Document:

SECURITY AGREEMENT
     This  SECURITY  AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made and entered into as of
December  29,  2000,  by  and  between  Ascent  Pediatrics,  Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation  ("PLEDGOR"),  and  FS  Ascent  Investments  LLC, a Delaware limited
liability  company  ("PLEDGEE").
                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              -------------------
          WHEREAS,  contemporaneously  with  the  execution and delivery of this
Agreement, Pledgor and Pledgee are entering into a Loan Agreement dated the date
hereof  (the "INVESTMENTS/ASCENT LOAN AGREEMENT") under which Pledgee has agreed
to  lend  Pledgor  an  aggregate  of  up to six million dollars ($6,250,000) and
pursuant  to  which  Pledgor is executing and delivering to Pledgee a Promissory
Note  dated  the  date  hereof  (the  "INVESTMENTS/ASCENT  PROMISSORY  NOTE");

          WHEREAS,  Pledgor  owns  the product entitled "Primsol", Trimethroprim
hydrochloride  50  mg/5  ml  for the treatment of acute otitis media ("Primsol",
including  the  trademark  listed  on  Schedule  1  hereto);
                                       -----------

          WHEREAS, Pledgor has agreed to grant a security interest in certain of
its  assets  to  Pledgee to secure the Obligations (as defined herein) under the
Investments/Ascent  Loan  Agreement  and the Investments/Ascent Promissory Note.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  promises  and  of  the mutual
covenants  herein  contained  and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt  and  sufficiency  of  which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree  as  follows:
1.     DEFINED TERMS.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have
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the  respective  meanings  assigned  to  them:
          (a)     "EVENT  OF  DEFAULT"  shall  have the same meaning assigned to
such  term  in  the  Investment/Ascent  Loan  Agreement;

          (b)     "GOODWILL"  shall  mean  all  goodwill, trade secrets, product
dossiers,  proprietary  or  confidential  information,  technical  information,
procedures, formulae, quality control standards, designs, operation and training
manuals,  customer lists, distribution agreements and general intangibles now or
hereafter  owned by Pledgor insofar as any of the foregoing relates primarily to
Primsol;

          (c)     "GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORITY"  shall  mean  any  agency,
instrumentality,  department,  commission,  court,  tribunal  or  board  of  any
government,  whether  foreign  or domestic and whether national, federal, state,
provincial  or  local;
     (d)     "LICENSE AGREEMENT" shall mean the License Agreement dated the date
hereof,  between  Pledgor and Pledgee, substantially in the form attached hereto
as  Exhibit  A.
          (e)     "MATERIAL  ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean, when used in connection
with  Pledgor,  any  development, change or effect that is materially adverse to
the  business,  properties  (including,  without  limitation,  the  Collateral),
assets,  net  worth,  financial  condition,  results  of  operations  or  future
prospects  (including,  without  limitation, future equity value) of Pledgor and
its  subsidiaries  taken  as  a  whole;

          (f)     "OBLIGATIONS"  shall mean all obligations of Pledgor under the
Investments/Ascent Loan Agreement and the Investments/Ascent Note, including any
extension,  modification,  substitution,  amendment  or  renewal  thereof;

          (g)     "PERMITTED  LIEN"  shall have the same meaning as set forth in
the  Investments/Ascent  Loan  Agreement.

          (h)     "PRIMSOL  NDA"  shall  mean the New Drug Application issued by
the  U.S.  Food  and  Drug  Administration  permitting the manufacture, sale and
marketing  of  Primsol;

          (i)     "PRIMSOL  INVENTORY"  shall  mean,  insofar  as  it relates to
Primsol,  all  raw materials, work in-process, and finished inventory of Pledgor
of every type or description and all documents of title covering such inventory,
and  shall  specifically  include,  insofar  as  it  relates  to  Primsol,  all
"inventory"  as  such  term  is  defined  in  the UCC, now or hereafter owned by
Pledgor;

          (j)     "PRIMSOL  RECEIVABLES"  shall  mean,  insofar as it relates to
Primsol,  any  "account"  as  such  term  is  defined  in  the UCC, now owned or
hereafter  acquired  by Pledgor, including, but not limited to, all of Pledgor's
rights  to  payment  for  goods sold or leased or services performed by Pledgor,
whether  now  in  existence  or  arising from time to time hereafter, including,
without  limitation,  rights  evidenced  by an account, note, contract, security
agreement,  chattel  paper,  or  other  evidence  of  indebtedness  or security,
together  with:  (i) all security pledged, assigned, hypothecated, or granted to
or  held by Pledgor to secure the foregoing, (ii) all of Pledgor's right, title,
and interest in and to any goods, the sale of which gave rise thereto, (iii) all
guarantees,  endorsements, and indemnifications on, or of, any of the foregoing,
(iv) all powers of attorney for the execution of any evidence of indebtedness or
security  or  other  writing  in  connection  therewith, (v) all books, records,
ledger cards, and invoices relating thereto, (vi) all evidences of the filing of
financing  statements  and  other  statements  and  the  registration  of  other
instruments  in  connection  therewith  and amendments thereto, notices to other
creditors or secured parties, and certificates from filing or other registration
officers, (vii) all credit information, reports, and memoranda relating thereto,
and  (viii)  all  other  writings  related  in  any  way  to  the  foregoing;

          (k)     "PRIMSOL  TRADEMARK"  shall  mean  the  trademark  listed  in
Schedule  1; and (a) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any and all past,
       ----
present  and future infringements and misappropriations thereof, (b) all income,
royalties,  damages  and other payments now or hereafter due and/or payable with
respect  thereto  (including,  without limitation, payments under all agreements
and contracts entered into in connection therewith, and damages and payments for
past  or future infringements thereof) and (c) the right to use and register and
all  rights corresponding thereto and all other rights of any kind whatsoever of
Pledgor  accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto, together, in each case, with
the  goodwill of the business connected with the use of, and symbolized by, each
such  trademark, service mark, trade name, trade dress or other indicia of trade
origin;

          (l)     "TERMINATION  DATE"  shall  mean  the date on which all of the
Obligations  have  been  fully  paid  and  satisfied;

          (m)     "TOLL  MANUFACTURING AGREEMENT" shall mean the agreement dated
October 17, 1994, between Pledgor and Lyne Laboratories, Inc. ("LYNE"), pursuant
to  which  Primsol  is  manufactured  for  Pledgor;  and

     (n)     "UCC"  means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time
to  time,  be in effect in the State of Massachusetts; provided, however, in the
                                                       --------  -------
event  that,  by  reason  of  mandatory  provisions  of  law,  any or all of the
attachment,  perfection  or  priority  of  the  Bank's  security interest in the
Collateral  is  governed  by  the  Uniform  Commercial  Code  as  in effect in a
jurisdiction  other  than  the State of Massachusetts, the term "UCC" shall mean
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes
of the provisions hereof relating to such attachment, perfection or priority and
for  purposes  of  definitions  related  to  such  provisions.

