Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.4

   Confidential Materials omitted and filed separately with the Securities and
                Exchange Commission. Asterisks denote omissions.

                            NORTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

                                LICENSE AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is made by and between North Carolina State University
(hereinafter referred to as "NCSU"), a constituent institution of the University
of North Carolina and an educational institution organized under the laws of
North Carolina, and having its principal office at 1 Holladay Hall, Box 7003,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7003, and LipoMed, Inc. ("hereinafter referred to
as "LICENSEE"), a corporation organized under the laws of North Carolina and
having its principal place of business at 1117 Wellstone Circle, Apex, North
Carolina 27502.

     WHEREAS, Dr. James Otvos has discovered an invention titled "Method and
Apparatus for Measuring Blood Lipoprotein Levels by NMR Spectroscopy" (NCSU File
No. 91-02), and NCSU owns all rights, title, and interest in and to the Patent
Rights (as hereinafter defined) pertaining to such invention; and

     WHEREAS, NCSU has the right to grant licenses to the foregoing invention,
and wishes to have the invention utilized in the public interest; and

     WHEREAS, NCSU is willing to grant a license to LICENSEE to the invention
and related Patent Rights subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
set forth herein, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be
legally bound, agree as follows:

                             ARTICLE 1- DEFINITIONS
                             ----------------------

1.01     "Patent Rights" shall mean:

         U.S. Patent No. 5,343,389 "Method and Apparatus for Measuring Classes
         and Subclasses of  Lipoproteins"  (filed June 17, 1993; issued August
         30, 1994)

1.02     "Field" or "Field of Use" shall mean the use of the Patent Rights for
         NMR testing of blood.

1.03     "Licensed  Product" shall mean any product; (a) which is covered by an
         unexpired  claim contained in the Patent Rights in the country in which
         the

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          Licensed Product(s) is made, used, sold or transferred; or (b) the use
          of which is covered in an unexpired claim contained in the Patent
          Rights in the country in which the License Product(s) are made, used,
          sold or transferred.

1.04      "Licensed Test" shall mean any process or use thereof (a) which is
          covered by an unexpired claim contained in the Patent Rights in the
          country in which the Licensed Test is made, used, sold or transferred;
          or (b) the use of which is covered in an unexpired claim contained in
          the Patent Rights in the country in which the Licensed Test is made,
          used, sold or transferred.

1.05      "Net Sales" shall mean LICENSEE's billings for the Licensed Products
          produced and Licensed Tests performed hereunder, less the sum of the
          following:

     (a)  Discounts allowed in amounts customary in the trade;

     (b)  Sales, tariff duties and/or use taxes directly imposed and with
          reference to particular sales;

     (c)  Outbound transportation prepaid or allowed; and

     (d)  Amounts allowed or credited on returns.

No deductions shall be made for commissions paid to individuals whether they be
independent sales agents or regularly employed by LICENSEE and on its payroll,
nor for the cost of collections. Licensed Products and Licensed Tests shall be
considered "sold" when bill out or invoiced. Net Sales in the case of Licensed
Products and Licensed Tests used or transferred by LICENSEE shall mean the fair
market value of Licensed Products and Licensed Tests as if they were sold to an
unrelated third party in similar quantities.

1.06      "Affiliate" or "Affiliates" shall mean (i) any corporation, company or
          other entity in which LICENSEE owns or controls at least fifty percent
          (50%) of the stock entitled to vote in election of members of the
          Board of Directors; or (ii) any corporation, company or other entity
          which owns or controls at least (50%) of the stock of LICENSEE.

1.07      "Effective Date" shall mean May 12, 1997.

                                       2

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                               ARTICLE 2- LICENSE
                               ------------------

2.01      NCSU hereby grants to LICENSEE and LICENSEE hereby accepts from NCSU,
          upon the terms and conditions herein specified, an exclusive license
          to make, have made, use and sell Licensed Products and perform
          Licensed Tests, with the right to sub-license. Such license is
          worldwide and shall remain in effect, on a country by country basis,
          until the full end of the term or terms for which Patent Rights are
          issued, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided. The
          foregoing notwithstanding, LICENSEE's rights and license shall be
          subject to the rights of the U.S. Government pursuant to any funding
          agreement between NCSU and the Government.

2.02      LICENSEE shall have the right to grant sub-licenses and to extend any
          license granted to LICENSEE to its Affiliates. Any such sub-licenses
          or extensions shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement and
          shall be no less favorable to NCSU than is this license. A copy of
          each sub-license shall be provided to NCSU. LICENSEE agrees to be
          responsible for the performance hereunder by its Affiliates and
          sub-licenses, if any. Should this Agreement be terminated for any
          reason, LICENSEE agrees to assign all such sub-licenses directly to
          NCSU.

2.03      The license granted hereunder shall not be construed to confer any
          rights upon LICENSEE by implication, estoppel or otherwise as to any
          technology not part of the Patent Rights licensed hereunder.

2.04      LICENSEE agrees that any products constituting Licensed Products will
          be manufactured substantially in the United States to the extent
          required by 35 U.S.C. Sec. 204, if such statute shall be applicable

                            ARTICLE 3- DUE DILIGENCE
                            ------------------------

3.01      LICENSEE agrees to diligently pursue the development of the Patent
          Rights. This will include manufacturing or producing a Licensed
          Product utilizing the Patent Rights for testing, development, and
          sale, and also using best efforts in seeking required governmental
          approvals of such Licensed Product. In addition to this general
          commitment to diligence, LICENSEE agrees to the following diligence
          requirements:

     (a)  LICENSEE agrees to raise sufficient funds to support LICENSEE'S
          business operations and promote development and commercialization of

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          the Patent Rights. If LICENSEE fails to raise $[**] within [**] ([**])
          months of the Effective Date, all rights granted herein shall
          terminate.

     (b)  LICENSEE shall support a program of collaborative research in an
          amount of not less than [**] dollars ($[**]) for at least [**] under
          the direction of James D. Otvos, Ph.D. This program shall be governed
          by a separate Research Agreement between the parties, said agreement
          to be entered into within thirty days after the closing date of the
          first [**] dollars ($[**]) raised by LICENSEE.

     (c)  Within [**] from the Effective Date of this Agreement, LICENSEE shall
          deliver to NCSU a report showing LICENSEE'S plans for commercializing
          the Patent Rights and shall provide a similar report on [**] of [**]
          until first commercial sale under the Patent Rights.

     (d)  LICENSEE agrees to commercialize the Patent Rights according to the
          following schedule:

               (1)  [**] Licensed Test within [**] after the latest date of the
                    regulatory approvals required to engage in U.S. intrastate
                    and interstate commerce.

               (2)  [**] Licensed Tests within [**] after the latest date in (1)
                    above.

               (3)  [**] Licensed Tests within [**] after the latest date in (2)
                    above.

