Document:

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.162

                              SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT, effective the 1st day of January, 2001, by and between
Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates
(collectively, "PPD") and ___________________ ("Employee").

     WHEREAS, Employee is a valued employee of PPD and in order to induce
Employee to remain in the employ of PPD, PPD desires to provide the severance
benefits hereinafter described in the event of a "Change in Control", as
hereinafter defined, of PPD.

     NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

     1.   Definitions
          -----------

          1.01    "AFR" means the interest rate determined under Section 1274 of
the Code.

          1.02    "Base Amount" shall have the meaning set forth and shall be
determined as provided in Section 280G of the Code.

          1.03    "Change in Control" means (i) a change of control of a nature
that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A
of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended ("Exchange Act"), provided that such a Change in Control shall be deemed
to have occurred if any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of securities of PPD representing 50% or more of the combined voting
power of PPD's then outstanding securities; (ii) a sale of substantially all of
the assets of PPD; or (iii) a liquidation of PPD.

          1.04    "Constructive Termination" means a termination of Employee's
employment by PPD during the Covered Period initiated by Employee after (i) a
substantial diminution or alteration in the duties of Employee, (ii) a reduction
by PPD in Employee's base salary in effect on the date of the Change in Control,
or (iii) the relocation of Employee's primary work location to a location that
is more than twenty-five (25) miles from Employee's primary work location prior
to the Change in Control.   Constructive Termination specifically does not
include termination of Employee by reason of death, Disability or retirement at
or after age 65.  Employee shall give PPD written notice of a Constructive
Termination, which notice shall provide a brief description of the circumstances
which Employee asserts gives rise to a right of Constructive Termination, and
PPD shall have ten (10) days from receipt of said notice within which to remedy
said circumstances.

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          1.05    "Covered Payment" means the amounts and benefits paid to
Employee pursuant to this Agreement, taken together with any amounts or benefits
otherwise paid or distributed to Employee by PPD.

          1.06    "Covered Period" means the time period commencing on the date
of and coincident with a Change of Control and ending one year thereafter.

          1.07    "Disability" means the inability of Employee to perform his
assigned duties for PPD for a period of three (3) months due to Employee's
physical or mental illness as determined by a reputable medical doctor.

          1.08    "Excess Parachute Payment" shall have the meaning set forth
and shall be determined as provided in Section 280G of the Code.

          1.09    "Excise Tax" shall mean the tax imposed under Section 4999 of
the Code on an Excess Parachute Payment.

          1.10    "Executive Consultant" shall mean the executive compensation
or comparable consultant used from time to time by PPD in designing its
compensation program for executive and senior management employees of PPD;
provided, however, that in its sole discretion PPD may at any time designate its
independent auditors as its Executive Consultant for the purpose of performing
any calculations required under Section 2.05 of this Agreement.

          1.11    "Final Determination" means a final determination by a court
of competent jurisdiction or a proceeding of the Internal Revenue Service or its
successor agency.

          1.12    "First Period" means the twelve-month period ending on the
Termination Date.

          1.13    "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 as heretofore or hereafter amended, and any successor code. References in
this agreement to specific sections of the Code shall also include any successor
sections.

          1.14    "Parachute Payments" shall have the meaning set forth and
shall be determined as provided in Section 280G of the Code.

          1.15    "Payment Cap" means the maximum amount which may be paid to
Employee under the terms of this Agreement without subjecting Employee to the
Excise Tax.

          1.16    "Payment Date" means the date thirty (30) days following the
Termination Date.

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          1.17    "Stock Awards" means Employee's outstanding awards of PPD non-
qualified stock options or restricted stock as of the Termination Date.

          1.18    "Termination for Cause" means (i) an act or acts involving
fraud, embezzlement or theft from PPD, (ii) Employee's willful and repeated
failure to follow directions of the Board of Directors that continues for at
least ten (10) days following written notice of the Board of Directors of such
failure to follow directions, or (iii) termination for cause as defined in and
made pursuant to a then effective employment agreement, if any, between Employee
and PPD.

          1.19    "Termination Date" means the date on which Employee's
employment is terminated such that Employee is entitled to the compensation and
benefits provided for in Section 2 of this Agreement.

     2.   Compensation Upon Change of Control.  If during the Covered Period
          -----------------------------------
(i) PPD terminates Employee's employment for reason other than Termination for
Cause or (ii)  Employee's employment is terminated by reason of Constructive
Termination, Employee shall be entitled to the following compensation and
benefits:

          2.01    Base Salary and Bonus.  PPD shall pay Employee an amount equal
to ___________ times the sum of Employee's (i) base salary for the First Period
(determined as if Employee was employed for the entire First Period if employed
for less than the First Period) and (ii) the greater of (x) Employee's target
bonus under the PPD incentive cash bonus plan in which Employee is eligible to
participate immediately prior to the Termination Date or (y) the average of the
cash bonuses received in the First Period and in the twelve-month period
immediately preceding the First Period, said amount to be paid on the Payment
Date.

          2.02    Unpaid and Deferred Compensation.  PPD shall pay Employee any
bonus or deferred compensation (whether in the form of cash, stock or otherwise)
accrued but unpaid as of the Termination Date, said sum to be paid on the
Payment Date.

          2.03    Benefits.  For a period of ________________ after the
Termination Date, PPD shall continue to pay for and provide welfare benefits
which Employee was receiving immediately prior to the Termination Date,
including life insurance, health, medical, dental, vision and wellness,
accidental death and dismemberment and disability benefits; provided, however,
that PPD's obligations under this clause shall terminate from the date that
Employee first becomes eligible after the Termination Date for similar coverage
under another employer's plan.

