Document:

Exhibit 10.20

                              CONSULTING AGREEMENT

         This Consulting Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered into
effective April 1, 2003, by and between Cytomedix, Inc. ("Cytomedix"), and
Nadine C. Smith, an individual, ("Consultant") (collectively referred to as the
"Parties").

         WHEREAS, Cytomedix is biotechnology company that develops, produces and
licenses autologous cellular therapies for the treatment of chronic non-healing
wounds using its proprietary platelet gel and related product therapies;

         WHEREAS, Cytomedix desires to engage Consultant to provide financing,
marketing, and strategic consulting services for the Company and to otherwise
assist the Company with its private placement and various marketing projects;

         WHEREAS, Consultant desires to be engaged by Cytomedix as a Consultant
and is willing to execute this Agreement as a condition thereto;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the compensation set forth in this
Agreement, the foregoing, and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth
herein, the Parties agree as follows:

         1. Commencement of Engagement.

         (a) Consultant agrees to be engaged by Cytomedix, and Cytomedix agrees
to engage Consultant on a non-exclusive basis for a period of twelve months
("Consulting Term") to provide the following services:

         (1)      Assistance in connection with Cytomedix's private offering
                  expected to commence in May 2003;

         (2)      Assistance in structuring and overseeing the implementation of
                  Cytomedix's prospective clinical trials;

         (3)      Assistance in overseeing Cytomedix's efforts to obtain FDA
                  approval;

         (4)      Assistance in overseeing Cytomedix's efforts to obtain
                  reimbursement for Cytomedix's AutoloGel product; and

         (5)      Assistance in developing and implementing a strategic plan for
                  Cytomedix to obtain positive cash flow and profitability at
                  the earliest possible date.

(these services are collectively referred to as the "Consulting Services").

         (b) The Consulting Term shall automatically renew for successive twelve
(12) month periods unless either party provides written notice thirty (30) days
in advance of the end of the Consulting Term or any successive term that the
party does not want to renew the Consulting Term.

         (c) The Consultant shall provide Consulting Services during the
Consulting Term unless sooner terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section 7
of the Agreement.

<PAGE>

         (d) During the Consulting Term, Consultant shall be reasonably
available to Cytomedix during normal business hours and provide Consulting
Services as reasonably requested by Cytomedix. In the event that Cytomedix
desires to engage Consultant to perform services other than the Consulting
Services, then the Parties shall negotiate the terms and conditions of any such
special arrangement. Consultant shall have the right to perform consulting
services to parties other than Cytomedix; provided, however, that Consultant
shall not provide any services to any company which directly competes with
Cytomedix. Consultant shall also use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve
the goodwill of all employees, clients, suppliers, and other persons having
business relations with Cytomedix and to perform her services in a business-like
manner and in a manner that will not harm the business reputation of Cytomedix.
Consultant shall not be required to keep regular office hours. Cytomedix agrees
that Consultant may perform her duties hereunder at a location of Consultant's
choosing except when specifically requested to travel to a specific location.

         (e) The services rendered by Consultant hereunder shall be provided by
Consultant as a consultant, and not as an employee, partner, or joint venturer
of Cytomedix. Cytomedix shall indemnify Consultant against and hold Consultant
harmless from any losses, claims, liabilities, damages, and expenses (including
without limitation, the fees and expenses of legal counsel) resulting from any
claim asserted against Consultant in connection with the performance of the
Consulting Services under the terms of this Agreement. This indemnification
provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

         (f) Consultant shall provide Consulting Services to Cytomedix and shall
work directly with Cytomedix's management, consultants, and advisors; provided,
however, that the Consultant shall be supervised by and Consultant shall report
to Cytomedix's Board of Directors.

2. Compensation.

         (a) As compensation for providing the Consulting Services to Cytomedix,
Consultant will receive compensation of One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand (US)
Dollars ($125,000.00) per annum. Such compensation shall be paid to Consultant
monthly, on the first business day of each month, commencing on the first
business day following execution of this Agreement in twelve (12) equal
installments of Ten Thousand Four Hundred Sixteen Dollars ($10,416.00).
Consultant shall be entitled to receive her monthly compensation regardless of
whether she performs any Consulting Services unless this Agreement is terminated
as set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement.

         (b) The Parties agree that Cytomedix shall not withhold from any
compensation paid to Consultant any amounts required by federal, state or local
law to be withheld (including without limitation federal income tax withholding,
Social Security tax and Medicare tax). Cytomedix shall report Consultant's
compensation on a Form 1099. Consultant shall remain solely responsible for
payment of her own federal, state, and local taxes, and other withholdings, if
any.