3.02      LICENSEE agrees to use its best efforts to have the Patent Rights
          cleared for marketing in those countries in which LICENSEE intends to
          sell or use Licensed Products or Licensed Tests by the responsible
          government agencies requiring such clearance. To accomplish such
          clearances at the earliest possible date, LICENSEE agrees to file,
          according to the usual practice of LICENSEE, any necessary data with
          such government agencies. Should LICENSEE terminate this Agreement,
          LICENSEE agrees to assign its full interest and title in such market
          clearance application, including all data relating thereto, to NCSU at
          no cost to NCSU.

3.03      Failure by LICENSEE to comply with the provisions of this Article 3
          shall result in NCSU having the right, at its option, to convert any
          exclusive license to a non-exclusive license, or to cancel the license
          upon sixty (60) days notice, and to require a reversion of rights to
          all relevant materials, research information and technology, including
          Patent Rights, transferred to LICENSEE by NCSU.

                                       4

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             ARTICLE 4- LICENSE FEE, ROYALTIES, RECORDS, AND REPORTS
             -------------------------------------------------------

4.01           LICENSEE shall pay to NCSU, as a license fee for this Agreement,
               the sum of [**] dollars ($[**]); said fee to be paid within
               thirty days after the closing date of the first [**] ($[**])
               raised by LICENSEE.

4.02           For as long as this license is in effect, LICENSEE shall pay to
               NCSU royalties as follows:

               (1)  Except in the case of minimum annual royalties, as set forth
                    in 4.03 below, [**] shall be due or payable on the [**]
                    $[**] of LICENSEE'S cumulative Net Sales of Licensed
                    Products and Net Sales from Licensed Tests.

               (2)  For cumulative Net Sales greater than $[**] and less than
                    $[**] of Licensed Products and Licensed Tests, whether sold
                    by LICENSEE or LICENSEE'S sub-licensee(s), LICENSEE shall
                    pay to NCSU a royalty of [**] percent ([**]%) of Net Sales;

               (3)  For cumulative Net Sales greater than $[**] of Licensed
                    Products and Licensed Tests, whether sold by LICENSEE or
                    LICENSEE'S sub-licensee(s), LICENSEE shall pay to NCSU a
                    royalty of [**] percent ([**]%) of Net Sales.

4.03           LICENSEE will pay to NCSU $[**] as a minimum annual royalty.

Payment of the first specified minimum annual royalty payments shall be made on
the [**] of the [**] after the [**] of the [**] required to engage in [**] and
[**]. Each subsequent minimum annual royalty payment shall be made on the annual
anniversary date of the first minimum annual royalty payment, consistent with
the [**] and [**] set forth in 4.05 hereof. Once commercial sales of Licensed
Products have commenced, the minimum annual royalty payments required herein
shall be considered advance payments against earned running royalties for the
year in which each minimum annual royalty payment is made. In no event shall the
payment of the minimum annual royalty payment excuse LICENSEE from its
obligations to meet the reporting, development and/or payment requirements
otherwise specified and applicable.

4.04           LICENSEE shall render to NCSU on a quarterly basis a written
account of the Net Sales of Licensed Products as of July 1, October 1, January
1, and April 1 of each calendar year. The reports of Net Sales and the royalty
payment due NCSU thereon shall be due and payable within sixty (60) days
following the applicable date. LICENSEE shall make such reports even if there
have been no Net Sales or if no royalties are due to NCSU for a particular
quarter. LICENSEE'S report shall include at least the following:

     (a)       All Licensed Products manufactured and sold.

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     (b)  Total billings for Licensed Products sold.

     (c)  Accounting for all sub-licensing proceeds received by LICENSEE from
          LICENSEE'S sub-licensees.

     (d)  Deductions applicable as provided in section 1.04.

     (e)  Total sales made to U.S. Government Agencies which require no royalty
          payment.

     (f)  Total royalties due to NCSU.

     (g)  Names and addresses of all sub-licensees of LICENSEE.

4.05      LICENSEE and its Affiliates shall keep full, true, and accurate books
of accounts and other records containing all particulars which may be necessary
to ascertain and verify properly such Net Sales. Upon NCSU's request, LICENSEE
and its Affiliates shall permit an independent Certified Public Accountant
selected by NCSU (except one to whom LICENSEE has some reasonable objection) to
have access during ordinary business hours to such of LICENSEE'S or its
Affiliates' records as may be necessary to determine, in respect of any three
(3) month period ending not more than five (5) years prior to the date of such
request, the correctness of any report made under this Agreement. Nothing herein
shall be construed to limit the authority of the State Auditor of North
Carolina.

4.06      In the event this Agreement is assigned or transferred by LICENSEE to
a third party, in accordance with Article 11 hereunder, LICENSEE shall pay to
NCSU [**] percent ([**]%) of the gross proceeds received by LICENSEE as the
result of any such assignment or transfer.

4.07      All payments made as a result of this Agreement shall be paid in
United States dollars in Raleigh, North Carolina, or at such other place as NCSU
may reasonably designate consistent with the laws and regulations controlling in
any foreign country. If any currency conversion shall be required in connection
with the payment of royalties hereunder, such conversion shall be made by using
the exchange rate prevailing at the Chase Manhattan Bank (N.A.) on the last
business day of the calendar quarterly reporting period to which such royalty
payments relate.

4.08      The royalty payments set forth in this Agreement, if overdue, shall
bear interest until payment at a per annum rate of four percent (4%) above the
prime rate in effect at the Chase Manhattan Bank (N.A) on the due date. However,
in no event shall any penalties hereunder exceed eighteen percent (18%) per
annum (or 1.5% per month).

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                               ARTICLE 5- PATENTS
                               ------------------

5.01    NCSU shall select patent counsel and shall have sole responsibility for
filing, prosecuting and maintaining appropriate U.S. and foreign patent
application(s) on the Patent Rights in the name of NCSU, and all expenses of
such protection shall be paid by LICENSEE. LICENSEE also agrees to reimburse
NCSU for unreimbursed out-of-pocket patent costs incurred through the Effective
Date. NCSU shall keep LICENSEE advised as to the prosecution of such
applications by forwarding to LICENSEE copies of all official correspondence
relating thereto. LICENSEE agrees to cooperate with NCSU in the prosecution of
patent application(s) to insure that such applications reflect, to the best of
NCSU's and LICENSEE'S knowledge, all items of commercial, scientific and
technical interest and importance. All final decisions with respect to the
prosecution of said patent application(s) are reserved to NCSU.

5.02    LICENSEE shall designate the foreign countries, if any, in which
LICENSEE desires patent protection, and NCSU agrees to file, prosecute and
maintain appropriate applications in such countries. LICENSEE shall pay all
expenses with regard to such foreign patent protection. NCSU may elect to seek
patent protection in countries not so designated by LICENSEE, in which case NCSU
shall be responsible for all expenses attendant thereto; however, in such
instances, LICENSEE shall forfeit its rights under this license agreement as to
such countries.

5.03    For each country in which Licensed Products will be sold, LICENSEE
agrees to mark all Licensed Products it commercializes with the applicable
patent number.