          2.04    Stock Awards.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any
agreement for Stock Awards, (i) all unvested shares underlying Stock Awards
granted more than six months prior to the Termination Date shall become fully
vested as of the Termination Date, and (ii) Employee shall continue to be
treated under each award agreement evidencing a Stock Award as if Employee was
an employee of PPD until the

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first to occur of (x) the third anniversary of the Termination Date, or (y) the
expiration of the exercise period provided for therein; provided, however, in
the event of Employee's death or his disability (as disability is defined in the
award agreement) after the Termination Date, the time for exercise after death
or such disability prescribed in the award agreement shall apply. The provisions
of this Section 2.04 shall also apply to any and all substitute awards for
nonqualified stock options and restricted stock granted to Employee in exchange
for Stock Awards to which this section applies.

          2.05    Limitation on Payments.

                  a.  Application of Section 2.05.  If a Covered Payment
hereunder would be an Excess Parachute Payment and would thereby subject
Employee to the Excise Tax, the provisions of this Section 2.05 shall apply to
determine the amounts payable to Employee pursuant to this Agreement.

                  b.  Calculation of Benefits.  At least fifteen (15) days prior
to the Payment Date, PPD shall notify Employee of the aggregate present value of
all amounts and benefits to which Employee would be entitled under this
Agreement and any other plan, program or arrangement with PPD as of the
Termination Date, together with the projected maximum payments, determined as of
such Date of Termination, that could be paid without Employee being subject to
the Excise Tax.

                  c.  Imposition of Payment Cap.  If (i) the aggregate value of
all amounts and benefits to which Employee would be entitled under this
Agreement and any other plan, program or arrangement with PPD exceeds the amount
which can be paid to Employee without Employee incurring an Excise Tax and (ii)
Employee would receive a greater net after-tax amount (taking into account all
applicable taxes payable by Employee, including an Excise Tax) by applying the
limitation contained in this Section 2.05(c), then the amounts otherwise payable
to Employee under this Section 2 shall be reduced to an amount equal to the
Payment Cap.  If Employee receives reduced payments and benefits hereunder,
Employee shall have the right to designate which of the payments and benefits
otherwise provided for in this Agreement that Employee will receive in
connection with the application of the Payment Cap.

                  d.  Application of Code Section 280G.  The Executive
Consultant shall determine whether any part of the Covered Payment will be
subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax. For purposes of
such determination, the Executive Consultant shall take into consideration and
be guided by the following:

                      (i)   such Covered Payment will be treated as Parachute
Payments and all Parachute Payments in excess of the Base Amount shall be
treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless and except to the extent that in
the good faith judgment of the Executive Consultant, PPD has a reasonable basis
to conclude that such Covered Payment, in whole or in part, either do not
constitute Parachute Payments or represent reasonable compensation for personal
services actually rendered (within the meaning of

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Section 280G of the Code) in excess of the Base Amount, or such Parachute
Payments are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and

                         (ii)  the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred
payment or benefit shall be determined by the Executive Consultant in accordance
with the principles of Section 280G of the Code.

                  (e)    Applicable Tax Rates.  For purposes of determining
whether Employee would receive a greater net after-tax benefit if the amounts
payable under this Agreement are reduced in accordance with Section 2.05(c),
Employee shall be deemed to pay:

                         (i)   federal income taxes at the highest applicable
marginal rate of federal income taxation for the calendar year in which the
first amounts are to be paid hereunder, and

                         (ii)  any applicable state and local income taxes at
the highest applicable marginal rate of taxation for such calendar year, net of
the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from the
deduction of such state or local taxes if paid in such year;

provided, however, that Employee may request that such determination be made
based on Employee's individual tax circumstances, which shall govern such
determination so long as Employee provides to the Executive Consultant such
information and documents as the Executive Consultant shall reasonably request
to determine such individual circumstances.

                  (f)    Adjustments in Respect to Payment Cap.

                         (i)   If Employee receives reduced payments and
benefits under Section 2.05 or if Section 2.05 is determined not to be
applicable to Employee because the Executive Consultant concludes that Employee
is not subject to any Excise Tax, and it is established pursuant to a Final
Determination that, notwithstanding the good faith of Employee and PPD in
applying the terms of this Agreement, the aggregate Parachute Payments paid to
Employee or for Employee's benefit are in an amount that would result in
Employee being subject to an Excise Tax and Employee would still be subject to
the Payment Cap under the provisions of Section 2.05(c), then the amount in
excess of the Payment Cap shall be deemed for all purposes to be a loan to
Employee made on the date of the receipt of such excess payment, which Employee
shall have an obligation to repay to PPD on demand, together with interest at
the AFR, from the date of the payment hereunder to the date of repayment by
Employee.

                         (ii)  If Section 2.05 is not applied to reduce
Employee's entitlements under this Section 2 because the Executive Consultant
determines that Employee would not receive a greater net after-tax benefit by
applying Section 2.05 and it

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<PAGE>

is established pursuant to a Final Determination that, notwithstanding the good
faith of Employee and PPD in applying the terms of this Agreement, Employee
would have received a greater net after-tax benefit by subjecting Employee's
payments and benefits hereunder to the Payment Cap, then the aggregate Parachute
Payments paid to Employee or for Employee's benefit in excess of the Payment Cap
shall be deemed for all purposes a loan to Employee made on the date of receipt
of such excess payments, which Employee shall have an obligation to repay to PPD
on demand, together with interest at the AFR, from the date of payment hereunder
to the date of repayment by Employee.

                         (iii)  If Employee receives reduced payments and
benefits by reason of this Section 2.05 and it is established pursuant to a
Final Determination that Employee could have received a greater amount without
exceeding the Payment Cap, then PPD shall promptly thereafter pay Employee the
aggregate additional amount which could have been paid without exceeding the
Payment Cap, together with interest on such amount at the AFR, from the original
payment due date to the date of actual payment by PPD.

