Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT made and entered into effective as of
December 5, 2001 by and between Emisphere Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") and Alan W. Dunton (the "Executive").

                  WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and to
enter into an agreement embodying the terms of such employment and considers it
essential to its best interests and the best interests of its stockholders to
foster the employment of the Executive by the Company;

                  WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept such employment and
enter into such an agreement; and

                  WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to accept employment on the
terms hereinafter set forth in this agreement (the "Agreement").

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties
hereby agree as follows:

                  1. Term of Employment. Subject to the provisions of Section 7
                     ------------------
of the Agreement, the Executive shall be employed by the Company for a period
commencing on January 7, 2002 (the "Commencement Date") and ending on January 7,
2005; provided, however, that such term shall be automatically extended for
      --------  -------
additional one (1) year periods unless, no later than 60 days prior to the
expiration of the initial period (or any extension thereof pursuant to this
Section 1), either party hereto shall provide written notice of its or his
desire not to extend the term hereof to the other party hereto (the initial
period together with each one-year extension shall be referred to hereinafter as
the "Employment Term").

                  2. Position.
                     --------

                  (a) The Executive shall serve as the President and Chief
Operating Officer ("COO") of the Company. In such position, the Executive shall
have such duties and authority as shall be determined from time to time by the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the "CEO") and the Board of Directors of
the Company (the "Board"). The Executive shall report directly to the CEO.

                  (b) During the Employment Term, the Executive shall devote
substantially all of his business time and best efforts to the performance of
his duties hereunder and shall not engage in any other business, profession or
occupation for compensation or otherwise which would conflict with the rendition
of such services either directly or indirectly, without the prior written
consent of the Board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive may (i)
engage in personal activities involving charitable, community, educational,
religious or similar organizations, (ii) manage his personal investments and
affairs to the extent that such

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activities are not in any manner inconsistent with or in conflict with the
performance of the Executive's duties hereunder and (iii) serve as a member of
the board of directors or board of advisors of any entity with the prior written
consent of the Board.

                  (c) Subject to the Executive's continuing employment by the
Company, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Executive to
be nominated for election and to be elected as a director of the Board, on or
about the six-month anniversary of the Commencement Date (unless a later date is
requested by the Executive) at a meeting of shareholders of the Company held for
the election of directors to the Board. If the Executive shall be a member of
the Board, the Executive shall serve in such capacity without additional
compensation.

                  (d) The Executive's principal place of employment shall be at
the Company's corporate offices.

               3. Compensation.
                  ------------

                  (a) Base Salary. During the Employment Term, the Company shall
                      -----------
pay the Executive a base salary (the "Base Salary") at the annual rate of
$450,000 payable in regular semi-monthly installments in accordance with the
Company's usual payroll practices. The Base Salary shall be increased within 30
days of each anniversary of the Commencement Date pursuant to the Company's
customary payroll practices.

                  (b) Signing Bonus. The Company shall pay the Executive a
                      -------------
one-time signing bonus in the amount of $160,000, payable in two equal
installments of $80,000 on the 30-day anniversary of the Effective Date and the
60-day anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, that the Executive remains
employed by the Company on the day preceding such 30-day and 60-day anniversary
respectively.

                  (c) Annual Bonus. For the first calendar year of the
                      ------------
Employment Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a bonus ("Bonus") of
$160,000 on the first anniversary of the Commencement Date; provided, that the
                                                            --------
Executive remains employed by the Company on the day immediately preceding such
first anniversary. For subsequent calendar years during the Employment Term, the
Company may in the complete discretion of the Board pay a Bonus (in an amount to
be determined by the Board in its sole discretion) to the Executive with respect
to each such calendar year.

               4. Equity.
                  ------

                  (a) The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the
Company's long term incentive compensation programs (including stock options and
stock grants, if any).