            ARTICLE 6- GOVERNMENT CLEARANCE, PUBLICATION, OTHER USE,
            --------------------------------------------------------
                                 EXPORT, DUTIES
                                 --------------

6.01    LICENSEE agrees that the right of publication of any and all information
related to the Patent Rights shall reside in the inventor and other staff of
NCSU. NCSU shall use its best efforts to provide a copy of each publication at
the time of submission for pre-publication review, or in any event not less than
thirty (30) days prior to the expected date of publication. Such review will be
in no way construed as a right to restrict such publication.

6.02    It is agreed that, notwithstanding any provisions herein, NCSU is free
to use the Patent Rights for its own educational, teaching, and research
purposes without restriction and without payment of royalties or other fees.

6.03    This Agreement is subject to, and LICENSEE will comply with, all of the
United States laws and regulations controlling the export of technical data,
computer software, laboratory prototypes, and other commodities and technology
which may be applicable.

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6.04    LICENSEE shall be solely responsible for the payment and discharge of
any taxes or duties relating to any transaction of LICENSEE, its employees,
contractors, agents, or sub-licensees, in connection with the manufacture, use,
or sale in any country of Licensed Product(s).

                       ARTICLE 7- DURATION AND TERMINATION
                       -----------------------------------

7.01    This Agreement shall become effective upon the Effective Date and,
unless sooner terminated in accordance with any of the provisions herein, shall
remain in full force and effect for the life of the last-to-expire of the
patents included in the Patent Rights.

7.02    In the event an order for relief is entered against LICENSEE under the
Federal Bankruptcy Code, or an order appointing a receiver for substantially all
of LICENSEE'S assets is entered by a court of competent jurisdiction, or
LICENSEE makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or a levy of
execution is made upon substantially all of the assets of LICENSEE and such levy
is not quashed or dismissed within thirty (30) days, this Agreement shall
automatically terminate effective on the date of such order or assignment or, in
the case of such levy, the expiration of such thirty (30) day period; provided,
however, that such termination shall not impair or prejudice any right of remedy
that NCSU might have under this Agreement.

7.03    LICENSEE may terminate this Agreement by giving NCSU written notice at
least ninety (90) days prior to such termination, and thereupon terminate the
manufacture, use, or sale of Licensed Products.

7.04    Should LICENSEE fail to pay NCSU royalties due and payable hereunder,
NCSU shall have the right to terminate this Agreement on sixty (60) days'
notice, unless LICENSEE shall pay NCSU, within the sixty (60) day period, all
such royalties and interest due and payable. Upon the expiration of the sixty
(60) day period, if LICENSEE shall not have paid all such royalties and interest
due and payable, the rights, privileges and license granted hereunder shall
terminate.

7.05    Either party may immediately terminate this Agreement for fraud, willful
misconduct, or illegal conduct of the other party upon written notice of same to
that other party. Except as provided above, if either party fails to fulfill any
of its obligations under this Agreement, the non-breaching party may terminate
this Agreement by providing written notice to the breaching party, as provided
below. Such notice must contain a full description of the event or occurrence
constituting a breach of the Agreement. The party receiving notice of the breach
will have the opportunity to cure that breach within forty-five (45) days of
receipt of notice. If the breach is not cured within that time, the termination
will be effective as of the forty-five (45/th/) day after receipt of notice. A
party's ability to cure a breach will apply only to the first two (2) breaches
properly noticed under the terms of this Agreement, regardless of the nature of
those breaches.

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Any subsequent breach by that party will entitle the other party to terminate
this Agreement upon proper notice, with no opportunity to cure.

7.06    If at any time prior to the first commercial sale of a Licensed Product
under this Agreement LICENSEE shall cease to pursue commercial development of
the Patent Rights as contemplated herein, LICENSEE shall be obligated to so
notify NCSU, and this Agreement shall automatically terminate without obligation
on the part of NCSU to refund any of the fees or royalties which may have been
paid by LICENSEE prior to such termination.

7.07    Upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article 7.03,
LICENSEE may notify NCSU of the amount of Licensed Products that LICENSEE has on
hand and LICENSEE shall then have a license to sell that amount of Licensed
Products, but no more; provided, however, that LICENSEE shall pay NCSU a royalty
thereon at the rate and at the time provided for.

7.08    In the event LICENSEE'S license rights to U.S. Patent No. 4,933,844,
"Measurement of Blood Lipoprotein Constituents by Analysis of Data Acquired from
an NMR Spectrometer", are terminated for any reason, prior to expiration, then
all license rights granted herein shall terminate immediately.

7.09    Within thirty (30) days of the termination of this Agreement under
Sections 7.02, 7.03, 7.04, or 7.06, or for LICENSEE'S breach under 7.05,
LICENSEE shall duly account to NCSU and transfer to NCSU all rights which
LICENSEE may have in or to all trade names and trademarks used to identify
Licensed Products.

                  ARTICLE 8- INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS
                  ---------------------------------------------

8.01    In the event that NCSU or LICENSEE is charged with infringement of a
patent by a third party or is made a party in a civil action as a result of
LICENSEE'S or a sub-licensee's practice of the Patent Rights under this
Agreement, LICENSEE shall:

        (a)  defend and/or settle any such claim of infringement or civil
             action;

        (b)  assume all cost, expenses, damages, and other obligations for
             payments incurred as a consequence of such charges of
             infringement and/or civil action;

        (c)  indemnify and hold NCSU harmless from any and all damages,
             losses, liability, and costs resulting from a charge of
             infringement or civil action which shall be brought against NCSU
             and attributable to technology added to, incorporated into or
             sold with a Licensed Product by LICENSEE or a sub-licensee or to
             manufacturing processes utilized by LICENSEE or a sub-licensee;
             and

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        (d)    if such claim of infringement or civil action shall be based on
               patent claims contained in any pending or issued patent included
               in the Patent Rights, LICENSEE may terminate this Agreement
               effective immediately upon NCSU's receipt of written notice of
               termination, and LICENSEE shall have no further liability for
               claims and/or damages arising subsequent to said date of
               termination except to the extent such claims and/or damages
               arising subsequent to said date of termination arise as a
               consequence of or in connection with the sale of Licensed
               Products under Section 7.07.

8.02    NCSU shall give LICENSEE assistance, at LICENSEE'S expense, in the
defense of any such infringement charge or lawsuit, as may be reasonably
required.

        ARTICLE 9- INFRINGEMENT OF NCSU's PATENT RIGHTS BY THIRD
        --------------------------------------------------------
                                    PARTIES
                                    -------

9.01    Each party to this Agreement shall be obligated to inform the other
promptly in writing of any alleged infringement of which it becomes aware and of
any available evidence of infringement by a third party of any patents within
the Patent Rights.

