Document:

North Coast Securities Corporation
                             9995 Gate Parkway North
                                    Suite 300
                             Jacksonville, FL 32246

                                                     February 3, 2006

HealthRenu Medical, Inc.
12777 Jones Road
Suite 481
Houston, TX 77070
Attn: Robert W. Prokos
      President and Chief Executive Officer

Dear Rob:

We are pleased to confirm our mutual  understanding  regarding  the retention of
North  Coast  Securities  Corporation  ("Agent")  by  HealthRenu  Medical,  Inc.
(collectively  with its  affiliates,  the  "Company"),  subject to the terms and
conditions of this agreement (the "Agreement").

1.  Agent  will act as the  Company's  Agent  in  connection  with  the  private
placement of up to $600,000 of Equity Units  (referred to as the "Units"),  each
Unit  consisting of a  convertible  promissory  note in the principal  amount of
$1,000 (the  "Notes")  and eight  warrants to purchase one share of common stock
and the per share exercise prices of the warrants will be 100% of the conversion
price of the Notes for two warrants,  125% of the conversion  price of the Notes
for  three  warrants  and 150% of the  conversion  price of the  Notes for three
warrants.  The Units will be issued only to accredited  investors (as defined in
Rule 501  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended),  on terms  mutually
agreeable  between the parties  hereto,  certain of which terms are set forth on
Exhibit A, annexed  hereto and  incorporated  herein by reference  (such private
placement  referred to as the  "Offering").  The Offering will be made on a best
efforts basis subject to the terms and conditions  set forth herein.  Agent will
act as  the  non-exclusive  Agent  for  the  Offering  and  sale  of  the  Units
constituting the Offering.

2. Agent will provide the Company with the following services in connection with
the Offering:

      A.    Assisting the Company in preparation of documents in connection with
            the  Offering,  and  acting  as the  Agent in  connection  with such
            Offering;

      B.    Coordinating the marketing effort for the sale of the Securities;

      C.    Assisting  the  Company  in  negotiating   transaction   terms  with
            potential investors in the Securities; and

HealthRenu Medical, Inc.
February 3, 2006
Page 2

      D.    Providing  such  other  advice,  assistance  or  services  as may be
            reasonably  requested by the Company in connection with the Offering
            and as mutually agreed upon by Agent and the Company.

3. Agent's  compensation  for acting as Agent for the Company in connection with
the Offering pursuant to this Agreement will be as follows:

      A.    A fee equal to 12% of the gross  proceeds  raised in the Offering by
            Agent  (the  "Offering  Amount"),  payable  on the  Offering  Amount
            subscribed for and accepted at each Closing of the Offering.

      B.    At each Closing of the Offering,  the Company shall pay to Agent,  a
            non-accountable  expense  allowance in the amount equal to 3% of the
            Offering Amount subscribed for and accepted at that Closing.

      C.    Agent  will  receive as a Due  Diligence  and  Pre-Marketing  Fee, a
            payment  from  the  Company  of  $15,000  upon   execution  of  this
            Agreement,  to cover the costs and expenses of Agent's due diligence
            investigation and pre-marketing activities on behalf of the Company.

      D.    Agent will  receive  warrants to  purchase  that number of shares of
            common stock of the Company as equals 10% of the number of shares of
            common  stock that would be issuable to  investors  in the  Offering
            assuming  conversion of Notes at each applicable  closing date, with
            an  exercise  price  equal  to 110% of the  conversion  price of the
            shares  on such  date,  a term of four  years  and all  other  terms
            substantially  the same as those of  other  warrants  issued  by the
            Company in the offering.

4. In connection with Agent's  activities on the Company's  behalf,  the Company
will cooperate with Agent and will furnish Agent with all  information  and data
concerning  the  Company  which Agent  reasonably  believes  appropriate  to the
performance of services  contemplated by this Agreement (all such information so
furnished being the "Information") and will provide Agent with reasonable access
to the Company's officers,  directors,  employees,  independent  accountants and
legal counsel.  The Company  recognizes and confirms that Agent (i) will use and
rely primarily on the  Information  and on information  available from generally
recognized  public  sources  in  performing  the  services  contemplated  by the
Agreement,  without having  independently  verified  same,  (ii) does not assume
responsibility  for the accuracy or  completeness  of the  Information  and such
other information and (iii) will not make an independent appraisal of any of the
Company's  assets.  The  Information  to  be  furnished  by  the  Company,  when
delivered,  will be, to the best of the Company's knowledge, true and correct in
all material respects and will not contain any material misstatements of fact or
omit to state any  material  fact  necessary  to make the  statements  contained
therein not  misleading.  The Company will promptly notify Agent if it learns of
any  material  inaccuracy  or  misstatement  in, or material  omission  from any
information  thereto  delivered to Agent.  Agent agrees to keep the  Information
confidential  and  only to  release  the  Information  with the  consent  of the
Company.  At the  Closing,  the  Company  shall  deliver  to  Agent  an  officer
certificate  and  opinion of counsel  reasonably  acceptable  to the Company and
Agent.  If the  transaction  contemplated by this Agreement is not completed for
whatever reason,  Agent will return the Information  (without keeping any copies
thereof)  forthwith  on demand  by the  Company.  Agent on its part  represents,
warrants,  and  agrees  that  it has and at all  times  while  it is  performing
services  under  this  Agreement  it will  comply  with  all  laws,  rules,  and
regulations  applicable to it in connection  with the services it performs under
this  Agreement,  such  compliance  to include all  licenses  in all  applicable
jurisdictions  it and its agents are  required to maintain  for  purposes of its
activities under this Agreement.

<PAGE>

HealthRenu Medical, Inc.
February 3, 2006
Page 3

5. The  Company  agrees that Agent has the right to place  "tombstone"  or other
advertisements  describing  its services to the Company under this  Agreement in
financial and other  newspapers and journals,  provided the Company  consents to
the same,  and which consent shall not be  unreasonably  withheld,  and provided
further that any such advertisement complies with applicable law.

6. The Company agrees to indemnify Agent in accordance with the  indemnification
provisions (the  "Indemnification  Provisions")  attached to this Agreement,  as
Exhibit B, and which Indemnification Provisions are incorporated herein and made
a part hereof and which shall  survive the  termination  or  expiration  of this
Agreement.

7. The validity and  interpretation  of this Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed  and enforced in  accordance  with,  the laws of the State of Delaware
applicable to agreements made and to be fully performed  therein  (excluding the
conflicts of laws rules).

8. The  benefits of this  Agreement  shall inure to the  parties  hereto,  their
respective  successors and assigns and to the indemnified  parties hereunder and
their respective successors and assigns and representatives, and the obligations
and liabilities assumed in this Agreement by the parties hereto shall be binding
upon their respective successors and assigns.

9. Each of the Company and Agent (and, to the extent permitted by law, on behalf
of their respective equity holders and creditors) hereby knowingly,  voluntarily
and  irrevocably  waives  any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of
any claim based upon,  arising out of or in connection  with this  Agreement and
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Each of the Company  and Agent  hereby
certify  that no  representative  or agent of the other  party  has  represented
expressly or otherwise  that such party would not seek to enforce the provisions
of this  waiver.  Further each of the Company and Agent  acknowledges  that each
party has been induced to enter this Agreement by, inter alia, the provisions of
this Section.

<PAGE>

HealthRenu Medical, Inc.
February 3, 2006
Page 4

10. If it is found in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction (not
subject  to  further  appeal)  that any term or  provision  hereof is invalid or
unenforceable, (i) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired
and shall remain in full force and effect and (ii) the invalid or  unenforceable
provision  or term shall be  replaced by a term or  provision  that is valid and
enforceable  and that comes closest to expressing  the intention of such invalid
or unenforceable term or provision.

11. This  Agreement  embodies  the entire  agreement  and  understanding  of the
parties  hereto and supersedes any and all prior  agreements,  arrangements  and
understanding  relating  to the matters  provided  for  herein.  No  alteration,
waiver,  amendment,  change or  supplement  hereto shall be binding or effective
unless  the  same  is  set  forth  in  writing  signed  by  a  duly   authorized
representative of each party.

12. The Company has all  requisite  corporate  power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been
duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
Company and has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and  constitutes
a legal,  valid and binding agreement of the Company,  enforceable in accordance
with  its  terms  (except  as  enforceability   may  be  limited  by  applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws).

13. Agent has all  requisite  corporate  power and  authority to enter into this
Agreement,  once executed by Agent's Officers.  This Agreement has been duly and
validly  authorized by all necessary  corporate  action on the part of Agent and
has been duly executed and delivered by Agent and constitutes a legal, valid and
binding agreement of Agent,  enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as
enforceability  may be limited by applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar
laws).

14. This  Agreement  does not create,  and shall not be  construed  as creating,
rights  enforceable  by any person or entity not a party  hereto,  except  those
entitled thereto by virtue of the Indemnification Provisions hereof. The Company
acknowledges  and agrees  that with  respect to the  services  to be rendered by
Agent, Agent is not and shall not be construed as a fiduciary of the Company and
shall have no duties or  liabilities  to the equity  holders or creditors of the
Company or any other  person by virtue of this  Agreement  and the  retention of
Agent  hereunder,  all of which are hereby  expressly  waived.  The Company also
agrees that Agent shall not have any liability  (including  without  limitation,
liability  for  losses,  claims,  damages,  obligations,  penalties,  judgments,
awards,  liabilities,  costs,  expenses  or  disbursements  resulting  from  any
negligent  act or omission of Agent,  whether  direct or indirect,  in contract,
tort  or  otherwise)  to  the  Company  or to  any  person  (including,  without
limitation,  equity holders and creditors of the Company)  claiming  through the
Company for or in connection  with the  engagement of Agent,  this Agreement and
the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  except for liabilities which arise as a
result of the gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct  of Agent.  The  Company
acknowledges that Agent was induced to enter into this Agreement by, inter alia,
the provisions of this Section.

