Document:

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                                                                Exhibit 10.12

LS95-035

                      SPONSORED LABORATORY STUDY AGREEMENT

         THIS Agreement is made this 21st day of September, 1995, between The
University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard,
Houston, Texas 77030 ("Institution"), a component of The University of Texas
System ("System"), and Introgen Therapeutics, 301 Congress Avenue, Suite 2025,
Austin, Texas 78701 ("Sponsor"), to conduct a laboratory study and evaluation
("Study"). Institution and Sponsor agree as follows:

                                   1. PROTOCOL

         1.1      Institution agrees to use its best efforts to conduct the
                  Study, as an independent contractor, in accordance with
                  Institutional policy, applicable laws and regulations and the
                  Project, "Over-expression of WT-p53 Protein by Ad5cmv-p53 in
                  Human Gliomas", as described in Exhibit A attached hereto and
                  incorporated herein. The Study will be supervised by W.K.
                  Alfred Yung, M.D. ("Principal Investigator"), at Institution,
                  with assistance from associates and colleagues as required.

         1.2      Sponsor agrees to engage the services of Institution to
                  conduct the Study and further agrees to provide at no cost to
                  Institution the Study material for the conduct of the Study.

                                    2. AWARD

         2.1      In consideration for performance of the Study by Institution,
                  Sponsor shall pay Institution [*]

                                     3. TERM

         3.1      This Agreement shall continue in force until the earlier of
                  completion of the Study as upon by the parties or Twelve (12)
                  months from the date set forth above; provided, however, that
                  either party may terminate the Agreement by giving thirty (30)
                  days advance notice to the other.

         3.2      Upon early termination of this Agreement, Sponsor shall be
                  liable for all reasonable costs incurred or obligated by
                  Institution at the time of such termination, subject to the
                  maximum amount specified in Article 2. Sponsor shall pay
                  Institution for such costs within thirty (30) days of receipt
                  of an invoice for same.

         3.3      Upon termination of this Agreement, Institution shall return
                  Sponsor's materials and equipment to Sponsor.

         [*]      Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed
                  separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has
                  been requested with respect to the omitted portions.

<PAGE>   2

                               4. INDEMNIFICATION

         4.1      Institution shall, to the extent authorized under the
                  Constitution and laws of the State of Texas, indemnify and
                  hold Sponsor harmless from liability resulting from the
                  negligent acts or omissions of Institution, its agents or
                  employees pertaining to the activities to be carried out
                  pursuant to the obligations of this Agreement; provided,
                  however, that Institution shall not hold Sponsor harmless from
                  claims arising out of the negligence or willful malfeasance of
                  Sponsor, its officers, agents, or employees, or any person or
                  entity not subject to Institution's supervision or control.

         4.2      Sponsor shall indemnify and hold harmless System, Institution,
                  their Regents, officers, agents and employees from any
                  liability or loss resulting from judgments or claims against
                  them arising out of the activities to be carried out pursuant
                  to the obligation of this Agreement, including but not limited
                  to the use by Sponsor of the results of the Study; provided,
                  however, that the following is excluded from Sponsor's
                  obligation to indemnify and hold harmless:

                           a.       the negligent failure of Institution to
                                    comply with any applicable governmental
                                    requirements or to adhere to the terms of
                                    the Protocol; or

                           b.       the negligence or willful malfeasance by a
                                    Regent, officer, agent, or employee of
                                    Institution or System.

                       5. PUBLICATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY

         5.1      The parties reserve the right to publish or otherwise make
                  public the data resulting from the Study. The party so wishing
                  to publish or make public shall submit any such manuscript or
                  release to the other party for comment prior to publication or
                  release.

         5.2      Except as otherwise required by law or regulation, neither
                  party shall release or distribute any materials or information
                  containing the name of the other party or any of its employees
                  without prior written approval by an authorized representative
                  of the nonreleasing party, but such approval shall not be
                  unreasonably withheld.

         5.3      Each party shall hold in confidence for three (3) years after
                  the termination of this Agreement any confidential information
                  identified as confidential and obtained from the other party
                  during the course of this Study. Nothing herein, however,
                  shall prevent Institution or any other component of System
                  from using any information generated hereunder for ordinary
                  research and educational purposes of a university.

