Document:

EXHIBIT 10.3

            Pledge and Assignment Agreement, dated December 26, 2001
                                     between
               Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Provident Bank

<PAGE>

                         PLEDGE AND ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
                         -------------------------------

THIS PLEDGE AND ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made this _____ day
of December, 2001, by VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC., a Virginia corporation
(the "Borrower") for the benefit of PROVIDENT BANK, a Maryland banking
corporation (the "Lender").

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

A. The Borrower and the Lender have entered into a Loan Agreement dated of even
date with this Agreement (as amended, modified, restated, substituted, extended
and renewed at any time and from time to time, the "Loan Agreement").

B. It is a condition precedent, among others, to the Lender's agreement to enter
into the Loan Agreement and to make advances thereunder that the Borrower enter
into this Agreement in order to secure the full and prompt performance by the
Borrower of all of the "Obligations" defined in Loan Agreement.

C. All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the
meaning given to such terms in the Loan Agreement.

                                   AGREEMENTS
                                   ----------

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Lender's entering into the Loan
Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Borrower hereby agrees as
follows:

         1. Pledge. As security for the prompt and full performance of the
Obligations, the Borrower hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Lender a
security interest in the property of the Borrower described in EXHIBIT A and all
proceeds (cash and non-cash) thereof (collectively, the "Stock Collateral"),
whether now existing or hereafter created or arising and any substitutes for or
additions to the Stock Collateral, and together with any interest, stock rights,
rights to subscribe, cash dividends, dividends paid in stock, liquidating
dividends, new securities and other property to which the Borrower may become
entitled by reason of the ownership of the Stock Collateral therein during the
existence of this Agreement and all rights to receive payments relating thereto.
The Borrower agrees that with respect to the Stock Collateral the Lender shall
have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial
Code, as well as those provided by law and/or in this Agreement, subject to
compliance with applicable Law.

         2. Representation and Warranty. The Borrower represents and warrants
that:

         (a) the Borrower is the owner of all legal and beneficial interests in
and to the Stock Collateral, free and clear of all security interests,
assignments, pledges, voting trusts, agreements, liens, security interests,
pledges, claims and encumbrances whatsoever (each a "Lien"; collectively,
"Liens"), other than the Lien granted to the Lender under this Agreement, and
the Lien related to the BB&T Loan;

         (b) subject to the release of the Lien related to the BB&T Loan, the
Borrower has the right to transfer its interest in the Stock Collateral; and

         (c) the shares of stock of the Bank represented by the certificate
described on Exhibit A constitute all of the shares of the Bank issued and
outstanding as of the date hereof, and the certificate is genuine and valid.

         3. Borrower's Rights. Until such time an Event of Default has occurred
hereunder or under any of the Loan Documents which shall continue beyond any
applicable cure period, the Borrower shall retain the right to receive, and to
use and enjoy, all cash dividends and distributions paid on the Stock Collateral
at any time in the Lender's control and to vote all shares of stock and/or any
other securities constituting any part of the Stock Collateral.

         4. Covenants. Until payment in full and the performance of all of the
Obligations secured hereby, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lender
that:

<PAGE>

         (a) All Stock Collateral at any time received or held by the Borrower
shall be received and held by the Borrower in trust for the benefit of the
Lender, shall be kept separate and apart from, and not commingled with, the
Borrower's other assets, and shall be immediately delivered to the Lender.

         (b) The Borrower will do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve and to keep in full force and effect its interests in the Stock
Collateral, and shall defend, at its sole expense, the title to the Stock
Collateral and any and all parts thereof.

         (c) The Borrower shall promptly, upon request by the Lender, execute,
acknowledge and deliver any financing statement, endorsement, notices,
assignment, continuation statement, certificate or other document as the Lender
reasonably may require in order to perfect, preserve, maintain, protect,
continue, realize upon, and/or extend the Lien granted to the Lender under this
Agreement and the priority thereof.

         (d) The Borrower will not transfer any direct or indirect interest in
the Stock Collateral or create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon
any of the Stock Collateral, other than that in favor of the Lender.

         5. Events of Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the
following events shall constitute an "Event of Default" under the provisions of
this Agreement: (a) there occurs any failure to pay any amounts when due and
owing under the Obligations, subject to any applicable cure or grace periods
provided in the applicable Loan Documents; or (b) any representation or warranty
made in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents, shall prove to
have been false or misleading in any material respect when made or, if
applicable, when reaffirmed, or (c) an event of default shall occur and shall
continue uncured under any of the other Loan Documents.

         6. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default:

         (a) The Lender shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured
party under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code and other applicable Laws.
Upon demand by the Lender, the Borrower shall assemble the Stock Collateral not
in the Lender's possession and make it available to the Lender, at a place
designated by the Lender.

         (b) Any written notice of the sale (public or private), disposition or
other intended action by the Lender with respect to the Stock Collateral which
is sent by regular mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at its address set
forth in the Loan Agreement, at least ten (10) days prior to such sale,
disposition or other action shall constitute commercially reasonable notice to
the Borrower. The Lender may alternatively or additionally give such notice in
any other commercially reasonable manner. Nothing in this Agreement shall
require the Lender to give any notice not required by applicable Laws.

