Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17

                              OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE

         I, the undersigned, do hereby certify and represent that:

         1. I am the duly elected Senior Vice President and Chief Business
Officer of deCODE genetics, Inc., a Delaware Corporation.

         2. Pursuant to Rule 306(a) of Regulation S-T, the following exhibit
10.17 to deCODE genetics, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 is a fair
and accurate English translation of a document prepared in the Icelandic
language.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Officer's Certificate in my
capacity as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer of deCODE genetics,
Inc. on this 7th day of March, 2000.

                  By:      /s/  Hannes T. Smarason
                           --------------------------

                  Name:    Hannes T. Smarason
                  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer

<PAGE>   2

CONTRACT ON FINANCIAL LEASING

Lysing hf.

Sudurlandsbraut 22, 108 Reykjavik
Tel. 533 1500, Fax 533 1505. Free phone 800 6515

Document drawn up by: Gudridur Olafsdottir

Lysing hf.

CONTRACT ON FINANCIAL LEASING NO. 108237 copy

LYSING HF. Sudurlandsbraut 22, 1208 Reykjavik, ID no. 491086-1229
Tel. 533 1500. Fax 533 1505. Free phone 800 6515

As lessor and

Lessee: Islensk erfdagreining ehf.
Address: Lynghals 1, 110 Reykjavik
ID no: 691295
Tel. 570 1900

Hereinafter termed the lessee, make between them the following contract on
financial leasing:

ART. 1. THE LEASED ITEM
Various machinery and equipment as specified in the seller's invoice.
Photocopies of the original invoices are appended for further classification.

Year: 1998

ART. 2. AMOUNT OF LEASE
Amount of lease: ISK 400,000,000
VAT: 98,000,000
Total: 498,000,000

Indexed to USD: ISK 400,000,000
Total without VAT: ISK 400,000,000
Initial exchange rate: 71.39
In ISK and foreign currency: 5,603,026

ART. 3. SELLER
Islensk erfdagreining hf.
Lynghals 1
110 Reykjavik
ID no. 691295 3549
Tel. 570 1900

                                                                             -1-
<PAGE>   3

ART. 4. INITIAL LEASE PERIOD

From 21.7.1998 to 20.7.2002 Day of payment 11.6.1998 Date of first payment
20.7.1998 Number of payments 48 Number of months 48

ART. 5. PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS DURING INITIAL LEASE PERIOD

21.07.1998 - 20.07.2002

No. of payments 48

Payments indexed to USD ISK 9,515,884

Payments based on initial exchange rate/index ISK 9,515,884 (excl. VAT), to be
paid monthly incl. VAT.

ART. 6. MONTHLY CONTINUATION OF LEASE FOLLOWS END OF INITIAL LEASE PERIOD

From 21.07.2002

Payments indexed to USD ISK: 792,990
Payment excluding VAT based on initial exchange rate/index:  792,990

ART.7. INSURED BY:

Vatryggingafelag Islands hf.
Insurance amount: ISK400,000,000
Collection of premiums of chattels insurance: directly from the lessee

ART. 8. SURETY

Guarantor/owner of collateral: DeCode Genetics Inc.

ART. 9 APPENDICES TO THE CONTRACT:

Place of delivery
Invoice

ART. 10. SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Islensk erfdagreining is aware that this contract is guaranteed by Landsbanki
Islands (National Bank of Iceland), which may take over this contract. A
contract charge is payable on this contract, 0.75% of the lease amount The
lessee shall pay interest on lease payments pursuant to Art. 13 of the contract.

ART. 11. THE ITEM LEASED

The item leased is specified in Art. 1, and the amount of this lease in Art. 2.
In addition, documents that describe the leased item more fully are appended to
this contract, and are a part of it.

                                                                             -2-
<PAGE>   4

ART. 12 PERIOD OF LEASE

The period of lease is specified in Arts. 4 and 6. The lessee cannot terminate
this contract except with a month's notice, when one month remains of the
initial lease period under the terms of Art. 4. Should the lessee not terminate
the contract as specified above, it will be extended indefinitely under the
terms of Art.6.

The lessee can terminate the extended lease with one month's written notice.
Should the lessee terminate this lease, the terms of Art. 29 apply to the return
of the leased item, and costs accruing.