     2.     GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.  As security for the prompt and complete
            --------------------------
payment  and  performance  when  due  of  all of the Obligations, Pledgor hereby
grants  a  continuing  first  priority  security  interest  in (a "LIEN") all of
Pledgor's  right, title and interest in, to and under, and the proceeds from the
following,  whether  presently  existing  or  hereafter  created  or  acquired
(collectively,  the  "COLLATERAL",  with  clauses  (a)  through  (d) below to be
referred  to  in  this  Agreement  as the "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL" and
clauses  (e)  through  (g) below as the "NON-INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL"):

     (a)     the  Primsol  Trademark;

          (b)     the  Goodwill;

          (c)     all  products  and  proceeds  of  the foregoing, including any
claim  or  proceeding of Pledgor against third parties for any (i) past, present
or future infringement, unfair competition, or dilution of the Primsol Trademark
and  (ii)  injury  to  the  Goodwill  associated  with  the  foregoing;

          (d)     the  Primsol  NDA;

          (e)     the  Toll  Manufacturing  Agreement;

          (f)     all  Primsol  Inventory;  and

          (g)     each  and  every  Primsol  Receivable.

     3.     REPRESENTATIONS  AND WARRANTIES.  Pledgor represents and warrants to
            -------------------------------
Pledgee,  that,  as  of  the  date  of  this  Assignment:

          (a)     Pledgor  does  not own any patent or trademark with respect to
Primsol that is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or
any  similar  offices  or  agencies of the United States, any state or territory
thereof,  or  any other country or political subdivision, other than the Primsol
Trademark;

          (b)     Pledgor  is  not  a  party  to,  or an assignee of a party to,
intellectual  property  license  agreement  with  respect  to  Primsol;

          (c)     Pledgor  does  not own any patent or trademark material to the
conduct  of  its Primsol business, other than the Primsol Trademark registration
(except  logos, prints, labels, designs, works, and general intangibles that are
not  and  cannot  be  registered  with  the  United  States Patent and Trademark
Office);

     (d)     Pledgor  owns  and has good and marketable title to, free and clear
of  all Liens, the Primsol Trademark; and has not granted any license, rights or
privileges in or to the Intellectual Property Collateral to any party, except as
otherwise  set  forth  herein;

          (e)     The  Primsol Trademark registration has been duly and properly
issued;

     (f)     The  Primsol  Trademark  is  valid,  in  use  and in full force and
effect;

     (g)     The  Primsol  Trademark  has  not  been  adjudged  invalid  or
unenforceable,  in  whole or in part by any court of competent jurisdiction; nor
has  any  holding,  decision  or  judgment  been  rendered  by  any Governmental
Authority  which would limit, cancel or question the validity, registrability or
enforceability  of  the  Primsol  Trademark  in  the  applicable  jurisdictions;

     (h)     No  action or proceeding is pending or, to the Company's knowledge,
threatened (i) seeking to limit, cancel or question the Company's ability to use
the  Intellectual Property Collateral in any jurisdiction or (ii) which would be
reasonably  likely  to  have  a  Material  Adverse  Effect  on  the value of the
Intellectual  Property  Collateral  throughout  the  world.

          (i)     Pledgor  has  not  commenced  and does not currently intend to
commence  any  suit or action against others in connection with the violation or
enforcement  of  its  rights  in  any  of  the Intellectual Property Collateral;

          (j)     Pledgor  is  and  shall  at  all  times  remain  the  sole and
exclusive  owner of the entire and unencumbered right, title and interest in and
to  the  Primsol  Trademark, free and clear of any Liens, including licenses and
covenants  by  Pledgor  not  to  sue  third  persons, except for the interest of
Pledgee  under  this  Agreement  or  the  interest of any person holding through
Pledgee;

          (k)     Pledgor  will  enter into written agreements as necessary with
each of its present and future employees, and consultants that will enable it to
comply  with  the  covenants  herein  contained;

     (l)     To Pledgor's knowledge, no Person other than Pledgor has claimed or
is  claiming  it  either  owns  any  right,  title  or  interest  in the Primsol
Trademark,  or  has any right, title or interest superior to Pledgor's rights in
the  Primsol  Trademark  (other  than  as  in  (j));

     (m)     Except  as  identified herein, Pledgor has not granted any release,
covenant  not  to  sue, or non-assertion assurance to any Person with respect to
the  Primsol  Trademark;

     (n)     The  Primsol  NDA is in full force and effect and is not subject to
any  "warning  letters" or other enforcement actions by or on behalf of the U.S.
Food  and  Drug  Administration.

     (o)     The  Toll  Manufacturing  Agreement  is a valid and legally binding
obligation  of  Pledgor and, Pledgor's knowledge, Lyne, and neither the Pledgor,
nor  to  the  Pledgor's  knowledge,  Lyne  is  in  default under said agreement;

     (p)     Pledgor  is  the  sole  owner  of  the  Non-Intellectual  Property
Collateral,  free  and clear of any Lien thereon, except for the Lien created by
this  Agreement  or  the  interest  of  any  person  holding  through  Pledgee;
(q)     Pledgor  has  the  legal  right  to  grant  a  security  interest in the
Non-Intellectual  Property  Collateral,  as  provided  for  in  this  Agreement;
(r)     No  security  agreement,  financing  statement or equivalent security or
lien  instrument  or  continuation  statement  covering  all  or any part of the
Non-Intellectual  Property  Collateral  is  on  file  or of record in any public
office,  except  for  the  Lien created by this Agreement or the interest of any
person  holding  through  Pledgee;
(s)     No consent, approval, authorization or other order of any person, and no
consent,  authorization, approval, or other action by and no notice to or filing
with, any Governmental Authority is required (i) for the execution, delivery and
performance  of  this  Agreement  or  (ii)  for  the  Pledgor's grant a security
interest  in  the  Collateral;
(t)     The Pledgor's grant of a security interest in the Collateral pursuant to
this  Agreement  creates a valid and continuing Lien on and a perfected security
interest  in  such  Collateral and the proceeds thereof, securing the payment of
the  Obligations,  subject  to no prior Lien other than the Permitted Liens; and
(u)     This  Agreement  has  been  duly  executed  and delivered by Pledgor and
constitutes  a  legal,  valid  and  binding obligation of Pledgor enforceable in
accordance  with  its  terms,  except  as  enforceability  may  be  limited  by
bankruptcy,  insolvency, or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors
generally  or  by  the  application  of  general  equity  principles.
     4.     COVENANTS.
            ---------

          (a)     In  no  event  shall  Pledgor, either by itself or through any
employee,  licensee or designee, file an application for the registration of any
Intellectual  Property  Collateral  with  the United States Patent and Trademark
Office or any similar office or agency in the United States or any other country
or  any  political subdivision thereof without giving Pledgee and Alpharma USPD,
Inc.,  a  Maryland  corporation  ("Alpharma"), prior written notice thereof and,
upon  the request of Pledgee or Alpharma, Pledgor shall execute and deliver, for
filing  with  any  such  office or agency as Pledgee and Alpharma may reasonably
deem  appropriate,  (i)  an  amendment to this Agreement adding a description of
such  Intellectual  Property  Collateral  to  Schedule  1  and  (ii)  any  other
                                              -----------
agreements,  instruments,  documents  and  papers  as  Pledgee  and Alpharma may
reasonably  request  to  evidence  Pledgee's  Lien on such Intellectual Property
Collateral;

          (b)     Subject  to  Section  4(a)  hereof,  Pledgor  shall  take  all
reasonable  actions  to  maintain  and  pursue  each  application, to obtain the
relevant  registration,  and  to  maintain  the  registration  of  all  of  the
Intellectual  Property  Collateral  that is material to the conduct of Pledgor's
business with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or other appropriate
filing office or agency in which registration is necessary to protect its rights
therein,  including  the  filing of applications for renewal, affidavits of use,
affidavits  of incontestability and opposition and interference and cancellation
proceedings.