         (c) Any proceeds of sale or other disposition of the Stock Collateral
will be applied by the Lender, after deducting all reasonable costs of sale, to
the Obligations secured by this Agreement in such order and manner of
application as the Lender may determine from time to time in its sole and
absolute discretion.

         7. Reimbursement for Expenses. In the event the Lender shall commence
any action or proceeding for the enforcement of this Agreement, the Borrower
will reimburse the Lender, promptly upon demand, for any and all reasonable
expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with such action or proceeding
including, without imitation, reasonable attorneys' fees.

         8. Lender's Duty of Care. It is agreed and understood that the Lender's
duty with respect to the Stock Collateral shall be solely to use reasonable, due
care in the custody and preservation of the Stock Collateral at any time in the
Lender's possession, which shall not include any steps necessary to preserve
rights against prior parties.

         9. Further Assurances. The Borrower shall, at its expense, do, make,
procure, execute and deliver all acts, things, writings and assurances as the
Lender may at any time request to protect, assure or enforce its interest,
rights and remedies created by, provided in or emanating from this Agreement and
that it will defend the Stock Collateral and its proceeds against the claims and
demands of all third parties.

<PAGE>

         10. Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement (or any
part of any provision) is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality,
or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision (or remaining part of
the affected provision) of this Agreement; but this Agreement shall be construed
as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision (or part thereof) had
not been contained in this Agreement, but only to the extent it is invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable.

         11. Successors and Assigns. All of the grants, covenants, terms,
provisions and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and
be enforceable by, the Lender and its successors and assigns, and shall be
binding upon, and enforceable against, the Borrower and its successors and
assigns.

         12. Modification - Waiver. No modification or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement, nor consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall
in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing, and then such
waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any instance
shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in the same,
similar or other circumstances.

         13. Remedies Cumulative and Concurrent. No remedy herein conferred upon
or reserved to the Lender is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or
remedies, and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative, and shall be in
addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at
law or in equity or by statute. Every right, power and remedy given by this
Agreement to the Lender shall be concurrent and may be pursued separately,
successively or together against the Borrower; and every right, power and remedy
given by this Agreement to the Lender may be exercised from time to time as
often as may be deemed expedient by the Lender.

         14. Strict Performance. No delay or omission of the Lender to exercise
any right, power or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Lender shall
impair any such right, power or remedy or shall be construed to be a waiver
thereof. No delay or omission on the part of the Lender to exercise any option
granted to the Lender hereunder in any one or more instances shall constitute a
termination or waiver of any such option and each such option shall remain
continuously in full force and effect.

         15. Captions. The captions and headings contained in this Agreement are
included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered a
part hereof and are not in any way intended to define, limit or enlarge the
terms hereof.

         16. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with and pursuant to the laws of the
State of Maryland.

         17. Notices. All notices, demands, requests and other communications
required pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been properly given or served for all purposes when
delivered pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement.

         18. Consent to Jurisdiction. The Borrower irrevocably submits to the
jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the State of Maryland over
any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
The Borrower irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any
objection that it may now or hereafter have to laying the venue of any such
suit, action, or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any
such suit, action, or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in
an inconvenient forum. Final judgment in any such suit, action, or proceeding
brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower and
may be enforced in any court to the jurisdiction of which the Borrower is
subject, by a suit upon such judgment provided that service of process is
effected upon the Borrower in a manner specified in this Agreement or as
otherwise permitted by applicable law.

         19. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. THE BORROWER AND THE LENDER HEREBY,
JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO

<PAGE>

WHICH EITHER OF THEM MAY BE PARTIES, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY PERTAINING TO
THIS AGREEMENT. IT IS AGREED AND UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS WAIVER CONSTITUTES A
WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OF ALL CLAIMS AGAINST ALL PARTIES TO SUCH ACTIONS OR
PROCEEDINGS, INCLUDING CLAIMS AGAINST PARTIES WHO ARE NOT PARTIES TO THIS
AGREEMENT. THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY MADE BY THE
BORROWER, AND THE BORROWER HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT NO
REPRESENTATIONS OF FACT OR OPINION HAVE BEEN MADE BY ANY INDIVIDUAL TO INDUCE
THIS WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR TO IN ANY WAY MODIFY OR NULLIFY ITS EFFECT. THE
BORROWER FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT HAS BEEN, OR HAS HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE BEEN, REPRESENTED IN THE SIGNING OF THIS AGREEMENT AND IN
THE MAKING OF THIS WAIVER BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, SELECTED OF ITS OWN FREE
WILL, AND THAT IT HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS WAIVER WITH COUNSEL.

         20. Term. This Agreement shall be a continuing one and shall be binding
upon the Borrower regardless of how long before or after the date hereof the
Obligations were or are incurred. This Agreement shall terminate when all sums,
if any, payable by the Borrower pursuant to the Loan Documents shall have been
paid in full and the Borrower shall have no further liability or obligations to
the Lender under the Loan Documents. If at any time any payment, or any portion
thereof, made by, or for the account of, the Borrower on account of any of the
obligations and liabilities hereunder is set aside by any court or trustee
having jurisdiction as a voidable preference or fraudulent conveyance or must
otherwise be restored or returned by the Lender to the Borrower under any
insolvency, bankruptcy or other federal and/or state laws or as a result of any
dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or upon, or as a
result of, the appointment of any receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or
trustee, or similar officer for, the Borrower or any substantial part of the
properties or assets of the Borrower, the Borrower hereby agrees that this
Agreement shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated,
as the case may be, all as though such payment(s) had not been made.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Agreement to be executed,
sealed and delivered, as of the day and year first written above.