ART. 13 PAYMENTS OF LEASE

The lessee shall make payments on the lease on the days agreed. The payment is
payable in advance, the first payment being at the beginning of the initial
lease period under the terms of Art. 4.

Should Lysing hf. pay the full or partial price of the leased item before the
beginning of the initial lease period under the terms of Art. 4, the lessee
shall pay, in addition to the first payment under the terms of Art.5, interest
from the date of payment to the first day of the basic lease period under the
terms of Art. 5.

If the contract is not index-linked, Lysing hf. has the right to recalculate the
payment specified in Arts. 5 and 6 to take into account changes in the interest
rates on non-index-linked loans from banks and savings banks as specified in
notices from the Central Bank of Iceland, after the date of this contract.

Lysing hf. has the right to recalculate payments indexed to foreign currency
exchange rates as specified in Arts. 5 and 6, in accord with changes that take
place in the Libor interest rates on the foreign currency or currencies in which
the lease payment is denominated.

ART. 14 INDEXATION

If the lease payment is index-linked, the lessee shall pay, in addition to the
lease payment, an indexation supplement. The supplement shall be calculated on
the basis of the changes that have occurred in the cost-of-living index to which
this contract is linked by the terms of Art. 2, to the index that applies on
each date of payment on the lease. A lower index, however, shall not be taken
into account.

Lease payments indexed to the changes in exchange rate of a currency abroad
and/or the rate of exchange of foreign currencies vis-a-vis the Icelandic krona
(ISK), are specified in ISK.

                                                                         -3-
<PAGE>   5

The lease payment is payable in ISK. Calculation shall be based upon the
published exchange rates of the Central Bank of Iceland for the currency or
currencies on the date of issue of the invoice.

ART. 15. OWNERSHIP

Lysing hf. is the owner of the leased item. The company may require the leased
item to be marked with a label supplied by the company to the lessee. The label
must not be removed during the period of lease.

At the lessee's expense, Lysing hf. will register its ownership of the leased
item, if this is legally obligatory or if the company feels it necessary.

The lessee may not undertake any declaration of legal consequence regarding the
leased item, and it is not a valid subject for enforcement of the lessee's
debts. The lessee may not permit others to use the leased item, nor pass it to
another party, without the consent of Lysing hf.

ART. 16. INSPECTION

The lessee has chosen the leased item, and shall undertake on behalf of Lysing
hf. to examine it, as the purchaser is obliged to do by the terms of the Act on
purchase of chattels No. 39/1922 and/or other legal rulings. Lysing hf. takes no
responsibility for the leased item. Lease payments must be made even if the
lessee is not satisfied with the leased item, or if it does not have the
qualities the lessee expected.

ART. 17. DELIVERY

The lessee takes the risk of the leased item being destroyed, damaged or
deteriorating after the seller has delivered the leased item, or after the risk
has passed from the seller to the purchaser under the terms of the Act on
purchase of chattels no. 39/1922, or other legal rulings.

ART. 18. COST OF TRANSPORT AND REGISTRATION

All costs incurred due to the packing and transportation of the leased item from
the seller to the lessee, as well as all costs pertaining to installation of the
leased item at the place of use, are the lessee's responsibility, payable by the
lessee.

The lessee shall also pay all costs pertaining to registration and transfer of
ownership.

ART. 19. SELLER'S DEFAULT

The lessee shall inform Lysing hf. in writing or by other equally reliable
means, should the leased item be faulty, or if a delay occurs in delivery by the
seller, so that all necessary measures may be taken against the seller due to
the default.

                                                                             -4-
<PAGE>   6

The lessee shall pay lease payments, even if the seller defaults on the contract
with Lysing hf. and/or the lessee.

The lessee may however be entitled to a reduction, compensation or reimbursement
as specified here:

a) Should the seller's default lead to a reduction of the purchase price, or
compensation payable by the seller, the lessee shall benefit fully from this in
the form of lower lease payments, and the lessee shall have no further claim on
Lysing hf. Otherwise, this contract shall remain valid.

b) Should the seller's default be so serious that the contract may be rescinded,
Lysing hf. shall make this decision and inform the lessee of its decision.