                  (b) Subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of
the Board and contingent upon the Executive's execution of a stock option
agreement or agreements

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                                                                               3

(as applicable) the Company shall grant to the Executive pursuant to the
Company's 2000 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), an option to purchase 200,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Option") at the fair market value of
such stock on the date of such grant (the "Grant Date"). Subject to the terms of
such option agreement or agreements (as applicable), such Option shall vest and
become exercisable as to 1/60th of the shares of Common Stock underlying such
Option on the last day of each of the twelve months following the Grant Date up
to and including the first anniversary of the Grant Date (the "First
Anniversary") and as to an additional one-fifth of the shares of Common Stock
underlying such Option on each of the first four anniversaries of the First
Anniversary such that the Option shall be 100% vested and exercisable as of the
fifth anniversary of the Grant Date. The Option shall be subject to such other
terms and conditions as may be set forth in the stock option agreement or
agreements evidencing the grant of such Option which shall be annexed hereto as
Exhibits B and C. The Option shall to the greatest extent practical be an
incentive stock option (ISO) within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

               5. Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, the
                  -----------------
Executive shall be provided with benefits on the same basis as benefits are
generally made available to other senior executives of the Company, including
without limitation, medical, dental, and long-term disability coverage, and
participation in the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and 401(k) Savings
Plan. The Executive shall be entitled to accrue 25 days (5 weeks) of paid
vacation per annum. The Executive shall be eligible for paid personal and
holiday days in accordance with the applicable plans and policies of the
Company. The terms and conditions of all such benefits shall be governed by the
applicable plan or policy of the Company.

               6. Business Expenses. During the Employment Term, reasonable
                  -----------------
business expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of his duties
hereunder shall be reimbursed by the Company in accordance with Company
policies.

               7. Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
                  -----------
Agreement:

                  (a) For Cause by the Company. The Employment Term and the
                      ------------------------
Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company for "Cause."
For purposes of the Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) the Executive's conviction
of, or entry of a pleading of guilty or nolo contendre with respect to a felony
or any lesser crime involving Company property; (ii) the Executive's dishonesty
towards the Company, (iii) the Executive's breach of any non-disclosure,
non-solicitation or non-competition obligations owed to the Company or any of
its subsidiaries, (iv) the Executive's material breach of a fiduciary duty owed
to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (v) the Executive's willful or gross
neglect of his duties hereunder, (vi) the Executive's material failure to comply
with applicable laws with respect to the execution of the Company's business
operations; (vii) the Executive's theft, fraud, embezzlement, dishonesty or
similar conduct which has resulted or is likely to result in material damage to
the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries; or (viii) the Executive's
failure to follow the lawful instructions of the CEO or the Board.

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                                                                               4

                  If the Executive is terminated for Cause, he shall be entitled
to receive his Base Salary through the date of termination. Upon termination of
the Executive's employment pursuant to this Section 7(a), the Executive shall
have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under the
Agreement. All other benefits, if any, due the Executive following the
Executive's termination of employment pursuant to this Section 7(a) shall be
determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company;
provided, however, that the Executive shall not participate in any severance
--------  -------
plan, policy or program of the Company.

                  (b) Disability or Death. The Employment Term and the
                      -------------------
Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate upon his death or by the
Company on account of his "Disability". For purposes of this Agreement, the term
Disability shall mean the Executive's inability to perform his duties hereunder
due to his mental or physical incapacity for a period of 90 consecutive days or
for a period of 45 days during any consecutive 6 month period. Within 15 days
following the Executive's termination of employment hereunder on account of
Disability or death, the Executive or the Executive's estate (as the case may
be) shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to his Base Salary
through the date which is thirty (30) days from the date of such termination.
The Executive or the Executive's estate (as the case may be) shall have no
further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under the Agreement;
provided, that, the foregoing is not in any way intended to limit the right of
the Executive or the Executive's estate (as the case may be) to exercise the
vested portion of the Option in accordance with the terms of the applicable
stock option agreements. All other benefits, if any, due the Executive following
the Executive's termination for Disability or death shall be determined in
accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company; provided,
                                                                  --------
however, that the Executive (or his estate, as the case may be) shall not
-------
participate in any severance plan, policy or program of the Company.