                         6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

         6.1      For all purposes herein, "Invention" shall mean any discovery,
                  concept or idea whether or not patentable or copyrightable,
                  which (i) arises out of work performed pursuant to the

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                  obligations of this Agreement; (ii) is conceived and reduced
                  to practice during the term of the Agreement as defined in
                  Article 3 hereinabove; and (iii) includes but is not limited
                  to processes, methods, software, formulae, techniques,
                  compositions of matter, devices, and improvements thereof and
                  know-how relating thereto. Inventions made solely by the
                  Principal Investigator and/or other Institution personnel as
                  identified in Article I hereinabove or agents of Institution
                  shall be the sole property of Institution. Inventions made
                  jointly by employees or agents of Institution and Sponsor
                  shall be jointly owned by Institution and Sponsor.

         6.2      In the event that an Invention is made, either solely by
                  employees or agents of Institution or jointly by employees or
                  agents of Institution and Sponsor, Institution and Sponsor
                  agree to give notice of such Invention to each other within
                  thirty (30) days of the identification of such Invention.
                  Within thirty (30) days of notice of Invention, Institution
                  and Sponsor will thereupon exert their best reasonable efforts
                  in cooperation with each other to investigate, evaluate and
                  determine to the mutual satisfaction of both parties, the
                  disposition of rights to the Invention, including whether, by
                  whom, and where any patent applications are to be filed.

         6.3      If, after consultation with Sponsor, it is agreed by the
                  parties that a patent application should be filed, Institution
                  will prepare and file appropriate United States and foreign
                  patent applications on Inventions made under this Agreement,
                  and Sponsor will pay the cost of preparing, filing and
                  maintenance thereof If Sponsor notifies Institution that it
                  does not intend to pay the costs of an application, or if
                  Sponsor does not respond or make an effort to agree with
                  Institution on the disposition of rights to the Invention,
                  then Institution may file such application at its own expense,
                  and Sponsor shall have no rights to such Invention.
                  Institution will provide Sponsor a copy of the application
                  filed for which Sponsor has paid the cost of filing, as well
                  as copies of any documents received or filed during
                  prosecution thereof. Sponsor agrees to maintain any such
                  application in confidence until it is published by Institution
                  or by the respective patent office.

         6.4      Under the terms of the "Patent and Technology License
                  Agreement between Institution and Introgen (Intron)
                  Therapeutics" dated effective July 20, 1994, Institution
                  hereby licenses to Sponsor an exclusive, world-wide,
                  royalty-bearing license to Invention (as well as patent
                  applications, patents, and copyrights thereon) for commercial
                  purposes, provided that Sponsor shall pay all costs and
                  expenses associated with patent and copyright filing,
                  prosecution, issuance, and maintenance. Sponsor shall have
                  thirty (30) days from written notice of Invention from
                  Institution pursuant to Section 6.2 hereinabove, to give
                  written notice to Institution to include any invention in the
                  above referenced licensed agreement.

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                                   7. GENERAL

         7.1      This Agreement, including the attached Exhibit A and B,
                  constitutes the entire and only Agreement between the parties
                  relating to the Study, and all prior negotiations,
                  representations, agreements, and understandings are superseded
                  hereby. No agreements altering or supplementing the terms
                  hereof, including the exhibits attached hereto, may be made
                  except by a written document signed by the duly authorized
                  representatives of the parties.

         7.2      Any conflicts between the Protocol and this Agreement are
                  controlled by this Agreement.

         7.3      This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance
                  with the laws of the State of Texas.

         7.4      This Agreement anticipates educational training and may
                  involve health science postgraduates and other students of the
                  Institution.

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Institution and Sponsor hereby enter into this
Agreement, effective as of the date first set forth above, and execute two (2)
original counterparts.

Introgen Therapeutics                    The University of Texas
                                         M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

By: /s/ DAVID G. NANCE                   By: /s/ DONNA S. GILBERG
    ------------------                       -------------------------------
     David G. Nance                          Donna S. Gilberg, CPA
     President                               Manager, Sponsored Programs

Date: 21 September 1995                  Date: October 3, 1995

                                         I have read this agreement and
                                         understand my obligations hereunder:

                                         By: /s/ W.K. ALFRED YOUNG
                                             -------------------------------
                                             W.K. Alfred Yung, M.D.
                                             Principal Investigator

                                         By: /s/ VICTOR A. LEVIN
                                             -------------------------------
                                             Victor A. Levin, M.D.
                                             Chairman, Department of
                                                  Neuro-Oncology

                                         By: /s/ ROBERT C. BAST, JR.
                                             -------------------------------
                                             Robert C. Bast, Jr., M.D.
                                             Head, Division of Medicine

                                         Make Payment to:
                                         The University of Texas
                                         M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
                                         Attn:  Manager, Sponsored Programs
                                         P.O. Box 297402
                                         Houston, TX 77297
                                         Tax I.D. 74 6001118 A1

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                                    EXHIBIT A

                                       [*]

     [*]   Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed
            separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been
            requested with respect to the omitted portions.<PAGE>   1
                                                                 Exhibit 10.13

SR 96-004

                          SPONSORED RESEARCH AGREEMENT

         This Agreement, is made this 17th day of January, 1996 ("Effective
Date"), by and between THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
(hereinafter referred to as "CANCER CENTER"), a component institution of The
University of Texas System (hereinafter referred to as "SYSTEM"), located in
Houston, Texas, and Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as
"SPONSOR"), located in Austin, Texas.