When the contract of purchase has been rescinded, a settlement shall take place
under the terms of Art. 30 between the lessee and Lysing hf. Refunds and/or
compensation shall be deductible from the claims of Lysing hf. against the
lessee, other than due and payable payments on the lease. Should the settlement
between Lysing hf. and the lessee not be completed within 30 days of the
contract being rescinded, Lysing hf. can demand settlement from the lessee under
the terms of Art. 30. The lessee has a right to a refund should the settlement
of Lysing hf. and the seller lead to payment of compensation by the seller.

The lessee shall pay the costs pertaining to presentation of the claim against
the seller due to the seller's default, whether the claim is made in the name of
Lysing hf. or of the lessee on behalf of the company.

ART. 20. HANDLING OF THE LEASED ITEM

The lessee shall maintain the leased item in good condition, and have all damage
repaired as soon as it occurs, as well as following all the
manufacturer's/seller's instructions on its use.

The lessee shall attend all service examinations recommended by the agent, and
have all maintenance and repair work carried out by the manufacturer/seller or a
party recognised by them, at the lessee's expense and without right to
reimbursement from Lysing hf. In addition the lessee shall always have the
equipment lubricated and have oil and filters changed as laid down in the
service manual. In the case of motor vehicles, this shall be done at least every
5,000 km, and shall be recorded in a lubrication record book for the vehicle.
The lessee shall ensure that laws are obeyed regarding all handling and use of
the leased item. Special care shall be taken that the leased item is equipped
with legally obligatory protective and safety equipment, in order to avoid the
risk of accident or illness. If safety equipment is removed, this is at the
lessee's risk. The lessee shall consult with public monitoring bodies if this is

                                                                             -5-
<PAGE>   7

required by law or regulations. The lessee shall pay all costs pertaining to
this, without right of reimbursement.

The lessee bears responsibility for the equipment being used only within the
limits prescribed by insurance companies for the use of the equipment, and by
those who are insured while using it. The equipment may not be subleased, used
in teaching or in competitive events, except with the written agreement of
Lysing hf.

The lessee may not alter the leased item. Should the lessee, in spite of the
above, have made changes to the leased item, it must be restored to its original
condition at the lessee's expense. The lessee may join the leased item with
items belonging to the lessee or to other parties, provided that there is no
risk to the right of ownership of Lysing hf. In the case of a vehicle, the
lessee may attach a towing mechanism to the leased item, provided that the
equipment is especially insured for the towing operation to be carried out, and
that it is within the limits tolerated by the equipment, according to
information provided by the seller.

The place of use shall be the lessee's place of business, unless the lessee
specifically requests otherwise, and the consent of Lysing hf. shall be stated
in this contract. If the assets with which the leased item is connected are
subject to a lien, the lessee shall except the leased item from the lien by
means of registering a declaration of Lysing hf.'s ownership of the leased item
on the form for registration of liens pertaining to the item to which the leased
item is attached, together with a statement of consent of the holder of the
lien. In subsequent documents regarding the lien, it shall also be stated that
the leased item is excepted from the lien.

The lessee may not transport the leased item out of the country without the
written consent of Lysing hf.

ART. 21. DAMAGE TO THE LEASED ITEM

The lessee is responsible for, and must compensate Lysing hf. for, all damage
that may occur to the leased item when it is in the lessee's keeping, or when
the lessee is otherwise responsible for risk to it. The lessee shall inform
Lysing hf. immediately in writing, or by other equally reliable means, of such
damage. Should it be possible, in the view of Lysing hf., to repair the leased
item, the lessee shall do so without delay.

The lessee bears responsibility for the repairs carried out after damage being
carried out by the seller's repair workshop, or a party recommended by the
seller, and that the repair be carried out satisfactorily and without delay.

The lessee's obligation to make payments is not affected by the leased item
being unusable due to damage or mechanical failure.