     3.   Miscellaneous.
          -------------

          3.01    Successor-in-Interest.  PPD will require any successor
(whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of PPD, to expressly
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that PPD would be required to perform it if no succession had taken
place.

          3.02    Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by Employee's personal or legal representatives, executives,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.

          3.03    Notice.  For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
given (i) by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (ii) by
personal delivery or (iii) by recognized overnight carrier, and shall be deemed
received when actually received.  Notices shall be addressed as follows:

          If to PPD:        Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc.
                            3151 South 17/th/ Street
                            Wilmington, North Carolina  28412
                            Attention: Chief Executive Officer

          If to Employee:   ____________________________________________
                            ____________________________________________
                            ____________________________________________
                            ____________________________________________

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<PAGE>

Either party hereto may change the notice address by giving notice thereof in
the manner provided for herein.

          3.04    Waiver.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any
breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any  provision or
condition of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed
a subsequent waiver of the same or similar provisions or conditions.

          3.05    Entire Agreement.  No agreements or representations, oral or
otherwise, expressed or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have
been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this agreement,
and this Agreement supersedes and replaces in its entirety all prior agreements
and representations, expressed, implied,  oral or otherwise, made by PPD to or
with  Employee, including but not limited to that certain Severance Agreement
dated _______________ between PPD and Employee.

          3.06    Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
interpreted under the laws of the State of North Carolina.

          3.07    Unenforceability.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement.

          3.08    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          3.09    Headings.  Headings used in this Agreement are for convenience
only and shall not be used to construe or interpret this Agreement.

          3.10    Enforcement by Employee.  All legal expenses incurred by
Employee in the successful enforcement of any of the terms of this Agreement
shall be paid by PPD.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective the
date first hereinabove set forth.

Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc.          Employee

By: _________________________________             ________________________
Name:                                             Name:
Title:

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                                Section 2.01 Base Salary &
     Employee                       Bonus Multiplier

Fredric N. Eshelman                      three
Fred B. Davenport, Jr.              two and one-half
Philippe M. Maitre                        two
Paul S. Covington                         two
Francis P. Casieri                        two
Karl Thor                                 two
Patrick C. O'Connor                       one
Davis R. Williams                         one
Linda Baddour                             one
Paul Ossi                               one-half<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.163

                                LOAN AGREEMENT

     THIS LOAN AGREEMENT dated as of January 24, 2001 (the "Loan Agreement" or
                                                            --------------
this "Agreement") is by and among SPOTLIGHT HEALTH, INC., a Delaware corporation
      ---------
(the "Borrower"), PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, INC., a North Carolina
      --------
corporation (the "Company"), and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK (the "Bank").
                  -------                                        ----

                              W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested a $2 million revolving credit facility
for the purposes hereinafter set forth; and

     WHEREAS, the Bank has agreed to make the requested credit facility
available to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

     NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS.

     "Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United
      ---------------
States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

     "Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
      ------------
which commercial banks in Charlotte, North Carolina are authorized or required
by law to close; provided, however, that when used in connection with a rate
                 --------  -------
determination, borrowing or payment in respect of a LIBOR Rate Loan, the term
"Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which banks in London, England are
not open for dealings in U.S. dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

     "Closing Date" means the date hereof.
      ------------

     "Commitment Period" means the period from and including the date hereof to
      -----------------
but excluding the earlier of (i) the Termination Date, or (ii) the date on which
the commitments hereunder shall have been terminated in accordance with the
provisions hereof.

     "Consolidated Debt to Total Capitalization Ratio" means, as of any day, the
      -----------------------------------------------
ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to Consolidated Total Capitalization.

     "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of any
      ----------------------------------------
fiscal quarter for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the
ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Fixed Charges to Consolidated Fixed
Charges.

     "Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, for the applicable period for the
      --------------------------
Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of Consolidated
Interest Expense plus rental and lease expense, in each case as determined in
                 ----
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.  Except as expressly
provided otherwise, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

     "Consolidated Funded Debt" means Funded Debt of the Company and its
      ------------------------
subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP.
<PAGE>

     "Consolidated Income Available for Fixed Charges" means, for any period for
      -----------------------------------------------
the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of
Consolidated Net Income plus Consolidated Interest Expense plus federal, state
                        ----                               ----
and local income taxes paid plus rental and lease expense, in each case
                            ----
determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.  Except as
expressly provided otherwise, the applicable period shall be for the four
consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

     "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period for the Company and
      -----------------------------
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all interest expense, including the
amortization of debt discount and premium, the interest component under capital
leases and the implied interest component under securitization transactions, in
each case determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.
Except as expressly provided otherwise, the applicable period shall be for the
four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

     "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period for the Company and its
      -----------------------
subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, net income as determined in accordance
with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, but excluding for purposes of
determining the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, (i) extraordinary gains or losses,
and any taxes on such excluded gains and any tax deductions or credits on
account of any such excluded losses, and (ii) one-time non-recurring charges
associated with mergers and acquisitions permitted hereunder.  Except as
expressly provided otherwise, the applicable period shall be for the four
consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.

     "Consolidated Net Worth" means, on any day for the Company and its
      ----------------------
subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, shareholders' equity as determined in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.

     "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means, on any day Consolidated Net Worth
      -------------------------------
minus the aggregate amount of goodwill, franchises, licenses, patents,
-----
trademarks, trade names, copyrights, service marks, brand names, organizational
and developmental expenses, covenants not to compete and other intangible
assets, in each case as determined in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis.  For purposes hereof, Consolidated Tangible Net Worth shall
not include that certain seller financing promissory note from certain members
of the prior management of APBI Environmental Sciences Group, Inc. in favor of
the Company in an aggregate principal amount of up to $18,000,000 in connection
with the sale of APBI Environmental Sciences Group, Inc. ("APBI").
                                                           ----

     "Consolidated Total Capitalization" means, on any day for the Company and
      ---------------------------------
its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of Consolidated Funded Debt
plus Consolidated Net Worth.
----

     "Credit Documents" means, collectively, this Agreement and the Note.
      ----------------

     "Credit Parties" means the Borrower and the Guarantors.
      --------------

     "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means for any day, the percentage
      -----------------------------
(expressed as a decimal and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher
1/100th of 1%) which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the Federal
Reserve Board (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement
(including without limitation any basic, supplemental or emergency reserves) in
respect of Eurocurrency liabilities, as defined in Regulation D of such Board as
in effect from time to time, or any similar category of liabilities for a member
bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City.