                  (c) Without Cause by the Company. The Employment Term and the
                      ----------------------------
Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company without
"Cause" upon Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 7(g)) to the
Executive. If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without
"Cause" (other than by reason of Disability or death), the Executive shall
receive within 15 days following such termination of employment, a lump sum
payment equal to the sum of: (1) his annual Base Salary as in effect as of the
date of such termination and (2) any accrued and unpaid vacation. In addition,
the Company shall provide continued health coverage to the Executive and his
dependents at its expense (through the payment of "COBRA" premiums on behalf of
the Executive) through the earlier of: (A) twelve (12) months following such
termination or (B) the date the Executive secures medical coverage comparable to
or better than that which is provided by the Company on the effective date of
his termination with the Company. In addition, in the event the Executive is
terminated by the Company pursuant to this Section 7(c), on or after the first
anniversary of the Commencement Date, he shall be entitled to receive the Bonus,
if any, he would have received with respect to the calendar year in which such
termination occurred had he continued in the employ of the Company through the
last day of such calendar year. Upon termination of the Executive's employment
by the Company without Cause pursuant to this Section 7(c), the

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Executive shall have no further rights, other than those set forth in this
Section 7(c), to any compensation or any other benefits under the Agreement;
provided, that, the foregoing is not in any way intended to limit the right of
--------
the Executive to exercise the vested portion of the Option in accordance with
the terms of the applicable stock option agreements. All other benefits, if any,
due the Executive following termination pursuant to Section 7(c) shall be
determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company;
provided, however, that the Executive shall not participate in any severance
--------  -------
plan, policy or program of the Company.

                  (d) Termination following a Change of Control.
                      -----------------------------------------

                      (i) By the Executive. Upon ten (10) days written notice
                          ----------------
to the Company, the Executive may terminate the Employment Term and his
employment hereunder for "Good Reason" (as defined below) upon or during the
twelve (12) month period following the effective date of a "Change in Control"
(as defined below) (such twelve (12) month period to be hereinafter referred to
as the "Protection Period"). For purposes of the Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean (i) a material diminution in the Executive's duties and responsibilities
without the Executive's consent, (ii) a material breach by the Company of the
provisions of this Agreement, including any reduction by the Company in the
Executive's Base Salary or (iii) relocation of the Executive's primary place of
employment to a location outside a 30-mile radius of the Company's corporate
offices in Tarrytown, New York. In the event the Executive terminates his
employment hereunder pursuant to this Section 7(d)(i), the Executive shall
receive the payments and benefits provided by Section 7(d)(iii).

                      (ii) By the Company. In the event the Company terminates
                           --------------
the Executive (other than on account of death, Disability or for Cause), during
the Protection Period the Executive shall receive the payments and benefits
provided by Section 7(d)(iii) in lieu of those provided by Section 7(c) hereof.

                      (iii) Upon a termination pursuant to Section 7(d)(i) or
7(d)(ii) the Executive shall be entitled to receive in a lump sum payment equal
to the sum of: (1) if not theretofore paid, the Executive's Base Salary through
the date of termination and (2) his annual Base Salary (as in effect immediately
prior to the effective date of the Change in Control). In addition, the Company
shall provide continued health coverage to the Executive and his dependents at
its expense (through the payment of "COBRA" premiums on behalf of the Executive)
through the earlier of: (A) twelve (12) months following such termination or (B)
the date the Executive secures medical coverage comparable to or better than
that which is provided by the Company on the effective date of his termination
with the Company. In addition, in the event the Executive's employment is
terminated pursuant to this Section 7(d), on or after the first anniversary of
the Commencement Date, he shall be entitled to receive the Bonus, if any, he
would have received with respect to the calendar year in which such termination
occurred had he continued in the employ of the Company through the last day of
such calendar year. All other benefits, if any, due the Executive following
termination pursuant to this Section 7(d) shall be determined in accordance with
the plans, policies and practices of the Company; provided,
                                                  --------

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                                                                               6

however, that the Executive shall not participate in any severance plan, policy
-------
or program of the Company.

                  (e) Termination by the Executive (other than for Good Reason,
                      ---------------------------------------------------------
death or Disability). The Employment Term and the Executive's employment
--------------------
hereunder may be terminated by the Executive for any reason other than Good
Reason upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Company. Upon a
termination by the Executive pursuant to this Section 7(e) the Executive shall
be entitled to his Base Salary through the date of such termination. Upon
termination of the Executive pursuant to this Section 7(e), the Executive shall
have no further rights, other than those set forth in this Section 7(e), to any
compensation or any other benefits under the Agreement; provided, that the
                                                        --------
foregoing is not in any way intended to limit the right of the Executive to
exercise the vested portion of the Option in accordance with the terms of the
applicable stock option agreements. All other benefits, if any, due the
Executive following termination pursuant to this Section 7(e) shall be
determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company;
provided, however, that the Executive shall not participate in any severance
--------  -------
plan, policy or program of the Company.

