business of providing such services and
would like to provide the services to Client on the terms and conditions
contained in this Master Agreement and in each Project Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, and intending to be legally
bound, the parties agree as follows:

1.    PROJECT AGREEMENTS

      In the event that the parties hereto shall reach agreement with respect to
      particular Services (as hereinafter defined in Section 2.1), a Project
      Agreement for said Services shall be attached to this Master Agreement and
      the two shall collectively, independent from other Project Agreements,
      constitute the entire agreement for the specific Services. No Project
      Agreement shall be attached to this Master Agreement without first being
      executed by the parties hereto. To the extent any terms set forth in a
      Project Agreement or any other agreement to which both Synteract and
      Somaxon are parties shall conflict with the terms set forth in this Master
      Agreement, the terms of this Master Agreement shall control unless
      specifically set forth otherwise in the Project Agreement or other
      agreements to which both Synteract and Somaxon are parties.

2.    SERVICES

2.1   Synteract hereby agrees to provide to Client the services described in the
      "services" section of each Project Agreement attached to this Master
      Agreement. Each Project Agreement shall define certain terms and
      conditions, including, but not limited to, the scope and nature of the
      Services requested and the start and completion date of the services, all
      fees and pass through expenses for the Services and description of how
      such amounts are determined and when they are payable, and a transfer of
      regulatory obligations from Client to Synteract under the Federal Food,
      Drug and Cosmetic Act and its regulations. The personnel provided by
      Synteract, whether employees or independent

                                        1

<PAGE>

      contractors that are assigned to the Client to perform the services
      subject to a Project Agreement shall be referred to, hereinafter, as the
      "Consultant."

2.2   Consultant shall complete the Services in accordance with the requirements
      of this Master Agreement, the applicable Project Agreement, Client's
      formats and specifications, the standards and practices that are generally
      accepted in the industry and exercised by other persons engaged in
      performing similar services, and all applicable local, state and federal
      laws, rules, regulations and guidances, including, but not limited to, the
      U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Good Clinical Practice ("GCP")
      regulations.

2.3   The Client shall provide, at no charge, Consultant with all of the
      materials identified in the applicable Project Agreement that are
      necessary to complete the Services. Consultant shall use such materials
      only in strict accordance with the applicable Project Agreement and for no
      other purpose without the prior written consent of Client. The Client
      shall act in good faith to provide reasonable reviews of Consultants' work
      in accordance with the Project Agreement as agreed to by both parties.

3.    COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT

      Synteract's compensation and payment for the Services provided hereunder
      shall be set forth in the applicable Project Agreement. All invoices will
      be submitted in accordance with the payment schedule in the applicable
      Project Agreement. In the event that Synteract or Consultant is requested
      or required to perform services beyond that which are specifically set
      forth in a Project Agreement, any such additional services and a
      compensation schedule thereto must be mutually agreed upon by the parties
      in writing prior to the provision of said services. Said mutually agreed
      upon writing shall be an amendment to the pertinent Project Agreement and
      the services set forth therein shall be deemed to be Services as the term
      is used in this Agreement. Synteract shall invoice the Client on a monthly
      basis for the incremental Services provided. Unless subject to a valid
      dispute, payments are due within thirty (30) days of the date of invoice.
      Interest on unpaid invoices will be charged at the rate of 1% per month on
      invoices which remain unpaid after thirty (30) days from receipt by
      Client.

4.    TERMS AND TERMINATION

4.1   This Master Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and will remain
      effective until terminated under this Section 4. Each Project Agreement
      will commence on the date of the Project Agreement's complete execution by
      the parties and, unless terminated earlier under this Section 4, each
      Project Agreement will terminate upon either the termination of this
      Master Agreement or the completion of Services required under such Project
      Agreement. Termination of the Master Agreement under this Section 4 shall
      result in the automatic and concurrent termination of all Project
      Agreements.

                                        2

<PAGE>

4.2   Client and Synteract, by mutual written agreement, may terminate this
      Master Agreement or any Project Agreement at any time.

4.3   Client may terminate this Master Agreement or any Project Agreement at any
      time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice for good cause. Good cause
      shall include, without limitation: (i) unsatisfactory completion of the
      Services by Synteract or Consultant; (ii) non-compliance with any
      applicable local, state or federal law, rule or regulation; or (iii) any
      material breach by Synteract of any of its obligations under this Master
      Agreement or any Project Agreement.