<PAGE>

HealthRenu Medical, Inc.
February 3, 2006
Page 5

15. For the  convenience  of the  parties,  any number of  counterparts  of this
Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto. Each such counterpart shall be,
and shall be deemed to be, an  original  instrument,  but all such  counterparts
taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

      If the foregoing  correctly sets forth our agreement,  we would appreciate
your  signing  the  enclosed  copy of this  letter  in the  space  provided  and
returning it to us.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       NORTH COAST SECURITIES CORPORATION

                                       By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Frank Pasterczyk
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

Confirmed and agreed to:

HEALTHRENU MEDICAL, INC.

By:
    -------------------------------------------------
    Robert W. Prokos
    President and Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                      Summary of Certain Terms of Offering

Offering                      Sale of up to  $600,000  of Units  to raise  money
                              principally  for  working  capital   purposes  and
                              capital expenditures.  No minimum dollar amount of
                              Units  must be  subscribed  for in order to close.
                              Expenses of the offering,  sales  commissions  and
                              additional  fees and costs of the Placement  Agent
                              will  be  deducted   from  the   proceeds  of  the
                              offering.

Equity Unit                   Each Unit  consisting of a convertible  promissory
                              note  in  the  principal  amount  of  $1,000  (the
                              "Notes") and eight  warrants to purchase one share
                              of common stock and the per share exercise  prices
                              of the  warrants  will be  100% of the  conversion
                              price of the Notes for two  warrants,  125% of the
                              conversion  price of the Notes for three  warrants
                              and 150% of the conversion  price of the Notes for
                              three  warrants.  The offer to sell Units pursuant
                              to  this  Offering  will  terminate  on or  before
                              February  28,  2006 at our  discretion  unless  we
                              elect to extend the  Offering  through any date up
                              to including March 31, 2006.

Purchase Price of Units       The purchase price per unit is $1,000.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>

Notes                         The Notes are  convertible  at the election of the
                              holder  thereof,  at any time  commencing from and
                              after their date of  issuance  and for a period of
                              three years thereafter, upon written notice to the
                              Company.

                              The  conversion  price  is  equal  to  80%  of the
                              average  closing  price of the common stock on the
                              OTC-BB  for  the  10  trading   days   immediately
                              preceding the day upon which the Company  receives
                              a conversion notice from the Noteholder.

                              The Notes  accrue  interest  at the rate of 8% per
                              annum payable in shares of Company common stock.

Warrants                      The warrants included in the Units are exercisable
                              for  shares of  Company  common  stock at any time
                              beginning on the date of  conversion  of the Notes
                              and ending on March 31, 2011.  Each Unit  includes
                              eight  warrants  to  purchase  one share of common
                              stock  and the per  share  exercise  prices of the
                              warrants will be 100% of the  conversion  price of
                              the Notes for two warrants, 125% of the conversion
                              price of the Notes for three  warrants and 150% of
                              the  conversion  price  of  the  Notes  for  three
                              warrants.  The warrants are subject to  adjustment
                              for anti-dilution purposes.

Registration Rights           Stockholders will have the following  registration
                              rights with  respect to the shares of common stock
                              into which the Notes are  convertible and warrants
                              are  exercisable.  The Company  will  undertake to
                              file  with  the  SEC  a   registration   statement
                              covering the underlying  shares of common stock at
                              the  Company's  expense  on or before May 1, 2006.
                              The Company  will use its best efforts to have the
                              registration  statement  declared effective within
                              60 days of filing.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>

Indemnification of
Placement Agent               The Company will indemnify the Placement Agent for
                              any and all  claims  by  other  brokers,  dealers,
                              placement agents, investment advisors or the like.

Qualified Investors           Accredited investors only.

Confidentiality               The  Company  will  not  disclose,  and  will  not
                              include  in any public  announcement,  the name of
                              the investors in this offering,  unless  expressly
                              agreed  to  by  the   investor   or  unless   such
                              disclosure   is  required  by  law  or  applicable
                              regulation,  and then  only to the  extent of such
                              requirement.

Governing Law
and Jurisdiction              New York law, New York courts.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                           INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS

      Capitalized   terms   used   herein   that  are  not   defined   in  these
indemnification provisions  ("Indemnification  Provisions") have the meaning set
forth in the engagement  letter agreement dated February 3, 2006,  between North
Coast Securities  Corporation ("Agent") and HealthRenu Medical,  Inc., as such a
agreement may be amended from time to time (the "Agreement").

      The Company  agrees to indemnify and hold harmless  Agent,  to the fullest
extent permitted by law, from and against any and all losses,  claims,  damages,
liabilities,  obligations,  penalties,  judgments,  awards,  costs, expenses and
disbursements (and any and all actions, suits, proceedings and investigations in
respect   thereof  and  any  and  all  legal  and  other  costs,   expenses  and
disbursements  in giving  testimony  or  furnishing  documents  in response to a
subpoena or otherwise),  including,  without limitation, the costs, expenses and
disbursements,  as and when incurred,  of investigating,  preparing or defending
any such action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether or not in connection
with litigation in which Agent is a party),  directly or indirectly,  caused by,
relating to, based upon, arising out of or in connection with (a) Agent's acting
for the Company, including,  without limitation, any act or omission by Agent in
connection  with its acceptance of or the performance or  nonperformance  of its
obligations  under the  Agreement,  (b) any untrue  statement or alleged  untrue
statement of a material  fact  contained  in, or omissions or alleged  omissions
from any  information  furnished  to Agent by the  Company or (c) any  Offering;
provided,  however,  such indemnity  agreement shall not apply to any portion of
any such loss, claim, damage,  obligation,  penalty, judgment, award, liability,
cost, expense or disbursement to the extent it is found in a final judgment by a
court of competent jurisdiction (not subject to further appeal) to have resulted
primarily and directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Agent.

      These  Indemnification  Provisions  shall be in addition to any  liability
which the Company may otherwise have to Agent or the persons  indemnified  below
in this  sentence  and  shall  extend  to the  following  Agent  its  affiliated
entities, directors,  officers, employees, legal counsel, agents and controlling
persons (within the meaning of the federal  securities  laws). All references to
Agent in these Indemnification Provisions shall be understood to include any and
all of the foregoing.

      If any action, suit, proceeding or investigation is commenced, as to which
Agent  proposes to demand  indemnification,  it shall  notify the  Company  with
reasonable  promptness;  provided,  however,  that the Company shall be relieved
from its  obligations  hereunder  to the extent a failure by Agent to notify the
Company with  reasonable  promptness  results in a  significant  increase in the
Company's obligations hereunder. Agent shall have the right to retain counsel of
its own choice to represent it, which counsel shall be reasonably  acceptable to
the Company,  and the Company shall pay the fees,  expenses and disbursements of
such  counsel;  and  such  counsel  shall,  to the  extent  consistent  with its
professional  responsibilities,  cooperate  with  the  Company  and any  counsel
designated by the Company. The Company shall be liable for any settlement of any
claim against Agent made with the Company's written consent, which consent shall
not be unreasonably  withheld.  The Company shall not, without the prior written
consent of Agent, settle or compromise any claim, or permit a default or consent
to the  entry of any  judgment  in  respect  thereof,  unless  such  settlement,
compromise or consent includes,  as an unconditional term thereof, the giving by
the  claimant to Agent of an  unconditional  and  irrevocable  release  from all
liability in respect of such claim.

                                      B-1
<PAGE>

      In order to provide for just and  equitable  contribution,  if a claim for
indemnification  pursuant to these Indemnification  Provisions is made but it is
found in a final judgment by a court of competent  jurisdiction  (not subject to
further appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case, even
though the express  provisions hereof provide for  indemnification in such case,
then  the  Company,  on the one  hand,  and  Agent,  on the  other  hand,  shall
contribute to the losses, claims, damages,  obligations,  penalties,  judgments,
awards, liabilities,  costs, expenses and disbursements to which the indemnified
persons may be subject in accordance with the relative  benefits received by the
Company,  on the one hand,  and Agent,  on the other hand, and also the relative
fault of the  Company,  on the one  hand,  and  Agent,  on the  other  hand,  in
connection with the statement,  acts or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages, obligations,  penalties, judgments, awards, liabilities, costs,
expenses or disbursements and the relevant equitable  considerations  shall also
be considered.  No person found liable for a fraudulent  misrepresentation shall
be entitled  to  contribution  from any person who is not also found  liable for
such fraudulent  misrepresentation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  Agent shall
not be obligated to contribute  any amount  hereunder that exceeds the amount of
fees previously received by Agent pursuant to the Agreement.

      Neither  termination nor completion of the engagement of Agent referred to
above shall  affect  these  Indemnification  Provisions  which shall then remain
operative and in full force and effect.

                                      B-2Exhibit 10.1

                         COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

      COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of April 12,
2006, by and between HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and FUSION CAPITAL FUND II, LLC, an Illinois limited liability
company (the "Buyer"). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
herein are defined in Section 10 hereof.

                                    WHEREAS:

      Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the
Company wishes to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer wishes to buy from the
Company, up to Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000) of the Company's common
stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"). The shares of Common
Stock to be purchased hereunder (other than the Commitment Shares) are referred
to herein as the "Purchase Shares."