                  (f) For purposes of the Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall
be deemed to have occurred if:

                      (i) any Person (other than the Company, any trustee or
other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the
Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company's
stockholders immediately prior to the occurrence with respect to which the
evaluation is being made in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership of the Company's common stock) becomes the Beneficial Owner (except
that a Person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of all shares that any
such Person has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement or arrangement or
upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise, without
regard to the sixty day period referred to in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary (as defined below), representing 60% or more of the combined voting
power of the Company's or such subsidiary's then outstanding securities;

                      (ii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the
Company or any subsidiary owning directly or indirectly all or substantially all
of the consolidated assets of the Company (a "Significant Subsidiary") with any
other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the
voting securities of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or
resulting entity) more than 60% of the combined voting power of the surviving or
resulting entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

                      (iii) The sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company, or dissolution or liquidation of the Company.

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                                                                               7

                      (iv) For purposes of the definition of Change in Control:

                           (1) The term "Beneficial Owner" shall have the
meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act (including
any successor to such Rule).

                           (2) The term "Exchange Act" means the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor act
thereto.

                           (3) The term "Person" shall have the meaning
ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including "group" as defined in Section 13(d)
thereof.

                  (g) Notice of Termination. Any purported termination of
                      ---------------------
employment by the Company shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination
to the Executive hereto in accordance with Section 12(h) hereof. For purposes of
the Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice that shall indicate
the specific termination provision in the Agreement relied upon.

                  (h) The Executive agrees as a condition to receipt of the
termination payments and benefits provided for in this Section 7, that he will
execute a release agreement, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company,
releasing any and all claims arising out of his employment other than the
enforcement of this Agreement and the Executive's right under the Company's
employee benefit plans and programs to which he is entitled under this
Agreement.

               8. Non-Competition. The Executive recognizes and acknowledges
                  ---------------
that the services to be performed by him hereunder are special, unique and
extraordinary and the Executive further acknowledges and recognizes the highly
competitive nature of the business of the Company. Executive understands that
the provisions of this Section 8 may limit Executive's ability to earn a
livelihood in a business similar to the business of the Company but nevertheless
agrees and hereby acknowledges that (i) such provisions do not impose a greater
restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interests
of the Company, (ii) such provisions contain reasonable limitations as to time
and scope of activity to be restrained, (iii) such provisions are not harmful to
the general public, (iv) such provisions are not unduly burdensome to the
Executive, and (v) the consideration provided hereunder is sufficient to
compensate the Executive for the restrictions contained in such provisions. In
consideration thereof and in light of Executive's education, skills and
liabilities, the Executive agrees that he will not assert in any forum that such
provisions prevent the Executive from earning a living or otherwise are void or
unenforceable or should be held unenforceable. Accordingly, the Executive hereby
agrees that during the Employment Term and for a period of one year thereafter
(the "Restriction Period), the Executive shall not engage in "Competition" with
the Company or any subsidiary. "Competition" shall mean engaging in any
activity, for a Competitor of the Company or any subsidiary, whether as an
employee, consultant, principal, agent, officer, director, partner, shareholder
(except as a less than one percent shareholder of a publicly traded company) or

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                                                                               8

otherwise. A "Competitor" shall mean any corporation or other entity that
competes directly or indirectly with the "Business" (as defined below) conducted
by the Company, within a 100-mile radius. If the Executive commences employment
or becomes a consultant, principal, agent, officer, director, partner, or
shareholder of any entity that is not a Competitor at the time the Executive
initially becomes employed or becomes a consultant, principal, agent, officer,
director, partner, or shareholder of the entity, future activities of such
entity shall not result in a violation of this provision unless (x) such
activities were contemplated by the Executive at the time the Executive
initially became employed or becomes a consultant, principal, agent, officer,
director, partner, or shareholder of the entity or (y) the Executive commences
directly or indirectly overseeing or managing the activities of an entity which
becomes a Competitor during the Restriction Period, which activities are
competitive with the activities of the Company or any subsidiary. The term
"Business" means (i) the research, development, manufacture and sale of products
for the delivery, by means other than injection, of active agents or drugs whose
characteristics, including, but not limited to size, structure or charge,
prohibit or impede absorption when taken by a non-injectible route and any
related products and services, and (ii) any other business that the Company may
engage in, or be actively planning to engage in, on the date of termination of
the Executive's employment.