4.4   Synteract may terminate this Master Agreement or any Project Agreement at
      any time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice for good cause. Good
      cause shall include, without limitation, any material breach by Client of
      any of its obligations under this Master Agreement or any Project
      Agreement.

4.5   If Client terminates this Master Agreement and/or any Project Agreement,
      Client shall reimburse Synteract for Synteract's actual costs for all
      Services performed through the effective termination date and all
      uncancellable obligations as of such date, provided that such costs and
      uncancellable obligations are in accordance with the Master Agreement and
      all applicable Project Agreements and Synteract provides Client with an
      accounting of any such costs and uncancellable obligations in writing
      within thirty (30) days of termination.

4.6   In the event of the termination of this Master Agreement or any Project
      Agreement, Synteract will promptly provide to the Client all original
      records and reports related to all terminated projects, and shall promptly
      surrender and deliver to Client all documents and materials of any nature
      provided to Synteract or Consultant by Client and any other documents or
      materials of any nature from any source pertaining to or arising out of
      Synteract's performance of the Services. Upon such termination, and in
      full compliance with this Master Agreement, all applicable Project
      Agreements, and all applicable local, state and federal laws, rules,
      regulations and guidances, Synteract shall complete all activities, and
      provide reasonable assistance as may be requested by the Client, necessary
      for the orderly and timely close of the Services rendered up to the date
      of such termination.

5.    INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR RELATIONSHIP

      Synteract is an independent contractor of Client and nothing contained in
      this Master Agreement shall be construed to place the parties hereto in
      the relationship of partners, principal and agent, employer/employee or
      joint venturer. Both parties agree that neither shall have power or right
      to bind or obligate the other, nor shall either hold itself out as having
      such authority.

                                        3

<PAGE>

6.    PERSONNEL

      Synteract shall be obligated at all times to provide a sufficient number
      of trained personnel to meet the requirements of the Services. During the
      term of this Agreement, Synteract may contract for work with competitors
      of the Client or other groups, and Consultant may be assigned to other
      projects for other customers of Synteract, however, Synteract affirms that
      they do not have and shall not enter into any agreement, which would
      restrict its ability to fulfill this Agreement. Synteract agrees that in
      fulfilling contracts with others, it shall not use or disclose any
      confidential or proprietary information as set forth in Section 8 of this
      Agreement and, in assigning its employees and agents to perform under this
      Agreement, Synteract will establish appropriate internal controls to
      prevent such disclosure, including reasonably limiting those employees or
      agents that possess confidential or proprietary information under Section
      8 from work with competitors of Client.

7.    EMPLOYMENT

      During the term of this Agreement and for six (6) months after the
      termination of this Agreement, the Client agrees that it will not solicit
      to hire or retain as an independent contractor any employees of Synteract
      without the prior written consent of Synteract, and Synteract agrees that
      it will not solicit to hire or retain as an independent contractor any
      employees of the Client without the prior written consent of Client.

8.    CONFIDENTIALITY

8.1   During the course of a Project Agreement, it may be necessary for Client
      to disclose confidential information ("Confidential Information") of
      Client to Synteract. Confidential Information" shall refer to all
      commercial, scientific, medical and technical information and data
      relating to Client or a Project Agreement. Confidential Information shall
      not refer to information that:

      (a)   is now in the public domain or subsequently enters the public domain
            through no fault of Synteract;

      (b)   does not consist of computer programming or statistical methods of
            analysis developed by Consultant in completing the Services;

      (c)   Synteract receives from any third party not under any obligation to
            the Client to keep such information confidential; or

      (d)   is required to be disclosed by law, provided that Synteract shall
            give Client prior notice of any such intended disclosure and shall
            cooperate with any attempt by Client to seek a mutually satisfactory
            way to disclose such Confidential

                                        4

<PAGE>

            Information as necessary for this limited purpose and with all
            protections of confidentiality permitted by law.

8.2   Synteract agrees to keep in strict confidence all Confidential Information
      and to disclose said Confidential Information to the Consultant and its
      other employees on a strict need to know basis only, and to its
      independent contractors, vendors and agents under a confidentiality
      agreement. Synteract agrees that the Confidential Information shall be
      used for the purpose of providing the Services for Client and for no other
      purpose without the prior written consent of Client.