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<PAGE>

     "Funded Debt" means, as of any day for any Person, without duplication, (i)
      ------------
all indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) all indebtedness and obligations
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all
obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other
than trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), (iv)
all obligations as lessee under capital leases, (v) all obligations of
reimbursement relating to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or other
similar instruments (whether or not then drawn and owing), (vi) all Guaranty
Obligations, (vii) the attributed principal amount of any securitization
transaction and (viii) all obligations under any synthetic lease, tax retention
operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or other similar off-balance sheet
financing product where the product is considered borrowed money indebtedness
for tax purposes, but is classified as an operating lease for purposes of GAAP.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
      ----
applied on a consistent basis.

     "Governmental Authority" means any federal, state, local or foreign court
      ----------------------
or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.

     "Guaranteed Obligations" means:
      ----------------------

          (a)  all unpaid principal of and interest on (including, without
     limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in this
     Agreement after the maturity of the Loans and other obligations owing under
     this Agreement and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided
     in this Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the
     commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating
     to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition
     interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans and all other obligations
     and liabilities of the Borrower to the Bank, whether direct or indirect,
     absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter
     incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this
     Agreement, the Note or any other document relating hereto, in each case
     whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees,
     indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation,
     all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Bank that are required to be
     paid by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement); and

          (b)  all other indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of any kind
     or nature, now existing or hereafter arising, owing by the Borrower to the
     Bank, arising under any interest rate protection agreement, currency
     agreement or other agreement or arrangement, whether primary, secondary,
     direct, contingent, or joint and several.

     "Guarantors" means the Company and any other Person that hereafter provides
      ----------
a guaranty of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other
Credit Documents pursuant to an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to
the Bank, in each together with its successors and assigns.

     "Guaranty Obligation" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise,
      -------------------
directly or indirectly guaranteeing the indebtedness or other obligation of
another Person, including without limitation, (i) an agreement to purchase or
pay (or to supply or advance funds for the purchase or payment of) any such
indebtedness or other obligation (whether by way of partnership agreement, keep-
well agreement, comfort letter, maintenance agreement or the like), or (ii) any
arrangement entered into for the purpose of assuring payment of the indebtedness
or other obligation of another Person or otherwise protecting a party from loss
in respect thereof; provided that such term shall not include endorsements for
                    --------
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     "Interest Payment Date" means the last Business Day of each March, June,
      ---------------------
September and December.

     "LIBOR" shall mean, for any day, the rate for one month U.S. Dollar
      -----
deposits as reported on Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 A.M. (London time), on
such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, then the immediately preceding
Business Day (or if not so reported), then as determined by the Bank from
another recognized source of interbank quotation.

     "LIBOR Rate" means a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the
      ----------
next higher 1/100th of 1%) determined by the Bank pursuant to the following
formula:

          LIBOR Rate =                  LIBOR
                           ---------------------------------------
                           1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

     "LIBOR Rate Loan" means Loans hereunder bearing interest at a rate
      ---------------
determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate.

     "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security
      ----
interest, encumbrance, lien, preference or priority of any kind.

     "Loan" or "loan" shall mean revolving loans under Section 2.1 hereof.
      ----      ----

     "Maturity Date" means July 15, 2001, or such later date as to which the
      -------------
Bank may agree in its sole discretion.

     "Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm,
      ------
corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise
(whether or not incorporated) or any Governmental Authority.

     "PPD Loan Agreement" means that Loan Agreement dated as of June 25, 1997
      ------------------
among the Company, the Guarantors identified therein and the Bank, as amended,
modified, extended, renewed or replaced.

     "Prime Loan" means Loans hereunder bearing interest at a rate determined by
      ----------
reference to the Prime Rate.

     "Prime Rate" means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from
      ----------
time to time by the Bank as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in
Charlotte, North Carolina, with each change in the Prime Rate being effective on
the date such change is publicly announced as effective (it being understood and
agreed that the Prime Rate is a reference rate used by the Bank in determining
interest rates on certain loans and is not intended to be the lowest rate of
interest charged on any extension of credit by the Bank to any debtor).

     "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate of
      ------------------
incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable
or any of its material property is subject.

     "Termination Date" means June 30, 2001, or such later date as to which
      ----------------
the Bank may agree in its sole discretion.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     SECTION 2.  LOANS.

     2.1  Loans.  During the Commitment Period, subject to the terms and
          -----
conditions hereof, the Bank agrees to make revolving loans to the Borrower upon
request in an aggregate principal amount of up to TWO MILLION DOLLARS
($2,000,000) at any time outstanding. The loans hereunder may consist of Prime
Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans, or a combination thereof. The obligation of the Bank
to make any Loan is subject to the condition that the Representations and
Warranties set forth in Section 5 hereof are true and correct in all material
respects as of the date that such Loan is to be made.

     2.2  Notices.  Requests by the Borrower for Loans hereunder shall be made
          -------
by written notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the
Bank by 12:00 Noon Charlotte, North Carolina time on the Business Day of the
requested borrowing. Each request shall (a) be in a minimum principal amount of
$100,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof and (b) specify
the date of the requested borrowing, the aggregate amount to be borrowed, and
whether the borrowing shall consist of LIBOR Rate Loans, Prime Loans or
combination thereof. If the Borrower shall fail to specify the type of Loan
requested for a borrowing, the request shall be deemed a request for a LIBOR
Rate Loan. Each request for a Loan hereunder shall be deemed a reaffirmation
that the Representations and Warranties set forth herein are true and correct in
all material respects as of such date.