      NOW THEREFORE, the Company and the Buyer hereby agree as follows:

      1. PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK.

      Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Sections 6, 7 and 9
below, the Company hereby agrees to sell to the Buyer, and the Buyer hereby
agrees to purchase from the Company, Purchase Shares as follows:

      (a) Commencement of Purchases of Common Stock. The purchase and sale of
Purchase Shares hereunder shall commence (the "Commencement") within five (5)
Trading Days following the date of satisfaction of the conditions to the
Commencement set forth in Sections 6 and 7 below (the date of such Commencement,
the "Commencement Date").

      (b) Buyer's Purchase Rights and Obligations. Subject to the Company's
right to suspend purchases under Section 1(d)(ii) hereof, the Buyer shall buy
Purchase Shares ("Daily Purchases") on each Trading Day during each Monthly
Period equal to the Daily Purchase Amount (as defined in Section 1(c)(i)) at the
Purchase Price. From time to time, the Company shall also have the right but not
the obligation, by its delivery to the Buyer of a Block Purchase Notice (as
defined in Section 1(c)(iv)), to require the Buyer to buy Purchase Shares (a
"Block Purchase") equal to the Block Purchase Amount (as defined in Section
1(c)(iv)) at the Block Purchase Price (as defined in Section 1(c)(iv)). The
Buyer shall pay to the Company an amount equal to the Purchase Amount with
respect to such Purchase Shares as full payment for the purchase of the Purchase
Shares so received. The Company shall not issue any fraction of a share of
Common Stock upon any purchase. If the issuance would result in the issuance of
a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of
a share of Common Stock up or down to the nearest whole share. All payments made
under this Agreement shall be made in lawful money of the United States of
America by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account
as the Company may from time to time designate by written notice in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement. Whenever any amount expressed to be due
by the terms of this Agreement is due on any day that is not a Trading Day, the
same shall instead be due on the next succeeding day which is a Trading Day.

<PAGE>

      (c) The Daily Purchase Amount; Company's Right to Decrease or Increase the
Daily Purchase Amount; the Block Purchase Amount.

            (i) The Daily Purchase Amount. As used herein the term "Original
      Daily Purchase Amount" shall mean One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000)
      per Trading Day. As used herein, the term "Daily Purchase Amount" shall
      mean initially One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) per Trading Day,
      which amount may be increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to
      this Section 1(c).

            (ii) Company's Right to Decrease the Daily Purchase Amount. The
      Company shall always have the right at any time to decrease the amount of
      the Daily Purchase Amount by delivering written notice (a "Daily Purchase
      Amount Decrease Notice") to the Buyer which notice shall specify the new
      Daily Purchase Amount. The decrease in the Daily Purchase Amount shall
      become effective one Trading Day after receipt by the Buyer of the Daily
      Purchase Amount Decrease Notice. Any purchases by the Buyer which have a
      Purchase Date on or prior to the first (1st) Trading Day after receipt by
      the Buyer of a Daily Purchase Amount Decrease Notice must be honored by
      the Company as otherwise provided herein. The decrease in the Daily
      Purchase Amount shall remain in effect until the Company delivers to the
      Buyer a Daily Purchase Amount Increase Notice (as defined below).

            (iii) Company's Right to Increase the Daily Purchase Amount. The
      Company shall have the right (but not the obligation) to increase the
      amount of the Daily Purchase Amount in accordance with the terms and
      conditions set forth in this Section 1(c)(iii) by delivering written
      notice to the Buyer stating the new amount of the Daily Purchase Amount (a
      "Daily Purchase Amount Increase Notice"). A Daily Purchase Amount Increase
      Notice shall be effective five (5) Trading Days after receipt by the
      Buyer. The Company shall always have the right at any time to increase the
      amount of the Daily Purchase Amount up to the Original Daily Purchase
      Amount. With respect to increases in the Daily Purchase Amount above the
      Original Daily Purchase Amount, as the market price for the Common Stock
      increases the Company shall have the right from time to time to increase
      the Daily Purchase Amount as follows. For every $0.10 increase in
      Threshold Price above $1.90 (subject to equitable adjustment for any
      reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other
      similar transaction), the Company shall have the right to increase the
      Daily Purchase Amount by up to an additional $10,000 in excess of the
      Original Daily Purchase Amount. "Threshold Price" for purposes hereof
      means the lowest Sale Price of the Common Stock during the five (5)
      consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to the submission to the Buyer
      of a Daily Purchase Amount Increase Notice (subject to equitable
      adjustment for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend,
      stock split or other similar transaction). For example, if the Threshold
      Price is $2.90, the Company shall have the right to increase the Daily
      Purchase Amount to up to $200,000 in the aggregate. If the Threshold Price
      is $3.90, the Company shall have the right to increase the Daily Purchase
      Amount to up to $300,000 in the aggregate. Any increase in the amount of
      the Daily Purchase Amount shall continue in effect until the delivery to
      the Buyer of a Daily Purchase Amount Decrease Notice. However, if at any
      time during any Trading Day the Sale Price of the Common Stock is below
      the applicable Threshold Price, such increase in the Daily Purchase Amount
      shall be void and the Buyer's obligations to buy Purchase Shares hereunder
      in excess of the applicable maximum Daily Purchase Amount shall be
      terminated. Thereafter, the Company shall again have the right to increase
      the amount of the Daily Purchase Amount as set forth herein by delivery of
      a new Daily Purchase Amount Increase Notice only if the Sale Price of the
      Common Stock is above the applicable Threshold Price on each of five (5)
      consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such new Daily Purchase
      Amount Increase Notice.

<PAGE>

            (iv) The Block Purchase Amount. As used herein the term "Block
      Purchase Amount" shall mean such Purchase Amount as specified by the
      Company in a Block Purchase Notice. As used herein the term "Block
      Purchase Notice" shall mean an irrevocable written notice from the Company
      to the Buyer directing the Buyer to buy the Purchase Amount in Purchase
      Shares as specified by the Company therein at the Block Purchase Price.
      For a Block Purchase Notice to be valid the following conditions must be
      met: (1) the Block Purchase Amount shall not exceed Two Hundred Fifty
      Thousand Dollars ($250,000) per Block Purchase Notice, (2) the Company
      must deliver the Purchase Shares on the same day as the Block Purchase
      Notice is delivered and (3) the Sale Price of the Common Stock must have
      been above $1.50 (subject to equitable adjustment for any reorganization,
      recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar
      transaction) on the date of the delivery of the Block Purchase Notice and
      during the five (5) Trading Days prior to the delivery of the Block
      Purchase Notice. The Block Purchase Amount may be increased to up to Five
      Hundred Dollars ($500,000) if the Sale Price of the Common Stock is above
      $3.00 (subject to equitable adjustment for any reorganization,
      recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar
      transaction) during the five (5) Trading Days prior to the delivery of the
      Block Purchase Notice. The Block Purchase Amount may be increased to up to
      One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) if the Sale Price of the Common Stock is
      above $5.00 (subject to equitable adjustment for any reorganization,
      recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar
      transaction) during the five (5) Trading Days prior to the delivery of the
      Block Purchase Notice. The Block Purchase Amount may be increased to up to
      Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) if the Sale Price of the Common Stock is
      above $8.00 (subject to equitable adjustment for any reorganization,
      recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar
      transaction) during the five (5) Trading Days prior to the delivery of the
      Block Purchase Notice. The Company may deliver multiple Block Purchase
      Notices as it shall determine; provided however, at least five (5) Trading
      Days must have passed since the most recent Block Purchase was completed.
      As used herein, the term "Block Purchase Price" shall mean the lesser of
      (i) the lowest Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day that a
      valid Block Purchase Notice was received by the Buyer or (ii) the lowest
      Purchase Price during the previous ten (10) Trading Days prior to the date
      that the valid Block Purchase Notice was received by the Buyer.

      (d) Limitations on Purchases.

            (i) Limitation on Beneficial Ownership. The Buyer shall not have the
      right or the obligation to purchase shares of Common Stock under this
      Agreement to the extent that after giving effect to such purchase the
      Buyer together with its affiliates would beneficially own in excess of
      9.9% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock following such
      purchase. For purposes hereof, the number of shares of Common Stock
      beneficially owned by the Buyer and its affiliates or acquired by the
      Buyer and its affiliates, as the case may be, shall include the number of
      shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with a purchase under this
      Agreement with respect to which the determination is being made, but shall
      exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon
      (1) a purchase of the remaining Available Amount which has not been
      submitted for purchase, and (2) exercise or conversion of the unexercised
      or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including,
      without limitation, any notes or warrants) subject to a limitation on
      conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein
      beneficially owned by the Buyer and its affiliates. For purposes of this
      Section, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock
      the Buyer may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as
      reflected in (1) the Company's most recent Form 10-Q or Form 10-K, as the
      case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3)
      any other written communication by the Company or its Transfer Agent
      setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Upon the
      reasonable written or oral request of the Buyer, the Company shall
      promptly confirm orally and in writing to the Buyer the number of shares
      of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding
      shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to any
      purchases under this Agreement by the Buyer since the date as of which
      such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. Except as
      otherwise set forth herein, for purposes of this Section 1(d)(i),
      beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d)
      of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

<PAGE>

            (ii) Company's Right to Suspend Purchases. The Company may, at any
      time, give written notice (a " Daily Purchase Suspension Notice") to the
      Buyer suspending Daily Purchases of Purchase Shares by the Buyer under
      this Agreement. The Daily Purchase Suspension Notice shall be effective
      only for Daily Purchases that have a Purchase Date later than one (1)
      Trading Day after receipt of the Daily Purchase Suspension Notice by the
      Buyer. Any Daily Purchase by the Buyer that has a Purchase Date on or
      prior to the first (1st) Trading Day after receipt by the Buyer of a Daily
      Purchase Suspension Notice from the Company must be honored by the Company
      as otherwise provided herein. Such Daily Purchase suspension shall
      continue in effect until a revocation in writing by the Company, at its
      sole discretion.