9.02    If during the term of this Agreement LICENSEE becomes aware of any
alleged infringement by a third pary, LICENSEE shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to either:

        (a)    settle the infringement suit by sub-licensing the alleged
               infringer or by other means; or

        (b)    prosecute at its own expense any infringement of the Patent
               Rights. In the event LICENSEE prosecutes such infringement,
               LICENSEE may, for such purposes, request to use the name of NCSU
               as party plaintiff. Subject to the approval of the Board of
               Governors of the University of North Carolina, NCSU may agree to
               become a party plaintiff, and costs associated therewith shall be
               borne by LICENSEE.

9.03    In the event that LICENSEE undertakes the enforcement and/or defense of
the Patent Rights by litigation, including any declaratory judgment action, the
total cost of any such action commenced or defended solely by LICENSEE shall be
borne by LICENSEE. Any recovery of damages by LICENSEE as a result of such
action shall be applied first in satisfaction of any unreimbursed expenses and
attorneys' fees of LICENSEE relating to the action, and second in satisfaction
of unreimbursed legal expenses and attorneys' fees of NCSU, if any, relating to
the action. The balance remaining from any such recovery shall be distributed to
LICENSEE, provided that LICENSEE shall pay to NCSU such royalties as would
otherwise be applicable under

                                       10

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Article 4 hereof for that portion of LICENSEE'S recovery attributable to lost
sales. LICENSEE shall be entitled to settle any such litigation by agreement,
consent, judgment, voluntary dismissal, or otherwise, with the consent of NCSU,
which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably.

9.04    In the event LICENSEE does not undertake action to prevent the
infringing activity within three (3) months of having been made aware and
notified thereof, NCSU shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to
prosecute at its own expense any such infringements of the Patent Rights and, in
furtherance of such right, NCSU may use the name of LICENSEE as a party
plaintiff in any such suit without expense to LICENSEE. The total cost of any
such infringement action commenced or defended solely by NCSU shall be borne by
NCSU. Any recovery of damages by NCSU for any infringement shall be applied
first in satisfaction of any unreimbursed expenses and attorneys' fees of NCSU
relating to the suit, and second toward reimbursement of LICENSEE'S reasonable
expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, relating to the suit. The
balance remaining from any such recovery shall be distributed to NCSU.

9.05    In any infringment suit instituted by either party to enforce the Patent
Rights pursuant to this Agreement, the other party hereto shall, at the request
and expense of the party initiating such suit, cooperate in all respects and, to
the extent possible, have its employees testify when requested and make
available relevant records, papers, information, samples, specimens, and the
like.

9.06    LICENSEE shall have the sole right in accordance with the terms and
conditions herein to sub-license any alleged infringer under the Patent Rights
for future infringements.

9.07    Any of the foregoing notwithstanding, if at any time during the term of
this Agreement any of the Patent Rights are held invalid or unenforceable in a
decision which is not appealable or is not appealed within the time allowed,
LICENSEE shall have no further obligations to NCSU with respect to its future
use or sale of any product or process covered solely by such Patent Rights,
including the obligation of paying royalties. Nevertheless, LICENSEE shall not
have a damage claim or a claim for refund or reimbursement against NCSU.

                ARTICLE 10- INDEMNITY, INSURANCE, REPRESENTATIONS
                -------------------------------------------------

10.01   LICENSEE shall indemnify, defend and hold NCSU, its trustees, officers,
employees and affiliates, harmless against all claims and expenses, including
legal expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of the death or
injury to any person or persons or out of any damage to property and against any
other claim, proceeding, demand, expense and liability of any kind whatsoever
resulting from utilization of the Patent Rights in the production, manufacture,
sales, use, lease, consumption or advertisement of the Licensed Products by
LICENSEE and its sub-licensees or arising from any obligations of LICENSEE
hereunder, except for any claim or expenses arising

                                       11

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out of the negligence or willful misconduct of NCSU or its officers, agents or
employees. The parties acknowledge that NCSU's liability under this paragraph
shall be subject to the limitations of the North Carolina Tort Claims Act (N.C.
General Statutes Section 143-291).

10.02   LICENSEE shall maintain reasonable levels of product liability insurance
as soon as it has commercialized Licensed Products. NCSU shall have the right to
require such insurance policies or certificates of insurance, at NCSU's
discretion, to be made available for NCSU's inspection.

10.03   NCSU MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND VALIDITY OF PATENT
RIGHTS CLAIMS ISSUED OR PENDING.

10.04   Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation or
warranty by NCSU of the validity of any of the patents or the accuracy, safety,
efficacy, or usefulness for any purpose, of any Patent Rights. NCSU shall have
no obligation, express or implied, to supervise, monitor, review, or otherwise
assume responsibility for the production, manufacture, testing, marketing, or
sale of any Licensed Product, and NCSU shall have no liability whatsoever to
LICENSEE or any third parties for or on account of any injury, loss, or damage,
of any kind or nature, sustained by, or any damage assessed or asserted against,
or any other liability incurred by or imposed upon LICENSEE or any other person
or entity, arising out of or in connection with or resulting from:

        (a) the production, use, or sale of any Licensed Product;

        (b) the use of any Patent Rights; or

        (c) any advertising or other promotional activities with respect to any
            of the foregoing.

                            ARTICLE 11- GOVERNING LAW
                            -------------------------

11.01   This Agreement shall be construed as having been entered into in the
State of North Carolina and shall be interpreted in accordance with and its
performance governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina.

                          ARTICLE 12- NON-ASSIGNABILITY
                          -----------------------------

12.01   This Agreement may not be assigned by LICENSEE except in connection with
the sale or other transfer of LICENSEE'S entire business or that part of

                                       12

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LICENSEE'S business to which this license relates. LICENSEE shall give NCSU
thirty (30) days prior written notice of such assignment or transfer. Any other
assignment of this Agreement without the prior written consent of NCSU shall be
void.

                               ARTICLE 13-NOTICES
                               ------------------

13.01      It shall be a sufficient giving of any notice, payment, request,
report, statement, disclosure or other communication hereunder, if the party
giving the same shall deposit a copy thereof in the Post Office in certified
mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address hereinafter
set forth or at such other address as the other party shall have theretofore in
writing designated:

       NCSU                                        LICENSEE
       ----                                        --------

       Director                                    James D. Otvos, Ph.D.
       Office of Technology Administration         LipoMed, Inc.
       and Development                             1117 Wellstone Circle
       North Carolina State University             Apex, North Carolina 27502
       Box 7003
       1 Holladay Hall
       Raleigh, NC 27695-7003

The date of giving any such notice, request, report, statement, disclosure or
other communication, and the date of making any payment hereunder required
(provided such payment is received), shall be the date of the U.S. postmark of
such envelope if marked or actual date of receipt if delivered otherwise.

                          ARTICLE 14- NON-USE OF NAMES
                          ----------------------------

14.01      LICENSEE shall not use the name of NCSU, or any trademark, trade
device, service mark, symbol, or any abbreviation, contraction, or simulation
thereof, owned by NCSU, nor the names of any of its employees, or any adaptation
thereof, in any advertising, promotional, or sales literature without prior
written consent obtained from an authorized officer of NCSU in each case, except
that LICENSEE may state that it is licensed by NCSU under one or more of the
patents and/or patent applications comprising the Patent Rights. Failure by
LICENSEE to comply with this restriction shall be deemed a material breach of
this Agreement pursuant to section 7.05. Such material breach shall be deemed
cured if the offending use is terminated within ninety (90) days of LICENSEE's
receipt of a written notice from NCSU.