     2.3  Interest Rate.  Loans outstanding hereunder shall bear interest at a
          -------------
per annum rate equal to (i) the LIBOR Rate plus sixty-five basis points
                                      ----
(0.65%) or (ii) the Prime Rate, as the Borrower may elect; provided that after
                                                           --------
the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the principal
and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on the Loans and any other amounts
owing hereunder shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a rate equal to the
Prime Rate plus two percent (2%). Interest will be payable in arrears on each
           ----
Interest Payment Date.

     2.4  Repayment.  Unless sooner paid, the Loans shall be due and payable in
          ---------
full on the Maturity Date.

     2.5  Note.  The Loans shall be evidenced by a promissory note of the
          ----
Borrower dated as of the Closing Date, in the form of Annex A hereto (as
                                                      -------
amended, modified, extended, renewed or replaced, the "Note").
                                                       ----

     2.6  Fees.  In consideration of the commitments hereunder, the Borrower
          ----
agrees to pay to the Bank a facility fee (the "Facility Fee") equal to ten basis
                                               ------------
points (0.10%) per annum on the average daily unused portion of the commitment
for the applicable period. The Facility Fee shall be payable quarterly in
arrears on the 15th day following the last day of each calendar quarter for the
immediately preceding quarter (or portion thereof) beginning with the first such
date to occur after the date hereof.

     2.7  Prepayments. The Loans may be prepaid in whole or in part without
          -----------
premium or penalty. Amounts prepaid may, subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, be reborrowed.

     2.8  Capital Adequacy. If the Bank shall have reasonably determined that
          ----------------
the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital
adequacy or in the interpretation or application thereof as a consequence of its
obligations hereunder or compliance by the Bank or any corporation controlling
the Bank with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or
not having the force of law) from any central bank or Governmental Authority
made subsequent to the date hereof as a consequence of its obligations hereunder
does or shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the Bank's or
such corporation's capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a
level below that which the Bank or such corporation could have achieved but for
such adoption, change or compliance

                                       5
<PAGE>

(taking into consideration the Bank's or such corporation's policies with
respect to capital adequacy) by an amount reasonably deemed by the Bank to be
material, then from time to time, within 15 days after demand by the Bank, the
Borrower shall pay to the Bank such additional amount as shall be certified by
the Bank as being required to compensate it for such reduction. Such a
certificate as to any additional amounts payable under this subsection submitted
by the Bank (which certificate shall include a description in reasonable detail
of the basis for the computation) to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent
manifest error.

     2.9  Inability to Determine Interest Rate.  Notwithstanding any other
          ------------------------------------
provision of this Agreement, if (i) the Bank shall reasonably determine (which
determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that, by
reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, reasonable and adequate
means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR Rate, or (ii) the Bank shall
reasonably determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent
manifest error) that the LIBOR Rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the
cost of funding LIBOR Rate Loans, the Bank shall forthwith give telephone notice
of such determination, confirmed in writing, to the Borrower, and thereafter the
right to request and continue Loans as LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended until
such time as the conditions giving rise to such notice shall no longer exist.
In the event LIBOR Rate Loans are not available on account of operation of this
Section, the Bank will endeavor to provide an alternative index or reference
rate.

     2.10 Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if
          ----------
the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation
or application thereof, in each case occurring after the Closing Date, by the
relevant Governmental Authority shall make it unlawful for the Bank to make or
maintain LIBOR Rate Loans as contemplated by this Agreement or to obtain in the
interbank eurodollar market through its LIBOR Lending Office the funds with
which to make such Loans, (a) the Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower
thereof, (b) the commitment of the Bank hereunder to make LIBOR Rate Loans or
continue LIBOR Rate Loans as such shall forthwith be suspended until the Bank
shall give notice that the condition or situation which gave rise to the
suspension shall no longer exist, and (c) Loans then outstanding as LIBOR Rate
Loans, if any, shall be converted to Prime Loans. The Borrower hereby agrees
promptly to pay the Bank, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to
compensate the Bank for actual and direct costs (but not including anticipated
profits) reasonably incurred in making any repayment in accordance with this
subsection including, but not limited to, any interest or fees payable by the
Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to make or maintain its LIBOR
Rate Loans hereunder. A certificate as to any additional amounts payable
pursuant to this subsection submitted by the Bank, to the Borrower shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

     2.11 Requirements of Law.  If the adoption of or any change in any
          -------------------
Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance
by the Bank with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority, in each case made
subsequent to the date hereof:

          (i)    shall subject the Bank to any tax of any kind whatsoever with
     respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation
     of payments to the Bank in respect thereof (except for changes in the rate
     of tax on the net income or franchise tax applicable to the Bank);

          (ii)   shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special
     deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by,
     deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or
     other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by,

                                       6
<PAGE>

     any office of the Bank which is not otherwise included in the determination
     of the LIBOR Rate hereunder; or

          (iii)  shall impose on the Bank any other condition (excluding any tax
     of any kind whatsoever);

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Bank of
making or maintaining LIBOR Loans or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder
or under the Note, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall promptly pay the
Bank, within 15 days after its demand, any additional amounts necessary to
compensate the Bank for such additional cost or reduced amount receivable as
determined by the Bank with respect to its LIBOR Rate Loans.  A certificate as
to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this subsection submitted by the
Bank, describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event and a reasonably
detailed explanation of the calculation thereof, to the Borrower shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