          (c)     In  the  event  that  any  of  Pledgor's  rights  under  any
Intellectual  Property Collateral are infringed, misappropriated or diluted by a
third  party,  Pledgor  (i)  shall notify Pledgee and Alpharma promptly after it
learns  thereof,  (ii)  unless  Pledgor  shall  reasonably  determine  that such
Intellectual Property Collateral is not material to the conduct of its business,
shall promptly sue such party for infringement, misappropriation or dilution and
recover any and all damages for such infringement, misappropriation or dilution,
and  (iii)  shall  take  such  other  actions  as  Pledgor shall reasonably deem
appropriate  under  the  circumstances  to  protect  such  Intellectual Property
Collateral.

          (d)     Pledgor  shall  promptly  notify  Pledgee  and  Alpharma,  in
writing,  of  any  suit,  action  or  proceeding brought against it relating to,
concerned  with  or  affecting  any  of  the  Collateral  which,  if  determined
adversely,  is  likely to have a Material Adverse Effect and shall, upon request
by Pledgee or Alpharma, deliver to Pledgee and Alpharma a copy of all pleadings,
papers,  orders,  or  decrees  theretofore or thereafter filed in any such suit,
action  or  proceeding,  and  shall  keep Pledgee and Alpharma fully advised and
informed,  in  writing,  of the progress of any such suit, action or proceeding;

          (e)     Pledgor  shall  notify  Pledgee and Alpharma immediately if it
knows or has reason to know (i) that any application or registration relating to
any  Intellectual  Property  Collateral  that  is material to the conduct of its
business may become abandoned or dedicated or (ii) that there has been or likely
may be an adverse determination or development (including the institution of, or
any adverse determination or development in, any proceeding in the United States
Patent  and  Trademark  Office  or any court) regarding (A) its ownership of any
Intellectual  Property  Collateral  that  is  material  to  the  conduct  of its
business,  (B)  its  right to register such Intellectual Property Collateral, or
(C)  its  right  to  keep  and  maintain  such Intellectual Property Collateral;

          (f)     Pledgor  shall, from time to time at its own expense, promptly
execute,  deliver,  file  and  record  all further instruments, endorsements and
other  documents, and take such further action consistent with the terms of this
Agreement,  as  may be required by law for  Pledgee or Alpharma to obtain, or as
Pledgee  or  Alparma  may deem necessary in obtaining, the full benefits of this
Agreement  and  of  the  rights,  remedies and powers herein granted, including,
without  limitation,  (i)  the  filing  of  any  financing  statements,  in form
reasonably acceptable to Pledgee and Alpharma, under the Uniform Commercial Code
in  effect  in  any  jurisdiction with respect to the security interests granted
hereby;  (ii)  furnish  to Pledgee and Alpharma from time to time statements and
schedules  further  identifying  and  describing  the  Collateral and such other
reports  in connection with the Collateral as Pledgee or Alpharma may reasonably
request, all in reasonable detail and in form reasonably satisfactory to Pledgee
and Alpharma; (iii) execute and deliver the Trademark Assignment and cause it to
be  duly filed on an expedited basis with the United States Patent and Trademark
Office;  and  (iv)  execute  and  deliver any other trademark security agreement
relating  to  the  Primsol Trademark cause it to be perfected outside the United
States;

     (g)     Pledgor  will  mark  its  books  and  records  pertaining  to  such
Collateral  to  evidence this Agreement and the Lien on and security interest in
such  Collateral  granted  by  this  Agreement;  and
(h)     Except  as provided hereunder, Pledgor will not create, permit or suffer
to  exist, and will defend the Collateral against, and take such other action as
is  necessary  to  remove, any Lien on such Non-Intellectual Property Collateral
and  will defend the right, title and interest of Pledgee and Alpharma in and to
any  of  such  Pledgor's  rights  in  and  to  the  interests  comprising  such
Non-Intellectual  Property  Collateral  against  the  claims  and demands of all
persons  whomsoever.
     5.     PLEDGEE'S  APPOINTMENT  AS  ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.
            --------------------------------------------

     (a)     Pledgor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Pledgee and any
officer  or  agent  thereof,  with  full  power of substitution, as its true and
lawful  attorney-in-fact  with full irrevocable power and authority in the place
and stead of Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor or in its own name, from time to
time  in Pledgee's discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this
Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute and deliver any
and  all  documents  and  instruments  which  may  be  necessary or desirable to
accomplish  the purposes of this Agreement and, without limitation, hereby gives
Pledgee  the  power and right, on behalf of Pledgor, without notice to or assent
by  Pledgor  to  pay  or  discharge  taxes,  Liens,  security interests or other
encumbrances  levied  or  placed  on  or  threatened  against  the  Collateral;
          (b)     Pledgee agrees that, except upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default,  it  will  forebear from exercising the power of attorney or any rights
granted  to  Pledgee  pursuant to this Section 5.  The power of attorney granted
pursuant  to  this  Section  5  is a power coupled with an interest and shall be
irrevocable  until  the Obligations are indefeasibly paid and satisfied in full;

     (c)     The  powers  conferred  on  Pledgee hereunder are solely to protect
Pledgee's  and  Alpharma's  interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any
duty upon it to exercise any such powers.  Pledgee shall be accountable only for
amounts that it actually receives as a result of the exercise of such powers and
neither  it  nor  any  of  its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be
responsible  to  Pledgor for any act or failure to act, except for its own gross
negligence  or  willful  misconduct;  and
(d)     Pledgor  authorizes  Pledgee, at any time and from time to time upon the
occurrence  of any Event of Default, to execute any endorsements, assignments or
other  instruments  of  conveyance  or  transfer with respect to the Collateral.
     6.     REMEDIES,  RIGHTS  UPON  DEFAULT.
            --------------------------------