            (iii) Purchase Price Floor. The Company shall not affect any sales
      under this Agreement and the Buyer shall not have the right nor the
      obligation to purchase any Purchase Shares under this Agreement on any
      Trading Day where the Purchase Price for any purchases of Purchase Shares
      would be less than the Floor Price. "Floor Price" means $1.00, which shall
      be appropriately adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization,
      non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction.

      (e) Records of Purchases. The Buyer and the Company shall each maintain
records showing the remaining Available Amount at any give time and the dates
and Purchase Amounts for each purchase or shall use such other method,
reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the Company.

      (f) Taxes. The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp or similar
taxes that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of any
shares of Common Stock to the Buyer made under this Agreement.

      (g) Compliance with Principal Market Rules. The Company shall not effect
any sale under this Agreement and the Buyer shall not have the right or the
obligation to purchase shares of Common Stock under this Agreement to the extent
that after giving effect to such purchase the "Exchange Cap" shall be deemed to
be reached. The "Exchange Cap" shall be deemed to have been reached if, at any
time prior to the shareholders of the Company approving the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement, upon a purchase under this Agreement, the
Purchase Shares and Commitment Shares issuable pursuant to such purchase would,
together with all Purchase Shares and Commitment Shares previously issued under
this Agreement, exceed 12,366,733 shares of Common Stock (19.99% of the
61,864,598 outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement).
The Company may, but shall be under no obligation to, request its shareholders
to approve the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. The Company shall not
be required to issue any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement if such
issuance would breach the Company's obligations under the rules or regulations
of the Principal Market.

<PAGE>

      2. BUYER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

      The Buyer represents and warrants to the Company that as of the date
hereof and as of the Commencement Date:

      (a) Investment Purpose. The Buyer is entering into this Agreement and
acquiring the Commitment Shares, (as defined in Section 4(f) hereof) (this
Agreement and the Commitment Shares are collectively referred to herein as the
"Securities"), for its own account for investment only and not with a view
towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution
thereof; provided however, by making the representations herein, the Buyer does
not agree to hold any of the Securities for any minimum or other specific term.

      (b) Accredited Investor Status. The Buyer is an "accredited investor" as
that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D.

      (c) Reliance on Exemptions. The Buyer understands that the Securities are
being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the
registration requirements of United States federal and state securities laws and
that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the
Buyer's compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements,
acknowledgments and understandings of the Buyer set forth herein in order to
determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Buyer
to acquire the Securities.

      (d) Information. The Buyer has been furnished with all materials relating
to the business, finances and operations of the Company and materials relating
to the offer and sale of the Securities that have been reasonably requested by
the Buyer, including, without limitation, the SEC Documents (as defined in
Section 3(f) hereof). The Buyer understands that its investment in the
Securities involves a high degree of risk. The Buyer (i) is able to bear the
economic risk of an investment in the Securities including a total loss, (ii)
has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the proposed investment in the
Securities and (iii) has had an opportunity to ask questions of and receive
answers from the officers of the Company concerning the financial condition and
business of the Company and others matters related to an investment in the
Securities. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations
conducted by the Buyer or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the
Buyer's right to rely on the Company's representations and warranties contained
in Section 3 below. The Buyer has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice
as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with
respect to its acquisition of the Securities.

      (e) No Governmental Review. The Buyer understands that no United States
federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has
passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities or the
fairness or suitability of the investment in the Securities nor have such
authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the
Securities.

      (f) Transfer or Resale. The Buyer understands that except as provided in
the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined in Section 4(a) hereof): (i) the
Securities have not been and are not being registered under the 1933 Act or any
state securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold, assigned or
transferred unless (A) subsequently registered thereunder or (B) an exemption
exists permitting such Securities to be sold, assigned or transferred without
such registration; (ii) any sale of the Securities made in reliance on Rule 144
may be made only in accordance with the terms of Rule 144 and further, if Rule
144 is not applicable, any resale of the Securities under circumstances in which
the seller (or the person through whom the sale is made) may be deemed to be an
underwriter (as that term is defined in the 1933 Act) may require compliance
with some other exemption under the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations of the
SEC thereunder; and (iii) neither the Company nor any other person is under any
obligation to register the Securities under the 1933 Act or any state securities
laws or to comply with the terms and conditions of any exemption thereunder.

<PAGE>

      (g) Validity; Enforcement. This Agreement has been duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered on behalf of the Buyer and is a valid and
binding agreement of the Buyer enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with
its terms, subject as to enforceability to general principles of equity and to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation and
other similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of
applicable creditors' rights and remedies.

      (h) Residency. The Buyer is a resident of the State of Illinois.

      (i) No Prior Short Selling. The Buyer represents and warrants to the
Company that at no time prior to the date of this Agreement has any of the
Buyer, its agents, representatives or affiliates engaged in or effected, in any
manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any (i) "short sale" (as such term is
defined in Section 242.200 of Regulation SHO of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) of the Common Stock or (ii) hedging
transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common
Stock.

      (j) As of the date hereof, the Buyer has no agreements or understandings,
directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the shares that the Buyer
purchases pursuant to this Agreement.

      3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

      The Company represents and warrants to the Buyer that as of the date
hereof and as of the Commencement Date:

      (a) Organization and Qualification. The Company and its "Subsidiaries"
(which for purposes of this Agreement means any entity in which the Company,
directly or indirectly, owns 50% or more of the voting stock or capital stock or
other similar equity interests) are corporations duly organized and validly
existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are
incorporated, and have the requisite corporate power and authority to own their
properties and to carry on their business as now being conducted. Each of the
Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do
business and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of
property or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification
necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in
good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. As used in this Agreement, "Material Adverse Effect" means any material
adverse effect on any of: (i) the business, properties, assets, operations,
results of operations or financial condition of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, if any, taken as a whole, or (ii) the authority or ability of the
Company to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents (as defined
in Section 3(b) hereof). The Company has no Subsidiaries except as set forth on
Schedule 3(a).

      (b) Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. (i) The Company has the
requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and each of
the other agreements entered into by the parties on the Commencement Date and
attached hereto as exhibits to this Agreement (collectively, the "Transaction
Documents"), and to issue the Securities in accordance with the terms hereof and
thereof, (ii) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the
Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, including without limitation, the issuance of the Commitment Shares and
the reservation for issuance and the issuance of the Purchase Shares issuable
under this Agreement, have been duly authorized by the Company's Board of
Directors and no further consent or authorization is required by the Company,
its Board of Directors or its shareholders, (iii) this Agreement has been, and
each other Transaction Document shall be on the Commencement Date, duly executed
and delivered by the Company and (iv) this Agreement constitutes, and each other
Transaction Document upon its execution on behalf of the Company, shall
constitute, the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against
the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be
limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or
affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies. The
Board of Directors of the Company has approved the resolutions (the "Signing
Resolutions") substantially in the form as set forth as Exhibit C-1 attached
hereto to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The
Signing Resolutions are valid, in full force and effect and have not been
modified or supplemented in any respect other than by the resolutions set forth
in Exhibit C-2 attached hereto regarding the registration statement referred to
in Section 4 hereof. The Company has delivered to the Buyer a true and correct
copy of a unanimous written consent adopting the Signing Resolutions executed by
all of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company. No other approvals
or consents of the Company's Board of Directors and/or shareholders is necessary
under applicable laws and the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and/or
Bylaws to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby, including, but not limited to, the issuance of
the Commitment Shares and the issuance of the Purchase Shares up to the Exchange
Cap.

<PAGE>

      (c) Capitalization. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of
the Company consists of (i) 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which as of
the date hereof, 61,864,598 shares are issued and outstanding, none are held as
treasury shares, 14,748,230 shares are reserved for issuance pursuant to the
Company's stock option plans of which only approximately 8,642,667 shares remain
available for future grants and 9,590,760 shares are issuable and reserved for
issuance pursuant to securities (other than stock options issued pursuant to the
Company's stock option plans) exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible
into, shares of Common Stock and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of blank check Preferred
Stock, $0.01 par value, of which as of the date hereof no shares are issued and
outstanding. All of such outstanding shares have been, or upon issuance will be,
validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3(c), (i) no shares of the Company's capital stock are subject to
preemptive rights or any other similar rights or any liens or encumbrances
suffered or permitted by the Company, (ii) there are no outstanding debt
securities, (iii) there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to
subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or
securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or contracts, commitments, understandings or
arrangements by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become
bound to issue additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or
commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights
convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (iv) there are no agreements or arrangements under which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to register the sale of any of
their securities under the 1933 Act (except the Registration Rights Agreement),
(v) there are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries which contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there
are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or may become bound to redeem a security
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (vi) there are no securities or
instruments containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be
triggered by the issuance of the Securities as described in this Agreement and
(vii) the Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or "phantom stock"
plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. The Company has furnished
to the Buyer true and correct copies of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended and as in effect on the date hereof (the "Certificate
of Incorporation"), and the Company's By-laws, as amended and as in effect on
the date hereof (the "By-laws"), and summaries of the terms of all securities
convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, if any, and copies of any
documents containing the material rights of the holders thereof in respect
thereto.

<PAGE>

      (d) Issuance of Securities. The Commitment Shares have been duly
authorized and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms hereof, the
Commitment Shares shall be (i) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and
(ii) free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.
11,723,231 shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and reserved for
issuance upon purchase under this Agreement as Purchase Shares. 321,751 shares
of Common Stock (subject to equitable adjustment for any reorganization,
recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other similar transaction)
have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance as Additional Commitment
Shares in accordance with Section 4(f) this Agreement. Upon issuance and payment
therefor in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Purchase Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free
from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof, with the
holders being entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock.