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, SPONSOR, CANCER CENTER and the Regents of the University of
Texas System are negotiating a PATENT AND TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AGREEMENT (the
"LICENSE AGREEMENT") and have executed an Option Agreement regarding the same.

         WHEREAS, CANCER CENTER and SPONSOR acknowledge that the RESEARCH to be
conducted hereunder includes (i) the Research Plan as described in Exhibit I, a
copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, including
all work of CANCER CENTER personnel in performing the work described in Exhibit
I, and (ii) all work that is performed by CANCER CENTER personnel comprising
additional research projects described in Attachment A-n, where n represents the
ordinal number of a particular project, or other work performed using funds
provided by SPONSOR (hereinafter referred to collectively as "RESEARCH");

         WHEREAS, SPONSOR and CANCER CENTER consider it necessary and desirable
to perform the RESEARCH, and

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

1.       Evaluation. SPONSOR agrees to engage the services of CANCER CENTER as
         an independent contractor to perform the RESEARCH. The RESEARCH will be
         under the supervision of Sue-Haw Lin, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator) at
         CANCER CENTER, with the assistance of appropriate associates and
         colleagues at CANCER CENTER as may be required.

2.       Research. CANCER CENTER agrees as an independent contractor to conduct
         the RESEARCH. Such RESEARCH has been approved by CANCER CENTER in
         accordance with CANCER CENTER policy and may be subsequently amended
         only in accordance with CANCER CENTER policy and with the written
         agreement of CANCER CENTER and SPONSOR as provided for in Article 16
         herein below.

3.       Invention and Patents.

         a.       For all purposes herein, "Invention" shall mean any discovery,
                  concept or idea whether or not patentable, including without
                  limitation, biological materials, which arises out of or is
                  made, conceived, or reduced to practice in connection with the
                  RESEARCH.

<PAGE>   2

                  Inventions made solely by the Principal Investigator and/or
                  other CANCER CENTER PERSONNEL as identified in Article I
                  hereinabove or agents of CANCER CENTER shall be the sole
                  property of CANCER CENTER.

         b.       In the event that an Invention is made, CANCER CENTER shall
                  notify SPONSOR, which notice shall reference this Section 3
                  and include a description of the Invention in reasonable
                  detail. SPONSOR shall have the option to include all worldwide
                  patent rights with respect to such Invention within the
                  "EXISTING PATENT RIGHTS" under Section 2.3(a) of the LICENSE
                  AGREEMENT, and to include related information, know-how,
                  biological materials and the like within the TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS
                  under the LICENSE AGREEMENT. To exercise such option with
                  respect to any particular Invention, SPONSOR shall so notify
                  CANCER CENTER within sixty (60) days after receipt of CANCER
                  CENTER's notice thereof as described above. Promptly following
                  such exercise, the parties shall revise Schedule A to the
                  LICENSE AGREEMENT to reflect the additional patent
                  applications and patents so included. CANCER CENTER warrants
                  to SPONSOR that CANCER CENTER has the right to grant to
                  SPONSOR the option and right contemplated in this Section 3
                  and that upon exercise of the option described herein with
                  respect to any Invention, all worldwide patent rights therein
                  will be included under the LICENSE AGREEMENT.

4.       Confidentiality. In the course of work performed pursuant to the
         RESEARCH under this Agreement, should either party provide confidential
         information to the other party, the recipient party shall, until five
         (5) years after the termination of this Agreement, maintain the
         confidentiality of that information as it maintains the confidentiality
         of its own confidential information, and shall not disclose such
         confidential information to any other party, nor shall the recipient
         party disclose the disclosing party's confidential information to the
         recipients employees other than those employees having a
         "need-to-know". Confidential information shall be clearly marked as
         such. If disclosed orally, the party making the disclosure shall be
         responsible for clearly informing the recipient party of the
         confidentiality of the information disclosed. Notwithstanding the other
         provisions of this paragraph, nothing disclosed hereunder shall be
         construed as confidential information which:

         a.       is or becomes available to the public (except by a breach of
                  this Agreement by a party hereto);

         b.       is rightfully received from another party not under obligation
                  of confidentiality to the disclosing party,

         c.       is not known by the recipient party, or is independently
                  developed by the recipient party by persons without access to
                  the confidential information;

         d.       is approved for release by the party designating the
                  information as confidential;

         e.       is not identified as confidential at the time of disclosure;