     (a)     If  any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, in addition
to all other rights and remedies granted to Pledgee in this Agreement and in any
other  instrument  or  agreement  securing,  evidencing  or  relating  to  the
Obligations:  (i)  Pledgee  may  exercise  all  rights and remedies of a secured
party  under  the  UCC;  (ii)  Pledgor  hereby grants to Pledgee an irrevocable,
non-exclusive  license  (exercisable  without  payment  of  royalty  or  other
compensation  to  Pledgor)  (A)  to  use,  license  or  sublicense  any  of  the
Intellectual  Property Collateral now owned or hereafter acquired by Pledgor and
wherever  the  same  may be located and (B) to have access to all media in which
any  of  the  licensed  items  may  be  recorded  or stored and all computer and
automatic  machinery  software and programs used for the compilation or printout
thereof  and  (iii)  Pledgee's  rights  under  the License Agreement will become
effective.
(b)     Pledgor hereby waives presentment, demand, protest or any notice (to the
maximum  extent permitted by applicable law) of any kind in connection with this
Agreement  or  the  Collateral.
     7.     APPLICATION  OF  PROCEEDS.  Upon  the  occurrence  of  an  Event  of
            -------------------------
Default,  Pledgee shall apply all the proceeds of any sale, disposition or other
realization upon all or any part of the Collateral to the Obligations as Pledgee
may  determine.
     8.     USE  AND  PROTECTION  OF  INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY  COLLATERAL.
            ------------------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding  anything  to  the contrary contained herein, unless an Event of
Default  has  occurred  and is continuing, Pledgor may continue to use, exploit,
license,  enjoy and protect the Intellectual Property Collateral in the ordinary
course of its business, and Pledgee shall from time to time execute and deliver,
upon  the  reasonable  written  request  of  Pledgor,  any  and all instruments,
certificates  or  other  documents,  in  the  form  so  requested,  that  in the
reasonable judgment of Pledgor are necessary or appropriate to permit Pledgor to
continue  to  do  so.

     9.     TERMINATION  AND  RELEASE.  On  the  Termination Date, the rights of
            -------------------------
Pledgee  hereunder  shall  terminate  and  Pledgee  shall execute and deliver to
Pledgor  all  releases, powers of attorney other instruments as may be necessary
or  proper  to  terminate the Lien granted to Pledgee hereunder and to revest in
Pledgor  full  title to the Collateral, subject to any disposition thereof which
may  have  been  made  by  Pledgee  pursuant  thereto.

     10.     REINSTATEMENT.  This  Agreement  shall  remain  in  full  force and
             -------------
effect  and  continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against
Pledgor  for  liquidation  or reorganization, should Pledgor become insolvent or
make  an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee
by  appointed  for  all  or  any significant part of Pledgor's assets, and shall
continue  to  be  effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if it any time
payment and performance of the Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to
applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or
returned  by  any obligee of the Obligations, whether as a "voidable preference"
or  "fraudulent  conveyance"  under  the  Bankruptcy  Code, or otherwise, all as
though  such  payment  or  performance had not been made.  In the event that any
payment,  or  part  thereof,  is  rescinded, reduced, restored, or returned, the
Obligations  shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and
not  so  rescinded,  reduced,  restored  or  returned.

     11.     NOTICES.  Except as otherwise provided herein, any notice hereunder
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shall  be  in writing, and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or
delivered  upon  receipt  after  transmittal  by  hand  or by Federal Express or
similar  service,  or  by  facsimile  transmission,  or five business days after
deposit in the United States mail, registered mail, with proper postage prepaid,
and  addressed  to  the party to be notified at the following addresses (or such
other  address  as  such  party  shall  designate  by  notice to the other party
hereunder):

     If  to  Pledgee,  to:
               FS  Ascent  Investments  LLC
          c/o  FS  Private  Investments  LLC
          55  East  52nd  Street
          New  York,  New  York  10055-0002
          Attention:  James  L.  Luikart
          Facsimile:  (212)  409-5874

     with  a  copy  (which  shall  not  constitute  notice)  to:

          Stroock  &  Stroock  &  Lavan  LLP
          180  Maiden  Lane
          New  York,  New  York  10038
          Attention:  Melvin  Epstein,  Esq.
          Facsimile:  (212)  806-6006

with  a  copy  (which  shall  not  constitute  notice)  to:

          Alpharma  Inc.
          One  Executive  Drive
          Fort  Lee,  New  Jersey  07024
          Attention:  Chief  Legal  Officer
          Facsimile:  (201)  592-1481

     If  to  Pledgor,  to:
               Ascent  Pediatrics,  Inc.
          187  Ballardvale  Street,  Suite  B125
          Willmington,  Massachusetts  01887
          Attention:  Chief  Executive  Officer
          Facsimile:  (978)  658-3939

     with  a  copy  (which  shall  not  constitute  notice)  to:
               Hale  and  Dorr  LLP
          60  State  Street
          Boston,  Massachusetts  02109-1803
          Attention:  Stuart  Falber
          Facsimile:  (617)  526-5000

Failure  to  deliver any copies pursuant to this Section 11 shall not impair the
validity  of  any  notice  otherwise  complying  therewith.
     12.     SEVERABILITY.  Any  provision of this Agreement which is prohibited
             ------------
or  unenforceable  in  any  jurisdiction  shall,  as  to  such  jurisdiction, be
ineffective  to  the  extent  of  such  prohibition  or unenforceability without
invalidating  the  remaining  provisions  hereof,  and  any  such prohibition or
unenforceability  in  any  jurisdiction  shall  not  invalidate  or  render
unenforceable  such  provision in any other jurisdiction or affect the remainder
of  this  Agreement.
13.     GOVERNING  LAW.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by, and be construed
        --------------
and  enforced  in  accordance  with, the internal laws of the State of New York,
without  regard  to  the  provisions  thereof  relating  to  conflict  of  laws.
14.     CONTINUING  ASSIGNMENT.  This  Agreement  shall  create  a  continuing
        ----------------------
assignment  of,  Lien on and security interest in each and all of the Collateral
and  shall:  (a) remain in full force and effect until the Termination Date; (b)
be binding upon Pledgor, its successors and permitted assigns, as applicable and
(c) inure to the benefit of Pledgee and its successors, transferees and assigns.
Pledgor  may  not  assign  or  transfer any or all of its rights and obligations
hereunder  without  the  express  written  consent  of  Pledgee.
15.     SUCCESSORS  AND  ASSIGNS.  This  Agreement shall be binding upon Pledgor
        ------------------------
and  shall  inure  to  the  benefit  of,  and be enforceable by, Pledgee and its
successors  and  assigns.  For  the  avoidance  of doubt, Pledgee may assign its
rights  under  this  Agreement  to  Alpharma  or  any  of Alpharma's affiliates.
16.     AMENDMENTS.  None  of  the  terms or provisions of this Agreement may be
        ----------
waived,  altered,  modified  or amended except in writing duly signed for and on
behalf  of  Pledgee  and  Pledgor.
17.     COUNTERPARTS.  This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  any  number  of
        ------------
counterparts,  each  of  which  shall  be  deemed  an  original but all of which
        -
together  shall  constitute  one  and  the  same  instrument.
18.     ACCEPTANCE  OF  FACSIMILE  SIGNATURES.  The  parties  agree  that  this
        -------------------------------------
Agreement  will  be considered signed when the signature of a party is delivered
by  facsimile  transmission.  Such  facsimile  signature shall be treated in all
respects  as  having  the  same  effect  as  an  original  signature.
<PAGE>
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be  executed  and  delivered  by such party or its duly authorized office on the
date  first  set  forth  above.
ASCENT  PEDIATRICS,  INC.
By:      /s/  Emmett  Clemente
        ----------------------
Name:  Emmett  Clemente
Title:    Chief  Executive  Officer

          FS  ASCENT  INVESTMENTS  LLC

                                   By:  FS  PRIVATE  INVESTMENTS,  LLC,
                                        MANAGER

By:      /s/  James  Luikart
        --------------------
          Name:  James  L.  Luikart
          Title:    Managing  Member

<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE  I
                                   -----------

                              INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
                              ---------------------

PRIMSOL  TRADEMARK:
------------------

Registration  No.  1941818,  issued  by  the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on
December  12,  1995

<PAGE>
                                     ------
                                    EXHIBIT A
                                    ---------

[License  Agreement]<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                             --------------------

     This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made as of May 30, 2000,
between Cypress Financial Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"),
and Manuel Occiano ("Executive").