      (e) No Conflicts. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(e), the execution,
delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
(including, without limitation, the reservation for issuance and issuance of the
Purchase Shares up to the Exchange Cap) will not (i) result in a violation of
the Certificate of Incorporation, any Certificate of Designations, Preferences
and Rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock of the Company or the
By-laws or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with
notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others
any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any
agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party, or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation,
order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and
regulations and the rules and regulations of the Principal Market applicable to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or by which any property or asset of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except in the case of
conflicts, defaults and violations under clause (ii), which could not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3(e), neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in violation of any
term of or in default under its Certificate of Incorporation, any Certificate of
Designation, Preferences and Rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock
of the Company or By-laws or their organizational charter or by-laws,
respectively. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(e), neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of or is in default under any
material contract, agreement, mortgage, indebtedness, indenture, instrument,
judgment, decree or order or any statute, rule or regulation applicable to the
Company or its Subsidiaries, except for possible conflicts, defaults,
terminations or amendments which could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. The business of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not
being conducted, and shall not be conducted, in violation of any law, ordinance,
regulation of any governmental entity, except for possible violations, the
sanctions for which either individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as specifically
contemplated by this Agreement and as required under the 1933 Act or applicable
state securities laws, the Company is not required to obtain any consent,
authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or
governmental agency or any regulatory or self-regulatory agency in order for it
to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under or contemplated by
the Transaction Documents in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof. Except
as disclosed in Schedule 3(e), all consents, authorizations, orders, filings and
registrations which the Company is required to obtain pursuant to the preceding
sentence shall be obtained or effected on or prior to the Commencement Date.
Except as listed in Schedule 3(e), since June 30, 2005, the Company has not
received nor delivered any notices or correspondence from or to the Principal
Market. The Principal Market has not commenced any delisting proceedings against
the Company.

<PAGE>

      (f) SEC Documents; Financial Statements. Except as disclosed in Schedule
3(f), since January 1, 2006, the Company has timely filed all reports,
schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with
the SEC pursuant to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act (all of the
foregoing filed prior to the date hereof and all exhibits included therein and
financial statements and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by
reference therein being hereinafter referred to as the "SEC Documents"). Except
as disclosed in Schedule 3(f), as of their respective dates (except as they have
been correctly amended), the SEC Documents complied in all material respects
with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC
promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC
Documents, at the time they were filed with the SEC (except as they may have
been properly amended), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(f), as of
their respective dates (except as they have been properly amended), the
financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents complied as to
form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. Except as
disclosed in Schedule 3(f), such financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied,
during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such
financial statements or the notes thereto or (ii) in the case of unaudited
interim statements, to the extent they may exclude footnotes or may be condensed
or summary statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial
position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of its
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). Except as listed in
Schedule 3(f), the Company has received no notices or correspondence from the
SEC since June 30, 2005. The SEC has not commenced any enforcement proceedings
against the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

      (g) Absence of Certain Changes. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(g),
since January 1, 2006, there has been no material adverse change in the
business, properties, operations, financial condition or results of operations
of the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Company has not taken any steps, and
does not currently expect to take any steps, to seek protection pursuant to any
Bankruptcy Law nor does the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have any
knowledge or reason to believe that its creditors intend to initiate involuntary
bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings. The Company is financially solvent and is
generally able to pay its debts as they become due.

      (h) Absence of Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry
or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency,
self-regulatory organization or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting the Company, the
Common Stock or any of the Company's Subsidiaries or any of the Company's or the
Company's Subsidiaries' officers or directors in their capacities as such, which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. A description of
each action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court,
public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body which, as
of the date of this Agreement, is pending or threatened in writing against or
affecting the Company, the Common Stock or any of the Company's Subsidiaries or
any of the Company's or the Company's Subsidiaries' officers or directors in
their capacities as such, is set forth in Schedule 3(h).

<PAGE>

      (i) Acknowledgment Regarding Buyer's Status. The Company acknowledges and
agrees that the Buyer is acting solely in the capacity of arm's length purchaser
with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby. The Company further acknowledges that the Buyer is not
acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar
capacity) with respect to the Transaction Documents and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby and any advice given by the Buyer or any of its
representatives or agents in connection with the Transaction Documents and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is merely incidental to the Buyer's
purchase of the Securities. The Company further represents to the Buyer that the
Company's decision to enter into the Transaction Documents has been based solely
on the independent evaluation by the Company and its representatives and
advisors.

      (j) No General Solicitation. Neither the Company, nor any of its
affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any
form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of
Regulation D under the 1933 Act) in connection with the offer or sale of the
Securities.

      (k) Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or
possess adequate rights or licenses to use all material trademarks, trade names,
service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent
rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental
authorizations, trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct their respective
businesses as now conducted. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(k), none of the
Company's material trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark
registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions,
licenses, approvals, government authorizations, trade secrets or other
intellectual property rights have expired or terminated, or, by the terms and
conditions thereof, could expire or terminate within two years from the date of
this Agreement. The Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any knowledge of
any infringement by the Company or its Subsidiaries of any material trademark,
trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses,
service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other
similar rights of others, or of any such development of similar or identical
trade secrets or technical information by others and, except as set forth on
Schedule 3(k), there is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought
against, or to the Company's knowledge, being threatened against, the Company or
its Subsidiaries regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights,
invention, copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark
registrations, trade secret or other infringement, which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      (l) Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in
compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws
and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the
environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or
contaminants ("Environmental Laws"), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or
other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct
their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and
conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where, in each of the
three foregoing clauses, the failure to so comply could not reasonably be
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

      (m) Title. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title
in fee simple to all real property and good and marketable title to all personal
property owned by them which is material to the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects
except such as are described in Schedule 3(m) or such as do not materially
affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and
proposed to be made of such property by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries.
Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and any of its
Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases
with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made
and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its
Subsidiaries.

<PAGE>

      (n) Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by
insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks
and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and
customary in the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are
engaged. Neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has been refused any
insurance coverage sought or applied for and neither the Company nor any such
Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its
existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain
similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its
business at a cost that would not materially and adversely affect the condition,
financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business or operations of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

      (o) Regulatory Permits. The Company and its Subsidiaries possess all
material certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate
federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their
respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has
received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of
any such certificate, authorization or permit.

      (p) Tax Status. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has made or filed
all federal and state income and all other material tax returns, reports and
declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject (unless and
only to the extent that the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has set aside
on its books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all unpaid and
unreported taxes) and has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and
charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such
returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith
and has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of
all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports
or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed
to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the
Company know of no basis for any such claim.

      (q) Transactions With Affiliates. Except as set forth on Schedule 3(q) and
other than the grant or exercise of stock options disclosed on Schedule 3(c),
none of the officers, directors, or employees of the Company is presently a
party to any transaction with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than
for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract,
agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or
by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise
requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the
knowledge of the Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in
which any officer, director, or any such employee has an interest or is an
officer, director, trustee or partner.

      (r) Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and its board of
directors have taken or will take prior to the Commencement Date all necessary
action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition,
business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights
agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Certificate of
Incorporation or the laws of the state of its incorporation which is or could
become applicable to the Buyer as a result of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company's issuance of the
Securities and the Buyer's ownership of the Securities.

<PAGE>

      (s) Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company, nor any of its
Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other person acting
on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has, in the course of its
actions for, or on behalf of, the Company, used any corporate funds for any
unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating
to political activity; made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any
foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds;
violated or is in violation of any provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act of 1977, as amended; or made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff,
influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic
government official or employee.

      4. COVENANTS.

      (a) Filing of Form 8-K and Registration Statement. The Company agrees that
it shall, within the time required under the 1934 Act file a Report on Form 8-K
disclosing this Agreement and the transaction contemplated hereby. The Company
shall also file by June 30, 2006 a new registration statement covering the sale
of the Commitment Shares and at least 11,723,231 Purchase Shares in accordance
with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the
Buyer, dated as of the date hereof ("Registration Rights Agreement"). After such
registration statement is declared effective by the SEC, the Company agrees and
acknowledges that any sales of such securities by the Company to the Buyer
pursuant to this Agreement are sales of the Company's equity securities in a
transaction that is registered under the 1933 Act.

      (b) Blue Sky. The Company shall take such action, if any, as is reasonably
necessary in order to obtain an exemption for or to qualify (i) the initial sale
of the Commitment Shares and any Purchase Shares to the Buyer under this
Agreement and (ii) any subsequent resale of the Commitment Shares and any
Purchase Shares by the Buyer, in each case, under applicable securities or "Blue
Sky" laws of the states of the United States in such states as is reasonably
requested by the Buyer from time to time, and shall provide evidence of any such
action so taken to the Buyer.

      (c) No Variable Priced Financing. Other than pursuant to this Agreement,
the Company agrees that beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on
the date of termination of this Agreement (as provided in Section 11(k) hereof),
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, without the prior written
consent of the Buyer, contract for any equity financing (including any debt
financing with an equity component) or issue any equity securities of the
Company or any Subsidiary or securities convertible or exchangeable into or for
equity securities of the Company or any Subsidiary (including debt securities
with an equity component) which, in any case (i) are convertible into or
exchangeable for an indeterminate number of shares of common stock, (ii) are
convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock at a price which varies with
the market price of the Common Stock, (iii) directly or indirectly provide for
any "re-set" or adjustment of the purchase price, conversion rate or exercise
price after the issuance of the security, or (iv) contain any "make-whole"
provision based upon, directly or indirectly, the market price of the Common
Stock after the issuance of the security, in each case, other than reasonable
and customary anti-dilution adjustments for issuance of shares of Common Stock
at a price which is below the market price of the Common Stock.