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         f.       is not in writing or physical form at time of disclosure or
                  reduced to a written or physical form and identified as
                  confidential within thirty (30) days of disclosure; or

         g.       is required to be disclosed under the laws or other government
                  regulations of the United States of America or the State of
                  Texas or other governmental bodies, provided that the parties
                  shall first exhaust all reasonable measures available to
                  protect the confidentiality of such information upon
                  disclosure.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood that SPONSOR may use
and disclose any information provided to it hereunder that relates to licensed
subject matter (as such term is defined in the LICENSE AGREEMENT).

5.       Publication Rights. CANCER CENTER my publish scientific papers relating
         to the collaborative RESEARCH performed under this Agreement; provided
         that such publication will not disclose SPONSOR's confidential
         information which may not be disclosed pursuant to Paragraph 4. [*]
         prior to any such publication, CANCER CENTER shall provide SPONSOR with
         a draft of the proposed publication and afford SPONSOR the opportunity
         to comment and if applicable, file a patent application prior to
         publication. Upon SPONSOR's request, CANCER CENTER will withhold
         publication and disclosure for a period of ninety (90) days from the
         date SPONSOR receives the proposed publication from CANCER CENTER if
         SPONSOR believes that such action is necessary to file patent
         applications.

6.       Publicity. CANCER CENTER acknowledges SPONSOR's intention to distribute
         periodically informational releases and announcements to the news media
         regarding the progress of research hereunder. SPONSOR shall not release
         such materials containing the name of CANCER CENTER or any of its
         employees without prior written approval by an authorized
         representative of CANCER CENTER and said approval shall not be
         unreasonably withheld. Should CANCER CENTER reject the news release,
         CANCER CENTER and SPONSOR agree to discuss the reasons for CANCER
         CENTER's rejection, and every effort shall be made to develop an
         appropriate informational news release within the bounds of accepted
         academic practices. SPONSOR reserves the same right in the event that
         CANCER CENTER desires to distribute a news release concerning the
         RESEARCH. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting CANCER
         CENTER or SPONSOR from reporting on this study to a governmental
         agency.

7.       Responsibility. The parties each agree to assume individual
         responsibility for the actions and omissions of their respective
         employees, agents and assigns in conjunction with this Agreement.

8.       Independent Contractor. SPONSOR will not have the right to direct or
         control the activities of CANCER CENTER in performing the services
         provided herein, and CANCER CENTER shall perform services hereunder
         only as an independent contractor, and nothing herein contained shall
         be construed to be inconsistent with this relationship or status. Under
         no

         [*]   Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed
               separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been
               requested with respect to the omitted portions.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>   4

         circumstances shall CANCER CENTER be considered to be an employee or
         agent of SPONSOR. This Agreement shall not constitute, create or in any
         way be interpreted as a joint venture, partnership, or formal business
         organization of any kind.

9.       Title to Equipment. CANCER CENTER shall retain title to all equipment
         purchased and/or fabricated by it with funds provided by SPONSOR under
         this Agreement.

10.      Survivorship. The provisions of Article 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12 shall
         survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement.

11.      Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without
         the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that
         SPONSOR may assign this Agreement to any purchaser or transferee of all
         or substantially all of SPONSOR'S business pertaining to the subject
         matter hereof upon prior written notice to CANCER CENTER.

12.      Indemnification. CANCER CENTER shall, to the extent authorized under
         the Constitution and the laws of the State of Texas, hold SPONSOR
         harmless from liability resulting from the negligent acts or omissions
         of CANCER CENTER, its agents or employees pertaining to the activities
         to be carried out pursuant to the obligations of this Agreement;
         provided, however, that CANCER CENTER shall not hold SPONSOR harmless
         from claim arising out of the negligence of SPONSOR, its officers,
         agents or any person or entity not subject to CANCER CENTER's
         supervision or control.

         SPONSOR shall indemnify and hold harmless SYSTEM, CANCER CENTER, their
         regents, officers, agents and employees from any liability or loss
         resulting from judgments or claims against them arising out of the
         activities to be carried out pursuant to the obligations of this
         Agreement or the use by SPONSOR of the results of the RESEARCH,
         provided, however, that the following is excluded from SPONSOR's
         obligation to indemnify and hold harmless:

         a.       the negligent failure of CANCER CENTER to comply with any
                  applicable governmental requirements; or

         b.       the negligence or willful malfeasance by a regent, officer,
                  agent or employee of CANCER CENTER or SYSTEM.