         (c) As compensation for providing Consulting Services to Cytomedix,
Consultant shall receive warrants as provided for in the Warrant Agreement,
attached as Exhibit 1 to this Agreement.

<PAGE>

         3. Expenses.

              (a) Upon presentation of reasonable documentation of expenses, the
Company will promptly reimburse Consultant for all reasonable out of pocket
expenses that Consultant incurs in connection with providing Consulting
Services, including without limitation airfare and related travel expenses from
her home in the Cayman Islands to the United States when such travel is incurred
in connection with performing Consulting Services.

              (b) Cytomedix shall reimburse Consultant for her legal expenses
incurred in connection with the preparation and execution of this Agreement, the
Warrant Agreement, and the Registration Rights Agreement, in an amount not to
exceed $15,000.

         4. Limitations on Authority. Consultant is an independent contractor
and not an agent of Cytomedix or any of its affiliates for any purpose
whatsoever. Consultant will have no authority to, and agrees not to, assume or
create any obligation or liability, express or implied, on behalf of Cytomedix
or any of its affiliates or bind Cytomedix or any of its affiliates in any
manner whatsoever. Except as provided in Section 3 of this Agreement, Consultant
agrees to be liable for her own expenses.

         5. Representation. Consultant hereby represents and warrants to
Cytomedix that her execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, does not and will not
conflict with, contravene or result in a violation or breach of or default under
any contract, agreement or understanding to which Consultant is a party or by
which Consultant is or may be bound, including without limitation, any
non-competition or similar agreement.

         6. Confidential Information. Consultant agrees that all matters
concerning Cytomedix or any of its affiliates provided to Consultant by
Cytomedix in connection with the Consulting Services will be treated by
Consultant as Confidential Information and held in strict confidence both during
and for a period of two years after the Consulting Term. Confidential
Information means all information related to the Company's business or
operations, including without limitation, client and supplier lists, data,
marketing plans, projections, strategies, unpublished financial information,
trade secrets or discoveries unless that information is otherwise within the
public domain. Except for Consultant's disclosure of Confidential Information
included in Cytomedix's Confidential Offering Memorandum to prospective
investors in Cytomedix's private offering, Consultant shall not disclose the
Confidential Information to any individual who is not a Cytomedix employee,
officer, director, controlling shareholder, or representative of any of the
foregoing without consent of the Board of Directors of Cytomedix. Consultant
further agrees that she will take all commercially reasonable steps to comply
with the terms of this Section 6.

         7. Termination.

              (a) Upon thirty (30) days advance written notice, either party may
terminate this Agreement for any reason.

<PAGE>

              (b) Either party may terminate this Agreement if the other party
breaches this Agreement or fails to perform as required under the terms of this
Agreement, after providing a fifteen (15) day written notice of the breach and
opportunity to cure.

              (c) In the event that Consultant is terminated pursuant to this
Section, the Warrants shall cease to vest upon the date of termination only if
Consultant is terminated for "Cause" as provided and defined in the Common Stock
Warrant attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein.

              (d) Cytomedix shall pay Consultant all fees and expenses incurred
through the effective date of termination. Additionally, Consultant shall be
entitled to her monthly payment for any month in which she has provided services
prior to the effective date of termination.

         8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement of
the Parties and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous negotiations and
agreements, oral or written. All prior and contemporaneous negotiations and
agreements are deemed incorporated and merged into this Agreement and are deemed
to have been abandoned if not so incorporated. No representations, oral or
written, are being relied upon by either party in executing this Agreement other
than the express representations of this Agreement. This Agreement cannot be
changed or terminated without the express written consent of the Parties.

         9. Miscellaneous Provisions.

                  (a) This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any
respect except by a written instrument signed by both Parties hereto.

                  (b) This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the
Parties hereto shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of
the state of Arkansas.

                  (c) The captions and section headings used herein are for the
purposes of reference and convenience only, are not a part of this Agreement,
and shall not be used in construing this Agreement.

                  (d) This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and such counterparts
together shall constitute one and the same document.

<PAGE>

         EXECUTED in ____________, ____________ this ______ day of
________________, 2003.

                                ______________________________________
                                Nadine C. Smith, Consultant

                                CYTOMEDIX, Inc.:

                                By: ____________________________________
                                    Kent Smith, Chief Executive OfficerExhibit 10.21

                  CONFIDENTIAL RELEASE AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS CONFIDENTIAL RELEASE AND SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") with
an effective date of January 2, 2004 ("Effective Date") is made and entered into
by and between Cytomedix, Inc. ("Cytomedix" or "Company") and Kent T. Smith
(hereinafter referred to as "Employee").