If damage to the leased item is so great that a doubt exists as to whether it
would be economical to repair it, the final decision shall be made by Lysing hf.
and the lessee

                                                                             -6-
<PAGE>   8

shall abide by that decision. Should the conclusion be that it is not economical
to repair the leased item, the contracting parties have the following options:

a) Should the lessee wish to renew the leased item, and if the insurance
compensation suffices to buy a comparable leased item, the terms of this
contract shall remain valid without change, regarding payments, period of lease,
etc.

b) The lessee can ask for the leased item to be replaced by another similar or
identical one, even if the price of the new item is up to 10% higher than the
insurance compensation for the leased item lost or destroyed. The terms of the
original contract shall apply, but the payments until the end of the period of
contract is recalculated.

c) Should the lessee not desire to renew the leased item, or if the purchase
price of the new leased item is more than 10% higher than the insurance
compensation, a settlement shall be made between the parties within 30 days,
under the terms of Art. 30. The insurance compensation is deductible from the
claim of Lysing hf. against the lessee, or is payable to the lessee, if the
settlement has been completed between Lysing hf. and the lessee before the
insurance compensation is paid.

ART. 22. DAMAGE CAUSE BY THE LEASED ITEM

During the period of this contract, the lessee bears responsibility for damage
that the leased item may cause, directly or indirectly. Should Lysing hf. be
compelled to pay compensation for such damage, the company has the right to
require reimbursement from the lessee.

ART. 23. INSURANCE

The leased item shall be insured during the period of the lease. Lysing hf. has
the right to purchase the necessary insurance for the leased item at the
lessee's expense. Insurance premiums are variable according to the terms of the
policy.

During the period of the lease, insurance shall be based upon the purchase price
of the leased item.

The insurance does not apply to transportation of the equipment from the place
of delivery to the place of use, nor to additional equipment, or installation of
the leased item, which shall be paid by the lessee, and the lessee must insure
these items specifically.

The lessee may purchase further insurance regarding the leased item, provided
that this does not affect the rights of Lysing hf.

The lessee shall be liable for damage below the minimum specified in the
insurance policy, and also for all claims made by the insurance company due to
violations of the conditions of insurance.

                                                                             -7-
<PAGE>   9

Invoices for premiums are sent direct to the lessee, but if they are not paid
within the period allowed, Lysing may, at the insurance company's request, pay
the premium and require reimbursement from the lessee, together with penalty
interest and collection costs under the terms of Art. 27.

ART. 24.  RIGHT OF INSPECTION

A member of staff of Lysing hf. and/or a representative of the company has the
right to inspect the leased item during the period of lease. In the case of a
vehicle, the lessee acknowledges the right of Lysing hf. to call the leased item
in for inspection at any time, at seven days' notice, so that its condition may
be examined and its instruments read.

Should the lessee not comply with the request for inspection, Lysing's staff may
examine the item at its place of use or remove it to a place of examination at
the lessee's expense, wherever the item may be found, without any order of
attachment. The lessee shall for this purpose grant the lessee full access to
the leased item and the place where it is kept.

ART. 25.  CHANGE OF ADDRESS

The lessee shall inform Lysing hf. at once of any change of address.

ART. 26. TAXES AND DUTIES

In addition to the lease payments, the lessee shall pay Lysing hf. a fee as
stated in the company's scale of charges, and all taxes or duties that may be
increased or imposed upon the leased item, the lease or the itself, including
value added tax. The lessee is also responsible for all costs pertaining to the
use or keeping of equipment. The lessee shall also pay all fines that may be
imposed, such as police fines, for example.

ART. 27. DEFAULT

Should the lessee not pay lease payments and other required payments on the due
date, the lessee shall pay Lysing hf. the maximum permissible punitive interest
on the amount outstanding, together with costs according to the list of charges
previously submitted by Lysing hf., and all other costs that may be incurred,
such as legal fees and charges.

Lysing hf. may continue to apply indexation to the sum owing.

ART. 28. REPUDIATION OF CONTRACT

Lysing hf. may repudiate this contract without notice should the lessee be in
default or violate the terms of the lease. For example:

                                                                             -8-
<PAGE>   10

a) If the lessee does not make the required payments as stated in this contract
on the due dates, or if Lysing hf. has had to pay unpaid compensation, duties or
fines for which the registered owner is responsible vis-a-vis a third party, cp,
Arts 22 and 26 of this contract.

b) If the lessee neglects to bring the equipment for inspection or neglects its
maintenance or repair of damage, as stated in the contract, or otherwise fails
to comply with the terms of Art. 20 on the handling of the leased item.

c) If the lessee does not grant the lessor or other person nominated by the
lessor access to the leased item on request.

d) If the lessee transports the leased item out of the country without the
lessor's consent.

e) If the above conditions of rescission apply to other leasing or loan
agreements subsisting between Lysing hf. and the lessee.