      (d) Listing. The Company shall promptly secure the listing of all of the
Purchase Shares and Commitment Shares upon each national securities exchange and
automated quotation system, if any, upon which shares of Common Stock are then
listed (subject to official notice of issuance) up to an amount that does not
exceed the Exchange Cap and shall maintain, so long as any other shares of
Common Stock shall be so listed, such listing of all such securities from time
to time issuable under the terms of the Transaction Documents. The Company shall
maintain the Common Stock's authorization for quotation on the Principal Market.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action that would
be reasonably expected to result in the delisting or suspension of the Common
Stock on the Principal Market. The Company shall promptly, and in no event later
than the following Trading Day, provide to the Buyer copies of any notices it
receives from the Principal Market regarding the continued eligibility of the
Common Stock for listing on such automated quotation system or securities
exchange. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with
satisfying its obligations under this Section.

<PAGE>

      (e) Limitation on Short Sales and Hedging Transactions. The Buyer agrees
that beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the date of
termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 11(k), the Buyer and its
agents, representatives and affiliates shall not in any manner whatsoever enter
into or effect, directly or indirectly, any (i) "short sale" (as such term is
defined in Section 242.200 of Regulation SHO of the 1934 Act) of the Common
Stock or (ii) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with
respect to the Common Stock.

      (f) Issuance of Commitment Shares; Limitation on Sales of Commitment
Shares. Within 30 days from the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall
issue to the Buyer 321,751 shares of Common Stock (the "Initial Commitment
Shares"). In connection with each purchase of Purchase Shares hereunder, the
Company agrees to issue to the Buyer a number of shares of Common Stock (the
"Additional Commitment Shares" and together with the Initial Commitment Shares,
the "Commitment Shares") equal to the product of (x) 321,751 and (y) the
Purchase Amount Fraction. The "Purchase Amount Fraction" shall mean a fraction,
the numerator of which is the Purchase Amount purchased by the Buyer with
respect to such purchase of Purchase Shares and the denominator of which is
Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000). The Additional Commitment Shares shall be
equitably adjusted for any reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend,
stock split or other similar transaction. The Initial Commitment Shares shall be
issued in certificated form and (subject to Section 5 hereof) shall bear the
following restrictive legend:

      THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
      UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE
      SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND MAY
      NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF
      AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE
      SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS,
      OR AN OPINION OF HOLDER'S COUNSEL, IN A CUSTOMARY FORM, THAT REGISTRATION
      IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR
      UNLESS SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT.

      The Buyer agrees that the Buyer shall not transfer or sell the Commitment
Shares until the earlier of 500 Trading Days (Twenty Five Monthly Periods) from
the date hereof or the date on which this Agreement has been terminated,
provided, however, that such restrictions shall not apply: (i) in connection
with any transfers to or among affiliates (as defined in the 1934 Act) (ii) in
the event that the Commencement does not occur on or before August 31, 2006, due
to the failure of the Company to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 7
or (iii) if an Event of Default has occurred, or any event which, after notice
and/or lapse of time, would become an Event of Default, including any failure by
the Company to timely issue Purchase Shares under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Buyer may transfer Commitment Shares to a
third party in order to settle a sale made by the Buyer where the Buyer
reasonably expects the Company to deliver Purchase Shares to the Buyer under
this Agreement so long as the Buyer maintains ownership of the same overall
number of shares of Common Stock by "replacing" the Commitment Shares so
transferred with Purchase Shares when the Purchase Shares are actually issued by
the Company to the Buyer.

<PAGE>

      (g) Due Diligence. The Buyer shall have the right, from time to time as
the Buyer may reasonably deem appropriate, to perform reasonable due diligence
on the Company during normal business hours. The Company and its officers and
employees shall provide information and reasonably cooperate with the Buyer in
connection with any reasonable request by the Buyer related to the Buyer's due
diligence of the Company, including, but not limited to, any such request made
by the Buyer in connection with (i) the filing of the registration statement
described in Section 4(a) hereof and (ii) the Commencement. Each party hereto
agrees not to disclose any Confidential Information of the other party to any
third party and shall not use the Confidential Information for any purpose other
than in connection with, or in furtherance of, the transactions contemplated
hereby. Each party hereto acknowledges that the Confidential Information shall
remain the property of the disclosing party and agrees that it shall take all
reasonable measures to protect the secrecy of any Confidential Information
disclosed by the other party.

      5. TRANSFER AGENT INSTRUCTIONS.

      Within 30 days from the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall
deliver to the Transfer Agent a letter in the form as set forth as Exhibit E
attached hereto with respect to the issuance of the Initial Commitment Shares.
On the Commencement Date, the Company shall cause any restrictive legend on the
Initial Commitment Shares to be removed and all of the Purchase Shares and
Additional Commitment Shares, to be issued under this Agreement shall be issued
without any restrictive legend unless the Buyer expressly consents otherwise.
The Company shall issue irrevocable instructions to the Transfer Agent, and any
subsequent transfer agent, to issue Purchase Shares in the name of the Buyer for
the Purchase Shares (the "Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions"). The Company
warrants to the Buyer that no instruction other than the Irrevocable Transfer
Agent Instructions referred to in this Section 5, will be given by the Company
to the Transfer Agent with respect to the Purchase Shares and that the
Commitment Shares and the Purchase Shares shall otherwise be freely transferable
on the books and records of the Company as and to the extent provided in this
Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement subject to the provisions of
Section 4(f) in the case of the Commitment Shares.

      6. CONDITIONS TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATION TO COMMENCE SALES OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK.

      The obligation of the Company hereunder to commence sales of the Purchase
Shares is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions on or
before the Commencement Date (the date that sales begin) and once such
conditions have been initially satisfied, there shall not be any ongoing
obligation to satisfy such conditions after the Commencement has occurred;
provided that these conditions are for the Company's sole benefit and may be
waived by the Company at any time in its sole discretion by providing the Buyer
with prior written notice thereof:

      (a) The Buyer shall have executed each of the Transaction Documents and
delivered the same to the Company.

<PAGE>

      (b) Subject to the Company's compliance with Section 4(a), a registration
statement covering the sale of all of the Commitment Shares and at least
11,723,231 Purchase Shares shall have been declared effective under the 1933 Act
by the SEC and no stop order with respect to the Registration Statement shall be
pending or threatened by the SEC.

      (c) The representations and warranties of the Buyer shall be true and
correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of the
Commencement Date as though made at that time (except for representations and
warranties that speak as of a specific date), and the Buyer shall have
performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with the covenants,
agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied
or complied with by the Buyer at or prior to the Commencement Date.

      7. CONDITIONS TO THE BUYER'S OBLIGATION TO COMMENCE PURCHASES OF SHARES OF
COMMON STOCK.

      The obligation of the Buyer to commence purchases of Purchase Shares under
this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following
conditions on or before the Commencement Date (the date that sales begin) and
once such conditions have been initially satisfied, there shall not be any
ongoing obligation to satisfy such conditions after the Commencement has
occurred:

      (a) The Company shall have executed each of the Transaction Documents and
delivered the same to the Buyer.

      (b) The Company shall have issued to the Buyer the Initial Commitment
Shares and shall have removed the restrictive transfer legend from the
certificate representing the Initial Commitment Shares.

      (c) The Common Stock shall be authorized for quotation on the Principal
Market, trading in the Common Stock shall not have been within the last 365 days
suspended by the SEC or the Principal Market and the Purchase Shares and the
Commitment Shares shall be approved for listing upon the Principal Market up to
the Exchange Cap.

      (d) The Buyer shall have received the opinions of the Company's legal
counsel dated as of the Commencement Date substantially in the form of Exhibit A
attached hereto.

      (e) The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and
correct in all material respects (except to the extent that any of such
representations and warranties is already qualified as to materiality in Section
3 above, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and
correct without further qualification) as of the date when made and as of the
Commencement Date as though made at that time (except for representations and
warranties that speak as of a specific date) and the Company shall have
performed, satisfied and complied with the covenants, agreements and conditions
required by the Transaction Documents to be performed, satisfied or complied
with by the Company at or prior to the Commencement Date. The Buyer shall have
received a certificate, executed by the CEO, President or CFO of the Company,
dated as of the Commencement Date, to the foregoing effect in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit B.

      (f) The Board of Directors of the Company shall have adopted resolutions
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C which shall be in full force and effect
without any amendment or supplement thereto as of the Commencement Date.

<PAGE>

      (g) As of the Commencement Date, the Company shall have reserved out of
its authorized and unissued Common Stock, (A) solely for the purpose of
effecting purchases of Purchase Shares hereunder, at least 11,723,231 shares of
Common Stock and (B) as Additional Commitment Shares in accordance with Section
4(f) hereof, 321,751 shares of Common Stock.

      (h) The Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions, in form acceptable to the
Buyer shall have been delivered to and acknowledged in writing by the Company
and the Company's Transfer Agent.

      (i) The Company shall have delivered to the Buyer a certificate evidencing
the incorporation and good standing of the Company in the State of Delaware
issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of a date within
ten (10) Trading Days of the Commencement Date.

      (j) The Company shall have delivered to the Buyer a certified copy of the
Certificate of Incorporation as certified by the Secretary of State of the State
of Delaware within ten (10) Trading Days of the Commencement Date.