     2.12 Taxes.  All payments made by the Borrower hereunder or under any
          -----
Note will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for,
any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other
charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any Governmental
Authority or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein
with respect to such payments (but excluding (i) any tax imposed on or measured
by the net income or profits of a Lender pursuant to the laws of the
jurisdiction in which it is organized or the jurisdiction in which the principal
office or applicable lending office of the Bank is located or any subdivision
thereof or therein and (ii) any franchise taxes, branch taxes, taxes on doing
business or taxes on the overall capital or net worth of the Bank pursuant to
the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized or the jurisdiction in
which the principal office or its applicable lending office is located or any
subdivision thereof or therein) and all interest, penalties or similar
liabilities with respect thereto (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, fees, assessments or other charges being referred to collectively as
"Taxes").  If any Taxes are so levied or imposed, the Borrower agrees to pay the
 -----
full amount of such Taxes, and such additional amounts as may be necessary so
that every payment of all amounts due under this Agreement or under any Note,
after withholding or deduction for or on account of any such Taxes, will not be
less than the amount provided for herein or in such Note.  The Borrower will
furnish to the Bank as soon as practicable after the date the payment of any
Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law certified copies (to the extent
reasonably available and required by law) of tax receipts evidencing such
payment by the Borrower. The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, and
reimburse, the Bank upon its written request, for the amount of any Taxes so
levied or imposed and paid by the Bank.  The agreements in this subsection shall
survive termination of this Agreement and payment of the Notes and all other
amounts payable hereunder.

     2.13 Payments and Computations.  Payments shall be made hereunder in
          -------------------------
U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, without offset, deduction,
counterclaim or withholding of any kind at the offices of the Bank provided in
the notice section hereof.  Payments received after 2:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North
Carolina time) will be given credit the next following Business Day.
Computations of interest hereunder shall be made on the basis of actual number
of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.

     SECTION 3.  GUARANTY

     3.1  Guaranty.   Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally
          --------
guarantees to the Bank as hereinafter provided the prompt payment of the
Guaranteed Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a
mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise and after giving effect to
any grace periods) strictly in accordance with the terms hereof.  Each of the
Guarantors hereby further agrees that if any of the Guaranteed Obligations are
not paid in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory

                                       7
<PAGE>

prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise and after giving effect to any grace
periods), the Guarantor will promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice
whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal
of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full
when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by
acceleration or otherwise and after giving effect to any grace periods) in
accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.  This is a guaranty of
payment and not of collection.

     Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any
other of the Credit Documents, to the extent the obligations of any Guarantor as
guarantor hereunder shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable for any
reason (including, without limitation, because of any applicable state or
federal law relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers) then the
obligations of such Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount
that is permissible under applicable law (whether federal or state and
including, without limitation, the Bankruptcy Code).

     3.2  Obligations Unconditional.  The obligations of the Guarantors
          -------------------------
under Section 3.1 hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the
value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement or
the Note, or any other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein or
relating hereto or thereto, or any substitution, release or exchange of any
other guarantee of or security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other
circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable
discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this
Section 3.2 that the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute
and unconditional under any and all circumstances.  Each of the Guarantors
agrees that it shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or
contribution against the Borrower or any other guarantor for amounts paid under
this Guaranty until such time as the Bank has been paid in full, all
commitments, if any, have been terminated and no Person or Governmental
Authority shall have any right to request any return or reimbursement of funds
from the Bank in connection with monies received under the Credit Documents.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, the occurrence of any one or more of the
following shall not alter or impair the liability of the Guarantors hereunder
which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

          (i)    at any time or from time to time, without notice to the
     Guarantors, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the
     Guaranteed Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance
     shall be waived;

          (ii)   any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of this
     Agreement or the Note or any other agreement or instrument referred to
     herein or therein or relating hereto or thereto shall be done or omitted;

          (iii)  the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be
     accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be modified,
     supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the
     Credit Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to in the
     Credit Documents shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the
     Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be released or
     exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

          (iv)   any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Bank as security for
     any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected or
     shall be released or discharged in whole or in part; or

          (v)    any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be determined to be
     void or voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any
     creditor of any Guarantor or any other

                                       8
<PAGE>

     guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including,
     without limitation, any creditor of any guarantor).

With respect to its obligations hereunder, each of the Guarantors hereby
expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all
notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Bank exhaust any right, power
or remedy or proceed against any Person under this Agreement or the Note or any
other agreement or instrument referred to herein or therein or relating hereto
or thereto, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or
security for, any of the Guaranteed Obligations.

     3.3  Reinstatement.  The obligations of the Guarantors under this Section 3
          -------------
shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any
payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations
is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the
Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or
reorganization or otherwise, and each of the Guarantors agrees that it will
indemnify the Bank on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including,
without limitation, fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Bank in
connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and
expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment
constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

     3.4  Certain Additional Waivers.  Without limiting the generality of the
          --------------------------
provisions of this Section 3, each of the Guarantors hereby specifically waives
the benefits of N.C. Gen. Stat. Sec. 26-7 through 26-9, inclusive. Each of the
Guarantors agrees that it shall have no right of recourse to security for the
Guaranteed Obligations, except through the exercise of the rights of subrogation
pursuant to Section 3.2.

     3.5  Remedies.  Each of the Guarantors agrees that, to the fullest extent
          --------
permitted by law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Bank, on
the other hand, the Guaranteed Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due
and payable as provided in Section 7.2 hereof (and shall be deemed to have
become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said
Section 7.2) for purposes of Section 3.1 hereof notwithstanding any stay,
injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the
Guaranteed Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against
any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Guaranteed
Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the
Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person)
shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of said
Section 3.1.

     3.6  Continuing Guarantee.  The guarantee in this Section 3 is a
          --------------------
continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Guaranteed Obligations whenever
arising.