Lysing hf. may also rescind this agreement without notice if the following
circumstances apply:

a) If the estate of the lessee (or, if the lessee is a company with unlimited
liability, the estate of one of its owners) is subject to bankruptcy
proceedings, or if the lessee seeks composition with creditors.

b) If the financial position of the lessee (or if with unlimited liability, the
financial position of one of its owners) deteriorates considerably.

c) If such changes are made to the operations or organisation of the lessee's
business that the lessee's obligations under this contract cannot be fulfilled.

ART. 29. RETURN OF LEASED ITEM

Should this contract be terminated under the terms of Art. 12, 19, or 21, or
rescinded under the terms of Art. 28, the lessee shall without delay return the
leased item to the place specified by Lysing hf. The leased item shall be
returned undamaged and in normal condition for normal use incurred pursuant to
Art 20 of the lease.

The lessee may remove all additions which were not included in this contract and
are not counted as maintenance, but all damage caused by the attachment must be
repaired. The leased item shall be accompanied by a registration certificate if
the equipment is registered, service records and handbooks from the
manufacturer.

Until the leased item has been returned, it is the responsibility of the lessee.
The lessee shall pay all costs pertaining to returning the leased item, such as
for disconnection, packing, loading, transport and insurance, in addition to all
costs for cleaning, servicing, repair and legal inspection of the leased item.

                                                                             -9-
<PAGE>   11

Should the lessee not return the equipment as stated above, the lessee
acknowledges by signature on this contract the right of the owner to repossess
the leased item whenever and wherever it can be found, without an order of
attachment. The lessee shall for this purpose grant the lessor full access to
the place where the leased item is kept.

ART. 30. SETTLEMENT

Settlement between Lysing hf, and the lessee due to the contract being
terminated under the terms of Art. 19, 21 or 18 shall be as follows:

1. The lessee shall pay all outstanding lease payments as specified in Arts. 5
and 6, together with punitive interest and costs, pursuant to Art. 27.

2. The lessee shall pay all lease payments not yet due as specified in Art. 5 of
the contract and taxes and duties pursuant to Art. 26, insurance pursuant to
Art. 23 and all other costs pertaining to the leased item.

3. The lessee shall pay all costs pursuant to Art. 29 pertaining to the
termination or rescission of the contract and debt collection measures, together
with compensation for any damage that Lysing hf. may suffer due to the
cancellation of this contract before the initial lease period has expired.
Lysing hf. cannot, however, demand compensation unless the contract is rescinded
due to default by the lessee.

4. Punitive interest shall be charged on items 2-3 should settlement not be
completed within 15 days of the cancellation or rescission of the contract.

5. From the lessee's payment to Lysing hf. as specified in items 2-4 above, the
value of the leased item shall be deducted, when it has been returned and it has
been sold or leased to another party, and the new selling price shall be the
basis of calculation, after deduction of sales costs, repairs and other costs
pursuant to Art. 29. Should it not prove possible to sell or lease the leased
item within 30 days of the cancellation or rescission of the contract, Lysing
hf. may require a settlement to be made between the parties, as stated above, on
the basis of an evaluation of the cash value of the leased item, which
evaluation shall be carried out by Lysing hf. Should this evaluation (including
the selling price of the leased item) be disputed, either party may request that
court-appointed assessors, under Chapter IX of Act no. 91/1991, be appointed to
evaluate the leased item, provided the lessee has made a written objection to
the evaluation or settlement within 10 days of being informed of it. Otherwise,
the lessee must abide by the evaluation.

In the same way, reimbursements or damages from the seller of the leased item
due to defects or default pursuant to Art. 19, and insurance compensation if the
leased item is lost or destroyed, shall be deducted from the payment from the
lessee to Lysing hf. under items 2-4 above.

                                                                            -10-
<PAGE>   12

Should the settlement of the lease result in credit payable to the lessee,
Lysing hf. may, instead of paying this balance to the lessee, pay it toward
other claims or leases subsisting between the two parties.