                                   RECITALS:
                                   --------

     The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Executive
are conditions to the purchase 15,000,000 shares of the common stock of the
Company by FBR Financial Fund II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership pursuant
to a purchase agreement of even date.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.   Employment.  The Company shall employ Executive, and Executive hereby
          ----------
accepts employment with the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement for the period beginning on the date hereof and ending as
provided in paragraph 5 hereof (the "Employment Period").

     2.   Position and Duties.
          -------------------

     (a)  The Company hereby engages Executive as the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company.  During the Employment Period, Executive shall render services to
the Company and its Affiliates (as defined below) as the Company's board of
directors (the "Board") may from time to time direct.  The Board shall assign
Executive to a position or office commensurate with his experience and prior
positions and having such authority and duties as the Board may prescribe.

     (b)  During the Employment Period, Executive shall report to the Board and
shall devote his best efforts and his full business time and attention (except
for permitted vacation periods and reasonable periods of illness or other
incapacity) to the business and affairs of the Company and its Affiliates.
Executive shall perform his duties, responsibilities and functions to the
Company and its Affiliates hereunder to the best of his abilities in a diligent,
trustworthy, businesslike and efficient manner.

     3.   Compensation and Benefits.
          -------------------------

     (a)  During the Employment Period, Executive's base salary shall be
$250,000.00 per annum or such other rate as the Board may determine from time to
-----------
time (as adjusted from time to time, the "Base Salary"), which salary shall be
payable by the Company in regular installments in accordance with the Company's
general payroll practices.  In addition, during the Employment Period, Executive
shall be entitled to participate in all of the Company's employee welfare
benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Company and its
Affiliates are generally eligible, and Executive shall be entitled to four weeks
of paid vacation each year, which if not taken during any year may not be
carried forward to any subsequent year.

                                       1
<PAGE>

      (b) In addition to the Base Salary, the Board may, in its sole discretion,
award a bonus to Executive following the end of each fiscal year during the
Employment Period based upon Executive's performance and the Company's operating
results during such year.

      (c) Executive shall be entitled to payment of up to $750.00 per month to
reimburse Executive for use of an automobile.

      (d) Executive shall be entitled to such fringe benefits and perquisites as
are generally made available to executive officers of the Company, and such
other fringe benefits as may be approved by the Board for executive officers of
the Company during the term hereof.

      (e) During the Employment Period, the Company shall reimburse Executive
for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in the course of performing his
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement which are consistent with the
Company's policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel,
entertainment and other business expenses, subject to the Company's requirements
with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

      (f) All amounts payable to Executive as compensation hereunder shall be
subject to all required withholding by the Company.

      4.  Board Membership.  Following the consummation of the closing of the
          ----------------
Company's purchase of the stock and assets of Orange County Professional
Services, Inc. and its related affiliates, with respect to all regular elections
of directors during the Employment Period, the Company shall nominate, and use
its reasonable efforts to cause the election of, Executive to serve as a member
of the Board.  Upon the termination or expiration  of the Employment Period,
Executive shall resign as a director of the Company and its Affiliates, as the
case may be.

      5.  Term.
          ----

      (a) Subject to prior termination of this Agreement as hereinafter
provided, the Employment Period shall end on May 30, 2003 and shall
automatically be renewed on the same terms and conditions set forth herein as
modified from time to time by the parties hereto for additional one-year periods
beginning on June 1, 2003, unless the Company or Executive gives the other party
written notice of the election not to renew the Employment Period at least 60
days prior to any such renewal date;  provided that (i) the Employment Period
shall terminate prior to such date immediately upon Executive's resignation,
death or inability to perform the essential duties, responsibilities and
functions of Executive's position with the Company and its Affiliates as a
result of any mental or physical disability or incapacity even with reasonable
accommodations of such disability or incapacity provided by the Company and its
Affiliates or if providing such accommodations would be unreasonable (as
determined by the Board in its good faith judgment) and (ii) the Employment
Period may be terminated by the Company at any time prior to such date for Cause
(as defined below) or without Cause.  Except as otherwise provided herein, any
termination of the Employment Period by the Company shall be effective as
specified in a written notice from the Company to Executive.

      (b) If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company without Cause or
Executive Resigned for Good Reason (as defined below), Executive shall be
entitled to continue to receive his Base Salary payable in regular installments
for 180 after the date of termination or

                                       2
<PAGE>

resignation (the "Severance Period"), if and only if Executive has executed and
delivered to the Company the General Release substantially in form and substance
as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and only so long as Executive has not
                ---------
breached the provisions of paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 hereof, and Executive shall not
be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits after termination of
the Employment Period.

      (c) If the Employment Period is terminated by the Company for Cause or is
terminated pursuant to clause (a)(i) above, Executive shall only be entitled to
receive his Base Salary through the date of termination and shall not be
entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits from the Company or its
Affiliates thereafter.

      (d) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all of Executive's
rights to salary, bonuses, fringe benefits and other compensation hereunder
which accrue or become payable after the termination or expiration of the
Employment Period shall cease upon such termination or expiration, other than
those expressly required under applicable law (such as COBRA).  The Company may
offset any amounts Executive owes it or its Affiliates against any amounts it or
its Affiliates owes Executive hereunder.

      (e) For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) commission of a
felony or other crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other
act or omission involving dishonesty, disloyalty or fraud with respect to the
Company or any of its Affiliates or any of their customers, (ii) reporting to
work under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, the use of illegal drugs
(whether or not at the workplace) or other repeated conduct causing the Company
or any of its Affiliates substantial public disgrace or disrepute or economic
harm, (iii) substantial and repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably
directed by the Board, (iv) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect
to the Company or any of its Affiliates or (v) any material breach of this
Agreement.

      (f) For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed to have
"Resigned for Good Reason" if the Executive shall have resigned from all of his
positions as employee, officer, director of the Company and its Affiliates
within 60 days after the occurrence of any of the following events:

          (i)   If the Executive is an officer of the Company, the Executive is
removed from that post except for the purposes of assuming another post in the
Company, which other post the Executive accepts.