8.3.  The terms in this Section 8 shall continue in full force and effect for a
      period of five (5) years from the termination or expiration of this Master
      Agreement.

9.    OWNERSHIP

9.1   All of (i) Client's Confidential Information (including, without
      limitation, all original records and reports related to a project) and
      (ii) unused materials provided by Client pursuant to a Project Agreement
      shall be the exclusive property of the Client. All information generated
      by Synteract under this Master Agreement shall be delivered to the Client
      at the termination or expiration this Master Agreement, provided, however,
      that Synteract may retain one copy of Client's Confidential Information in
      its files for archival purposes, as a means of determining any continuing
      obligations under this Master Agreement (including the Project
      Agreements).

9.2   All inventions, improvements in know-how, new uses, processes and
      compounds involving the Services under this Master Agreement and/or the
      Project Agreements that are conceived or reduced to practice as a direct
      result of a project ("Inventions") shall be and remain the sole property
      of Client. Synteract shall cooperate fully with Client in obtaining, at
      Client's sole cost and expense, any patent protection as may be available
      for the Inventions, and shall execute all documents reasonably deemed
      necessary by Client for purposes of procuring such patent protection.
      Synteract agrees that it shall endeavor to ensure contractually the prompt
      disclosure to Client by the Consultant or any other employee or other
      individual retained by Synteract for a Project of any Inventions, as well
      as the cooperation of such persons in securing patent protection as set
      forth herein.

9.3   Notwithstanding the foregoing, Client acknowledges that Synteract and its
      professional staff currently possess certain inventions, processes,
      know-how, trade secrets, methods, approaches, analyses, improvements,
      other intellectual properties and other assets including, but not limited
      to, clinical trial management analyses, analytical methods, procedures and
      techniques, computer technical expertise and proprietary software, and
      technical and conceptual expertise in the area of conducting clinical
      trials, all of which have been developed independently by Synteract
      without the benefit of any information provided by Client (collectively,
      "Synteract Property"). Client agrees that any Synteract

                                        5

<PAGE>

      Property which is used, improved, modified or developed by Synteract under
      or during the term of this Master Agreement shall be and remain the sole
      and exclusive property of Synteract.

10.   ANNOUNCEMENTS

      Synteract shall not make any announcement, oral presentation or
      publication relating to any Confidential Information or Services provided
      under any Project Agreement without Client's prior written consent (which
      consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), except as required by law or
      by court or administrative order. Neither party shall employ or use the
      name of the other party in any publication or promotional material or in
      any form for public distribution, without the prior written consent of the
      other party, except as required by law or by court or administrative
      order.

11.   GOVERNMENT INSPECTION

      In the event that Synteract receives a notice of inspection or audit from
      the FDA or any comparable federal or state regulatory authority which
      relates to the Services provided under any Project Agreement, Synteract
      shall notify Client promptly of such notice, keep Client informed of the
      progress of the inspection or audit, and provide to Client a copy of any
      documents produced to the FDA or such other authority pursuant to the
      notice.

12.   ACCESS TO FACILITIES

      Client's authorized representatives may visit Synteract's site and
      facilities at reasonable times and with reasonable frequency during normal
      business hours and upon reasonable advance written notice, to observe the
      progress of any Services. All such visits shall be subject to Synteract's
      restrictions and procedures relating to safety, security and protection of
      Confidential Information.

13.   INDEMNIFICATION

13.1  Client agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Synteract, its
      affiliated entities, officers, directors and employees, and the Consultant
      (each, a "Synteract Party") from and against any and all claims, demands,
      cost or judgments (each, a "Claim") for any and all liabilities, losses,
      damages, penalties, costs or expenses (including but not limited to court
      costs, legal fees, awards or settlements) arising out of, in connection
      with or related to the Services performed by Synteract under and pursuant
      to this Master Agreement and the applicable Project Agreement; provided,
      however, that Client's indemnity obligations under this Section 13 shall
      not apply to any Claim to the extent arising directly from a negligent,
      reckless or willful act or omission of a Synteract Party, a breach by a
      Synteract Party of any applicable local, state or federal law, rule,
      regulation or guidance, or a breach of the terms of this Master Agreement
      or the applicable Project Agreement by a Synteract Party.