WITNESS OR ATTEST:                  VIRGINIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
----------------------------           -----------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:Exhibit 10.31

                           LIFE MEDICAL SCIENCES, INC.
                      2001 NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN

      The purpose of the 2001 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to
provide designated employees and consultants of Life Medical Sciences, Inc. (the
"Company") and its subsidiaries with the opportunity to receive grants of
nonqualified stock options. The Company believes that the Plan will encourage
the participants to contribute materially to the growth of the Company, thereby
benefiting the Company's shareholders, and will align the economic interests of
the participants with those of the shareholders.

1.    ADMINISTRATION

      (a) Committee. The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by a
committee (the "Committee"), which shall consist of two or more persons
appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), all of whom
shall be "non-employee directors", as defined under Rule 16b-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

      (b) Committee Authority. The Committee shall have the sole authority to
(i) determine the individuals to whom grants shall be made under the Plan, (ii)
determine the type, size and terms of the grants to be made to each such
individual, (iii) determine the time when the grants will be made and the
duration of any applicable exercise or restriction period, including the
criteria for exercisability and the acceleration of exercisability, (iv)
condition grants on the individual's execution of a non-compete, non-disclosure
or other agreement deemed appropriate by the Committee, and (v) deal with any
other matters arising under the Plan.

      (c) Committee Determinations. The Committee shall have full power and
authority to administer and interpret the Plan, to make factual determinations
and to adopt or amend such rules, regulations, agreements and instruments for
implementing the Plan and for the conduct of its business as it deems necessary
or advisable, in its sole discretion. The Committee's interpretations of the
Plan and all determinations made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested
in it hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on all persons having any
interest in the Plan or in any awards granted hereunder. All powers of the
Committee shall be executed in its sole discretion, in the best interest of the
Company, not as a fiduciary, and in keeping with the objectives of the Plan and
need not be uniform as to similarly situated individuals.

2.    OPTIONS

      Awards under the Plan shall consist of grants of nonqualified stock
options that are not intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code ("Options" or "Nonqualified Stock Options"),
as described in Section 5. All Options shall be subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein and to such other terms and conditions consistent
with this Plan as the Committee deems appropriate and as are specified in
writing by the Committee to the individual in a grant instrument (the "Option
Instrument") or an amendment to the Option Instrument. The Committee shall
approve the form and provisions of each Option Instrument. Options need not be
uniform as among the grantees.
<PAGE>

3.    SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

      (a) Shares Authorized. Subject to the adjustment specified below, the
aggregate number of shares of common stock of the Company ("Company Stock") that
may be issued or transferred under the Plan is 6,000,000 shares. The shares may
be authorized but unissued shares of Company Stock or reacquired shares of
Company Stock, including shares purchased by the Company on the open market for
purposes of the Plan. If and to the extent Options granted under the Plan
terminate, expire, or are canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered without
having been exercised, the shares subject to such Options shall again be
available for purposes of the Plan.

      (b) Adjustments. If there is any change in the number or kind of shares of
Company Stock outstanding (i) by reason of a stock dividend, spinoff,
recapitalization, stock split, or combination or exchange of shares, (ii) by
reason of a merger, reorganization or consolidation in which the Company is the
surviving corporation, (iii) by reason of a reclassification or change in par
value, or (iv) by reason of any other extraordinary or unusual event affecting
the outstanding Company Stock as a class without the Company's receipt of
consideration, or if the value of outstanding shares of Company Stock is
substantially reduced as a result of a spinoff or the Company's payment of an
extraordinary dividend or distribution, the maximum number of shares of Company
Stock available for Options, the number of shares covered by outstanding
Options, the kind of shares issued under the Plan, and the price per share of
Options may be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to reflect any increase
or decrease in the number of, or change in the kind or value of, issued shares
of Company Stock to preclude, to the extent practicable, the enlargement or
dilution of rights and benefits under such Options; provided, however, that any
fractional shares resulting from such adjustment shall be eliminated. Any
adjustments determined by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive.

4.    ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION

      (a) Eligible Persons. All (i) employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries ("Employees"), including Employees who are officers or members of
the Board and (ii) agents, medical and scientific advisors, directors of and
consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries, shall be eligible to
participate in the Plan (collectively, the "Eligible Individuals").

      (b) Selection of Grantees. The Committee shall select the Eligible
Individuals to receive Options and shall determine the number of shares of
Company Stock subject to a particular Option in such manner as the Committee
determines. Eligible Individuals who receive Options under this Plan shall
hereinafter be referred to as "Grantees".

5.    GRANT OF OPTIONS

      (a) Number of Shares. The Committee shall determine the number of shares
of Company Stock that will be subject to each grant of Options to Eligible
Individuals.

      (b) Exercise Price.

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<PAGE>

            (i) The purchase price (the "Exercise Price") of Company Stock
subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee.

            (ii) Option Term. The Committee shall determine the term of each
Option, which shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant.