               9. Confidentiality; Cooperation with Regard to Litigation.
                  ------------------------------------------------------

                  (a) During the Employment Term and thereafter, the Executive
shall not, without the Company's prior written consent, disclose to anyone or
make use of any "Confidential Information" except in the performance of his
duties hereunder or when required to do so by legal process, by any governmental
agency having supervisory authority over the business of the Company or by any
administrative or legislative body (including a committee thereof) that requires
him to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information. In the event that
the Executive is so ordered, he shall give prompt written notice to the Company
to allow the Company the opportunity to object to or otherwise resist such
order.

                  (b) "Confidential Information" shall mean all information
concerning the business of the Company or any subsidiary relating to any of
their products, product development, trade secrets, customers, suppliers,
finances, and business plans and strategies. Excluded from the definition of
Confidential Information is information (i) that is or becomes part of the
public domain, other than through the breach of this Agreement by Executive or
(ii) regarding the Company's business or industry properly acquired by Executive
in the course of his career as an executive in the Company's industry and
independent of Executive's employment by the Company. For this purpose,
information known or available generally within the trade or industry of the
Company or any subsidiary shall be deemed to be known or available to the
public.

                  (c) The Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company, during
the Employment Term and thereafter, by making himself reasonably available to
testify on behalf of the Company or any subsidiary in any action, suit, or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, and to
assist the Company, or any subsidiary, in any such action,

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                                                                               9

suit, or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with
the Board or its representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to
the Company, or any subsidiary as reasonably requested.

              10. Nondisparagement. The Executive agrees that, during the
                  ----------------
Employment Term and thereafter he will not make statements or representations,
or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or
otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage the
Company or any subsidiary or their respective officers, directors, employees,
advisors, businesses or reputations. The Company agrees that, during the
Employment Term and thereafter the Company will not make statements or
representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing,
orally, or otherwise, or take any action that may directly or indirectly,
disparage Executive or his business or reputation. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude either Executive or the
Company from making truthful statements or disclosures that is required by
applicable law, regulation or legal process.

              11. Specific Performance. The Executive acknowledges and
                  --------------------
agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of
any of the provisions of Section 8, 9 and 10 would be inadequate and, in
recognition of this fact, the Executive agrees that, in the event of such a
breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company,
without posting any bond, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the
form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or
permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available.

              12. Miscellaneous.
                  -------------

                  (a) Acceptance. The Executive hereby represents that his
                      ----------
performance and execution of the Agreement does not and will not constitute a
breach of any agreement or arrangement to which he is a party or is otherwise
bound, including, without limitation, any noncompetition or employment
agreement.

                  (b) Governing Law. The Agreement shall be governed by and
                      -------------
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to
conflict of law provisions.

                  (c) Entire Agreement/Amendments. The Agreement contains the
                      ---------------------------
entire understanding of the parties with respect to the employment of the
Executive by the Company. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises,
warranties, covenants or undertakings between the parties with respect to the
subject matter herein other than those expressly set forth herein. The Agreement
may not be altered, modified, or amended except by written instrument signed by
the parties hereto.

                  (d) No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict
                      ---------
adherence to any term of the Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a
waiver of such party's

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                                                                              10

rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict
adherence to that term or any other term of the Agreement.

                  (e) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the
                      ------------
provisions of the Agreement shall be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

                  (f) Assignment. The Agreement shall not be assignable by the
                      ----------
Executive. The Agreement may be assigned by the Company to a company that is a
successor in interest to substantially all of the business operations of the
Company. Such assignment shall become effective when the Company notifies the
Executive of such assignment or at such later date as may be specified in such
notice.

                  (g) Successors; Binding Agreement. The Agreement shall inure
                      -----------------------------
to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company's and the Executive's personal
or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributes, devises and legatees.

<PAGE>

                                                                              11

                  (h) Notice. All notices and other communications hereunder
                      ------
shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:

                                           If to the Executive:

                                           Alan W. Dunton, MD
                                           21 Hun Road
                                           Princeton, NJ  08540

                                           If to the Company:

                                           Emisphere Technologies, Inc.
                                           765 Old Saw Mill River Road
                                           Tarrytown, New York 10591
                                           Attn: Chief Executive Officer

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notices and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.