          (ii)  The imposition on the Executive of a requirement to relocate the
site of his employment by the Company to a place more than 100 miles from the
site of his present employment.

          (iii) A reduction in the Executive's base salary from the Company,
which reduction continues after the Executive has protested in writing to the
Board, referring to this Agreement.

      6.  Confidential Information.  Executive acknowledges that the
          ------------------------
information, observations and data (including trade secrets) obtained by him
while employed by the Company and its Affiliates concerning the business or
affairs of the Company and any of its Affiliates

                                       3
<PAGE>

("Confidential Information") are the property of the Company or such Affiliate.
Therefore, Executive agrees that he shall not disclose to any unauthorized
person or use for his own purposes any Confidential Information without the
prior written consent of the Board, unless and to the extent that the
Confidential Information becomes generally known to and available for use by the
public other than as a result of Executive's acts or omissions. Executive shall
deliver to the Company at the termination or expiration of the Employment
Period, or at any other time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes,
plans, records, reports, computer tapes, printouts and software and other
documents and data (and copies thereof) embodying or relating to the
Confidential Information, Work Product (as defined below) or the business of the
Company and its Affiliates which he may then possess or have under his control.

      7.  Inventions and Patents.  Executive acknowledges that all inventions,
          ----------------------
innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings,
reports and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) which
relate to the Company's or any of its Affiliates' actual or anticipated
business, research and development or existing or future products or services
and which are conceived, developed or made by Executive while employed by the
Company and its Affiliates ("Work Product") belong to the Company or such
Affiliate. Executive shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Board and,
at the Company's expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board
(whether during or after the Employment Period) to establish and confirm such
ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of
attorney and other instruments). If applicable, this Agreement does not apply to
inventions which qualify fully for protection under Section 2870 of the
California Labor Code (which, if applicable, could apply to ideas or inventions
for which no equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of the
Company or its Affiliates were used and which were developed entirely on
Executive's own time, and (i) which do not relate at the time of conception or
reduction to practice of the invention (A) to the actual business of the Company
or its Affiliates, or (B) to the Company or its Affiliates actual or
demonstratably anticipated research or development or (ii) which do not result
from any work performed by Executive for the Company or its Affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall disclose in confidence to the
Company any invention in order to permit the Company to make a determination as
to compliance by Executive with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

      8.  Exclusive Services, Non-Solicitation.
          ------------------------------------

      (a) In further consideration of the compensation to be paid to Executive
hereunder, Executive acknowledges that in the course of his employment with the
Company and its Affiliates he shall become familiar with the Company's trade
secrets and with other Confidential Information concerning the Company and its
Affiliates and that his services shall be of special, unique and extraordinary
value to the Company and its Affiliates.  Therefore, Executive agrees that,
during the Employment Period and during such time as Executive may render
consulting services pursuant to paragraph 9, he shall not directly or indirectly
own any interest in, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render
services for, or in any manner engage in any business competing with the
businesses of the Company or its Affiliates, as such businesses exist or are in
process during the Employment Period on the date of the termination or
expiration of the Employment Period.  Nothing herein shall prohibit Executive
from being a passive owner of not more than 2% of the outstanding stock of any
class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as Executive has no
active participation in the business of such corporation.

                                       4
<PAGE>

      (b) During the Employment Period (and during such time as Executive may
render consulting services pursuant to paragraph 9) and for two years
thereafter, Executive shall not directly or indirectly through another person or
entity (i) induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company or any
Affiliate to leave the employ of the Company or such Affiliate, or in any way
interfere with the relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and any
employee thereof, (ii) hire any person who was an employee of the Company or any
Affiliate at any time during the Employment Period or two years thereafter or
(iii) induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor,
franchisee or other business relation of the Company or any Affiliate to cease
doing business with the Company or such Affiliate, or in any way interfere with
the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business
relation and the Company or any Affiliate (including, without limitation, making
any negative or disparaging statements or communications regarding the Company
or its Affiliates).

      9.  Option to Hire Executive as Consultant.  Upon the expiration or
          --------------------------------------
termination of Executive's employment under this Agreement, the Company shall
have the option to engage Executive as a consultant on a yearly basis for up to
three consecutive years.  As a consultant, Executive's duties shall include
those matters reasonably requested by the Board but which  will not interfere
(as to time required) with the opportunity to maintain other employment
consistent with this paragraph 9.  For each year that Executive provides
consulting services to the Company and its Affiliates pursuant to the option of
the Company contained in this paragraph 9, the Company shall pay Executive the
sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000), payable in twelve (12) installments
which are to be paid at the end of each month.  The parties expressly agree that
when Executive is performing consulting services for the Company and its
Affiliates, Executive is acting as an independent contractor.  Therefore,
Executive shall be solely liable for Social Security and income taxes which
result from Executive's compensation as a consultant.  In addition, Executive
shall not be entitled to any other benefits including, without limitation, such
group medical, life and disability insurance and other benefits as may be
provided to employees of the Company or its Affiliates.

      10. Enforcement.  If, at the time of enforcement of paragraph 6, 7 or 8 of
          -----------
this Agreement, a court holds that the restrictions stated herein are
unreasonable under circumstances then existing, the parties hereto agree that
the maximum period, scope or geographical area reasonable under such
circumstances shall be substituted for the stated period, scope or area.
Because Executive's services are unique and because Executive has access to
Confidential Information and Work Product, the parties hereto agree that money
damages would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of this Agreement.
Therefore, in the event a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, the
Company or its successors or assigns, in addition to other rights and remedies
existing in their favor, shall be entitled to specific performance and/or
injunctive or other equitable relief from a court of competent jurisdiction in
order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without
posting a bond or other security).  Executive acknowledges that the restrictions
contained in paragraph 8 are reasonable and that he has had an opportunity to
review the provisions of this Agreement with his legal counsel.

      11. Executive's Representations.  Executive hereby represents and warrants
          ---------------------------
to the Company that (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or
cause a default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or
decree to which Executive is a party or by which he is bound, (ii)

                                       5
<PAGE>

Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, noncompete
agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person or entity, except
for that certain Separation and Release Agreement between Executive and the
Company, and (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of Executive,
enforceable in accordance with its terms. Executive hereby acknowledges and
represents that he has had an opportunity to consult with independent legal
counsel regarding his rights and obligations under this Agreement and that he
fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

      12. Survival.  Paragraphs 5 through 21 shall survive and continue in full
          --------
force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding the expiration or
termination of the Employment Period.

      13. Notices.  Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in
          -------
writing and shall be either personally delivered, sent by reputable overnight
courier service or mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the
recipient at the address below indicated:

      Notices to Executive:

      Manuel Occiano
      5400 Orange Avenue
      Cypress, CA  90630

      Notices to the Company:

      Cypress Financial Services, Inc.
      5400 Orange Avenue
      Cypress, CA  90630
      attn: Chief Financial Officer

      With a copy to:

      FBR Financial Fund II, L.P.
      c/o Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Investment Management, Inc.
      Potomac Tower
      1001 Nineteenth Street North
      Arlington, VA 22209
      attn: George L. McCabe, Jr.