      (c) Exercisability of Options. Options shall become exercisable as
determined by the Committee and set forth in the Option Instrument. The
Committee may accelerate the exercisability of any or all outstanding Options at
any time for any reason.

      (d) Termination of Employment.

      Except as provided below, an Option may only be exercised while the
Grantee is employed by or providing services to the Company or its subsidiaries
as an Employee, agent, medical or scientific advisor, director or consultant.

            (i) Termination Without Cause. In the event that a Grantee's
employment or service is terminated by the Company for any reason other than
"disability", death, or for "cause" (collectively, a "termination without
cause"), any Option held by the Grantee shall become one hundred percent vested
and fully exercisable for the one year period, except in the case of the first
year of an Option's term in which case the exercise period shall be two years,
after the date on which the Grantee's employment or service is terminated by the
Company, but in any event no later than the date of expiration of the Option
term.

            (ii) Termination For Cause. In the event the Grantee's employment or
service is terminated by the Company for "cause" any Option held by the Grantee
shall terminate as of the date the Grantee's employment or service is terminated
by the Company and the Grantee shall automatically forfeit all shares underlying
any exercised portion of an Option for which the Company has not yet delivered
the share certificates, upon refund by the Company of the Exercise Price paid by
the Grantee for such shares.

            (iii) Termination Due to Disability. In the event the Grantee's
employment or service is terminated by the Company on account of Grantee's
"disability", any Option held by the Grantee shall become one hundred percent
vested and fully exercisable by the Grantee and shall terminate unless exercised
within one year after the date on which the Grantee's employment or service is
terminated by the Company, but in any event no later than the date of expiration
of the Option term.

            (iv) Termination Due to Death. If the Grantee dies while employed by
or providing service to the Company, any Option held by the Grantee shall become
one hundred percent vested and fully exercisable by the Grantee and shall
terminate unless exercised within the later to occur of one year after the date
on which the Grantee's employment or service is terminated by the Company or six
months after the probate of the Grantee's estate, but in any event no later than
the date of expiration of the Option term.

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

            (v) Voluntary Termination. In the event a Grantee terminates his or
her employment with or services to the Company at his or her own volition, any
Option which is otherwise exercisable by the Grantee shall terminate unless
exercised within six months, except in the case of the first year of an Option's
term in which case the exercise period shall be one year, after the date on
which the Grantee's employment with or service to the Company is terminated, but
in no event later than the date of expiration of the Option term. Any of the
Grantee's Options that are not exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee's
employment with or service to the Company is terminated shall terminate as of
such date unless the Committee determines otherwise.

            (vi) Termination Without Cause Upon a Change of Control.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5(d)(i) above, if the Grantee's
employment or service is terminated by the Company on account of a "termination
without cause" during the one year period following a Change of Control, any
Option held by the Grantee shall become one hundred percent vested and fully
exercisable for the two year period after the date on which the Grantee's
employment or service is terminated by the Company, but in no event later than
the date of expiration of the Option term.

            (vii) For purposes of this Section 5(e):

                  (A) The term "Company" shall mean the Company and its parent
      and subsidiary corporations, or any successor thereto.

                  (B) The term "disability" shall mean a Grantee's becoming
      disabled within the meaning of section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

                  (C) The term "termination for cause" shall mean, except to the
      extent specified otherwise by the Committee, a finding by the Committee
      that the Grantee has materially breached his or her employment or service
      contract with the Company, or has been engaged in fraud, embezzlement,
      theft, commission of a felony in the course of his or her employment or
      service which is injurious to the Company, or has disclosed trade secrets
      or confidential information of the Company to persons not entitled to
      receive such information. If this clause (C) conflicts with the definition
      of "Cause" or "termination for cause" (or any similar definition) in an
      employment or service agreement between the Company and the Grantee, the
      terms of the employment or service agreement shall govern.

      (e) Exercise of Options. A Grantee may exercise an Option that has become
exercisable, in whole or in part, by delivering a notice of exercise to the
Company with payment of the Exercise Price (i) in cash, (ii) in whole or in part
by shares of Company Stock held by the Grantee, (iii) with proceeds from a
Company loan program, (iv) with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly
deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds required to pay the
Exercise Price, (v) by having shares withheld that are otherwise to be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option (and the number of shares to be withheld
(or otherwise being delivered pursuant to clause (ii) above) shall be a number
with a Fair Market Value (determined on the

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>

date the notice of exercise is delivered to the Company) equal to the aggregate
exercise price), or (vi) by any combination of such method of payment or any
other method acceptable to the Committee. The Grantee shall pay the Exercise
Price and the amount of any withholding tax due (pursuant to Section 6) at the
time of exercise. Shares of Company Stock shall not be issued upon exercise of
an Option until the Exercise Price is fully paid and any required tax
withholding is made.

      For purposes of this Plan, if the Company Stock is publicly traded, then
the Fair Market Value per share shall be determined as follows: (x) if the
principal trading market for the Company Stock is a national securities exchange
or the Nasdaq National Market, the last reported sale price thereof on the
relevant date or (if there were no trades on that date) the latest preceding
date on which a sale was reported, or (y) if the Company Stock is not
principally traded on such exchange or market, the mean between the last
reported "bid" and "asked" prices of Company Stock on the relevant date, as
reported on Nasdaq or, if not so reported, as reported by the National Daily
Quotation Bureau, Inc. or as reported in a customary financial reporting
service, as applicable and as the Committee determines, or (z) if the Company
Stock is not publicly traded or, if publicly traded, is not subject to reported
transactions or "bid" or "asked" quotations as set forth above, the Fair Market
Value per share shall be as determined by the Committee.

