Document:

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CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.

                                                                   Exhibit 10.15

                        UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA AND TELIK

                         RESEARCH AND LICENSE AGREEMENT

     This Agreement, is made as of this 8th day of January, 2001 (the "Effective
Date") between the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) for The University of Arizona
(UNIVERSITY) and Telik, Inc. (TELIK) a Delaware corporation having a principal
place of business at 750 Gateway Blvd. South San Francisco, CA 94080.  Each of
ABOR and/or UNIVERSITY and TELIK is referred to herein as a "Party" and,
collectively, as "Parties."

     WHEREAS, TELIK desires UNIVERSITY to perform certain research work under
which TELIK and UNIVERSITY will seek active compounds in [*] agreed-upon cancer
targets, and will evaluate and optimize certain of such compounds, choose
clinical candidates and conduct preclinical and clinical development of such
candidates, as more specifically described in the Research Plan, attached as
Exhibit A, and is willing to advance funds to sponsor such research; and

     WHEREAS, TELIK desires to obtain certain rights to intellectual property
that may be developed during the course of the Research Project (defined below);
and

     WHEREAS, UNIVERSITY desires to obtain certain rights to intellectual
property that may be developed during the course of the Research Project; and

     WHEREAS, UNIVERSITY is willing to undertake such Research Project and the
Parties are willing to grant to each other the rights set forth herein.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises
contained herein, TELIK and UNIVERSITY agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.  DEFINITIONS

     The following terms shall have the following meanings:

     1.  Active Compound.  A Library Compound which, as measured in an assay
during the Screening Period or the Evaluation Period exhibits the activity
specified in Exhibit A.

     2.  Affiliate.  Any company or entity controlled by, controlling, or under
common control with a Party hereto and shall include without limitation any
company more than fifty percent (50%) of whose voting stock or participating
profit interest is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a Party, and
any company which owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than fifty
percent (50%) of the voting stock of a Party.

     3.  Derivative.  A compound that is made from, derived from or based upon
any Active Compound by one or more modifications that result in (a) changes in
the groups attached to the same positions on the original scaffold of the Active
Compound or (b) other changes in such Active Compound that yield a compound that
has [*] chemical, biological or therapeutic

                                      1.
<PAGE>

activity with respect to a Selected Target that does the Active Compound from
which it is derived.

     4.  Evaluation Period.  The [*] following the Screening Period during which
the Parties will evaluate the potential of Active Compounds.

     5.  Field of Research.  The discovery of therapeutic agents to treat cancer
diseases in humans.

     6.  Invention.  Any invention or discovery which is or may be patentable or
otherwise protected under title 36, United States Code, or any novel variety of
plant which is or may be protectable under the Plant Variety Protection Act (7
U.S.C. 2321 et seq.).

     7.  Joint Development Compound.  An Active Compound with respect to a
particular Joint Development Target.

     8.  Joint Development Target.  A Selected Target that [*] select in [*] of
the Research Project for further development on a [*].

     9.  Joint Intellectual Property.  All know-how and Patents pertaining to or
claiming Inventions made in the course of the collaboration that are not TELIK
Intellectual Property or UNIVERSITY Intellectual Property, and which include but
are not limited to Inventions relating to (i) the composition of matter or
method of making an Active Compound or a Derivative thereof, or (ii) the use of
a compound containing an Active Compound or a Derivative thereof.

     10.  Joint Projects.  A Joint Development Target and all Joint Development
Compounds which the [*] select in [*] of the Research Project pursuant to
Exhibit A for further development [*].

     11.  Library Compound.  A chemical substance contained in the TELIK Library
and delivered by TELIK to UNIVERSITY hereunder.

     12.  Library Compound Intellectual Property.  (i) all Patents issued or
pending and controlled by TELIK as of the Effective Date which claim Inventions
or discoveries relating to the composition of matter of, or method of making, a
Library Compound, or the use of a Library Compound against a Selected Target;
and (ii) any Inventions, discoveries know-how, trade secrets, and other
information relating to a Library Compound, which has been made or developed as
of the Effective Date and which are controlled by TELIK, except as set forth in
(i) above.