                                       13

<PAGE>

                              ARTICLE 15-SEVERANCE
                              --------------------

15.01      Each clause of this Agreement is a distinct and severable clause and
if any clause is deemed illegal, void, or unenforceable, the validity, legality,
or enforceability of any other clause or portion of this Agreement will not be
affected thereby.

                           ARTICLE 16-ENTIRE AGREEMENT
                           ---------------------------

16.01      This Agreement, including any schedules or other attachments which
are incorporated herein by reference, contain the entire agreement between the
parties as to its subject matter. This Agreement merges all prior discussions
between the parties and neither party shall be bound by conditions, definitions,
warranties, understanding, or representations concerning such subject matter
except as provided in this Agreement or as may be specified later in writing and
signed by the properly authorized representatives of the parties. This Agreement
can be modified or amended only by written agreement duly signed by persons
authorized to sign agreements on behalf of the parties.

                                ARTICLE 17-WAIVER
                                -----------------

17.01      The failure of a party in any instance to insist upon the strict
performance of the terms of this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver
or relinquishment of any of the terms of this Agreement, either at the time of
the party's failure to insist upon strict performance or at any time in the
future, and such term or terms shall continue in full force and effect.

                                ARTICLE 18-TITLES
                                -----------------

18.01      All titles and article headings contained in this Agreement are
inserted only as a matter of convenience and reference. They do not define,
limit, extend, or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any of
its provisions.

                          ARTICLE 19-SURVIVAL OF TERMS
                          ----------------------------

19.01      The provisions of Articles 1,4,8,10,11,13,and 14 shall survive the
expiration or termination of this Agreement.

                                       14

<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the dates
set forth below.

                                  NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

                                  By:    /s/ Charles G. Moreland
                                         ---------------------------------------

                                         Charles G. Moreland
                                         Vice Chancellor for Research, Outreach,
                                         Extension and Economic Development

                                  Date:  5/9/97
                                         ---------------------------------------

ATTEST:

By:______________________
SEAL

                                  LICENSEE

                                  By:    /s/ James D. Otvos
                                         ---------------------------------------

                                  Title: President, LipoMed, Inc.
                                         ---------------------------------------

                                  Date:  5/8/97
                                         ---------------------------------------

ATTEST:

By: /s/ Carolyn C. Phillips

SEAL

                                                        [Revised April 29, 1997]

                                       15

<PAGE>

                                    AMENDMENT

This AMENDMENT is made and entered into this 10/th/ day of January, 2001, and
amends the License Agreement entered into by and between North Carolina State
University ("NCSU"), an educational institution organized under the laws of the
State of North Carolina, and LipoMed, Inc. ("LICENSEE"), a North Carolina
corporation. The License Agreement was executed by the parties on May 9, 1997
and May 8, 1997 respectively.

The parties agree to amend the License Agreement as hereinafter set forth.

1.   The first (1/st/) recital is deleted in its entirely and the following
substituted in lieu thereof:

       WHEREAS, Dr. James Otvos has discovered an inventions entitled "Methods
and Apparatus for Measuring Blood Lipoprotein Levels by NMR Spectroscopy" (NCSU
File No. 91-02), and NCSU owns all rights, title, and interest in and to the
Patent Rights (as defined below) pertaining to such invention; and

       WHEREAS, Dr. James Otvos has discovered certain other invention entitled
"Method and Computer Program Products for Determining Risk of Developing Type 2
Diabetes and Other Insulin Resistance Related Disorders" (Serial Nos. 09/550,359
and PCT/US00/10463), and "Methods, Systems, and Computer Program Products for
Analyzing and Presenting NMR Lipoprotein-Based Risk Assessment Results" (Serial
No. 09/258,740 and 09/291,736), and NCSU and LICENSEE jointly own all rights,
title, and interest in and to the Patent Rights (as defined below) pertaining to
such other inventions; and

2.   The second (2/nd/) and third (3/rd/) recitals are amended to change, in all
instances, the word "invention" to "inventions".

3.     Article 1.01 shall be deleted in its entirety and the following
substituted in lieu thereof:

       1.01  "Patent Rights" shall mean:

       (a)   U.S. Patent No. 5,343,389 "Method and Apparatus for Measuring
             Classes and Subclasses of Lipoproteins" (filed June 17, 1993;
             issued August 30, 1994) (the "Issued Patent").

       (b)   U.S. Patent Application No. [**] "Methods and Computer Program
             Products for Determining Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes and
             Other Insulin Resistance Related Disorders" (filed [**]); and

                                        1

<PAGE>

       (c)   [**] "Methods and Computer Program Products for Determining Risk of
             Developing Type 2 Diabetes and Other Insulin Resistance Related
             Disorders" (filed [**]); and

       (d)   U.S. Patent Application No. [**] "Methods, Systems, and Computer
             Program Products for Analyzing and Presenting NMR Lipoprotein-Based
             Risk Assessment Results" (filed [**]); and

       (e)   U.S. Patent Application No. [**] "Methods Systems, and Computer
             Program Products for Analyzing and Presenting NMR Lipoprotein-Based
             Risk Assessment Results" (filed [**]) (collectively, the inventions
             listed as subitems (b) through (e) are referred to as the "Patent
             Applications").

       The term "Patent Rights" shall further include: letters patents, utility
models, allowances and applications therefor in all countries of the world,
including re-issues, re-examinations, continuations, continuations-in-part,
divisionals and all corresponding foreign patents (as presently or hereafter
comprised) relating to the Patent Applications.

4.     Article 1.03 is amended to add the following immediately following the
last sentence of such Article:

       As used in this Article 1.03, "unexpired claims" shall not include those
claims of Patent Applications that are canceled during patent prosecution.

5.     Article 1.04 shall be appended to add the following sentence to
immediately follow the last sentence of such Article:

       As used in this Article 1.04, "unexpired claims" shall not include those
claims of Patent Applications that are canceled during patent prosection.

6.     Article 5 is deleted and the following substituted in lieu thereof:

       5.01  NCSU shall select patent counsel and shall have sole responsibility
       for filing, prosecuting and maintaining appropriate U.S. and foreign
       patent application(s) on the Issued Patent in the name of NCSU, and all
       expenses of such protection shall be paid by LICENSEE. NCSU shall keep
       LICENSEE advised as to the prosecution of such application by forwarding
       to LICENSEE copies of all official correspondence relating thereto.
       LICENSEE agrees to cooperate with NCSU in the prosecution of such Issued
       Patent to insure that such Issued Patent reflects, to the best of NCSU's
       and LICENSEE'S knowledge, all items of commercial, scientific and
       technical interest and importance. All final decisions with respect to
       the prosecution of said patent application are reserved to NCSU.