6.    WITHHOLDING OF TAXES

      (a) Required Withholding. All Options under the Plan shall be subject to
applicable federal (including FICA), state and local tax withholding
requirements. The Company may require the Grantee or other person receiving such
shares to pay to the Company the amount of any such taxes that the Company is
required to withhold with respect to such Options, or the Company may deduct
from other compensation payable by the Company the amount of any withholding
taxes due with respect to such Options.

      (b) Election to Withhold Shares. If the Committee so permits, a Grantee
may elect to satisfy the Company's income tax withholding obligation with
respect to an Option by having shares withheld up to an amount that does not
exceed the Grantee's maximum marginal tax rate for federal (including FICA),
state and local tax liabilities. The election must be in a form and manner
prescribed by the Committee and shall be subject to the prior approval of the
Committee.

7.    TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS

      (a) Nontransferability of Options. Except as provided below, only the
Grantee or his or her authorized representative may exercise rights under an
Option. A Grantee may not transfer options except (i) by will, (ii) by the laws
of descent and distribution, (iii) to the Company as contemplated by Rule 16b-3
of the Exchange Act, (iv) pursuant to a domestic relations order (as defined
under the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, or the regulations thereunder), or (v) as otherwise permitted
by the Committee. When a Grantee dies, the personal representative or other
person entitled to succeed to the rights of the Grantee ("Successor Grantee")
may exercise such rights. A Successor Grantee must furnish

                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>

proof satisfactory to the Company of his or her right to receive the Option
under the Grantee's will or under the applicable laws of descent and
distribution.

8.    CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY

      As used herein, a "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

      (a) Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) is or becomes a "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing more than 35% of the voting power of the then outstanding
securities of the Company, and such person owns more aggregate voting power of
the Company's then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors than any other person;

      (b) The shareholders of the Company approve (or, if shareholder approval
is not required, the Board approves) an agreement providing for (i) the merger
or consolidation of the Company with another corporation where the shareholders
of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not
beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares
entitling such shareholders to 50% or more of all votes to which all
shareholders of the surviving corporation would be entitled in the election of
directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect
directors by a separate class vote), (ii) the sale or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (iii) a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company; or

      (c) After the effective date of the Plan, directors are elected such that
a majority of the members of the Board shall have been members of the Board for
less than two years, unless the election or nomination for election of each new
director who was not a director at the beginning of such two-year period was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office
who were directors at the beginning of such period or who were directors on the
effective date of this Plan.

9.    CONSEQUENCES OF A CHANGE OF CONTROL

      (a) Notice and Acceleration.

            (i) Upon a Change of Control, the Company shall provide each Grantee
who holds outstanding Options written notice of the Change of Control.

            (ii) Upon a Change of Control, each outstanding Option shall become
one hundred percent vested and fully exercisable.

            (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Grantee shall be eligible to
exercise Options both before and after a Change of Control to the full extent
otherwise permitted under the Plan.

                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>

      (b) Assumption of Options. Upon a Change of Control described in Section
8(b)(i) where the Company is not the surviving corporation (or survives only as
a subsidiary of another corporation), unless the Committee determines otherwise,
all outstanding Options that are not exercised shall be assumed by, or replaced
with comparable options by, the surviving corporation.

      (c) Limitations. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in
the event of a Change of Control, the Committee shall not have the right to take
any actions described in the Plan (including without limitation actions
described in Subsection (c) above) that would make the Change of Control
ineligible for pooling of interests accounting treatment or that would make the
Change of Control ineligible for desired tax treatment if, in the absence of
such right, the Change of Control would qualify for such treatment and the
Company intends to use such treatment with respect to the Change of Control.

10.   AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

      (a) Amendment. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time.

      (b) Termination of Plan. The Plan shall terminate on the day immediately
preceding the tenth anniversary of its effective date, unless the Plan is
terminated earlier by the Board or unless extended by the Board.

      (c) Termination and Amendment of Outstanding Options. A termination or
amendment of the Plan that occurs after an Option is granted shall not
materially impair the rights of a Grantee unless the Grantee consents or unless
the Committee acts under Section 17(b). The termination of the Plan shall not
impair the power and authority of the Committee with respect to an outstanding
Option.

      (d) Governing Document. The Plan shall be the controlling document. No
other statements, representations, explanatory materials or examples, oral or
written, may amend the Plan in any manner. The Plan shall be binding upon and
enforceable against the Company and its successors and assigns.

11.   FUNDING OF THE PLAN

      This Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to
establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of
assets to assure the payment of shares with respect to Options under this Plan.

12.   RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS

      Nothing in this Plan shall entitle any Eligible Individual or other person
to any claim or right to be granted an Option under this Plan. Neither this Plan
nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any individual any
rights to be retained by, in the employ of or provide services to the Company or
any other employment or service rights.