     13.  Net Sales.  The gross amount invoiced by a Party or one of its
Affiliates or sublicensees to a third party purchaser based on the sale or other
transfer of a UNIVERSITY Product or a TELIK Product to such purchaser, less the
following deductions, calculated in accordance with United States generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied, to the extent actually
incurred or allowed with respect to the sale or other transfer of such
UNIVERSITY Product or TELIK Product: (i) trade, quantity and cash discounts or
rebates in amounts not exceeding industry custom; (ii) credits, rebates, charge-
back rebates,

                                      2.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

reimbursements or similar payments granted or given to wholesalers and other
distributors, buying groups, healthcare insurance carriers, governmental
agencies and other institutions, provided that such provisions will not grant a
preference or otherwise favor other products of the selling Party if based on
the fact that a royalty may be payable hereunder; (iii) credits or allowances
for rejection or return of such UNIVERSITY Product or TELIK Product previously
sold; (iv) any tax, tariff, duty or other governmental charge (other than an
income tax) levied on the sale, transportation or delivery of a UNIVERSITY
Product or TELIK Product and borne by the seller thereof; (v) payments or
rebates paid in connection with state or federal Medicare, Medicaid or similar
programs; and (vi) any charge for freight or insurance.

     14.  Patent.  All non-U.S. and U.S. patent applications (including, without
limitation, all provisional, divisional, substitution, continuation and claims
in continuation in-part applications supported by parent application and all
non-U.S. counterparts thereof) and all non-U.S. and U.S. patents (including,
without limitation, extensions, reissues, reexaminations, renewals, inventors
certificates and foreign counterparts thereof).

     15.  Principal Investigator.  The individual listed on Exhibit A, employed
by UNIVERSITY, with primary responsibility for conducting and supervising the
Research Plan.

     16.  Research Plan.  The plan for performing the Research Project, as set
forth in Exhibit A.

     17.  Research Project.  The research project to be carried out by TELIK and
UNIVERSITY in which UNIVERSITY and TELIK will seek active compounds in [*]
cancer targets, to be agreed-upon by the Parties, and will evaluate and optimize
certain of such compounds meeting the criteria set forth in the Research Plan,
choose clinical candidates and conduct preclinical and clinical development of
such candidates.

     18.  Screening Period.  Commences on the Effective Date and expires [*]
later.

     19.  Selected Target.  [*] biological or molecular targets identified by
UNIVERSITY and accepted by TELIK, against which UNIVERSITY wishes to screen
compounds from the TELIK Library pursuant to this Agreement.

     20.  TELIK Background Technology.  The TRAP Technology, the TELIK Library
and such other technology and Inventions as are owned by or licensed to TELIK as
of the Effective Date.

     21.  TELIK Development Compound.  an Active Compound with respect to a
particular TELIK Development Target.

     22.  TELIK Development Target.  a Selected Target that is selected by TELIK
in [*] of the Research Project for further development by TELIK.

     23.  TELIK Intellectual Property.  All know how pertaining to and Patents
claiming Inventions made solely by TELIK in the course of the Research Project
including but not limited to Inventions relating to (i) the composition of
matter or method of making an Active Compound

                                      3.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

or a derivative thereof or (ii) the use of a compound containing an Active
Compound or a derivative thereof against a Target.

     24.  TELIK Library  The proprietary diverse small-molecule compound library
of TELIK classified according to distinct patterns of protein binding.

     25.  TELIK Project.  A TELIK Development Target and all TELIK Development
Compounds which TELIK selects in [*] of the Research Project pursuant to Exhibit
A for further development by TELIK.

     26.  TELIK Products.  Any product incorporating a TELIK Development
Compound or a Derivative thereof, in any preparation or formulation.

     27.  TRAP Technology.  TELIK's proprietary chemogenomics technology, which
involves the characterization of the binding similarities and differences of
small molecules by measuring the molecules' binding characteristics against a
panel of proteins selected to represent the diversity of binding preferences
contained in a large set of proteins.

     28.  UNIVERSITY.  UNIVERSITY, Principal Investigator and those UNIVERSITY
employees participating in the Research Plan under the supervision of Principal
Investigator, including, but not limited to, students, employees,
representatives, agents.

     29.  UNIVERSITY Development Compound.  An Active Compound with respect to a
particular UNIVERSITY Development Target.

     30.  UNIVERSITY Development Target.  A Selected Target that is selected by
UNIVERSITY in [*] of the Research Project for further development by UNIVERSITY.

     31.  UNIVERSITY Intellectual Property.  All know-how pertaining to and
Patents claiming Inventions made solely by UNIVERSITY that relate to Targets but
do not relate to (i) the composition of matter or method of making an Active
Compound or a derivative thereof or (ii) the use of a compound containing an
Active Compound or a derivative thereof against a Target, or otherwise
incorporate or relate to the TELIK Background Technology.

     32.  UNIVERSITY Project.  A UNIVERSITY Development Target and all
UNIVERSITY Development Compounds which UNIVERSITY selects in [*] of the Research
Project pursuant to Exhibit A for further development by UNIVERSITY.