                  (i) Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from any
                      -----------------
amounts payable under the Agreement such Federal, state and local taxes as may
be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

                  (j) Counterparts. The Agreement may be signed in counterparts,
                      ------------
each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures
thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

                [Remainder of the Page Left Intentionally Blank]

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                                                                              12

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed the
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                          EXECUTIVE

                          /s/ Alan W. Dunton   December 5, 2001
                          -------------------------------------
                          Alan W. Dunton, M.D.

                          EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                          By: /s/ Michael M. Goldberg
                              ---------------------------------
                               Name:  Michael M. Goldberg, M.D.
                               Title: Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>

                                                                              13

                               Option Agreements
                               -----------------

                                    Exhibit B

                                 NQSO Agreement

                                    Exhibit C
                                  ISO Agreement<PAGE>

                                                                EXHIBIT 10.11(a)

                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

                  THIS AGREEMENT dated as of the 7th day of February 2002,
between Emisphere Technologies, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the "Company"),
and Alan W. Dunton (the "Optionee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants made
herein and the mutual benefits to be derived herefrom, the parties hereto agree
as follows:

                  1. Grant of Stock Option.
                     ---------------------

                  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and to the
provisions of the Emisphere Technologies, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan"), the Company hereby grants to the Optionee as of February 7, 2002 (the
"Grant Date") the right and option (the "Stock Option") to purchase 174,095
shares of common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share ("Common
Stock"), at the exercise price of $19.30 per share, the Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock on the Grant Date. The Stock Option shall be a Nonqualified Stock
Option. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the
Stock Option shall expire on the tenth anniversary of December 14, 2001 (the
"Vesting Commencement Date"). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have
the meaning set forth in the Plan.

                  2. Exercisability of the Stock Option.
                     ----------------------------------

                  The Stock Option shall become vested and exercisable with
respect to one-sixtieth (1/60th) of the shares of common stock underlying the
Stock Option on the last day of each of the twelve months following the Vesting
Commencement Date up to and including the first anniversary of the Vesting
Commencement Date (the "First Anniversary") and as to an additional one-fifth of
the shares of common stock underlying the Stock Option on each of the first four
anniversaries of the First Anniversary such that the Stock Option shall be 100%
vested and exercisable as of the fifth anniversary of the Vesting Commencement
Date. Upon the Optionee's termination of employment for any reason, the portion
of the Stock Option that is not vested as of such date, in accordance with the
foregoing provisions of this Section 2, shall cease vesting and terminate
immediately.

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the
Optionee's employment is terminated due to the Optionee's death or "Disability"
(as defined in the Employment Agreement between the Company and the Optionee
dated as of December 5, 2001 (the "Employment Agreement")), or by the Company
without Cause (each a "Qualifying Termination") (a) prior to the First
Anniversary, then the Stock Option shall be 20% vested and exercisable; (b)
following the First Anniversary but prior to the second anniversary of the
Vesting Commencement Date, then the Stock Option shall be

<PAGE>

                                                                               2

40% vested and exercisable; (c) following the second anniversary but prior to
the third anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, then the Stock Option
shall be 80% vested and exercisable; and (d) following the third anniversary of
the Vesting Commencement Date, then the Stock Option shall be 100% vested and
exercisable.

                  Notwithstanding further the foregoing, in the event that,
following a "Change of Control" (as defined in the Employment Agreement), a
Qualifying Termination occurs or the Optionee terminates his employment for
"Good Reason" (as defined in the Employment Agreement), the Stock Option shall
be 100% vested and exercisable as of the date of such termination.

                  3. Method of Exercise of the Stock Option.
                     --------------------------------------

                     (a) The portion of the Stock Option as to which the
Optionee is vested shall be exercisable by delivery to the Company of a written
or electronic notice stating the number of whole shares to be purchased pursuant
to this Agreement and accompanied by payment of the full purchase price of the
shares of Common Stock to be purchased. Fractional share interests shall be
disregarded except they may be accumulated.