                                        6

<PAGE>

13.2  Synteract agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Client, its
      affiliated entities, officers, directors and employees from and against
      Claims for any and all liabilities, losses, damages, penalties, costs or
      expenses (including but not limited to court costs, legal fees, awards or
      settlements) arising out of, in connection with or related to the Services
      performed by Synteract under and pursuant to this Master Agreement and the
      applicable Project Agreement to the extent arising from a negligent,
      reckless or willful act or omission of a Synteract Party, a breach by a
      Synteract Party of any applicable local, state or federal law, rule,
      regulation or guidance; or a breach of the terms of this Master Agreement
      or the applicable Project Agreement by a Synteract Party.

13.3  Each person or entity seeking indemnification under this Section 13 shall,
      as a condition thereto, notify the indemnifying party within ten (10) days
      after the receipt of notice of the Claim; provided, however, that the
      indemnifying party shall not be released from its obligations under this
      Section 13 if the failure to notify the indemnifying party within ten (10)
      days does not materially prejudice the defense of such Claim. The
      indemnifying party shall have the right to select defense counsel and to
      direct the defense or, with the consent of the indemnified party (which
      consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settlement of any Claim.

14.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT

      This Master Agreement, together with all Project Agreements, constitutes
      the entire agreement between Client and Synteract with respect to the
      subject matter hereof, and replaces and supersedes any and all prior and
      contemporaneous agreements and/or understandings, whether oral or written,
      between Client and Synteract with respect to the subject matter hereof.
      This Master Agreement (including the Project Agreements) may be amended or
      modified only by a written instrument executed by a duly authorized
      officer of each party.

15.   ASSIGNMENT

      Neither Client nor Synteract may assign this Master Agreement or any
      rights hereunder or delegate the performance of any duties hereunder
      without the prior written approval of the other party, which approval
      shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld; provided, however, that
      without such consent, either party may assign this Master Agreement in
      connection with the transfer or sale of all or substantially all of its
      assets, stock or business, or its merger, consolidation or combination
      with or into another entity, and provided that, without the written
      consent of Client, Synteract may assign the right to payments due to
      Synteract under this Master Agreement or applicable Project Agreement to
      financial institutions or other lenders of Synteract. Subject to the
      foregoing, this Master Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the
      benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective
      successors and permitted assigns.

                                        7

<PAGE>

16.   NON-DEBARMENT

16.1  Synteract represents and warrants that Synteract has never been and is not
      currently:

      (a)   an individual who has been debarred by the FDA pursuant to 21 U.S.C.
            Section335a (a) or (b) (a "Debarred Individual") from providing
            services in any capacity to a person that has an approved or pending
            drug product application, or an employer, employee or partner of a
            Debarred Individual; or

      (b)   a corporation, partnership, or association that has been debarred by
            the FDA pursuant to 21 U.S.C. Section335a (a) or (b) (a "Debarred
            Entity") from submitting or assisting in the submission of a drug
            product application, or an employee, partner, shareholder, member,
            subsidiary or affiliate of a Debarred Entity.

16.2  Synteract further represents and warrants that Synteract has no knowledge
      of any circumstances which may affect the accuracy of the representations
      and warranties set forth in Section 16.1 including, but not limited to,
      FDA investigations of, or debarment proceedings against, Synteract or any
      person or entity performing, or rendering assistance related to, the
      Services. Synteract will notify Client promptly upon becoming aware of any
      such circumstances during the term of this Master Agreement.

17.   INSURANCE

      Synteract shall carry insurance including, but not limited to, workers'
      compensation and comprehensive general liability insurance, sufficient to
      cover its interest or liabilities hereunder, but in no event less than
      $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, with a
      reputable and financially secure insurance carrier.

18.   FORCE MAJEURE

      If either party's performance of this Master Agreement or any Project
      Agreement is prevented, restricted or delayed (either totally or in part)
      by reason of any cause beyond the reasonable control of the parties, such
      as acts of God, explosion, disease, weather, war, insurrection, civil
      strike, riot or power failure, the party so affected shall, upon giving
      prompt notice thereof to the other party, be excused from such performance
      to the extent of such prevention, restriction or delay; provided, that the
      affected party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to avoid or
      remove such causes of non-performance and shall continue performance with
      the utmost dispatch whenever such causes are removed; and provided
      further, that nothing herein shall relieve either party from the
      obligation to pay promptly in full all payments that may be due to the
      other party under this Master Agreement or the Project Agreements.