     33.  UNIVERSITY Product.  Any product incorporating a UNIVERSITY
Development Compound or a Derivative thereof, in any preparation or formulation.

     34.  Valid Claim.  A claim from any issued patent which has not been
revoked or held invalid or unenforceable by a decision of a court or other
government agency of competent jurisdiction, which decision is unappealable or
unappealed within the time allowed for appeal.

                                      4.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

ARTICLE II.  SCOPE OF WORK

     1.  Research Project.  The Research Project, which is contemplated by this
Agreement, is described generally in the Research Plan, attached as Exhibit A.
This Research Plan sets forth certain responsibilities of each Party.
UNIVERSITY agrees to conduct its portion of the Research Project in accordance
with the Research Plan, and under the supervision and direction of Principal
Investigator. Principal Investigator may select other UNIVERSITY employees to
participate in the research (including, but not limited to UNIVERSITY
technicians, undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, or
faculty members), provided that such individuals are made aware of and have
agreed to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, UNIVERSITY and TELIK may amend the Research Plan
at any time by mutual written agreement.

     2.  Funding and Schedule of Payments.  Exhibit B set forth the schedule of
compensation and payments to be made in connection with the Research Project and
the licenses granted under this Agreement.  Exhibit B may not be modified unless
in writing and executed by the Parties.

     3.  Exclusivity of Research.  TELIK acknowledges that UNIVERSITY may engage
in other research within the Field of Research with respect to the Selected
Targets, funded by public or private sources and conducted separately, and TELIK
shall have no rights hereunder to such other research or resulting Intellectual
Property.

     4.  Screening Exclusivity.  During the Screening Period and the Evaluation
Period, TELIK shall not agree to deliver and shall not knowingly deliver to any
third parties any Library Compounds for the purpose of screening against the
Selected Targets.

     5.  Target Exclusivity.  For so long as UNIVERSITY, its Affiliates or
sublicensees maintain a commercial interest in at least one UNIVERSITY
Development Compound or Derivative thereof directed against a particular
UNIVERSITY Development Target, TELIK shall not deliver, nor permit to be used,
any Library Compounds provided to UNIVERSITY hereunder to or by third parties
for screening against such UNIVERSITY Development Target, and shall not develop,
commercialize or grant licenses to any UNIVERSITY Development Compound directed
against that UNIVERSITY Development Target, or any Derivative thereof disclosed
by UNIVERSITY to TELIK whose structure TELIK has disclosed to UNIVERSITY.

     6.  Equipment and Supplies.  Equipment and supplies purchased specifically
to conduct the Research Plan shall belong to UNIVERSITY at the termination of
this Agreement.

ARTICLE III.  TERM AND TERMINATION

     1.  Term.  This Agreement shall become effective upon the Effective Date.
The Research Project shall commence on the Effective Date, and [*] of the
Research Project shall expire on December 31, 2002 (the "Research Term"). Unless
sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall expire on a country
by country, patent by patent, product by product basis upon the expiration of
the last to expire Valid Claim of a Patent in a country claiming a particular
UNIVERSITY Product or TELIK Product, as applicable.

                                      5.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

     2.  Termination by UNIVERSITY.  UNIVERSITY may terminate this Agreement at
any time, for any reason, upon [*] written notice to TELIK. TELIK shall not be
responsible to reimburse UNIVERSITY for [*] by UNIVERSITY, or for [*] hereunder,
except to the extent such costs result from [*], unless termination is for
default or breach of this Agreement by TELIK.

     3.  Termination by TELIK.  TELIK may terminate this Agreement at any time
upon [*] written notice to UNIVERSITY, if circumstances beyond its control
preclude continuation of the Research Project. In this event, UNIVERSITY will
proceed in an orderly and timely fashion to close down the Research Project,
including termination of any obligations in force (except those that are non-
cancelable), and shall notify TELIK of those obligations remaining as of the
date of termination. TELIK shall reimburse UNIVERSITY for [*], including those
which have been incurred [*] but which have not yet been reimbursed, as well as
[*] which cannot be canceled.

     4.  Default.  In the event that either Party commits any breach of or
default in any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, and fails to remedy
such default or breach within [*] after receipt of written notice thereof from
the other Party hereto, the Party giving notice may, at its option and in
addition to any other remedies which it may have at law or in equity, terminate
this Agreement by sending notice of termination in writing to the other Party to
such effect, and such termination will be effective as of the date of the
receipt of such notice. The defaulting Party will be responsible for all costs
and expenses associated with the termination, and will reimburse the non-
defaulting Party for such.