       5.02  With respect to the Issued Patent, LICENSEE shall designate the
       foreign countries, if any, in which LICENSEE desires patent protection,
       and NCSU agrees to file, prosecute and maintain appropriate applications
       in such countries.

                                        2

<PAGE>

       LICENSEE shall pay all expenses with regard to such foreign patent
       protection. NCSU may elect to seek patent protection in countries not so
       designated by LICENSEE, in which case NCSU shall be responsible for all
       expenses attendant thereto; however, in such instances, LICENSEE shall
       forfeit its rights under this license agreement as to such countries.

       5.03  LICENSEE shall select patent counsel of its choice and shall have
       sole responsibility for filing, prosecuting and maintaining appropriate
       U.S. and foreign patent application(s) on the Patent Applications in the
       joint name of LICENSEE and NCSU, and all expenses of such protection of
       Patent Rights shall be paid by LICENSEE. LICENSEE must keep NCSU advised
       as to the prosecution of such application by forwarding to NCSU copies of
       all official correspondence relating thereto. Further, LICENSEE will give
       full consideration to any suggestions and comments from NCSU regarding
       the prosecution of the Patent Applications. NCSU agrees to cooperate with
       LICENSEE in the prosecution of the patent application(s) on the Patent
       Applications to ensure that such applications reflect, to the best of
       LICENSEE'S and NCSU's knowledge, all items of commercial, scientific, and
       technical interest and importance. All final decisions with respect to
       the prosecution of the Patent Application(s) are reserved to LICENSEE.
       Should LICENSEE elect not to file a foreign application related to a
       Patent Application, NCSU may elect to file at its sole discretion and
       expense. Should NCSU make such election, then LICENSEE forfeits all
       rights to the Patent Applications in the affected country and will assign
       the Patent Rights in that country to NCSU.

       Article 5.04 For each country in which Licensed Products will be sold,
       Licensee agrees to mark all Licensed Products it commercializes with the
       applicable patent number.

Except to the extent provided above, the terms and conditions of the original
License Agreement remain in full force and effect as originally executed.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this AMENDMENT on the dates set
forth below.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY            LIPOMED, INC.

/s/ Charles G. Moreland                    /s/ Richard A. Franco
------------------------------------       -------------------------------------

By: Charles G. Moreland                    By: Richard A. Franco

Title: Vice Chancellor, Research           Title: CEO
and Graduate Studies

Date: 1/10/01                              Date: 1/10/01
      ------------------------------       -------------------------------------

                                        3<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.5

   Confidential Materials omitted and filed separately with the Securities and
                Exchange Commission. Asterisks denote omissions.

                           Exclusive License Agreement
                           ---------------------------

         This is an agreement between

         Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. ("Licensor")
         186 Wood Avenue South
         Iselin NJ 08830

a Delaware corporation, acting through Wolfgang Kroll, its Executive
Vice-President, and

         LipoMed, Inc. ("Licensee")
         1117 Wellstone Circle
         Apex NC 27502

a North Carolina corporation, acting through Michael A. Harpold, its President,

         WHEREAS Licensor owns U.S. Patent No. 4,933,844 (the "'844 patent") and
foreign counterpart applications thereto as listed on Schedule A; and

         WHEREAS Licensee wishes to obtain an exclusive license, under the `844
patent and its counterpart applications, in order to sell certain blood testing
services and Licensor is willing to grant such license;

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, and intending
to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1.       License Grant   Licensor hereby grants to Licensee, and
                  -------------
Licensee hereby accepts, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent No. 4,933,844 and
counterpart patents and patent application thereto as listed on Schedule A. The
'844 patent, and all the patents and patent applications listed on Schedule A,
are hereinafter referred to collectively as "Patent Rights".

                  1.1   Territory The license herein granted covers a territory
                        ---------
                  (hereinafter, the "Territory") that is coextensive with all
                  territories covered by the Patent Rights.

                  1.1.1 Territorial Changes If the parties mutually agree that
                        -------------------
                  one or more of the patents in Schedule A may be permitted to
                  lapse, the territory defined at paragraph 1.1 above will be
                  automatically amended to remain

<PAGE>

                  coextensive with the territory covered by the remaining
                  effective Patent Rights.

                  1.2      Term The license herein granted will commence on the
                           ----
                           Effective Date of this agreement, and will terminate
                           upon the expiration of the last-to-expire one of the
                           Patent Rights, unless sooner terminated in accordance
                           with the terms hereof.

                  1.3      Scope  The license herein granted includes:
                           -----
                           a)  The exclusive right to practice the invention
                               claimed in the Patent Rights;
                           b)  The exclusive right to grant sublicenses to
                               others to practice the invention claimed in the
                               Patent Rights; and
                           c)  The exclusive right to enforce the Patent Rights
                               against others.

         2.       Compensation to Licensor  As compensation for the license
                  ------------------------
herein granted to Licensee, Licensee agrees to make the following payments to
Licensor:

                  2.1      Lump Sum Reimbursement Licensee will pay Licensor the
                           ----------------------
                  sum of $[**]. This sum will become due and payable [**] months
                  after the Effective Date of this agreement. The parties agree
                  that this sum represents a) the unpaid portion of a debt owed
                  by James D. Otvos to Siemens AG, plus b) certain other costs
                  incurred by Licensor in connection with the granting of this
                  license.

                  2.2      Patent Maintenance Fees Licensee will reimburse
                           -----------------------
                  Licensor for all out-of-pocket costs to maintain the Patent
                  Rights in force during the term defined in paragraph 1.2
                  above. Such costs include, but are not limited to: maintenance
                  fees, requests for examination, and fees to local patent
                  attorneys not employed full-time by Licensor or Siemens
                  companies. Licensee will reimburse Licensor for all such costs
                  within 30 days after Licensor invoices Licensee for such
                  costs; Licensee is entitled to copies of such documentation as
                  is reasonably required to establish that such costs are
                  properly payable.

                  2.3      Minimum Annual Running Royalty Licensee will pay
                           ------------------------------
                  Licensor a minimum annual running royalty of $[**]. If by
                  December 31 in any calendar year Licensee has not accrued
                  running royalties payable to Licensor of at least $[**] during
                  that calendar year, Licensee will increase such accrued
                  running royalties payable to $[**] and will pay such amount to
                  Licensor in Licensee's January payment.

                  2.3.1    Investigative Phase Exception No minimum annual
                           -----------------------------
                  running royalties will be payable during the Investigative
                  Phase of this license. As used herein, "Investigative Phase"
                  means a period of time that

                                        2

<PAGE>

                           a)   Commences on the Effective Date of this
                                agreement, and
                           b)   Ends 24 months after Licensee has received all
                                approvals necessary to sell its blood-testing
                                services in interstate commerce.