ART. 31. LATENT DEFECTS AND OUTSTANDING CLAIMS

Should compensation or repair costs be incurred by Lysing hf. due to latent
faults or neglect, which was known or should have been known to the lessee, but
which was not made known when the leased item was returned, or delivered to a
new lessee, Lysing hf. has a right to demand reimbursement from the lessee,
together with all costs incurred at a result, including legal costs. The same
applies to all claims payable by the lessee such as taxes, duties and fines,
that were not evident when the lease ended or when the settlement was made.

ART. 32. BOOKKEEPING

The manner in which the payments are entered in the lessee's accounts is the
responsibility of the lessee and the lessee's accountant.

ART.33. TRANSFER

Lysing hf. may transfer this contract to a bank or other leasing company,
provided such a transfer does not affect the legal rights of the lessee. The
lessee may not transfer rights under this contract except with the consent of
Lysing hf.

ART 34. AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this contract may only be made by means of a written appendix,
signed by the contracting parties.

ART. 35 JURISDICTION

Cases of dispute regarding this contract may be conducted in the Reykjavik
District Court.

The undersigned lessee and guarantors have examined and have no objection to all
the conditions of this contract, Articles 1-35 and especially Article 20 on the
handling of the leased item and Articles 19, 21 and 22 that limit the
responsibility of the lessor, the terms on rescission in Article 28, the special
rights of the lessor in Articles 24 and 29 to repossess the leased item without
an attachment ruling, and the terms of settlement in Article 30. The lessee and
guarantors have also made a close examination of all appendices with the
contract. The lessee grants Lysing hf. the right to enquire about the lessee's
bank business during the period of validity of this lease.

                                                                            -11-
<PAGE>   13

Place: Reykjavik. Date 19.6.98

On behalf of Lysing hf, (signed) Olafur Helgi Olafsson (illegible)

Witnesses to correct signature, date and financial competence of the parties
Hannes Smarason ID no. 251167-3389 (sign.)
Elin Pordardottir ID no. 060763-4969(sign.)

Lessee: on behalf of Islensk erfdagreining ehf.
ID no. 691295-3549
Kari Stefansson (sign.)

We the undersigned undertake to stand surety for this contract on behalf of
DeCode Genetics Inc.
Kari Stefansson (sign.)
Hannes Smarason (sign.)

                                                                            -12-
<PAGE>   14

Lysing hf

Islensk erfdagreining ehf.
Lynghals 1
110 Reykjavik

                                                         Reykjavik, 19 June 1998

Re: contract on financial leasing no. 108237

It is hereby confirmed that Islensk erfdagreining has the right to terminate the
above contract at any time by paying off the amount outstanding.

On behalf of Lysing hf.
(signed)
Olafur Helgi Olafsson
CEO

                                                                            -13-<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18

                              OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE

         I, the undersigned, do hereby certify and represent that:

         1. I am the duly elected Senior Vice President and Chief Business
Officer of deCODE genetics, Inc., a Delaware Corporation.

         2. Pursuant to Rule 306(a) of Regulation S-T, the following exhibit
10.18 to deCODE genetics, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 is a fair
and accurate English translation of a document prepared in the Icelandic
language.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Officer's Certificate in my
capacity as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer of deCODE genetics,
Inc. on this 7th day of March, 2000.

                  By:      /s/  Hannes T. Smarason
                           --------------------------

                  Name:    Hannes T. Smarason
                  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Business Officer

<PAGE>   2

                             [deCODE GENETICS LOGO]

                               EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

DeCODE Genetics ehf. (Islensk erfdagreining ehf.), State Registration No.
691295-3549, of Lynghals 10, Reykjavik ("the Employer"), on the one hand, and

         Axel Nielsen                                  060665-3549
----------------------------------         -------------------------------------
       (Employee name)                            (identification number)

whose address is __________ Hrismoar 1___________________ (" the Employee") on
the other hand

enter into the following Employment Contract:

         1.  FIELD OF WORK.

         The Employee is hired to work as a/an ___VP of Finance, CFO____________
                                                      (job title, position)
         for the Employer.

         The workplace is the Employer's base of operations at Lynghals 1,
         Reykjavik, but if the Employer's base of operations in Reykjavik
         changes or increases in number, the Employee agrees to a change in his
         workplace.