     5.  Survival.  Termination of this Agreement by either Party for any reason
will not affect the rights and obligations of the parties accrued prior to the
effective date of termination of this Agreement. No termination of this
Agreement, however effectuated, will affect the Parties' rights and obligations
under Article IV Section 1, and Articles V, VI, VII, X and XI of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IV.  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

     1.  Intellectual Property

         a.  TELIK will own all right, title and interest in and to the TELIK
Background Technology. TELIK will own all right title and interest in and to the
TELIK Intellectual Property.

         b.  UNIVERSITY will own all right, title and interest in and to the
UNIVERSITY Intellectual Property.

         c.  UNIVERSITY and TELIK shall jointly own all right, title and
interest in and to the Joint Intellectual Property and all data and results
generated in the course of the Research Project.

         d.  TELIK will have the right, but not the obligation, to file and
prosecute in all countries of the world patent applications claiming any of the
Inventions arising out of the

                                      6.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

Research Project prior to completion of [*] as described on Exhibit A, and for
TELIK Projects and Joint Projects, and maintain issued Patents thereon. TELIK
shall consult with UNIVERSITY with respect to any comments or suggestions
UNIVERSITY may have regarding such filing or prosecution prior to the expiration
of [*] of the Research Project, and thereafter with respect to UNIVERSITY
Projects, and UNIVERSITY shall cooperate with TELIK in the preparation of such
patent applications, including without limitation, executing any necessary
powers of attorney. TELIK will keep UNIVERSITY reasonably informed of the
progress of such prosecution by providing semi-annual status reports. TELIK will
bear all costs and expenses associated with patent applications and prosecutions
for TELIK Projects and for Joint Projects.

         e.  UNIVERSITY will have the right, but not the obligation, to file and
prosecute in all countries of the world patent applications claiming any of the
Inventions included in UNIVERSITY Projects, and maintain issued Patents thereon.
UNIVERSITY shall consult with TELIK with respect to any comments or suggestions
TELIK may have regarding such filing or prosecution with respect to UNIVERSITY
Projects, and TELIK shall cooperate with UNIVERSITY in the preparation of such
patent applications, including without limitation, executing any necessary
powers of attorney.  UNIVERSITY will keep TELIK reasonably informed of the
progress of such prosecution by providing semi-annual status reports.
UNIVERSITY will bear all costs and expenses associated with patent applications
and prosecutions for UNIVERSITY Projects, provided however, that if for any
UNIVERSITY Project, TELIK causes, by written request, UNIVERSITY to file a
patent claiming any of the Inventions included in such UNIVERSITY Project, TELIK
will bear all costs of filing and prosecuting such patent application and
maintaining any issued Patents thereon. TELIK may recover [*] of such costs by
deducting them from royalties owed by TELIK to UNIVERSITY under this Agreement,
provided that any such deduction shall not exceed [*] of amounts due to
UNIVERSITY in any calendar quarter, and any portion of such costs not deducted
from royalties in a given quarter may be carried forward to use as a credit
against future royalties, until all such credits are exhausted.  In no instance
shall such deduction exceed [*] of the amount due to the UNIVERSITY in the
relevant quarter.  If UNIVERSITY licenses to a third party the right to practice
such Inventions, then as of the effective date of such license TELIK will no
longer be responsible for such costs, and UNIVERSITY may at its election
transfer responsibility for such costs to its third party licensee.

         f.  Each Party shall promptly notify the other in writing of any
alleged or threatened infringement of patents covering Joint Projects of which
it becomes aware and which may adversely impact the rights of the Parties
hereunder, and the Parties shall meet and discuss in good faith how to respond
to the infringement. Regardless of which Party brings the action, any recovery
obtained by settlement or otherwise shall be disbursed as follows: the Party
bringing such action shall first ensure that any reasonable expenses incurred in
assisting in such action (including counsel fees) by both Parties are
reimbursed. Thereafter, the net recovery shall be shared between the Parties.

         g.  Each Party shall promptly notify the other in writing of any third
party claim that a product arising from a Joint Project infringes such third
party's intellectual property, and the Parties shall meet and discuss in good
faith how to defend such claim and an appropriate allocation of responsibility
for defense costs.