         WHEREAS, on November 10, 2003, Employee tendered his notice of intent
to resign ("Notice") within thirty days of the Notice; and

         WHEREAS, the Notice recites the Employee's willingness to execute a
written plan of resignation designed to ensure the Company's successful
transition to new management; and

         WHEREAS, the Employee's Employment Agreement dated August 22, 2002
("Employment Agreement"), contains provisions governing voluntary termination of
the Employment Agreement by the Employee, which provisions may be altered or
supplemented through a written agreement between the Employee and the Company;
and

         WHEREAS, the Company wishes to accept the Employee's resignation and
wishes to provide Employee with certain benefits in consideration of Employee's
promises and covenants contained herein; and

         WHEREAS, negotiations have been held between Employee and Company to
accomplish these objectives and Company and Employee desire to settle amicably,
fully, and finally all issues that exist or may exist between them.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual promises
and agreements herein contained, IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Termination of Employment:

         1.1 Employee agrees that his voluntary resignation as Chief Executive
Officer and President of the Company will be effective as of December 1, 2003.
Employee agrees that his resignation is irrevocable. The Company hereby accepts
such resignation.

2. Stock Options.

         2.1 Employee agrees that all vested and unvested options or other
stock-based incentives that have been awarded to the Executive under the
Company's Long Term Incentive Plan or otherwise shall immediately expire and
become null and void.

3. Consideration:

         3.1 Employee and Company agree that the provisions contained in this
Agreement alter and amend the voluntary termination provisions contained in the
Employment Agreement. As such, this Agreement contains compensation or benefits
to which neither the Company nor the Employee are otherwise entitled.

         3.2 In consideration for Employee entering into this Agreement, Company
agrees to issue to the Employee warrants to purchase 175,000 shares of the
Company's common stock upon the terms and conditions contained in the Common
Stock Warrant dated January 2, 2004.

4.       Confidentiality:

         4.1 Employee agrees that the nature, terms, conditions, and substance
of this Agreement shall be kept confidential by him, his attorneys, and spouse;
and shall not be disclosed at any time to any other person or entity at all
without the prior written consent of Company, except as necessary in the course
of: (1) preparing and filing appropriate tax returns or dealing with federal or
state taxing authorities; and (2) the performance of personal or business
financial planning. In addition, any term of this Agreement may be disclosed
during any lawsuit or other proceeding brought to enforce the terms of this
Agreement or as required by applicable law, legal subpoena or court order.

<PAGE>

         4.2 Employee agrees that upon the receipt of a subpoena or other legal
request for information contained in or regarding the nature, terms, conditions,
or substance of this Agreement, Employee shall promptly notify Company in
writing of such request and shall give Company the opportunity to object to the
disclosure of such information before responding to any such request. Such
written notification shall be sent to Company via certified mail.

5. No Current Claims:

         5.1 Employee warrants and represents that he is not presently a named
plaintiff in any law suit, filed in any jurisdiction, against Company and that
he has not filed a charge with the EEOC or any other administrative agency
against Company. In the event that this warranty and representation is
incorrect, Company shall have the absolute right to terminate this Agreement,
and to demand and have immediately returned to Company all consideration paid by
it to Employee pursuant to this Agreement.

         5.2 Company is hereby indemnified and held harmless by Employee for any
breach of the warranty and representation contained in this Section 5, and to
recover from Employee all costs and expenses incurred as a result of Employee's
breach of the warranty and representation contained in this Section 5, and all
costs and expenses incurred in defending any now pending legal or administrative
proceeding, not referenced in this Section 5, in which Employee is a named
plaintiff, claimant or petitioner. Costs and expenses, for purposes of this
Section 5, shall include, but not be limited to, attorneys' fees and other legal
costs.