     3.7  Rights of Contribution.  The Guarantors hereby agree, as among
          ----------------------
themselves, that if any Guarantor shall become an Excess Funding Guarantor (as
defined below), each other Guarantor shall, on demand of such Excess Funding
Guarantor (but subject to the succeeding provisions of this Section), pay to
such Excess Funding Guarantor an amount equal to such Guarantor's Pro Rata Share
(as defined below and determined, for this purpose, without reference to the
properties, assets, liabilities and debts of such Excess Funding Guarantor) of
such Excess Payment (as defined below).  The payment obligation of any Guarantor
to any Excess Funding Guarantor under this Section shall be subordinate and
subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the obligations of
such Guarantor under the other provisions of this Section 3, and such Excess
Funding Guarantor shall not exercise any right or remedy with respect to such
excess until payment and satisfaction in full of all of such obligations.  For
purposes hereof, (i) "Excess Funding Guarantor" shall mean, in respect of any
                      ------------------------
obligations arising under the other provisions of this Section 3 (hereafter, the
"Guarantied Obligations"), a Guarantor that has paid an amount in excess of its
 ----------------------
Pro Rata Share of the Guarantied Obligations; (ii) "Excess Payment" shall mean,
                                                    --------------
in respect of any Guarantied Obligations, the amount paid by an Excess Funding
Guarantor in excess of its Pro Rata Share of such

                                       9
<PAGE>

Guarantied Obligations; and (iii) "Pro Rata Share", for the purposes of this
Section, shall mean, for any Guarantor, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of
(a) the amount by which the aggregate present fair saleable value of all of its
assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such
Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated
liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (b)
the amount by which the aggregate present fair saleable value of all assets and
other properties of the Borrower and all of the Guarantors exceeds the amount of
all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured,
and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Borrower and
the Guarantors hereunder) of the Borrower and all of the Guarantors, all as of
the Closing Date (if any Guarantor becomes a party hereto subsequent to the
Closing Date, then for the purposes of this Section such subsequent Guarantor
shall be deemed to have been a Guarantor as of the Closing Date and the
information pertaining to, and only pertaining to, such Guarantor as of the date
such Guarantor became a Guarantor shall be deemed true as of the Closing Date).

     SECTION 4  CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

     4.1  Conditions.  The effectiveness of this Agreement and extension of
          ----------
the Loans hereunder are conditioned upon satisfaction of the following:

     (a)  Receipt of multiple executed counterparts of this Agreement and the
     Note, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank.

     (b)  Receipt of opinions of the general counsel for the Borrower and the
     Guarantors in the form attached as Annex B hereto.
                                        -------

     (c)  Receipt of corporate documentation for the Credit Parties, including
     resolutions, bylaws, articles of incorporation, certificates of good
     standing and certificates of incumbency.

     SECTION 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     5.1  Financial Condition.  The consolidated balance sheet of the Company
          -------------------
and its consolidated subsidiaries dated as of September 30, 2000, together with
related consolidated statements of income and cash flows, is complete and
correct in all material respects and presents fairly the financial condition and
results from operations of the entities and for the periods specified, subject
in the case of interim company-prepared statements to normal year-end
adjustments.

     5.2  No Change.  Since the date of the financial statements identified in
          ---------
Section 5.1, there have been no developments or events which have had, or are
likely to have, a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or
otherwise), operations, business or prospects of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole. There have been no developments or events that
have had, or are likely to have, a material adverse effect on the condition
(financial or otherwise), operations, business or prospects of the Borrower and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     5.3  Corporate Organization. Each of the Credit Parties is a corporation
          ----------------------
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of its incorporation, is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction
where failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the Borrower
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and is in compliance with all Requirements
of Law except to the extent that failure to be in compliance would not have a
material adverse effect on the Borrower and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     5.4  Enforceable Obligation.  Each of the Credit Parties has the power and
          ----------------------
authority and legal right to enter into, deliver and perform under this
Agreement and has taken all necessary action to

                                       10
<PAGE>

authorize the execution, delivery and performance by them of this Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the
Credit Parties enforceable against them in accordance with its terms except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles (whether
enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

     5.5  Legal Proceedings.  No claim, litigation or proceeding before any
          -----------------
arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending, or to the knowledge of the
Credit Parties, threatened which if adversely determined would reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the Borrower and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole.

     5.6  No Default.  No Event of Default or event or condition which with
          ----------
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default,
presently exists.

     5.7  Federal Regulations.  No part of the proceeds of the Loans hereunder
          -------------------
will be used, directly or indirectly, for any purpose in violation of Regulation
U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended, modified
or replaced.

     SECTION 6 COVENANTS

     The Borrower and the Guarantors covenant and agree to:

     6.1  Financial Statements.  Furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Bank:
          --------------------

          (a)  Annual Audited Statements.  As soon as available, but in any
               -------------------------
     event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, (i) audited
     consolidated and company-prepared consolidating balance sheets of the
     Borrower and its subsidiaries and related audited consolidated and company-
     prepared consolidating statements of income, retained earnings and cash
     flows, and (ii) audited consolidated and company-prepared consolidating
     balance sheets of the Company and its subsidiaries and related audited
     consolidated and company-prepared consolidating statements of income,
     retained earnings and cash flows, in each case audited by Pricewaterhouse
     Coopers, or other independent public accounting firm reasonably acceptable
     to the Bank, setting forth comparative information for the previous year,
     and reported without a "going concern" or like qualification or exception,
     or qualification indicating limitation of the scope of the audit; and

          (b)  Quarterly Statements.  As soon as available, and in any event
               --------------------
     within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) a company-prepared
     consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its
     subsidiaries and related company-prepared consolidated and consolidating
     statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the quarter and
     for the portion of the year with comparative information for the
     corresponding periods for the previous year and (ii) a company-prepared
     consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Company and its
     subsidiaries and related company-prepared consolidated and consolidating
     statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the quarter and
     for the portion of the year with comparative information for the
     corresponding periods for the previous year.