                                      7.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

     2.  Licenses

         a.  Screening License.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, TELIK hereby grants to UNIVERSITY during the Screening Period and the
Evaluation Period an exclusive license, with no right to sublicense, under any
applicable Library Compound Intellectual Property to screen the Library
Compounds for activity against the Selected Targets.

         b.  Commercialization License to TELIK.  Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, UNIVERSITY hereby grants TELIK a worldwide,
exclusive, royalty-bearing license, with the right to sublicense, under
UNIVERSITY's rights and interests in the Joint Intellectual Property and under
the UNIVERSITY Intellectual Property solely to develop, make, have made, use,
import, offer for sale and sell Telik Products.

         c.  Commercialization License to UNIVERSITY.  Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, TELIK hereby grants UNIVERSITY a worldwide,
exclusive, royalty-bearing license, with the right to sublicense, under TELIK's
rights and interests in the Joint Intellectual Property and under the TELIK
Intellectual Property solely to develop, make, have made, use, import, offer for
sale and sell UNIVERSITY Products.

ARTICLE V.  PUBLICATION

     1.  TELIK recognizes that the results of UNIVERSITY's involvement in the
Research Project must be publishable or otherwise available for public
dissemination, and agrees that UNIVERSITY has the right to present at
international, national or regional professional meetings or symposia, and to
publish in journals, theses, or dissertations, or otherwise of their own
choosing, methods, information and data resulting from or gained in pursuing the
Research Plan with respect to University Projects.

     2.  In order to avoid improper disclosure of TELIK's proprietary
information or loss of patent protection through public disclosure of said
information, UNIVERSITY will furnish TELIK with copies of any proposed
publication or presentation at least [*] in advance of such proposed publication
or public presentation.

     3.  TELIK shall have [*] after receipt of said copies to object to such
proposed public dissemination; in which event UNIVERSITY shall refrain from
making such publication or presentation for a maximum of [*] from the date of
receipt of such objection in order for TELIK to file the appropriate patent
applications or to take appropriate measures to protect TELIK Background
Technology and TELIK Intellectual Property.

     4.  TELIK shall have the right to request that any information it can
substantiate as being proprietary to TELIK be deleted from the materials
submitted, or that portions thereof be rewritten so as to protect the
proprietary rights of TELIK.

                                      8.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

ARTICLE VI.  CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

     TELIK and UNIVERSITY may choose, from time to time, in connection with work
contemplated under this Agreement, to disclose confidential information to each
other including without limitation scientific, manufacturing, marketing,
financial, personnel and other business information and plans, whether in oral,
written, graphic or electronic form (Confidential Information).  All such
disclosures must be in writing and marked as Confidential Information.  During
the term of this Agreement and for [*] after its expiration or termination, the
Parties will use reasonable efforts to prevent the disclosure to unauthorized
third parties of any Confidential Information of the other Party, except to the
extent such disclosure is expressly authorized by this Agreement, and will use
such information only for the purposes of this Agreement; provided that the
receiving Party's obligations hereunder shall not apply to information as to
which the receiving Party can demonstrate by competent proof:

         a.  is already in the receiving Party's possession, other than under an
obligation of confidentiality, at the time of disclosure; or,

         b.  is at the time of disclosure or later becomes part of the public
domain through no fault of the receiving Party; or,

         c.  is received from a third party with no duty of confidentiality to
the disclosing party; or,

         d.  was developed independently by the receiving party prior to
disclosure without use of the disclosing Party's Confidential Information.

     Each Party may disclose Confidential Information belonging to the other
Party to the extent such disclosure is reasonably necessary in the following
situations:

             (i)      filing or prosecuting patents relating to Active
Compounds, TELIK Products and UNIVERSITY Products;

             (ii)     regulatory filings, including filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission;

             (iii)    prosecuting or defending litigation;

             (iv)     complying with applicable governmental regulations;

             (v)      conducting pre-clinical or clinical trials of UNIVERSITY
Products and TELIK Products;

             (vi)     disclosure to Affiliates and sublicensees who agree to be
bound by similar terms of confidentiality;

             (vii)    disclosure to any person or entity who may be interested
in investing in or acquiring all or substantially all of the assets or
securities of such Party and who agrees to be bound by terms of confidentiality
not less stringent than those contained herein; and

                                      9.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

             (viii)   consulting with a Party's own financial or legal advisors
or potential or retained investment bankers, with the understanding by both
Parties that obtaining confidentiality agreements from financial or legal
advisors or investment banks is in practice difficult to obtain. However, the
Party disclosing the Confidential Information of the other Party hereunder shall
make reasonable efforts to obtain agreement, in writing or at very least orally,
that such parties to whom said information is disclosed shall maintain the
information in strict confidence beyond anything which has already publicly
disclosed by the Parties hereto.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Party is required to make a
disclosure of the other Party's Confidential Information pursuant to this
Article VI it will, except where impracticable, give reasonable advance notice
to the other Party of such disclosure and use best efforts to secure
confidential treatment of such information.  In any event, the Parties agree to
take all reasonable action to avoid disclosure of confidential information
hereunder

     Any information that is transmitted orally or visually, in order to be
protected hereunder, shall be identified as such by the disclosing party at the
time of disclosure, and identified in writing to the receiving party, as
Confidential Information, within [*] after such oral or visual disclosure.