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.  Any
notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so
delivered, sent or mailed.

      14. Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
          ------------
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not

                                       6
<PAGE>

affect any other provision or any action in any other jurisdiction, but this
Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if
such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein.

      15. Complete Agreement.  This Agreement embodies the complete agreement
          ------------------
and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior
understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written
or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

      16. No Strict Construction.  The language used in this Agreement shall be
          ----------------------
deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual
intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

      17. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in separate
          ------------
counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together constitute one and the same agreement.

      18. Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement is intended to bind and inure
          ----------------------
to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, the Company and their
respective heirs, successors and assigns, except that Executive may not assign
his rights or delegate his duties or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of the Company.

      19. Choice of Law.  All issues and questions concerning the construction,
          -------------
validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and
schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
laws of the State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or
conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of California or any
other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of California.

      20. Amendment and Waiver.  The provisions of this Agreement may be amended
          --------------------
or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company (as approved by the
Board) and Executive, and no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure
or delay by any party hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of
this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Company's right to terminate
the Employment Period for Cause) shall affect the validity, binding effect or
enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed to be an implied waiver of any
provision of this Agreement.

      21. Arbitration.  Except with respect to disputes or claims under
          -----------
paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 hereof (which may be pursued in any court of competent
jurisdiction as specified below and with respect to which each party shall bear
the cost of its own attorney's fees and expenses except as otherwise required by
applicable law), each party hereto agrees that the arbitration procedure set
forth in Exhibit B hereto shall be the sole and exclusive method for resolving
any claim or dispute ("Claim") arising out of or relating to the rights and
obligations acknowledged and agreed to in this Agreement and the employment of
Executive by the Company and its Affiliates (including, without limitation,
disputes and claims regarding employment discrimination, sexual harassment,
termination and discharge), whether such Claim arose or the facts on which such
Claim is based occurred prior to or after the execution and delivery of adoption
of this

                                       7
<PAGE>

Agreement. The parties agree that the result of any arbitration hereunder shall
be final, conclusive and binding on all of the parties. Nothing in this
paragraph shall prohibit a party hereto from instituting litigation to enforce
any "Final Determination" (as defined in Exhibit B hereto). Each party hereto
hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any United States District
Court or California state court of competent jurisdiction sitting in Orange
County, California, and agrees that such court shall be the exclusive forum with
respect to disputes and claims under paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 and for the
enforcement of any Final Determination. Each party hereto irrevocably consents
to service of process by registered mail or personal service and waives any
objection on the grounds of personal jurisdiction, venue or inconvenience of the
forum. Each party hereto further agrees that each other party hereto may
initiate litigation in any court of competent jurisdiction to execute any
judicial judgment enforcing a Final Determination.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.

                              CYPRESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

                              By:    ________________________________
                              Name:  ________________________________
                              Title: ________________________________

                              _______________________________________
                              MANUEL OCCIANO

                                       8
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit A

                                GENERAL RELEASE
                                ---------------

     I, Manuel Occiano, in consideration of and subject to the performance by
Cypress Financial Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation (together with its
Affiliates, the "Company"), of its material obligations under the Employment
Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2000 (the "Agreement"), do hereby release and
forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company, its Affiliates and all
present and former directors, officers, agents, representatives, employees,
successors and assigns of the Company and its Affiliates and the Company's
direct or indirect owners (collectively, the "Released Parties") to the extent
provided below.

1.   I understand that any payments or benefits paid or granted to me under
     paragraph 5(b) of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for
     signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which
     I was already entitled.  I understand and agree that I will not receive the
     payments and benefits specified in paragraph 5(b) of the Agreement unless I
     execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within
     the time period permitted hereafter or breach this General Release.

2.   Except as provided in paragraph 4 below, I knowingly and voluntarily
     release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties
     from any and all claims, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-
     claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated
     damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and
     attorneys' fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in
     equity, both past and present (through the date of this General Release)
     and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or
     any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs,
     executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are
     connected with my employment with, or my separation from, the Company
     (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising
     under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil
     Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as
     amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay
     Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the
     Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as
     amended; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the
     Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive
     Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or their state or local
     counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil or human
     rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or
     ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common
     law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company;
     or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of
     emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other
     expenses, including attorneys' fees incurred in these matters) (all of the
     foregoing collectively referred to herein as the "Claims").

3.   I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim,
     demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2 above.

                                       1
<PAGE>

4.   I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or
     claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
     1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release.  I
     acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company
     in compliance with the terms of the Agreement shall not serve as the basis
     for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under the
     Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

 5.  In signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be
     effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove
     mentioned or implied.  I expressly consent that this General Release shall
     be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express
     terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected
     Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that expressly limits the
     effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and
     unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other
     Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied.  I acknowledge and agree that this
     waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that
     without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the
     Agreement.  I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim
     seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek to
     recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental agency
     on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to
     such Claims.  I further agree that I am not aware of any pending charge or
     complaint of the type described in paragraph 2 as of the execution of this
     General Release.

6.   I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the
     consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any
     time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any
     improper or unlawful conduct.

7.   I agree that I will forfeit all amounts payable by the Company pursuant to
     the Agreement if I challenge the validity of this General Release.  I also
     agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the
     other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending
     against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable
     attorneys' fees, and return all payments received by me pursuant to the
     Agreement.

8.   I agree that this General Release is confidential and agree not to disclose
     any information regarding the terms of this General Release, except to my
     immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted
     regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will
     instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone.

9.   Any non-disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or
     restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this
     General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities
     and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Association of Securities
     Dealers, Inc. (NASD), any other self-regulatory organization or
     governmental entity.

                                       2
<PAGE>

10.  I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal
     investigation or administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding.  I
     understand and agree that my cooperation may include, but not be limited
     to, making myself available to the Company upon reasonable notice for
     interviews and factual investigations; appearing at the Company's request
     to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal
     process; volunteering to the Company pertinent information; and turning
     over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into my
     possession all at times and on schedules that are reasonably consistent
     with my other permitted activities and commitments. I understand that in
     the event the Company asks for my cooperation in accordance with this
     provision, the Company will reimburse me solely for reasonable travel
     expenses, including lodging and meals, upon my submission of receipts.

11.  Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this
     General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any
     rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any
     Released Party of the Agreement.

12.  Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be
     interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable
     law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid,
     illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in
     any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not
     affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General
     Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as
     if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been
     contained herein.

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:

1.   I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

2.   I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT
     RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION
     IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF
     1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH
     DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT
     OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

3.   I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

4.   I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I
     HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION I HAVE CHOSEN NOT
     TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

5.   I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE
     SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON _______________ __, _____ TO CONSIDER IT
     AND THE CHANGES MADE SINCE THE _______________ __, _____ VERSION OF THIS
     RELEASE ARE NOT MATERIAL AND WILL NOT RESTART THE REQUIRED 21-DAY PERIOD;

                                       3
<PAGE>

6.   THE CHANGES TO THE AGREEMENT SINCE _______________ ___, _____ EITHER ARE
     NOT MATERIAL OR WERE MADE AT MY REQUEST.