                  2.4      Running Royalties  Licensee will pay Licensor running
                           -----------------
                  royalties based on Licensee's Net Sales of blood tests that
                  are

                           a)   carried out in the Territory; and/or
                           b)   carried out at the request of Licensee customers
                                that are located in the Territory.

                  2.4.1    Royalty Rate Schedule The royalty rate applicable to
                           ---------------------
                  Licensee's Net Sales depends as follows upon the cumulative
                  Net Sales made by Licensee from the Effective Date of this
                  agreement until the current Computation Date (defined below at
                  paragraph 2.4.2):

                           a)   For cumulative Net Sales from $[**] to
                                $[**]--[**]%;
                           b)   For cumulative Net Sales from $[**] to
                                $[**]--[**]%;
                           c)   For cumulative Net Sales above $[**]: --[**]%

                  2.4.2    Running Royalty Computations and Accruals Licensee
                           -----------------------------------------
                  will compute, and will accrue on its books, running royalties
                  due to Licensor as of four Computation Dates each year, namely
                  March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. In each such
                  computation, Licensee's Net Sales between the prior
                  Computation Date and the current Computation Date will be
                  multiplied by the applicable running royalty rate to compute
                  the running royalties due to Licensor.

                  2.4.3    Payment of Running Royalties Licensee will pay
                           ----------------------------
                  Licensor all accrued running royalties due to Licensor within
                  [**] days after each Computation Date, i.e. by [**], and [**].

                  2.4.4    Net Sales The parties agree that "Net Sales", as used
                           ---------
                  herein, means the gross invoiced amount of all sales made by
                  Licensee, less:

                           a)   Returns, allowances, discounts and rebates;
                           b)   Sales taxes and any other sums required by law
                                to be charged to Licensee's customers and
                                remitted to any governmental agency; and
                           c)   Licensee's out-of-pocket costs for
                                transportation and handling of blood samples.

                  2.4.4.1  Arm's Length Principles Licensee agrees that if it
                           -----------------------
                  makes any sales or purchases other than on an "arms-length"
                  basis, the fair market value of

                                        3

<PAGE>

                  such sales or purchases will be used for purposes of paragraph
                  2.4.4 above.

                  2.4.5 Late Payments Licensee agrees to pay interest at the
                        -------------
                  annual rate of [**]% on each payment not paid by the date on
                  which it is due. The interest will accrue from the due date
                  until the date on which payment is actually made.

                  2.5   Sublicenses If Licensee grants sublicense rights to any
                        -----------
                  third party, Licensee will pay running royalties to Licensor
                  based upon Net Sales made by the third party.

                  2.5.1 Amount of Running Royalties The parties agree that all
                        ---------------------------
                  sales made by a sublicensee will be deemed to have been made
                  by Licensee. Licensee agrees to pay running royalties on such
                  third party sales as if it had made such sales on its own. The
                  parties agree that the actual consideration for any sublicense
                  rights, as between Licensee and any third party, is irrelevant
                  to the royalty payment obligation owed by Licensee to
                  Licensor.

                  2.5.2 Licensee Responsible for Sales by Its Sublicensees The
                        --------------------------------------------------
                  parties agree that Licensee is responsible for paying running
                  royalties to Licensor on all sales made by its sublicensees.
                  The parties agree that a default by any sublicensee on any
                  obligation owed to Licensee shall not affect Licensee's
                  obligations hereunder to Licensor.

                  2.5.3 Exclusive Sublicenses to Require Licensor's Consent The
                        ---------------------------------------------------
                  parties agree that Licensee may not, without Licensor's
                  written consent, grant any exclusive sublicense to the Patent
                  Rights, or to any part thereof.

                  2.5.4 Sublicenses to Be Available for Licensor's Inspection
                        -----------------------------------------------------
                  and Audit If Licensee grants any sublicense rights to the
                  ---------
                  Patent Rights, or to any part thereof, Licensee agrees to make
                  all sublicense documents available to Licensor for its
                  inspection and (if necessary) audit.

                  2.5.5 Sublicenses Agreements [**] Licensee agrees that if it
                        ----------------------
                  grants sublicense rights to the Patent Rights or any part
                  thereof, each sublicensee will be obliged to use the [**] set
                  forth at [**]below. The parties agree that this is a material
                  term of this agreement and that breach thereof by any
                  sublicensee will, if not cured in accordance with the
                  provisions hereof, entitle Licensor to terminate this
                  agreement.

                  2.6   Payments Licensee will make all payments provided for
                        --------
                  herein in U.S. dollars, and in immediately available funds.

                                        4

<PAGE>

         3.       Royalty Reports and Records Licensee will maintain accounting
                  ---------------------------
records that accurately record its sales and will retain such records for at
least [**] after the calendar periods to which such records relate.

                  3.1   Royalty Reports Licensee will accompany each payment of
                        ---------------
                  running royalties with a report showing how the accompanying
                  payment was calculated and (if applicable) the rates at which
                  any foreign currencies were converted into U.S. dollars.

                  3.2   Audits Licensee will permit Licensor to audit Licensee's
                        ------
                  accounting records to verify the correctness of the
                  computations of running royalties due to Licensor hereunder.
                  Licensor will conduct any such audits at its own expense, at
                  reasonable times, and on reasonable advance notice to
                  Licensee.

                  3.2.1 Underpayments If an audit reveals that any payment of
                        -------------
                  running royalties has been understated by 2% or more, Licensee
                  will pay Licensor's expenses for that audit.

                  3.2.2 Audit Frequency Licensor may not audit Licensee more
                  than once each calendar year, unless an audit reveals an
                  underpayment of running royalties by 5% or more. In this
                  event, Licensor may, at Licensee's expense, audit Licensee as
                  frequently as once per calendar quarter, during the year
                  immediately subsequent to the 5% or more understatement.

         4.       Indemnification and Insurance Licensee will defend Licensor,
                  -----------------------------
         and will indemnify Licensor, and will hold Licensor harmless from, any
         claim that arises out of any act or activity licensed hereunder. This
         obligation of defense, indemnification and holding harmless includes
         the obligation to indemnify Licensor for its costs and attorneys fees
         in defending against any such claim.

                  4.1   Insurance Licensee agrees to maintain, during the term
                        ---------
                  of this agreement, general liability insurance policies
                  (including products, contractual and clinical testing
                  liability insurance) to cover all claims that arise out of any
                  act or activity licensed hereunder. Licensee agrees that such
                  policies will name Licensor as an insured. Licensee agrees to
                  place such policies with reputable and financially secure
                  insurance carriers.

                  4.1.1 Type of Policy Licensee agrees that the insurance
                        --------------
                  policies will afford primary coverage and will cover all
                  claims arising out of any act or activity licensed hereunder,
                  without regard to the date upon which such claim is discovered
                  or asserted.

                  4.1.2 Policy Limits Licensee agrees that the policy limits of
                        -------------
                  the insurance policies will be at least $1,000,000 per
                  occurrence, with a deductable of no more that $50,000.