                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>

13.   NO FRACTIONAL SHARES

      No fractional shares of Company Stock shall be issued or delivered
pursuant to the Plan or any Option. The Committee shall determine whether cash,
other awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such
fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall
be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

14.   REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF SHARES

      No Company Stock shall be issued or transferred in connection with any
Option hereunder unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the
issuance or transfer of such Company Stock have been complied with to the
satisfaction of the Committee. The Committee shall have the right to condition
any Option granted to any Grantee hereunder on such Grantee's undertaking in
writing to comply with such restrictions on his or her subsequent disposition of
such shares of Company Stock as the Committee shall deem necessary or advisable
as a result of any applicable law, regulation or official interpretation
thereof, and certificates representing such shares may be legended to reflect
any such restrictions. Certificates representing shares of Company Stock issued
under the Plan will be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other
restrictions as may be required by applicable laws, regulations and
interpretations, including any requirement that a legend be placed thereon.

15.   HEADINGS

      Section headings are for reference only. In the event of a conflict
between a title and the content of a Section, the content of the Section shall
control.

16.   EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

      The Plan shall be effective on March 15, 2001.

17.   MISCELLANEOUS

      (a) Options in Connection with Corporate Transactions and Otherwise.
Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed to (i) limit the right of the
Committee to grant Options under this Plan in connection with the acquisition,
by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business or
assets of any corporation, firm or association, including Options granted to
employees, agents, medical and science advisors or consultants thereof who
become Employees, agents, medical and science advisors or consultants of the
Company, or for other proper corporate purposes, or (ii) limit the right of the
Company to grant stock options or make other awards outside of this Plan.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may grant an Option to employees,
agents, medical and science advisors or consultants of another corporation who
become Employees, agents, medical and science advisors or consultants to the
Company by reason of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or
property, reorganization or liquidation involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries in substitution for a stock option grant made by such corporation
("Substituted Stock Incentives"). The terms and conditions of

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>

the substitute grant may vary from the terms and conditions required by the Plan
and from those of the Substituted Stock Incentives. The Committee shall
prescribe the provisions of the substitute grants.

      (b) Compliance with Law. The Plan, the exercise of Options and the
obligations of the Company to issue or transfer shares of Company Stock under
Options shall be subject to all applicable laws and to approvals by any
governmental or regulatory agency as may be required. With respect to persons
subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, it is the intent of the Company that
the Plan and all transactions under the Plan comply with all applicable
provisions of Rule 16b-3 or its successors under the Exchange Act. The Committee
may revoke any Option if it is contrary to law or modify an Option to bring it
into compliance with any valid and mandatory government regulation. The
Committee may, in its sole discretion, agree to limit its authority under this
Section.

      (c) Ownership of Stock. A Grantee or Successor Grantee shall have no
rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares of Company Stock covered by
an Option until the shares are issued or transferred to the Grantee or Successor
Grantee on the stock transfer records of the Company.

      (d) Governing Law. The validity, construction, interpretation and effect
of the Plan and Option Instruments issued under the Plan shall exclusively be
governed by and determined in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware,
without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provision thereof.

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>

                           LIFE MEDICAL SCIENCES, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                 UNDER THE 2001 NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN

                          (Non-qualified stock option)

            AGREEMENT entered into as of the date set forth on the signature
page hereto by and between Life Medical Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
with a business address of PO Box 219, Little Silver, New Jersey (together with
its subsidiaries, if any, the "Company"), and the undersigned (the "Grantee").

      WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant to the Grantee a non-qualified stock
option under the Company's 2001 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the "2001
Plan") to acquire shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.001 par value (the
"Shares"); and

      WHEREAS, the 2001 Plan provides that each option is to be evidenced by an
option agreement, setting forth the terms and conditions of the option.

      NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, the Company and the Grantee hereby
agree as follows:

      1.    Grant of Option.

      The Company hereby grants to the Grantee a non-qualified stock option (the
"Option") under the 2001 Plan to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of the
number of Shares set forth on the signature page to this Agreement on the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth. The Option shall NOT be treated as an
incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code").

      2.    Purchase Price.

      The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for the Shares covered by the Option
shall be the

                                                                               1
<PAGE>

dollar amount per share set forth on the signature page to this Agreement.

      3.    Time of Vesting and Exercise of Option.

            Subject to Section 4 hereof, the Option shall vest and become
exercisable on the dates and as to the installment amounts set forth on the
signature page to this Agreement. To the extent the Option (or any portion
thereof) is not exercised by the Grantee when it becomes exercisable, it shall
not expire, but shall be carried forward and shall be exercisable, on a
cumulative basis, until the Expiration Date (as hereinafter defined) or until
earlier termination as hereinafter provided.

      4.    Term; Extent of Exercisability.

            (a)   Term.

                  (i) The Option shall expire as to each installment amount on
                  the date set forth next to each such amount on the signature
                  page to this Agreement (the "Expiration Date"), subject to
                  earlier termination as herein provided.

                  (ii) In the event a Grantee's employment or service is
                  terminated by the Company for any reason other than
                  "disability", death or for "cause" (collectively, a
                  "Termination without cause"), any Option held by the Grantee
                  shall become one hundred percent vested and fully exercisable
                  for the one year period, except in the case of the first year
                  of an Option's term in which case the exercise period shall be
                  two years, after the date on which the Grantee's employment or
                  service is terminated by the Company, but in any event no
                  later than the date of expiration of the Option term.