      (k) The Company shall have delivered to the Buyer a secretary's
certificate executed by the Secretary of the Company, dated as of the
Commencement Date, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

      (l) A registration statement covering the sale of all of the Commitment
Shares and at least 11,723,231 Purchase Shares shall have been declared
effective under the 1933 Act by the SEC and no stop order with respect to the
registration statement shall be pending or threatened by the SEC. The Company
shall have prepared and delivered to the Buyer a final form of prospectus to be
used by the Buyer in connection with any sales of any Commitment Shares or any
Purchase Shares. The Company shall have made all filings under all applicable
federal and state securities laws necessary to consummate the issuance of the
Commitment Shares and the Purchase Shares pursuant to this Agreement in
compliance with such laws.

      (m) No Event of Default has occurred, or any event which, after notice
and/or lapse of time, would become an Event of Default has occurred.

      (n) On or prior to the Commencement Date, the Company shall take all
necessary action, if any, and such actions as reasonably requested by the Buyer,
in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business
combination, shareholder rights plan or poison pill (including any distribution
under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the
Certificate of Incorporation or the laws of the state of its incorporation which
is or could become applicable to the Buyer as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company's
issuance of the Securities and the Buyer's ownership of the Securities.

      (o) The Company shall have provided the Buyer with the information
requested by the Buyer in connection with its due diligence requests made prior
to, or in connection with, the Commencement, in accordance with the terms of
Section 4(g) hereof.

      8. INDEMNIFICATION.

<PAGE>

      In consideration of the Buyer's execution and delivery of the Transaction
Documents and acquiring the Securities hereunder and in addition to all of the
Company's other obligations under the Transaction Documents, the Company shall
defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer and all of its
affiliates, shareholders, officers, directors, employees and direct or indirect
investors and any of the foregoing person's agents or other representatives
(including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (collectively, the "Indemnitees")
from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses,
costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and expenses in connection
therewith (irrespective of whether any such Indemnitee is a party to the action
for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements (the "Indemnified Liabilities"), incurred by
any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any
misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the
Company in the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or
document contemplated hereby or thereby, (b) any breach of any covenant,
agreement or obligation of the Company contained in the Transaction Documents or
any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or
(c) any cause of action, suit or claim brought or made against such Indemnitee
and arising out of or resulting from the execution, delivery, performance or
enforcement of the Transaction Documents or any other certificate, instrument or
document contemplated hereby or thereby, other than with respect to Indemnified
Liabilities which directly and primarily result from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Indemnitee. To the extent that the foregoing
undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company
shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of
the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.

      9. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

      An "Event of Default" shall be deemed to have occurred at any time as any
of the following events occurs:

      (a) while any registration statement is required to be maintained
effective pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the
effectiveness of such registration statement lapses for any reason (including,
without limitation, the issuance of a stop order) or is unavailable to the Buyer
for sale of all of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement) in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement, and such lapse or unavailability continues for a period of ten (10)
consecutive Trading Days or for more than an aggregate of thirty (30) Trading
Days in any 365-day period;

      (b) the suspension from trading or failure of the Common Stock to be
listed on the Principal Market for a period of three (3) consecutive Trading
Days;

      (c) the delisting of the Company's Common Stock from the Principal Market,
provided, however, that the Common Stock is not immediately thereafter trading
on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq National Market, or the Nasdaq
Capital Market or the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board;

      (d) the failure for any reason by the Transfer Agent to issue Purchase
Shares to the Buyer within five (5) Trading Days after the applicable Purchase
Date which the Buyer is entitled to receive;

      (e) the Company breaches any representation, warranty, covenant or other
term or condition under any Transaction Document if such breach could have a
Material Adverse Effect and except, in the case of a breach of a covenant which
is reasonably curable, only if such breach continues for a period of at least
ten (10) Trading Days;

<PAGE>

      (f) if any Person commences a proceeding against the Company pursuant to
or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law;

      (g) if the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy
Law; (A) commences a voluntary case, (B) consents to the entry of an order for
relief against it in an involuntary case, (C) consents to the appointment of a
Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, (D) makes a
general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (E) becomes insolvent, or
(F) is generally unable to pay its debts as the same become due;

      (h) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any
Bankruptcy Law that (A) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary
case, (B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or for all or substantially all of
its property, or (C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary; or

      (i) a material adverse change in the business, properties, operations,
financial condition or results of operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

      (j) if at any time after the Commencement Date, the "Exchange Cap" is
reached. The "Exchange Cap" shall be deemed to be reached at such time if, upon
submission of a Purchase Notice under this Agreement, the issuance of such
shares of Common Stock would exceed that number of shares of Common Stock which
the Company may issue under this Agreement without breaching the Company's
obligations under the rules or regulations of the Principal Market).

In addition to any other rights and remedies under applicable law and this
Agreement, including the Buyer termination rights under Section 11(k) hereof, so
long as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if any event
which, after notice and/or lapse of time, would become an Event of Default, has
occurred and is continuing, or so long as the Purchase Price is below the
Purchase Price Floor, the Buyer shall not be obligated to purchase any shares of
Common Stock under this Agreement. If pursuant to or within the meaning of any
Bankruptcy Law, the Company commences a voluntary case or any Person commences a
proceeding against the Company, a Custodian is appointed for the Company or for
all or substantially all of its property, or the Company makes a general
assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (any of which would be an Event of
Default as described in Sections 9(f), 9(g) and 9(h) hereof) this Agreement
shall automatically terminate without any liability or payment to the Company
without further action or notice by any Person. No such termination of this
Agreement under Section 11(k)(i) shall affect the Company's or the Buyer's
obligations under this Agreement with respect to pending purchases and the
Company and the Buyer shall complete their respective obligations with respect
to any pending purchases under this Agreement.

      10. CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.

      For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

      (a) "1933 Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

      (b) "Available Amount" means initially Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000)
in the aggregate which amount shall be reduced by the Purchase Amount each time
the Buyer purchases shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 1 hereof.

<PAGE>

      (c) "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or
state law for the relief of debtors.

      (d) "Closing Sale Price" means, for any security as of any date, the last
closing trade price for such security on the Principal Market as reported by the
Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities
exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing trade price of
such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such
security is listed or traded as reported by the Principal Market.

      (e) "Confidential Information" means any information disclosed by either
party to the other party, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally or
by inspection of tangible objects (including, without limitation, documents,
prototypes, samples, plant and equipment), which is designated as
"Confidential," "Proprietary" or some similar designation. Information
communicated orally shall be considered Confidential Information if such
information is confirmed in writing as being Confidential Information within ten
(10) business days after the initial disclosure. Confidential Information may
also include information disclosed to a disclosing party by third parties.
Confidential Information shall not, however, include any information which (i)
was publicly known and made generally available in the public domain prior to
the time of disclosure by the disclosing party; (ii) becomes publicly known and
made generally available after disclosure by the disclosing party to the
receiving party through no action or inaction of the receiving party; (iii) is
already in the possession of the receiving party at the time of disclosure by
the disclosing party as shown by the receiving party's files and records
immediately prior to the time of disclosure; (iv) is obtained by the receiving
party from a third party without a breach of such third party's obligations of
confidentiality; (v) is independently developed by the receiving party without
use of or reference to the disclosing party's Confidential Information, as shown
by documents and other competent evidence in the receiving party's possession;
or (vi) is required by law to be disclosed by the receiving party, provided that
the receiving party gives the disclosing party prompt written notice of such
requirement prior to such disclosure and assistance in obtaining an order
protecting the information from public disclosure.

      (f) "Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

      (g) "Maturity Date" means the date that is 500 Trading Days (25 Monthly
Periods) from the Commencement Date.

      (h) "Monthly Period" means each successive 20 Trading Day period
commencing with the Commencement Date.

      (i) "Person" means an individual or entity including any limited liability
company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an
unincorporated organization and a government or any department or agency
thereof.

      (j) "Principal Market" means the American Stock Exchange; provided
however, that in the event the Company's Common Stock is ever listed or traded
on the Nasdaq National Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq OTC
Bulletin Board or the New York Stock Exchange, than the "Principal Market" shall
mean such other market or exchange on which the Company's Common Stock is then
listed or traded.

      (k) "Purchase Amount" means the portion of the Available Amount to be
purchased by the Buyer pursuant to Section 1 hereof.

<PAGE>

      (l) "Purchase Date" means the actual date that the Buyer is to buy
Purchase Shares pursuant to Section 1 hereof.

      (m) "Purchase Price" means, as of any Trading Day the lower of the (A) the
lowest Sale Price of the Common Stock on such Trading Day and (B) the arithmetic
average of the three (3) lowest Closing Sale Prices for the Common Stock during
the twelve (12) consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately
preceding such date of determination (to be appropriately adjusted for any
reorganization, recapitalization, non-cash dividend, stock split or other
similar transaction).

      (n) "Sale Price" means, for any security as of any date, any trade price
for such security on the Principal Market as reported by the Principal Market,
or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading
market for such security, the trade price of such security on the principal
securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as
reported by the Principal Market.

      (o) "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

      (q) "Transfer Agent" means the transfer agent of the Company as set forth
in Section 11(f) hereof or such other person who is then serving as the transfer
agent for the Company in respect of the Common Stock.

      (r) "Trading Day" means any day on which the Principal Market is open for
trading including any day on which the Principal Market is open for trading for
a period of time less than the customary time.