                                        5

<PAGE>

                  4.1.3 Change of Policies or Insurance Carrier Licensee agrees
                        ---------------------------------------
                  not to change insurance carriers or forms of insurance
                  policies without reasonable advance notice to Licensor and
                  without Licensor's consent. Licensor may not unreasonably
                  withhold such consent.

                  4.1.4 Exception Licensee is not required to maintain insurance
                        ---------
                  coverage during the Investigative Phase defined in paragraph
                  2.3.1.

                  4.2   Notice Licensor will, as soon as practicable, notify
                        ------
                  Licensee of the assertion of any claim against Licensor that
                  Licensor considers to be covered by the provisions of
                  paragraph 4.

                  4.3   Survival After Termination The parties agree that
                        --------------------------
                  Licensee's obligation of defense, indemnification and holding
                  harmless defined in paragraph 4 above will continue
                  notwithstanding any termination of this agreement.

         5.       Termination The parties agree that Licensor, in its sole
                  -----------
discretion, may (but need not) terminate this agreement under any of the
circumstances enumerated in paragraph 5.1 below.

                  5.1   Circumstances  Licensor will have the right to terminate
                        -------------
this agreement if:

                        a)      Licensee breaches any material term hereof and
                                does not cure such breach within 60 days after
                                being given written notice that the breach
                                exists.

                        b)      Licensee files a petition in bankruptcy or is
                                adjudged a bankrupt.

                        c)      Licensee makes a general assignment for the
                                benefit of creditors or a receiver is appointed
                                for the business of Licensee and is not
                                discharged within 60 days after appointment.

                  5.2   Right of Termination is Cumulative The parties agree
                        ----------------------------------
                  that Licensor' right to terminate this agreement is cumulative
                  and in addition to all other legal rights and remedies that
                  Licensor may have against Licensee.

                  5.3   Termination Not Required to Bring Legal Action The
                        ----------------------------------------------
                  parties agree that Licensor need not terminate this agreement
                  as a condition precedent to bringing any legal action
                  (including arbitration) against Licensee.

                                        6

<PAGE>

                  5.4   Obligations Incurred Before Termination The termination
                        ---------------------------------------
                  of this agreement will not relieve Licensee of the obligation
                  to pay those financial obligations to Licensor that were
                  incurred before the date of termination.

                  5.5   Forbearance Licensor's exercise of forbearance, or
                        -----------
                  Licensor's delay in exercising any right to terminate this
                  agreement, will not prejudice Licensor's right to exercise any
                  legal right it may have against Licensee, including any right
                  it may have to terminate this agreement.

         6.       [**]  Licensee agrees to [**] all [**] with the following
[**]:

         [**] under a [**] U.S. Patent No. 4,933,844.

         This paragraph 6 is a material term of this agreement.

         7.       Arbitration The parties agree to arbitrate any claim or
                  -----------
controversy arising out of or relating to this agreement or the breach thereof.
The parties agree that such arbitration will be conducted in New York County,
City of New York and State of New York in accordance with the rules then
obtaining of the American Arbitration Association. The parties agree that the
results of the arbitration will be binding upon them, and that judgement on the
arbital award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

                  7.1   Exception The parties agree that in any arbitration of
                        ---------
                  this agreement, the arbitrator may not hold any of the Patent
                  Rights invalid, and may not invalidate any claim therein.

                  7.2   No Incidental, Consequential, or Punitive Damages The
                        -------------------------------------------------
                  parties agree that in any arbitration of this agreement, the
                  arbitrator may not award incidental, consequential, or
                  punitive damages.

                  7.3   New Jersey Law The parties agree that in any arbitration
                        --------------
                  of this agreement, the arbitrator will apply the substantive
                  law of the State of New Jersey.

         8.       Assignability  This agreement is personal to Licensee and may
                  -------------
not be assigned to any third party without Licensor's written consent. The
parties agree that any such assignment is void.

                  8.1   Licensor May Assign  Licensor may assign the Patent
                        -------------------
                        Rights without consent of Licensee.

                  8.2   Representatives, Successors, Etc.  This agreement, if
                        ---------------------------------
                        lawfully assigned, binds the parties' assigns,
                        successors, and transferees. The parties agree that this
                        agreement also binds the parties' legal representatives.

                                        7

<PAGE>

         9.       Miscellaneous Provisions  The following provisions apply to
                  ------------------------
this agreement:

                  9.1   Invalidity or Unenforceability If any provision of this
                        ------------------------------
                        agreement is invalid or unenforceable, or becomes
                        invalid or unenforceable under particular factual
                        circumstances, such invalidity or unenforceability will
                        not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
                        provision of this agreement.

                  9.2   Merger This agreement is the entire agreement between
                        ------
                        the parties, and supercedes any and all prior or
                        contemporaneous agreements relating to the same subject
                        matter.

                  9.3   Amendments to be in Writing  This agreement may not be
                        ---------------------------
                        amended except in a writing signed by the parties.

                  9.4   No Partnership, Agency etc.  This agreement does not
                        ---------------------------
                        create a partnership, an agency, or a joint venture
                        between the parties.

                  9.5   Notices The parties agree that all notices required or
                        -------
                        permitted under this agreement will be sent to the
                        parties' above-stated addresses, with copies as follows:

                  To Licensor                    To Licensee

                  Mark H. Jay, Esq               Fred D. Hutchison, Esq.
                  Siemens Corporation            Hutchison & Mason, PLLC
                  186 Wood Avenue South          4011 West Chase Boulevard
                  Iselin NJ 08830                Suite 400
                                                 Raleigh, NC 27607

                  9.6   No Warranties Licensee acknowledges Licensor does not
                        -------------
                  extend any warranties of any kind, whether express or implied,
                  regarding the Patent Rights. Without in any way limiting the
                  full generality of the foregoing sentence, Licensor hereby
                  disclaims any and all warranties of merchantability, and
                  fitness for intended purpose.

                  9.7   Confidentiality  The parties agree to keep the terms of
                        ----------------
                  this agreement confidential.

                                        8

<PAGE>

         10.      Effective Date  The Effective Date of this agreement is June
                  --------------
15, 1997.

                                            Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.

Date:  July 10, 1997                        By /s/ Wolfgang Kroll
                                               --------------------------------
                                            Wolfgang Kroll, its
                                            Executive Vice-President
                                            Duly Authorized

                                            LipoMed, Inc.

Date:                                       By /s/ Michael A. Harpold
                                               --------------------------------
                                            Michael A. Harpold, its President
                                            Duly Authorized

                                        9

<PAGE>

                       Exclusive License Agreement Between
                          Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.
                                       and
                                  LipoMed, Inc.

                                   Schedule A
                                   ----------

Canada Patent No. 1,327,933

Japan Patent Application No. 01-246216

Belgium Patent No. 0 361 214

Switzerland Patent No. 0 361 214

Germany Patent No. 68916729.6

Spain Patent No. 0 361 214

France Patent No. 0 361 214

Great Britain Patent No. 0 361 214

Italy Patent No. 0 361 214

Netherlands Patent No. 0 361 214

                                       10

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