                                        8

<PAGE>

19.   NO CONFLICT

      Each party represents and warrants that it is authorized to enter into
      this Master Agreement and that the terms hereof are not inconsistent with
      or a violation of any corporate policy, contractual or other legal
      obligation to which it is subject.

20.   SURVIVAL

      Any terms of this Master Agreement, which by their nature extend beyond
      its performance, expiration or termination (including, without limitation,
      Sections 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 22 and 23) shall remain in
      effect indefinitely until fulfilled in accordance with their terms.

21.   CONSTRUCTION OF AGREEMENT

      The descriptive headings of the Sections of this Master Agreement are for
      convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any
      of the provisions of this Master Agreement. The failure of either party to
      enforce any provision of this Master Agreement (including the Project
      Agreements) shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that
      party's subsequent rights to enforce and compel strict compliance with
      every provision of this Master Agreement. To the extent any provision of
      this Master Agreement or the application thereof is found by a proper
      authority to be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be considered deleted
      herefrom, and the remainder of this Master Agreement shall continue in
      full force and effect. This Master Agreement shall be governed by and
      construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without
      regard to provisions of conflicts of law.

22.   ARBITRATION

      The parties shall attempt, in good faith, to resolve through negotiations
      any controversy, claim, or dispute arising out of this Master Agreement,
      including, but not limited to, the alleged non-payment of any sum owing to
      Synteract. In the event that negotiations are not successful, the
      controversy, claim, or dispute shall be submitted to third party mediation
      upon terms reasonably acceptable to the parties. If such claim,
      controversy or dispute is not resolved through mediation, upon written
      demand of either party, the claim, controversy or dispute shall be
      submitted to arbitration before three (3) arbitrators. Such arbitration
      shall take place in San Diego, California and shall proceed in accordance
      with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
      Association and the laws of the State of California. The decision shall be
      enforceable by a court of law, provided that the decision is supported by
      substantial fact and is without material error of law. All

                                        9

<PAGE>

      costs of such arbitration, except expert fees and attorneys' fees, shall
      be shared equally by the parties. The parties agree that, any provision of
      applicable law notwithstanding, they will not request, and the arbitrators
      shall have no authority to award, special, indirect, consequential,
      incidental, punitive or exemplary damages of any type or kind (including,
      without limitation, lost profits) against any party.

23.   NOTICES

      Any notices, requests or other communications given under this Master
      Agreement or a Project Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by
      personal delivery, or sent by (a) facsimile transmission (with message
      confirmed during normal business hours); (b) first class mail, postage
      prepaid; or (c) Federal Express (or equivalent nationally recognized
      overnight delivery service), delivery charges prepaid. All notices shall
      be given to a party at its respective address set forth below, or at such
      other address as such party from time to time may specify by notice in
      accordance with this Section 23. A notice shall be deemed given when
      actually received; provided, that if any facsimile notice is received
      after 5:00 P.M. local time at the place of receipt, it shall be deemed to
      have been given as of the next following business day.

      If to Client:                Somaxon Pharmaceuticals
                                   12750 High Bluff Drive
                                   Suite 310
                                   San Diego, CA 92130
                                   Attn: Susan Dube
                                   Fax: 858.509.1589

      If to Synteract:             Synteract, Inc.
                                   5759 Fleet Street
                                   Suite 100
                                   Carlsbad, CA 92008
                                   Attn: Ellen Morgan
                                   Fax: 760.929.1419

24.   COUNTERPARTS

      This Master Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which, when
      executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of
      which, when joined, shall together constitute one and the same agreement.
      Any photocopy or facsimile of this Master Agreement, or of any
      counterpart, shall be deemed the equivalent of the original.

                                      10
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Master Agreement to be executed
by duly authorized representatives as of the date first above written.

SYNTERACT, INC.                               SOMAXON PHARMACEUTICALS

By: /s/ Ellen Maegan                          By: /s/ Meg M. McGilley
------------------------                      ------------------------
Title: President                              Title: VP Finance
Date: May 10, 2004                            Date: May 12, 2004

                                   11

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