         The Employee's work will involve financial management and he or she
         will work under the supervision of Kari Stefansson

         The Employer reserves the right to make changes in the Employee's
         projects or supervision if the Employer deems this necessary.

         2.  PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT

         The Employee began work for the Employer on 2 June 1998. Termination of
         employment by either party shall be with one week's notice for the
         first three months of the employment period, which shall be a trial
         period. For the next three months following the trial period, the
         mutual notice period for termination shall be one month. After six
         months' work, the mutual notice period for termination shall be three
         months. At the completion of the trial period, termination shall be in
         writing and be based on the end of the month.

                                                                             -1-
<PAGE>   3

         3.  JOB OBLIGATIONS

         The Employee pledges to do the work he undertakes with a sense of duty
         and diligence. While working for the Employer, the Employee may not,
         unless with the Employer's written consent, work at other jobs or
         participate in other employment that competes with the Employer's
         operations, or that can conflict in some other way with the Employee's
         work for the Employer.

         Upon termination of his employment, the Employee has a duty to turn
         over all documents and identification papers in his custody that
         pertain to the Employer.

         4.  WORKING HOURS

         The Employee's fixed working hours are from 9 o'clock to 5 o'clock
         Monday through Friday, unless otherwise agreed. The Employee shall also
         work other hours, if necessary, depending on to what extent the nature
         of his projects so require, unless urgent circumstances prevent his
         doing so. The days off are the holidays of the National Church, the
         First Day of Summer, 1 May, 17 June and the first Monday in August.

         If an urgent necessity comes up, the Employer can call the Employee to
         work at any time outside normal working hours.

         Mealtime, 30 minutes, shall be during the period 11:30 - 13:30 and is
         not counted as part of working hours. On regular workdays, there shall
         be two 15-minute coffee breaks, which are counted as part of working
         hours.

         During the period of employment, the Employer and Employee can agree on
         an arrangement of working hours other than the one above.

         5.  WAGES

         The Employee's fixed monthly wages are ISK .......................... .
         Payment for work done outside regular working hours and for any kind of
         work-related tasks is included in the above monthly wages.

         Wages shall be paid monthly on the last working day of each month.

         The wages stated above are complete remuneration for the work done by
         the Employee. In addition, the Employee is granted an option to buy a
         certain number of shares, pursuant to the attached agreement.

         Wages and other wage terms shall be re-examined every year, taking into
         consideration general wage changes and work results.

         The rights of the Employee to vacation and parental leave will be
         according to law.

         When the Employee has earned a full right to vacation by working for
         the Employer in the last vacation year, upon beginning his vacation or
         no later than 15 August each year, he shall receive a special lump-sum
         payment. This vacation supplement, based on full-time employment in the
         preceding vacation year, shall be ISK 8,400, or a

                                                                             -2-
<PAGE>   4

         proportional amount of this sum if part-time work or a shorter period
         of work is involved. Vacation pay is not paid for vacation supplements.

         The Employee pays 4% of his total wages as a premium into a pension
         fund of his own choice, and the Employer pays 6% of the same amount.

         6. ACCIDENTS, ILLNESS AND INSURANCE

         In the event that the Employee has an accident at work, the Employer
         shall pay for getting the Employee home or to hospital and, for each
         instance, reimburse him for up to four weeks of normal, out-of-pocket
         medical expenses which are not covered by district health insurance or
         Social Security.

         In each instance of an accident at work or a work-related illness
         caused on the job or by it, or occurring during transport to and from
         the workplace, the Employer shall pay up to three months' wages
         according to the Employee's wage scale in effect when the accident or
         illness occurs, provided that per diem paid for these days by the State
         Social Security Institute and/or the district health insurance are paid
         to the Employer. The provisions of this paragraph shall not prejudice
         any additional rights the Employee may have under the law.

         Wage payments to the Employee during absences due to illness shall be
         arranged the first year so that two days are paid for each month
         worked. When the Employee has worked for the Employer for one year or
         longer, wage payments during absences due to illness shall be arranged
         as follows: After one year, two months for every 12 months. After five
         years of work for the Employer, four months for every 12 months, and
         after 10 years working for the Employer, six months for every 12
         months.