                  (iii) In the event the Grantee's employment or service is
                  terminated by the Company for "cause", any Option held by the
                  Grantee shall terminate as of the date the Grantee's
                  employment or service is terminated by the Company and the
                  Grantee shall automatically forfeit all shares underlying any
                  exercised portion of an Option for which the Company has not
                  yet delivered the share certificates, upon refund by the
                  Company of the Exercise Price paid by the Grantee for such
                  shares.

                  (iv) In the event the Grantee's employment or service is
                  terminated by the Company on account of Grantee's
                  "disability", any Option held by the Grantee shall become one
                  hundred percent vested and fully exercisable by the Grantee
                  and shall terminate unless exercised within one year after the
                  date on which the Grantee's employment or service is
                  terminated by the Company, but in any event no later than the
                  date of expiration of the Option term.

                                                                               2
<PAGE>

                  (v)   In the event of the death of the Grantee, any Option
                        held by the Grantee shall become one hundred percent
                        vested and fully exercisable by the Grantee and shall
                        terminate unless exercised within then later to occur of
                        one year after the date on which the Grantee's
                        employment or service is terminated by the Company or
                        six months after the probate of the Grantee's estate,
                        but in any event, no later than the date of expiration
                        of the Option term.

                  (vi)  In the event a Grantee terminates his or her employment
                        with or services to the Company at his or her own
                        volition, any Option which is otherwise exercisable by
                        the Grantee shall terminate unless exercised within six
                        months, except in the case of the first year of an
                        Option's term in which case the exercise period shall be
                        one year, after the date on which the Grantee's
                        employment with or service to the Company is terminated,
                        but in no event later than the date of expiration of the
                        Option term. Any of the Grantee's Options that are not
                        exercisable as of the date on which the Grantee's
                        employment with or service to the Company is terminated
                        shall terminate as of such date unless the Committee
                        determines otherwise.

                  (vii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4(a)(ii)
                        above, if the Grantee's employment or service is
                        terminated by the Company on account of a "termination
                        without cause" during the one year period following a
                        Change of Control, as such term is defined in the 2001
                        Plan, any Option held by the Grantee shall become one
                        hundred percent vested and fully exercisable for the two
                        year period after the date on which the Grantee's
                        employment or service is terminated by the Company, but
                        in no event later than the date of expiration of the
                        Option term.

                 (viii) For purposes of this Section 4(a):

                        (A)   The term "Company" shall mean the Company and its
                              parent and subsidiary corporations, or any
                              successor thereto.

                        (B)   The term "disability" shall mean a Grantee's
                              becoming disabled within the meaning of section
                              22(e)(3) of the Code.

                        (C)   The term "termination for cause" shall mean,
                              except to the extent specified otherwise by the
                              Committee that the Grantee has materially breached
                              his or her employment or service contract with the
                              Company, or has been engaged in fraud,
                              embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony in the
                              course of his or her employment or service which
                              is injurious to the Company, or has disclosed
                              trade secrets or confidential

                                                                               3
<PAGE>

                              information of the Company to persons not entitled
                              to receive such information. If this clause (C)
                              conflicts with the definition of "Cause" or
                              "termination for cause" (or any similar
                              definition) in an employment or service agreement
                              between the Company and the Grantee, the terms of
                              the employment or service agreement shall govern.

      5.    Manner of Exercise of Option.

            (a) To the extent that the right to exercise the Option has accrued
            and is in effect, the Option may be exercised in full or in part by
            giving written notice to the Company stating the number of Shares as
            to which the Option is being exercised and accompanied by payment in
            full for such Shares. No partial exercise may be made for less than
            one hundred (100) full Shares of Common Stock. Payment shall be made
            in accordance with the terms of the 2001 Plan. Upon such exercise,
            delivery of a certificate for paid-up, non-assessable Shares shall
            be made at the principal office of the Company to the person
            exercising the Option, not less than fifteen (15) and not more than
            forty-five (45) days from the date of receipt of the notice by the
            Company.

            (b) The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option
            reserve and keep available such number of Shares of its Common Stock
            as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Option.

      6.    Non-Transferability.

            Except as provided below, only the Grantee or his or her authorized
representative may exercise rights under an Option. A Grantee may not transfer
options except (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, (iii)
to the Company (as contemplated by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, (iv) pursuant
to a domestic relations order (as defined under the Code or Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the regulations
thereunder), or (v) as otherwise permitted by the Committee. When a Grantee
dies, the personal representative or other person entitled to succeed to the
rights of the Grantee ("Successor Grantee") may exercise such rights. A
Successor Grantee must furnish proof satisfactory to the Company of his or her
right to receive the Option under the Grantee's will or under the applicable
laws of descent and distribution.

      7.    Representation Letter and Investment Legend.

            In the event that for any reason the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of the Option shall not be effectively registered under the Securities
Act of 1933 (" 1933 Act"), upon any date on which the Option is exercised in
whole or in part, the person exercising the Option shall give a written
representation to the Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and the
Company shall place an "investment legend", so-called, as described in Exhibit
1, upon any certificate for the

                                                                               4
<PAGE>

Shares issued by reason of such exercise.