13.      Award. SPONSOR agrees to pay CANCER CENTER a fee of [*]. This fee, as
         shown [*] in Exhibit III, which is attached hereto and is incorporated
         herein by reference, for information only, shall be payable [*].

14.      Basic Term. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first
         hereinabove written and unless earlier terminated as hereinafter
         provided, shall continue in force for a period of eighteen (18) months
         after the same; provided that either party may terminate this Agreement
         at any time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other
         party. Following such initial eighteen (18) month period, unless
         earlier terminated as provided in Section 15, this

         [*]   Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed
               separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been
               requested with respect to the omitted portions.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>   5

         Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for such additional
         time period as the parties may agree in writing until terminated by
         either party for any reason on thirty (30) days prior written notice to
         the other party.

15.      Default and Termination. In the event that either party to this
         Agreement shall be in default of any of its material obligations
         hereunder and shall fail to remedy such default within [*] after
         receipt of written notice thereof the party not in default shall have
         the option of terminating this Agreement by giving written notice
         thereof notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
         Agreement. Termination of this Agreement shall not affect the rights
         and obligations of the parties which accrued prior to the effective
         date of termination. SPONSOR shall pay CANCER CENTER for all reasonable
         expenses incurred or committed to be expended as of the effective
         termination date, in accordance with mutually agreed plans for
         RESEARCH, subject to the maximum amount as specified in Article 13.

16.      Entire Agreement. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement and the
         attached Exhibits hereto represent the sole and entire Agreement
         between the parties hereto pertaining to the RESEARCH and that such
         supersedes all prior Agreements, understandings, negotiations and
         discussions between the parties regarding same, whether oral or
         written. There are no warranties, representations or other Agreements
         between the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof except
         as specifically set forth herein. No supplement amendment, alteration,
         modification, waiver or termination of this Agreement shall be binding
         unless executed in writing by the parties hereto.

17.      Reform of Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is, becomes or
         is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any United States
         jurisdiction, such provision shall be deemed amended to conform to
         applicable laws so as to be valid and enforceable; or if it cannot be
         so amended without materially altering the intention of the parties, it
         shall be stricken, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in
         full force and effect.

18.      Notices. Any notices, statements, payments, or reports required by this
         Agreement shall be considered given if sent by United States Certified
         Mail, postage prepaid and addressed as follows:

         If to CANCER CENTER:

                           Donna S. Gilberg, CPA
                           Manager, Sponsored Programs
                           The University of Tom M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
                           1515 Holcombe Blvd.
                           Houston, Texas 77030

         [*]   Certain information on this page has been omitted and filed
               separately with the Commission. Confidential treatment has been
               requested with respect to the omitted portions.

                                       -5-

<PAGE>   6

                  If to SPONSOR:

                           David Nance
                           President
                           Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
                           301 Congress Avenue, Suite 2025
                           Austin, Texas 78701

19.      Captions. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and
         shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or
         interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

20.      Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in
         accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Texas and with
         applicable laws of the United States of America.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CANCER CENTER and SPONSOR entered into this
Agreement effective as of the date first hereinabove written and have executed
three (3) originals each of which are of equal dignity.

INTROGEN THERAPEUTICS, INC.                THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
                                           M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER

BY:  /s/DAVID NANCE                        BY: /s/ DONNA S. GILBERG
     ___________________________               ----------------------------
         David Nance                                Donna S. Gilberg, CPA
         President                                  Manager, Sponsored Programs

DATE: 1-17-96                              DATE: 1-17-96
      __________________________                 ---------------------------

                                       -6-

<PAGE>   7

                                    I have read this agreement and understand my
                                    obligations hereunder:

                                    BY:  /s/ SUE-HWA LIA
                                        -------------------------------------
                                             Sue-Hwa Lia, Ph.D.
                                             Principal Investigator

                                    BY:  /s/ RALPH B. ARLINGHAUS
                                        -------------------------------------
                                             Ralph B. Arlinghaus, Ph.D.
                                             Chairman, Dept. of Molecular
                                                      Pathology

                                    BY: /s/ JOHN G. BATSAKIS
                                        -------------------------------------
                                            John G. Batsakis, M.D.
                                            Head, Division of Pathology

Mail Payment To:

         The University of Texas
         M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
         Atten:  Manager, Sponsored Programs
         P.O. Box 297402
         Houston, Texas  77297

         Tax I.D.:  74-6001118-A1

                                       -7-

<PAGE>   8

                                     EXHIBIT

                                       [*]

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