                     (b) The exercise price of the Stock Option shall be paid:
(i) in cash or by certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the
Company; (ii) by exchange of shares of unrestricted Common Stock of the Company
already owned by the Optionee (that have been held by the Optionee for six (6)
months prior to exercise or which were acquired in the open market) and having
an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate purchase price, provided,
that the Optionee represents and warrants to the Company that the Optionee has
held the shares of Common Stock free and clear of liens and encumbrances and has
held the shares for at least six (6) months prior to exercise or that such
shares were acquired in the open market; (iii) by delivering, along with a
properly executed exercise notice to the Company, a copy of irrevocable
instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the aggregate
exercise price and, if requested by the Optionee, the amount of any applicable
federal, state, local or foreign withholding taxes required to be withheld by
the Company, provided, however, that such exercise may be implemented solely
under a program or arrangement established and approved by the Company with a
brokerage firm selected by the Company; (iv) by promissory note; or (v) by any
other procedure approved by the Committee, or by a combination of the foregoing.

                  4. Termination of Employment Other Than Due to Death or
                     ----------------------------------------------------
Disability.
----------

                     (a) Except as provided in Section 4(b) below with regard to
the Optionee's termination of employment for Cause or following an event that
would be grounds for a termination of employment for Cause and Section 5 below
with regard to the Optionee's termination of employment due to death or
Disability, in the event of the Optionee's termination of employment, the
portion of the Stock Option, if any, which is exercisable at the time of such
termination may be exercised prior to the first to occur of

<PAGE>

                                                                               3

(a) the expiration of the ninety day (90) period which commences on the date of
termination or (b) the expiration date of the Stock Option.

                     (b) In the event of the Optionee's termination of
employment for Cause, the Optionee's entire Stock Option (whether or not vested)
shall be forfeited and canceled in its entirety upon such termination of
employment.

                     (c) Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon
the Optionee any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates or interfere in any way with the right of the Company
or any such subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate the Optionee's employment at
any time.

                  5. Death or Disability of Optionee.
                     -------------------------------

                  In the event of the Optionee's termination of employment due
to death (or, in the event of the Optionee's death following termination of
employment while the Stock Option remains exercisable) the portion of the Stock
Option, if any, which is exercisable at the time of death may be exercised by
the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise such
Stock Option by bequest or inheritance or otherwise by reason of the death of
the Optionee at any time prior to the first to occur of (a) twelve (12) months
after the date of death or (b) the expiration date of the Stock Option. In the
event of the Optionee's termination of employment due to Disability, the portion
of the Stock Option, if any, which is exercisable at the time of such
termination of employment for Disability may be exercised by the Optionee or the
Optionee's guardian or legal representative at any time prior to the first to
occur of (a) twelve months after such termination of employment or (b) the
expiration date of the Stock Option.

                  6. Nontransferability of the Stock Option.
                     --------------------------------------

                  The Stock Option is non-transferable by the Optionee other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified
domestic relations order, and the Stock Option may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee or by the Optionee's guardian or
legal representative or any transferee described above.

                  7. Rights as a Stockholder.
                     -----------------------

                     An Optionee or a transferee of the Stock Option shall have
no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by such Stock
Option until the date when his or her purchase is entered upon the records of
the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment shall be made
for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other
property) or distribution of other rights for which the record date is prior to
the date a stock certificate is issued, except as provided in the Plan.

                  8. Adjustment in the Event of Change in Stock.
                     ------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                                                               4

                  In the event of any change in corporate capitalization
(including, but not limited to, a change in the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding), such as a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock , or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company, the number and kind of shares subject to the
Stock Option and/or the exercise price per share will be appropriately adjusted
by the Committee consistent with such change and consistent with adjustments
made under the Plan for other Plan participants who have an outstanding Stock
Option. The determination of the Committee regarding any adjustment will be
final and conclusive.

                  9. Payment of Transfer Taxes, Fees and Other Expenses.
                     --------------------------------------------------

                  The Company agrees to pay any and all original issue taxes and
stock transfer taxes that may be imposed on the issuance of shares acquired
pursuant to exercise of the Stock Option, together with any and all other fees
and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection therewith.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall be solely responsible for any
other taxes (including, without limitation, federal, state, local or foreign
income, social security, estate or excise taxes) that may be payable as a result
of the Optionee's participation in the Plan or as a result of the exercise of
the Stock Option and/or the sale, disposition or transfer of any shares of
Common Stock acquired upon the Optionee's exercise of the Stock Option.