      11. MISCELLANEOUS.

      (a) Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Trial. The corporate laws of the
State of Delaware shall govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the
Company and its shareholders. All other questions concerning the construction,
validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of
Illinois, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law
provision or rule (whether of the State of Illinois or any other jurisdictions)
that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the
State of Illinois. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of Chicago, for
the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or under the other Transaction
Documents or in connection herewith or therewith, or with any transaction
contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and
agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not
personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action
or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such
suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby irrevocably waives
personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such
suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party by certified
or registered mail at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement
and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of
process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in
any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. EACH PARTY
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A
JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION
HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY.

<PAGE>

      (b) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and
delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile signature shall be
considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with
the same force and effect as if the signature were an original, not a facsimile
signature.

      (c) Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of
reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this
Agreement.

      (d) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that
jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this
Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

      (e) Entire Agreement; Amendments. With the exception of the Mutual
Nondisclosure Agreement between the parties dated as of April __, 2006, this
Agreement supersedes all other prior oral or written agreements between the
Buyer, the Company, their affiliates and persons acting on their behalf with
respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement, the other
Transaction Documents and the instruments referenced herein contain the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and
therein and, except as specifically set forth herein or therein, neither the
Company nor the Buyer makes any representation, warranty, covenant or
undertaking with respect to such matters. Any provision of this Agreement may be
amended or modified by mutual agreement of the Company and the Buyer, and any
provision hereof may be waived only by the party against whom enforcement is
sought. The Company acknowledges and agrees that is has not relied on, in any
manner whatsoever, any representations or statements, written or oral, other
than as expressly set forth in this Agreement.

      (f) Notices. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications
required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in
writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when
delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided
confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and
kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one Trading Day after deposit with
a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly
addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers
for such communications shall be:

         If to the Company:
                  Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc.
                  1617 JFK Blvd., Suite 660
                  Philadelphia, PA 19103
                  Telephone:        215-988-0080
                  Facsimile:        215-988-1739
                  Attention:        Chief Executive Officer

         With a copy to:
                  Silverman Sclar Shin & Byrne PLLC
                  381 Park Ave. South, Suite 1601
                  New York, NY 10016
                  Telephone:        212-779-8600
                  Facsimile:         212-779-8858
                  Attention:         Richard Feiner

<PAGE>

         If to the Buyer:
                  Fusion Capital Fund II, LLC
                  222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 9-112
                  Chicago, IL 60654
                  Telephone:        312-644-6644
                  Facsimile:        312-644-6244
                  Attention:        Steven G. Martin

         If to the Transfer Agent:
                  Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Co
                   17 Battery Place
                  8th Floor
                  New York,  NY 10004
                  Telephone:        212-509-4000
                  Facsimile:        212-509-5150
                  Attention:        Bill Seegraber

or at such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such
other person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to
each other party three (3) Trading Days prior to the effectiveness of such
change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such
notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or
electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine containing the time,
date, and recipient facsimile number or (C) provided by a nationally recognized
overnight delivery service, shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service,
receipt by facsimile or receipt from a nationally recognized overnight delivery
service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

      (g) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns. The
Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder
without the prior written consent of the Buyer, including by merger or
consolidation. The Buyer may not assign its rights or obligations under this
Agreement.

      (h) No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced
by, any other person.

      (i) Publicity. The Buyer shall have the right to approve before issuance
any press release, SEC filing or any other public disclosure made by or on
behalf of the Company whatsoever with respect to, in any manner, the Buyer, its
purchases hereunder or any aspect of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the Company shall be entitled,
without the prior approval of the Buyer, to make any press release or other
public disclosure (including any filings with the SEC) with respect to such
transactions as is required by applicable law and regulations; provided however,
the Company and its counsel must consult with the Buyer in connection with any
such press release or other public disclosure at least two (2) Trading Days
prior to its release. The Buyer must be provided with a copy thereof at least
two (2) Trading Days prior to any release or use by the Company thereof. The
Company agrees and acknowledges that its failure to fully comply with this
provision constitutes a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its
obligations under this Agreement.

<PAGE>

      (j) Further Assurances. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be
done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and
deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as
the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and
accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

      (k) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated only as follows:

            (i) By the Buyer any time an Event of Default exists without any
      liability or payment to the Company. However, if pursuant to or within the
      meaning of any Bankruptcy Law, the Company commences a voluntary case or
      any Person commences a proceeding against the Company, a Custodian is
      appointed for the Company or for all or substantially all of its property,
      or the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
      creditors, (any of which would be an Event of Default as described in
      Sections 9(f), 9(g) and 9(h) hereof) this Agreement shall automatically
      terminate without any liability or payment to the Company without further
      action or notice by any Person. No such termination of this Agreement
      under this Section 11(k)(i) shall affect the Company's or the Buyer's
      obligations under this Agreement with respect to pending purchases and the
      Company and the Buyer shall complete their respective obligations with
      respect to any pending purchases under this Agreement.

            (ii) In the event that the Commencement shall not have occurred, the
      Company shall have the option to terminate this Agreement for any reason
      or for no reason without liability of any party to any other party.

            (iii) In the event that the Commencement shall not have occurred on
      or before August 31, 2006, due to the failure to satisfy the conditions
      set forth in Sections 6 and 7 above with respect to the Commencement (and
      the nonbreaching party's failure to waive such unsatisfied condition(s)),
      the nonbreaching party shall have the option to terminate this Agreement
      at the close of business on such date or thereafter without liability of
      any party to any other party.

            (iv) If by the Maturity Date (including any extension thereof by the
      Company pursuant to Section 10(g) hereof), for any reason or for no reason
      the full Available Amount under this Agreement has not been purchased as
      provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, by the Buyer without any
      liability or payment to the Company.

            (v) At any time after the Commencement Date, the Company shall have
      the option to terminate this Agreement for any reason or for no reason by
      delivering notice (a "Company Termination Notice") to the Buyer electing
      to terminate this Agreement without any liability or payment to the Buyer.
      The Company Termination Notice shall not be effective until one (1)
      Trading Day after it has been received by the Buyer.

            (vi) This Agreement shall automatically terminate on the date that
      the Company sells and the Buyer purchases the full Available Amount as
      provided herein, without any action or notice on the part of any party.

<PAGE>

Except as set forth in Sections 11(k)(i) (in respect of an Event of Default
under Sections 9(f), 9(g) and 9(h)) and 11(k)(vi), any termination of this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 11(k) shall be effected by written notice
from the Company to the Buyer, or the Buyer to the Company, as the case may be,
setting forth the basis for the termination hereof. The representations and
warranties of the Company and the Buyer contained in Sections 2 and 3 hereof,
the indemnification provisions set forth in Section 8 hereof and the agreements
and covenants set forth in Section 11, shall survive the Commencement and any
termination of this Agreement. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the
Company's or the Buyer's rights or obligations (i) under the Registration Rights
Agreement which shall survive any such termination or (ii) under this Agreement
with respect to pending purchases and the Company and the Buyer shall complete
their respective obligations with respect to any pending purchases under this
Agreement.

      (l) No Financial Advisor, Placement Agent, Broker or Finder. The Company
represents and warrants to the Buyer that it has not engaged any financial
advisor, placement agent, broker or finder in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby. The Buyer represents and warrants to the Company that it
has not engaged any financial advisor, placement agent, broker or finder in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall be
responsible for the payment of any fees or commissions, if any, of any financial
advisor, placement agent, broker or finder relating to or arising out of the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall pay, and hold the Buyer
harmless against, any liability, loss or expense (including, without limitation,
attorneys' fees and out of pocket expenses) arising in connection with any such
claim.

      (m) No Strict Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be
deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent,
and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.

      (n) Remedies, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The
Buyer's remedies provided in this Agreement shall be cumulative and in addition
to all other remedies available to the Buyer under this Agreement, at law or in
equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive
relief), no remedy of the Buyer contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of
compliance with the provisions giving rise to such remedy and nothing herein
shall limit the Buyer's right to pursue actual damages for any failure by the
Company to comply with the terms of this Agreement. The Company acknowledges
that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to
the Buyer and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The
Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened
breach, the Buyer shall be entitled, in addition to all other available
remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach, without the necessity of
showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

      (o) Changes to the Terms of this Agreement. This Agreement and any
provision hereof may only be amended by an instrument in writing signed by the
Company and the Buyer. The term "Agreement" and all reference thereto, as used
throughout this instrument, shall mean this instrument as originally executed,
or if later amended or supplemented, then as so amended or supplemented.

      (p) Enforcement Costs. If: (i) this Agreement is placed by the Buyer in
the hands of an attorney for enforcement or is enforced by the Buyer through any
legal proceeding; or (ii) an attorney is retained to represent the Buyer in any
bankruptcy, reorganization, receivership or other proceedings affecting
creditors' rights and involving a claim under this Agreement; or (iii) an
attorney is retained to represent the Buyer in any other proceedings whatsoever
in connection with this Agreement, then the Company shall pay to the Buyer, as
incurred by the Buyer, all reasonable costs and expenses including attorneys'
fees incurred in connection therewith, in addition to all other amounts due
hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of subparagraphs "i" and
"iii" Buyer shall not be entitled to such reasonable costs and expenses unless
the Buyer is the prevailing party.

<PAGE>

      (q) Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay in the exercise
of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof,
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege
preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or
privilege.

                                    * * * * *

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Buyer and the Company have caused this Common
Stock Purchase Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

                                  THE COMPANY:

                                  HEMISPHERX BIOPHARMA, INC.

                                  By: /s/
                                      -----------------------------
                                  Name: William A. Carter, M.D.
                                  Title: Chairman and CEO

                                  BUYER:

                                  FUSION CAPITAL FUND II, LLC
                                  BY: FUSION CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
                                  BY: ROCKLEDGE CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                  By: /s/
                                     ------------------------------
                                  Name: Joshua B. Scheinfeld
                                  Title: President

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