         If an Employee becomes ill and for this reason cannot attend work, he
         shall immediately notify his superior, who shall decide whether a
         health certificate shall be provided. The certificate shall be from a
         consulting physician if so requested. The Employer shall pay for the
         health certificate if the above conditions are met.

         After the first month at work a parent shall, without any deduction
         from wages, be entitled to spend a total of seven workdays of every
         12-month period in ministering to his sick children under the age of
         13, provided that other care cannot be procured.

         The Employer shall insure the Employee against death and permanent or
         temporary disability caused by an accident while at work or while
         travelling a normal route between his home and the workplace.

         If, because of his work, the Employee has accommodations away from his
         home, the accommodations replace his home, but the insurance shall also
         cover normal trips between his home and these accommodations.

         Compensation for death will be (as of 1 Jan. 1998):

         1.  If the deceased was not married and is not survived by a child and
             has not been supporting an aged parent 67 years of age or older,
             ISK 342,100.

         2.  If the deceased was not married but is survived by a child
             (children) under 17 and/or has demonstrably supported an aged
             parent or parents (aged 67 or older), ISK 1,083,500.

                                                                             -3-
<PAGE>   5

         3.  If the deceased was married, the compensation to the spouse
             shall be ISK 1,479,700.

         4.  If the deceased is survived by a child (adopted child, foster
             child) under 17 years of age, for each child ISK 284,800.

         5.  Compensation is paid under only one of sub-paragraphs no. 1, 2
             or 3.

         In addition to sub-paragraphs 2 and 3, compensation may be paid under
         sub-paragraph 4.

         The beneficiaries of death compensation provisions are:

         1)  Legal heirs.

         2)  Relevant parties equally

         3)  Surviving spouse.

         4)  Relevant children, but paid to surviving spouse if he/she is one of
             the parents, or to an executor and/or trustee.

         Compensation for permanent disability is paid in proportion to the
         insurance amount of ISK 2,589,000 so that each degree of disability
         from 26% to 50% is counted double, and each degree of disability from
         51% to 100% works triple.

         For temporary disability, per diem benefits of ISK 5,884 is paid per
         week four weeks after the accident occurred and until the injured
         person becomes able to work, although for no more than 48 weeks. ISK
         785 per week are added to the per diem for each child under the age of
         17 that the injured person is supporting.

         The amounts of insurance will be reviewed twice a year, 1 January and 1
         July, and increased in correspondence with changes in the
         cost-of-living index.

         The insurance goes into force as soon as the Employee begins work and
         expires as soon as he stops working.

         The policy terms of the insurance shall be the general policy terms in
         force for wage earner job accident insurance at the Association of
         Icelandic Insurance Companies at the time of signature of this
         Employment contract is.

         In the event that the Employer becomes liable for damages in respect of
         the Employee, accident compensation and per diem paid to the Employee
         under provisions of this Employment Contract shall be fully deductible
         from any damages that the Employer may be made to pay. While the
         payment of wages continues, per diem is paid to the Employer.

         7.  CONFIDENTIALITY

         The Employee fills a job involving responsibility and confidentiality
         for the Employer. He shall maintain the utmost confidentiality about
         whatever he has become aware of in his job regarding the Employer and
         the Employer's customers, and which can damage the interests of these
         parties. Due to the nature of his work, the Employee is under
         obligation to handle all information, documents and data to which he
         has access in his work with the utmost confidentiality. This
         confidentiality continues in force after termination of employment.

                                                                             -4-
<PAGE>   6

         While the Employee works for the Employer and for one (1) year
         thereafter, the Employee shall not encourage any of the Employer's
         employees to leave the employment of the Employer.

         If the Employee quits working for the Employer, he undertakes not to
         accept work either directly or indirectly at competing companies or
         with other competing parties, or to start up or join such operations
         for at least two years after termination of employment.

         8.  PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS

         Concurrently with the signing of this Employment Contract, the Employer
         and Employee enter into an Agreement on Proprietary Information and
         Inventions. That agreement is deemed a premise for and part of this
         Employment Contract.

                             Reykjavik, 1 July 1998.

         Employee                             On behalf of DECODE GENETICS, EHF.

         Axel Nielsen [sign.]                 Olafur E. Fridriksson [sign.]

                                                                             -5-

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00002-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00002-of-00352.parquet"}]]