      8.    Adjustments on Changes in Capitalization.

            Adjustments on changes in capitalization and the like shall be made
in accordance with the 2001 Plan, as in effect on the date of this Option.

      9.    No Special Employment Rights.

            The provisions of this Section 9 are applicable only to Grantees who
are employees of the Company. Nothing contained in this Option shall be
construed or deemed by any person under any circumstances to bind the Company to
continue the employment of the Grantee for the period within which this Option
may be exercised. However, during the period of the Grantee's employment, the
Grantee shall render diligently and faithfully the services which are assigned
to the Grantee from time to time by the Board of Directors or by the executive
officers of the Company and shall at no time take any action which directly or
indirectly would be inconsistent with the best interests of the Company.

      10.   Rights as a Stockholder.

            The Grantee shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to
any Shares which may be purchased by exercise of this Option unless and until a
certificate or certificates representing such Shares are duly issued and
delivered to the Grantee.

      11.   Withholding Taxes.

            Whenever Shares are to be issued upon exercise of this Option, the
Company shall have the right to require the Grantee to remit to the Company an
amount sufficient to satisfy all Federal, state and local withholding tax
requirements prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for the
Shares. The Company may agree to permit the Grantee to authorize the Company to
withhold Shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of the Option to satisfy
the above-mentioned withholding requirement; provided, however, no such
agreement may be made by an Grantee who is an officer or director within the
meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except
pursuant to a standing election to so withhold Shares of Common Stock purchased
upon exercise of the Option, such election to be made in the form set forth in
Exhibit 2 hereto and to be made not less than six (6) months prior to such
exercise. Such election may be revoked only upon providing six (6) months prior
written notice to the Company.

                                                                               5
<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed, and
the Grantee has hereunto set his or her hand, all as of the ________, 2001.

                                    LIFE MEDICAL SCIENCES, INC.

                                    By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    Title:   Chairman, President and CEO

                                    GRANTEE

                                    Print Name:
                                               ---------------------------------

                                    Sign Name:
                                              ----------------------------------

                                    Address:
                                            ------------------------------------

                                    --------------------------------------------

                                    --------------------------------------------

                                    Social Security Number:
                                                           ---------------------

                              OPTION INFORMATION

Total Number of Shares Underlying Option:
Purchase Price Per Share:

                          VESTING & EXPIRATION SCHEDULE

      Vesting Date             Number of Shares           Expiration Date
      ------------             ----------------           ---------------

                                                                               6
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT 1
                            TO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Gentlemen:

      In connection with the exercise by me of an option to purchase shares of
Common Stock, $.001 par value, of Life Medical Sciences, Inc. (the "Company"), I
hereby acknowledge that I have been informed as follows:

      1. The shares of Common Stock of the Company to be issued to me pursuant
to the exercise of said option (the "Shares") have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and, accordingly, must
be held indefinitely unless the Shares are subsequently registered under the
Securities Act, or an exemption from such registration is available.

      2. Routine sales of securities made in reliance upon Rule 144 under the
Securities Act can be made only after the holding period provided by that Rule
has been satisfied, and, in any sale to which that Rule is not applicable,
registration or compliance with some other exemption under the Securities Act
will be required.

      3. The availability of Rule 144 is dependent upon adequate current public
information with respect to the Company being available and, at the time that I
may desire to make a sale pursuant to the Rule, the Company may neither wish nor
be able to comply with such requirement.

      In consideration of the issuance of certificates for the Shares to me, I
hereby represent and warrant that I am acquiring the Shares for my own account
for investment, and that I will not sell, pledge or transfer the Shares in the
absence of an effective registration statement covering the same, except as
permitted by the provisions of Rule 144, if applicable, or some other applicable
exemption under the Securities Act. In view of this representation and warranty,
I agree that there may be affixed to the certificates for the Shares to be
issued to me, and to all certificates issued hereafter representing the Shares
(until in the opinion of counsel, which opinion must be reasonably satisfactory
in form and substance to counsel for the Company, it is no longer necessary or
required) a legend as follows:

      "The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered
      under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and were acquired by the
      registered holder pursuant to a representation and warranty that such
      holder was acquiring the Shares for his own account and for investment,
      with no intention of transfer or disposition of the same in violation of
      the registration requirements of that Act. These securities may not be
      sold, pledged, or transferred in the absence of an effective registration
      statement under such Act, or an opinion of counsel, which opinion is
      reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Company, to the effect that
      registration is not required under such Act."

                                                                               7
<PAGE>

      I further agree that the Company may place a stop transfer order with its
transfer agent, prohibiting the transfer of the Shares, so long as the legend
remains on the certificates representing the Shares.

                                Very truly yours,

Dated:
       ---------------

                                                                               8
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT 2
                           TO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Gentlemen:

      The undersigned Grantee hereby elects and agrees that, whenever the
undersigned exercises a stock option (including any options which now or may
hereafter be granted), Life Medical Sciences, Inc. (the "Company") shall
withhold from that exercise such number of Shares equal in value to the federal
and state withholding taxes due upon such exercise. The undersigned further
acknowledges and agrees that this election may not be revoked without six (6)
months' prior written notice to the Company.

                                    GRANTEE:

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                    (Signature)

                                    --------------------------------------------
                                                   (Print Name)

                                                                               9

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