ARTICLE VII.  PUBLICITY

     Except as required by law, no press release or other statements in
connection with work performed under this Agreement intended for use in the
public media, having or containing any reference to TELIK or UNIVERSITY shall be
made by either Party without approval of the other Party, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld.  UNIVERSITY shall acknowledge TELIK's support of the
Research Plan in scientific publications and communications.  All statements by
the Parties shall describe the scope and nature of their participation
accurately and appropriately.

ARTICLE VIII.  ARBITRATION

     The Parties agree that any dispute hereunder involving [*] or less in money
damages only, exclusive of interest, cost or attorneys' fees, will be subject to
binding arbitration conducted in Tucson Arizona, pursuant to the Arizona Supreme
Court Rules for Compulsory Arbitration.

ARTICLE IX.  NOTICES

     Notices shall be in writing and deemed effective when sent, postage prepaid
to:

     TELIK:

               Telik, Inc.
               Attn:  Chief Executive Officer
               750 Gateway Blvd.
               South San Francisco, CA 94080

                                      10.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

     UNIVERSITY:

     Notices and Correspondence:
               Via U.S. Postal Service:
               SPONSORED PROJECTS SERVICES
               P.O. Box 3308
               Tucson, Arizona 85722-3308

               Via Fed Ex., UPS or other expedited delivery:
               SPONSORED PROJECTS SERVICES
               888 N. Euclid Ave., Rm. 510
               Tucson, Arizona 85719-4824
               Phone: (520) 626-6000

     Payments:
               UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FRS #470740
               P.O. Box 44390
               Tucson, Arizona 85733-4390

ARTICLE X.  INDEMNIFICATION

     1.  TELIK shall indemnify and hold harmless Principal Investigator and
UNIVERSITY, its governing board, officers, agents, and employees, from any
liability, loss or damage they may suffer as the result of claims, demands,
suits or actions by a third party arising out of any death or injury to person
or any damage to property and resulting directly or proximately from the
development, manufacture, use or sale of TELIK Products by TELIK, its licensees
or sublicensees (other than UNIVERSITY) or the manufacture or use of Library
Compounds by TELIK (the "UNIVERSITY" Claims), but only to the extent such
UNIVERSITY Claims do not result from the negligence or willful malfeasance of
Principal Investigator, ABOR, or UNIVERSITY, its officers, employees or agents.

     2.  In the event that UNIVERSITY develops, manufactures, uses or sells
UNIVERSITY Products during the term of this Agreement, UNIVERSITY shall, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify and hold harmless TELIK, its
officers, agents, and employees, from any liability, loss or damage they may
suffer as the result of claims, demands, suits or actions by a third party
arising out of any death or injury to person or any damage to property and
resulting directly or proximately from the development, manufacture, use or sale
of UNIVERSITY Products by UNIVERSITY, its licensees or sublicensees (other than
TELIK) or the use of Library Compounds by UNIVERSITY (the "TELIK" Claims), but
only to the extent such TELIK Claims do not result from the negligence or
willful malfeasance of TELIK, its officers, employees or agents.  In the event
that University grants a license or sublicense of any of its rights under or
arising from this Agreement to a third party, it shall cause such third party to
indemnify and hold harmless TELIK, its officers, agents, and employees, from any
liability, loss or damage they may suffer as the result of claims, demands,
suits or actions by a third party arising out of any death or injury to person
or any damage to property and resulting directly or proximately from the
development, manufacture, use or sale of UNIVERSITY Products by UNIVERSITY's
licensees or sublicensees (other than TELIK) or the use of Library Compounds by
UNIVERSITY's licensees or sublicensees (the "TELIK" Claims), but only to the
extent such

                                      11.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

TELIK Claims do not result from the negligence or willful malfeasance of TELIK,
its officers, employees or agents.

     3.  Any entity entitled to indemnification under this Article X shall give
written notice to the indemnifying party as soon as they become aware of any
such claim or action, and shall cooperate with and to authorize the indemnifying
party to carry out the sole management and defense of such claim or action.
Such notice shall contain all relevant facts concerning such claim or action.
The indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such Claim with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified Party.  The indemnifying Party shall
not compromise or settle any claim or action without the prior written approval
of the indemnified Party.