7.   I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO
     REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE
     UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

8.   I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE
     ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

9.   I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED,
     WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN
     AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

DATE: ___________ __, ______

______________________________
Manuel Occiano

                                       4
<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit B
                                   ---------

                             ARBITRATION PROCEDURE
                             ---------------------

     1.   Notice of Claim. A party asserting a Claim (the "Claimant") shall
          ---------------
deliver written notice to each party against whom the Claim is asserted
(collectively, the "Opposing Party"), with a copy to the persons required to
receive copies of notices under the Agreement (the "Additional Notice Parties"),
specifying the nature of the Claim and requesting a meeting to resolve same. The
Additional Notice Parties shall be given reasonable notice of and invited and
permitted to attend any such meeting. If no resolution is reached within 10
business days after delivery of such notice, the Claimant or the Opposing Party
may, within 45 days after giving such notice, invoke the arbitration procedure
provided herein by delivering to each Opposing Party and the Additional Notice
Parties a Notice of Arbitration, which shall specify the Claim as to which
arbitration is sought, the nature of the Claim, the basis for the Claim, and the
nature and amount of any damages or other compensation or relief sought (a
"Notice of Arbitration"). Each party agrees that no punitive damages may be
sought or recovered in any arbitration, judicial proceeding or otherwise.
Failure to file a Notice of Arbitration within 45 days shall constitute a waiver
of any right to relief for the matters asserted in the notice of claim. Any
Claim shall be forever barred, and no relief may be sought therefor, if written
notice of such Claim is not made as provided above within one year of the date
such claim accrues.

     2.   Selection of Arbitrator.  Within 20 business days after receipt of the
          -----------------------
Notice of Arbitration, the Executive and the Board shall meet and attempt to
agree on an arbitrator to hear and decide the Claim. If the Executive and the
Board cannot agree on an arbitrator within ten business days, then they shall
request the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA") in Orange County,
California to appoint an arbitrator experienced in the area of dispute who does
not have an ongoing business relationship with any of the parties to the
dispute. If the arbitrator selected informs the parties he cannot hear and
resolve the Claim within the time-frame specified below, the Executive and the
Board shall request the appointment of another arbitrator by the AAA subject to
the same requirements.

     3.   Arbitration Procedure. The following procedures shall govern the
          ---------------------
conduct of any arbitration under this section. All procedural matters relating
to the conduct of the arbitration other than those specified below shall be
discussed among counsel for the parties and the arbitrator. Subject to any
agreement of the parties, the arbitrator shall determine all procedural matters
not specified herein.

     (a)  Within 30 days after the delivery of a Notice of Arbitration, each
party shall afford the other, or its counsel, with reasonable access to
documents relating directly to the issues raised in the Notice of Arbitration.
All documents produced and all copies thereof shall be maintained as strictly
confidential, shall be used for no purpose other than the arbitration hereunder,
and shall be returned to the producing party upon completion of the arbitration.
There shall be no other discovery except that, if a reasonable need is shown,
limited depositions may be allowed in the discretion of the arbitrator, it being
the expressed intention and agreement of each party to have the arbitration
proceedings conducted and resolved as expeditiously, economically and fairly as
reasonably practicable, and with the maximum degree of confidentiality.

                                       1
<PAGE>

     (b)  All written communications regarding the proceeding sent to the
arbitrator shall be sent simultaneously to each party or its counsel, with a
copy to the Additional Notice Parties.  Oral communications between any of the
parties or their counsel and the arbitrator shall be conducted only when all
parties or their counsel are present and participating in the conversation.

     (c)  Within 20 days after selection of the arbitrator, the Claimant shall
submit to the arbitrator a copy of the Notice of Arbitration, along with a
supporting memorandum and any exhibits or other documents supporting the Claim.

     (d)  Within 20 days after receipt of the Claimant's submission, the
Opposing Party shall submit to the arbitrator a memorandum supporting its
position and any exhibits or other supporting documents. If the Opposing Party
fails to respond to any of the issues raised by the Claimant within 20 days of
receipt of the Claimant's submission, then the arbitrator may find for the
Claimant on any such issue and bar any subsequent consideration of the matter.

     (e)  Within 20 days after receipt of the Opposing Party's response, the
Claimant may submit to the arbitrator a reply to the Opposing Party's response,
or notification that no reply is forthcoming.

     (f)  Within 10 days after the last submission as provided above, the
arbitrator shall notify the parties and the Additional Notice Parties of the
date of the hearing on the issues raised by the Claim.  Scheduling of the
hearing shall be within the sole discretion of the arbitrator, but in no event
more than 30 days after the last submission by the parties, and shall take place
within 50 miles of the corporate headquarters of the Company at a place selected
by the arbitrator or such other place as is mutually agreed.  Both parties shall
be granted substantially equal time to present evidence at the hearing.  The
hearing shall not exceed one business day, except for good cause shown.

     (g)  Within 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing, the arbitrator
shall issue a written decision to be delivered to both parties and the
Additional Notice Parties (the "Final Determination").  The Final Determination
shall address each issue disputed by the parties, state the arbitrator's
findings and reasons therefor, and state the nature and amount of any damages,
compensation or other relief awarded.

     (h)  The award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final and non-
appealable, except as otherwise provided under applicable law, and judgment may
be entered upon it in accordance with applicable law in such court as has
jurisdiction thereof.

     4.   Costs of Arbitration. As part of the Final Determination, the
          --------------------
arbitrator shall determine the allocation of the costs and expenses of the
arbitration, including the arbitrator's fee and both parties' attorneys' fees
and expenses, based upon the extent to which each party prevailed in the
arbitration. In the event that any relief which is awarded is non-monetary, then
such costs and expenses shall be allocated in any manner as may be determined by
the arbitrators.

     5.   Confidentiality of Proceedings. The parties hereto agree that all of
          ------------------------------
the arbitration proceedings provided for herein, including any notice of claim,
the Notice of Arbitration, the submissions of the parties, and the Final
Determination issued by the arbitrator, shall be

                                       2
<PAGE>

confidential and shall not be disclosed at any time to any person other than the
parties, their representatives, the arbitrator and the Additional Notice
Parties; provided, however, that this provision shall not prevent the party
prevailing in the arbitration from submitting the Final Determination to a court
for the purpose of enforcing the award, subject to comparable confidentiality
protections if the court agrees; and further provided that the foregoing shall
not prohibit disclosure to the minimum extent reasonably necessary to comply
with (i) applicable law (or requirement having the force of law), court order,
judgment or decree, including, without limitation, disclosures which may be
required pursuant to applicable securities laws, and (ii) the terms of
contractual arrangements (such as financing arrangements) to which the Company
or any Additional Notice Party may be subject so long as such contractual
arrangements were not entered into for the primary purpose of permitting
disclosure which would otherwise be prohibited hereunder.

                                       3

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