6. Covenant Not to Sue and Release:

         6.1 Except for the rights and obligations provided by or arising under
this Agreement, Employee hereby releases, acquits, withdraws, retracts and
forever discharges any and all claims, manner of actions, causes of action, in
law or in equity, suits, judgments, debts, liens, contracts, agreements,
promises, liabilities, demands, damages, losses, costs, expenses or disputes,
known or unknown, fixed or contingent, which he now has or may have hereafter,
directly or indirectly, personally or in a representative capacity, against
Company, and its predecessors, successors, administrators, attorneys,
fiduciaries, officers, directors, shareholders, representatives, agents,
employees, and all persons acting through or in connection with Company, by
reason of any act, omission, matter, cause or thing whatsoever, from the
beginning of time to, and including, the Effective Date. This General Release
includes, but is not limited to, all claims, manner of actions, causes of action
in law or in equity, suits, judgments, debts, liens, contracts, agreements,
promises, liabilities, demands, damages, losses, costs, expenses or disputes,
known or unknown, fixed or contingent, which arise under the Employment
Agreement; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; The Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; The Americans with
Disabilities Act; The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; The Family and
Medical Leave Act, as amended; 42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 1981 through 1988, as amended;
the Arkansas Constitution or Arkansas statutory law, as amended; any federal,
state or local statute or ordinance, all as amended; common law claims of breach
of contract, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress,
negligent hiring, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing,
promissory estoppel, negligence, wrongful termination or employment,
interference with prospective economic advantage, violation of civil rights and
all other claims of any type or nature including any claims for attorneys' fees.
The parties intend that this release shall discharge all claims against the
released parties to the extent permitted by law.

<PAGE>

         6.2 Employee represents and warrants that he has not heretofore
assigned or transferred, or purported to assign or transfer, to any person or
entity, any claim that is a subject of this Agreement or any portion thereof or
interest therein, and agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Company harmless
from any and all claims based on or arising out of any such assignment or
transfer, or purported assignment or transfer, of any claims, or any portion
thereof or interest therein.

         6.3 Nothing in this Agreement is or should be construed as a release by
Employee of, or an agreement by Employee not to sue on, any charges, complaints,
claims, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages,
costs, losses, debts, or expenses arising out of any matter, cause, acts,
conduct, claims, or events which may occur after the Effective Date.

7. No Admission of Liability or Wrongdoing:

         7.1 Company and Employee agree and acknowledge that this Agreement is
the result of a compromise and shall never at any time for any purpose be
construed as an admission of any liability or wrongdoing on the part of any
party. Company specifically disclaims any liability to Employee or to any other
person or entity.

8.       Confidentiality of Trade Secrets; Covenant Not to Compete

         8.1 During the term of Employee's employment by Company, Employee has
acquired knowledge of confidential and proprietary information regarding, among
other things, Company's products and intellectual property, Company's present
and future operations, its current or potential customers, pricing strategies,
its compensation and incentive programs for employees and the methods used by
Company and its employees. Employee hereby agrees that he shall not directly or
indirectly use or disclose, any of the Company's Trade Secrets, as defined
hereinafter, that he may have acquired during the term of his employment. The
term "Trade Secret" as used in this Agreement shall mean information including,
but not limited to, technical or non-technical data, a formula, a pattern, a
compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a process,
financial data, financial plans, product plans, or a list of actual or potential
customers which:

                  (a) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not
being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means
by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and

                  (b) is the subject of reasonable efforts by the Company to
maintain its secrecy.

         8.2 For a period of two (2) years following the Effective Date,
Employee agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Company, (A) he
will not, directly or indirectly, in the United States, participate as a sole
proprietor, partner, director, holder of more than five percent of the
outstanding voting shares, principal, executive, officer, manager, employee,
agent or consultant for any business which is in competition with any business
of the Company and (B) he shall not, on his own behalf or on behalf of any
person, firm or company, directly or indirectly, solicit or offer employment to
any person who has been employed by the Company at any time during the twelve
months immediately preceding such solicitation, and (C) he shall not, on his own
behalf or on behalf of any person, firm or company, solicit, call upon, or
otherwise communicate in any way with any client, customer, prospective client
or prospective customer of the Company for the purposes of causing or of
attempting to cause any such person to purchase products sold or services
rendered by the Company from any person other than the Company.

         8.3 Employee agrees and acknowledges that, if a violation of any
covenant contained in Section 8 occurs or is threatened, such violation or
threatened violation will cause irreparable injury to Company, that the remedy
at law for any such violation or threatened violation will be inadequate and
that Company shall be entitled to appropriate equitable relief.

<PAGE>

9. Property:

         9.1 Employee agrees, warrants and represents that within seven days of
execution of this Agreement he will return all records, files, memoranda,
reports, price lists, customer lists, employee lists, employee files, drawings,
plans, sketches, documents, and the like (together with all copies thereof)
relating to the business of the Company, which Employee shall have used or
prepared or come in contact with in the course of, or as a result of, his
employment and agrees that he shall not hereafter cause removal of such
materials from the premises of the Company. Employee further agrees that upon
execution of this Agreement he will return all files, notes, documents and the
like related to his employment, including but not limited to any audio tapes of
conversation(s) with any current of former Company employee(s). Employee further
warrants and represents that within seven days of execution of this Agreement he
will return all office equipment and other items, all Company credit cards,
keys, parking cards, and all other property of every type and description
belonging to Company.