ARTICLE XI.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

     1.  This Agreement embodies the entire understanding of the Parties and
supersedes any other agreement or understanding between the Parties relating to
the subject matter hereof.

     2.  No waiver, amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid
or binding unless written and signed by the Parties. Waiver by either Party of
any breach or default of any clause of this Agreement by the other Party shall
not operate as a waiver of any previous or future default or breach of the same
or different clause of this Agreement.

     3.  This Agreement may not be assigned by either Party without the prior
written consent of the other Party, which consent will not be unreasonably
withheld; provided that either Party shall have the right to assign to the
surviving entity pursuant to a merger or acquisition of such Party, or to the
acquirer of substantially all assets of such Party. Subject to the restrictions
contained in the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to each Party's respective successors in interest.

     4.  This Agreement shall be interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State
of Arizona. Any arbitration or litigation between the Parties shall be conducted
in Pima County, Arizona.

     5.  If any provision of this Agreement is held void or unenforceable, the
remaining provisions shall nevertheless be effective, the intent being to
effectuate this Agreement to the fullest extent possible.

     6.  The Parties agree to be bound by applicable state and federal laws and
regulations governing equal opportunity and non-discrimination.

     7.  The Parties recognize that performance by UNIVERSITY depends upon
appropriation of funds by the State Legislature of Arizona.  If the Legislature
fails to appropriate the necessary funds, or if UNIVERSITY's appropriation is
reduced during the fiscal year, ABOR may reduce the scope of this Agreement if
appropriate or cancel this Agreement without further duty or obligation.
UNIVERSITY agrees to notify TELIK as soon as reasonably possible after ABOR
knows of the loss of funds.

     8.  This Agreement is subject to the provisions of A.R.S. 38-511. The State
of Arizona may cancel this Agreement if any person significantly involved in
negotiating, drafting,

                                      12.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

securing or obtaining this Agreement for or on behalf of the Arizona Board of
Regents becomes an employee in any capacity of any other party or a consultant
to any other party with reference to the subject matter of this Agreement while
the Agreement or any extension thereof is in effect.

     9.  Exhibits A, B and C are made part of this Agreement for all purposes.
The term "days" as used herein shall refer to calendar days.

     10. The Parties are deemed independent contractors and may not bind the
other, except as provided for herein or authorized in writing by the other
Party.

     11. TELIK ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE WORK SET FORTH IN THE RESEARCH PLAN IS
EXPERIMENTAL IN NATURE AND THAT UNIVERSITY MAKES NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, REGARDING THE RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH DESCRIBED IN THE
RESEARCH PLAN.

     12. THE LIBRARY COMPOUNDS ARE BEING SUPPLIED TO UNIVERSITY ON AN "AS IS"
BASIS WITH NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THAT THEY ARE FREE
FROM THE RIGHTFUL CLAIM OF ANY THIRD PARTY, BY WAY OF INFRINGEMENT OR THE LIKE.
TELIK MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS THAT USE OF THE LIBRARY COMPOUNDS WILL NOT
INFRINGE ANY PATENT OR OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS OF ANY THIRD PARTIES.

     13. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 13, THE TECHNOLOGY PROVIDED BY TELIK
HEREUNDER IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND TELIK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE
WARRANTIES OF DESIGN, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
NONINFRINGEMENT OF THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES OR ARISING
FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE OR TRADE PRACTICES, IN ALL CASES WITH RESPECT
THERETO.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, TELIK expressly does
not warrant (i) the success of any study or test commenced under the Agreement
or (ii) the safety or usefulness for any purpose of the technology it provides
hereunder.

     14. No Party shall be liable for any delay or failure of performance to the
extent such delay or failure is caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable
control and that by the exercise of due diligence it is unable to prevent,
provided that the Party claiming excuse uses its best efforts to overcome the
same.

     15. The Parties shall review in good faith and cooperate in taking such
actions to ensure compliance of this Agreement with all applicable laws,
including without limitation, EC Competition Law.

                                      13.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

     16.  No Party shall be liable to another for indirect, incidental,
consequential or special damages, including but not limited to lost profits,
arising from or relating to any breach of this Agreement, regardless of any
notice of the possibility of such damages. Nothing in this Section is intended
to limit or restrict the indemnification rights or obligations of any Party.

     17.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute together the same
document.

     IN WITNESS THEREOF, the Parties execute this Agreement as of the day and
year written above.

TELIK, Inc.                           The Arizona Board of Regents
                                      on behalf of
                                      The University of Arizona

By:  /s/ Reinaldo F. Gomez            By: /s/ Richard A Haney, Jr.
   --------------------------------      -------------------------------------
         Reinaldo F. Gomez                    Richard A. Haney, Jr.