                  10. Other Restrictions.
                      ------------------

                  The exercise of the Stock Option shall be subject to the
requirement that, if at any time the Committee shall determine that (i) the
listing, registration or qualification of the shares of Common Stock subject or
related thereto upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law,
or (ii) the consent or approval of any government regulatory body or (iii) an
agreement by the Optionee with respect to the disposition of shares of Common
Stock is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, such
exercise or the delivery or purchase of shares pursuant thereto, then in any
such event, such exercise shall not be effective unless such listing,
registration, qualification, consent, or approval or agreement shall have been
effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.

                  The Company may, but will in no event be obligated to,
register any securities issuable upon the exercise of all or any portion of the
Stock Option pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 (as now in effect or as
hereafter amended) or to take any other affirmative action in order to cause the
exercise of the Stock Option or the issuance of shares pursuant thereto to
comply with any law or regulation of any governmental authority. The
certificates representing shares issued to Optionee hereunder shall bear such
legends as Company determines appropriate referring to restrictions on the
transfer of such shares imposed by this Agreement and such other legends as are
required or appropriate under applicable law.

                  11. Taxes and Withholding.
                      ---------------------

<PAGE>

                                                                               5

                  No later than the date of exercise of the Stock Option granted
hereunder, the Optionee shall pay to the Company or make arrangements
satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of any federal, state or local
taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld upon the exercise of such Stock
Option and the Company shall, to the extent permitted or required by law, have
the right to deduct from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Optionee,
federal, state and local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld upon
the exercise of such Stock Option.

                 12. Notices.
                     -------

                  All notices and other communications under this Agreement
shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
facsimile, overnight courier, or registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

                  If to the Optionee:

                  Alan W. Dunton, M.D.
                  21 Hun Road
                  Princeton, NJ 08540

                  If to the Company:

                  Attn:  Chief Executive Officer
                  Emisphere Technologies, Inc.
                  765 Old Saw Mill River Road
                  Tarrytown, NY 10591

                  or to such other address or facsimile number as any party
shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance with this Section 12.
Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the
addressee.

                 13. Effect of Agreement.
                     -------------------

                  Except as otherwise provided hereunder, this Agreement shall
be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of
the Company, and to any transferee or successor of the Optionee pursuant to
Section 6.

                 14. Laws Applicable to Construction.
                     -------------------------------

                  The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without
reference to principles of conflict of laws, as applied to contracts executed in
and performed wholly within the State of Delaware.

                 15. Severability.
                     ------------

<PAGE>

                                                                               6

                  The invalidity or enforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction
declares that any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the
parties hereto agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or
unenforceability shall have the power, and is hereby directed, to reduce the
scope, duration or area of the provision, to delete specific words or phrases
and to replace any invalid or unenforceable provision with a provision that is
valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the
invalid or unenforceable provision and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so
modified.

                  16. Conflicts and Interpretation.
                      ----------------------------

                  This Agreement is subject to all the terms, conditions and
provisions of the Plan. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and
the Plan, the Plan shall control. In the event of any ambiguity in this
Agreement, any term which is not defined in this Agreement, or any matters as to
which this Agreement is silent, the Plan shall govern including, without
limitation, the provisions thereof pursuant to which the Committee has the
power, among others, to (i) interpret the Plan, (ii) prescribe, amend and
rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan and (iii) make all other
determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

                  17. Headings.
                      --------

                  The headings of Sections herein are included solely for
convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of
any of the provisions of this Agreement.

                  18. Amendment.
                      ---------

                  This Agreement may not be modified, amended or waived except
by an instrument in writing signed by both parties hereto. The waiver by either
party of compliance with any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any
subsequent breach by such party of a provision of this Agreement.

                  19. Term.
                      ----

                  The term of this Agreement is ten years from the Vesting
Commencement Date, unless terminated prior to such date in accordance with the
provisions herein.

                  20. Counterparts.
                      ------------

                  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, which together
shall constitute one and the same original.

<PAGE>

                                                                               7

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, as of the date first above written, the
Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by a duly
authorized officer and the Optionee has hereunto set the Optionee's hand.

                                   EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                   /s/  Michael M. Goldberg
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                   By:      Michael M. Goldberg, M.D.
                                   Title:   Chief Executive Officer

                                   /s/ Alan W. Dunton
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                   Alan W. Dunton, M.D.

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