10. No Disparaging Statement:

         10.1 Company and Employee shall refrain from making any disparaging
statement about the other or about any of Company's personnel.

11.      Voluntary Agreement:

         11.1 Employee represents and agrees that he has had a full and adequate
opportunity to discuss and consider any claims against the Company. Further,
Employee represents and agrees that: (1) this Agreement is written in a manner
that he understands; (2) this Agreement and the promises made in this Agreement
by Employee are granted in exchange for the consideration which is granted to
Employee in this Agreement; (3) Employee has been advised to and has had an
opportunity to consult with an attorney prior to deciding whether to enter into
this Agreement; and (4) Employee has been given at least twenty-one days within
which to consider this Agreement.

         11.2 This Agreement is executed with the full knowledge and
understanding on the part of Employee that there may be more serious
consequences, damages or injuries, which are not now known, and that any payment
or benefits conferred herein to Employee in consideration of this Agreement are
accepted as final. Employee further agrees and represents that it is within his
contemplation that he may have claims against Company of which, at the time of
the execution of this Agreement, he has no knowledge or suspicion, but he agrees
and represents that this Agreement extends to all claims in any way based upon,
connected with or related to the matters released herein, whether or not known,
claimed or suspected by him.

         11.3 Company and Employee represent and acknowledge that in executing
this Agreement, they did not rely upon and have not relied upon any written or
oral representations or statements not expressly a part hereof that have been
made by any party to this Agreement, or by the agents, representatives, or
attorneys of any party with regard to the subject matter, basis, or effect of
this Agreement.

12. Advised to Consult an Attorney:

         12.1 EMPLOYEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS
AGREEMENT.

13. Period for Review and Consideration:

         13.1 Employee acknowledges that he received a copy of this Agreement
and was given a period of twenty-one days in which to review, consider and
accept the Agreement.

14. Employee's Right to Revoke:

<PAGE>

         14.1 Employee is advised that he may revoke this Agreement within seven
days of signing it. Revocation must be made by delivering written notice of the
revocation to Mr. Mark E. Cline. If this Agreement is revoked by Employee in
this seven day period, the Agreement will not be effective and enforceable.

15.      Arbitration:

         15.1 Any disputes which may arise after the execution of this Agreement
between Company and Employee regarding the interpretation of this Agreement or
the parties' respective obligations hereunder will be submitted for binding
arbitration, to a single arbitrator selected by the American Arbitration
Association ("AAA"). The losing party to the arbitration shall bear the cost of
using the arbitrator selected by AAA. The arbitrator shall resolve the dispute
in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association; provided
however that within five (5) days of the hearing, the arbitrator shall render
and serve upon the parties to the arbitration a written opinion announcing a
decision.

         15.2 In the event that any dispute arises hereafter between or among
any party regarding the interpretation of this Agreement or obligations
hereunder, any arbitration procedure as set forth above must be initiated within
one (1) year of the date that the dispute arises.

16.      Entire Agreement:

         16.1 This Agreement sets forth the complete and exclusive statement of
the terms of the agreement between the parties hereto and fully supersedes any
and all prior agreements (oral or in writing) or understandings between the
parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof.

17.      Successors:

         17.1 This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee and upon his heirs,
administrators, representatives, executors, and assigns. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of Company and its successors, and past, current and future
fiduciaries, officers, directors, shareholders, administrators, agents,
employees, and assigns.

18. Governing Law:

         18.1 This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Arkansas.

19.      Modifications:

         19.1 This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written
instrument, signed by Company and Employee, that expressly sets forth the
parties' intention to amend or modify this Agreement. No condition, term, or
provision of this Agreement may be waived by any party except in writing, signed
by the party or its authorized representative, that expressly sets forth the
party's intention to waive a condition, term or provision of this Agreement.

20.      Severability:

         20.1 Should any provision of this Agreement be declared or be
determined by any court to be illegal or invalid, the validity of the remaining
parts, terms, or provisions shall be deemed not to be affected.

<PAGE>

21. Authority to Execute Agreement:

         21.1 Company represents and warrants that this instrument is a valid
and binding corporate action and that the person executing this instrument on
behalf of Company is duly authorized to do so on behalf of the Company.

EMPLOYEE                                             COMPANY

                                                     CYTOMEDIX, INC.

_________________________________                    _________________________
Kent T. Smith                                        Mark E. Cline
                                                     President

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