                                              Director, Office of Research and
Title:  VP, Product Development       Title:  Contract Analysis
      -----------------------------          ---------------------------------

Date:   January 8, 2001               Date:   January 4, 2001
      -----------------------------         ----------------------------------

     I have read this Agreement, and understand the obligations placed on me and
my laboratory and other UNIVERSITY employees under my supervision, and agree to
be bound by it.

                    Name:  Laurence H. Hurley
                           ----------------------------------
                           PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

                    Signature:   /s/ Laurence H. Hurley
                              -------------------------------

                    Date:    December 28, 2000
                           ----------------------------------

                                      14.

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A

                                 RESEARCH PLAN

     [*]

                                      A-1

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT B

                                FINANCIAL TERMS

     [*]

                                      B-1

[*] = CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, MARKED BY
BRACKETS, HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 24b-2 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS
AMENDED.<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

February 1, 2001

Ms. Cynthia M. Butitta
117 Madera Court
Los Gatos, CA 95032

Dear Cindy:

Telik, Inc. is pleased to offer you the full-time position of Chief Operating
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, reporting to me.  This offer is, of course,
subject to formal approval by Telik's Board of Directors.

Your compensation will be $22,917 per month ($275,000 annual salary), less
payroll deductions and all required withholdings.  You will continue to be
eligible to participate in Telik's 2001 Corporate Goal Bonus Plan and you will
continue to be eligible for all standard Company benefits.  Telik may modify
compensation and benefits from time to time as it deems necessary.

Subject to the approval of the Company's Board of Directors, you will also be
eligible to receive an option to purchase 250,000 shares of Telik common stock
at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of
grant, as determined by the Board.  The Option will vest over four years, with
25 percent of the Option shares vesting on the one-year anniversary of the
Option grant, and the remaining shares vesting on a monthly basis over the
following three years.  The vesting schedule and all terms, conditions, and
limitations of the Option will be set forth in a stock option grant notice, the
Company's standard stock option agreement and the Company's 2000 Equity
Incentive Plan.  In the event of a change in control of the company, the vesting
of outstanding stock options shall be accelerated in full in accordance with
section 11(c) of the Plan.

As a Telik employee, you are expected to continue to abide by Company rules and
policies as outlined in the Company's Employee Handbook.  The Proprietary
Information and Inventions Agreement you signed on July 1, 1998, remains in
effect.

In your new position, you will continue to be expected not to use or disclose
any confidential information, including trade secrets, of any former employer or
other person to whom you have an obligation of confidentiality.  Rather, you
will be expected to use only that information that is generally known and used
by persons with training and experience comparable to your own, that is common
knowledge in the industry or otherwise legally in the public domain, or that is
otherwise provided or developed by the Company.  During our discussions about
your proposed new job duties, you assured us that you would be able to perform
those duties within the guidelines just described.  You agree that you will not
bring onto Company premises any unpublished documents or property belonging to
any former employer or other person to whom you have an obligation of
confidentiality.
<PAGE>

Ms. Cynthia M. Butitta
February 1, 2001
Page 2

Your employment with Telik continues to be "at will."  Accordingly, you may
terminate your employment with Telik at any time and for any reason whatsoever
simply by notifying the Company.  Likewise, Telik may terminate your employment
at any time and for any reason, with or without cause or advance notice.  While
your salary, benefits, job title, and job duties may change from time to time
without a written modification of this letter, such changes will not affect the
at-will status of your employment.

This letter, together with your previously signed Proprietary Information and
Inventions Agreement, forms the complete and exclusive statement of your
employment agreement with the Company.  It supersedes any other agreements or
promises made to you by anyone, whether oral or written, and it can only be
modified in a written agreement signed by you and by an officer of Telik.  This
offer shall be governed by the laws of California without giving effect to
conflict of law principles.

Please sign and date this letter, and return it to me by February 5, 2001, if
you wish to accept this position at Telik under the terms described above.  If
you accept this position, your new responsibilities will begin on or before
February 28, 2001.

We look forward to your favorable reply and to continuing a productive and
enjoyable work relationship.  If you have any questions, please feel free to
call me at (650) 238-3320.

Sincerely,

/s/ Michael M. Wick
----------------------------
Michael M. Wick, M.D., Ph.D.
Chairman and CEO
Telik, Inc.

I hereby accept the full-time position at Telik under the terms stated in this
offer letter.

/s/ Cynthia M. Butitta
----------------------
Ms. Cynthia M. Butitta

02/05/01
--------
Date

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