All such financial statements to be complete and correct in all material
respects (subject, in the case of interim statements, to normal recurring year-
end audit adjustments) and to be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance
with GAAP throughout the periods reflected therein (except as approved by such
accountants and disclosed therein) and further accompanied by a description of,
and an estimation of the effect on the financial statements on account of, a
change in the application of accounting principles from a prior period.

                                       11
<PAGE>

          (c)  Other Information.  Promptly upon request, such additional
               -----------------
     financial and other information as the Bank may reasonably request from
     time to time.

     6.2  Certificates and Notices.  Furnish, or cause to be furnished, and give
          ------------------------
     notice to the Bank:

          (a)  Officer's Certificate.
               ---------------------

               (i)  Concurrently with the annual and quarterly financial
          statements of the Borrower and its subsidiaries referenced in Section
          6.1 above, a certificate of a responsible officer of the Borrower
          stating that to the best of his knowledge and belief, (A) the
          financial statements fairly present in all material respects the
          financial condition of the parties to which such statements relate and
          (B) the Borrower and the Guarantors are in compliance with the
          provisions of this Agreement in all material respects and no Event of
          Default, or event or condition which with notice or lapse of time, or
          both, would constitute an Event of Default exists hereunder, and

               (ii) Concurrently with the annual and quarterly financial
          statements of the Company and its subsidiaries referenced in Section
          6.1 above, a certificate of a responsible officer of the Company
          stating that to the best of his knowledge and belief, (A) the
          financial statements fairly present in all material respects the
          financial condition of the parties to which such statements relate and
          (B) the Borrower and the Guarantors are in compliance with the
          provisions of this Agreement in all material respects and no Event of
          Default, or event or condition which with notice or lapse of time, or
          both, would constitute an Event of Default exists hereunder (together
          with a financial covenant calculation worksheet demonstrating
          compliance therewith in reasonable detail).

          (b)  Public and Other Information.  Copies of reports and information
               ----------------------------
     which the Borrower or its subsidiaries, or the Company or its subsidiaries,
     sends to its stockholders or files with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission, and any other financial or other information as the Bank may
     reasonably request.

          (c)  Notice of Default.  Promptly, upon becoming aware thereof,
               -----------------
     notice of the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder.

     6.3  Compliance with Laws.  Comply will all Requirements of Law applicable
          --------------------
to them except to the extent that failure to comply therewith would not have a
material adverse effect on the Borrower and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     6.4  Books and Records.  The Credit Parties will keep proper books and
          -----------------
records in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law and permit the Bank
upon reasonable notice to visit and inspect such books and records.

     6.5  Financial Covenants.  The Company will comply with the following
          -------------------
financial covenants:

          (a)  Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.  Consolidated Tangible Net
               -------------------------------
     Worth shall not at any time be less than the sum of $75 million plus at the
                                                                     ----
     end of each fiscal quarter occurring after March 31, 1997, 50% of
     Consolidated Net Income (but not less than zero) for the fiscal quarter
     then ended, such increases to be cumulative.

                                       12
<PAGE>

     (b)  Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  As of the last day of each
          ----------------------------------------
     fiscal quarter, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be not
     less than 2.0:1.0.

     (c)  Consolidated Debt to Total Capitalization Ratio.  The Consolidated
          -----------------------------------------------
     Debt to Total Capitalization Ratio shall not at any time be greater than
     0.45:1.0.

     6.6  Incurrence of Funded Debt.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit
          -------------------------
any of its subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Funded
Debt except:

          (a)  Funded Debt arising or existing under this Loan Agreement and the
     other Credit Documents; and

          (b)  capital lease obligations and other Funded Debt incurred to
     provide all or a portion of the purchase price or cost of construction of
     an asset, provided that (i) such Debt when incurred will not exceed the
               --------
     purchase price or cost of construction of the asset, (ii) no such Debt
     shall be refinanced for a principal amount in excess of the principal
     balance outstanding thereon at the time of such refinancing, and (iii) the
     aggregate principal amount of such Debt shall not exceed $1,000,000 at any
     time outstanding.

     6.7  Restriction on Liens.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any
          --------------------
of its subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien on any
property or asset of any kind, real or personal, tangible or intangible, now
owned or hereafter acquired by it or assign or subordinate any present or future
right to receive assets except:

          (a)  Liens securing capital lease obligations and other purchase money
     Funded Debt permitted under Section 6.6(a);

          (b)  Liens securing taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
     levies or the claims or demands of materialmen, mechanics, carriers,
     warehousemen, landlords and other like persons; provided that (A) with
                                                     --------
     respect to Liens securing state and local taxes, such taxes are not yet
     payable, (b) with respect to Liens securing claims or demands of
     materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and the like,
     such liens are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce the
     same, or (C) with respect to taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
     levies or claims or demand secured by such Liens, payment is not at the
     time required;

          (c)  Liens not securing indebtedness which are incurred in the
     ordinary course of business in connection with workmen's compensation,
     unemployment insurance, unemployment insurance, social security and other
     like laws;

          (d)  any Lien arising pursuant to any order of attachment, distraint
     or similar legal process arising in connection with court proceedings so
     long as the execution or other enforcement thereof is effectively stayed
     and the claims secured thereto are being contested in good faith by
     appropriate proceedings; and

          (e)  zoning restrictions, easements, licenses, reservations,
     covenants, conditions, waivers, restrictions on the use of property or
     other minor encumbrances or irregularities of title which do not materially
     impair the use of any property in the operation or business of the Borrower
     or such subsidiary or the value of such property for the purpose of such
     business.

                                       13
<PAGE>

     6.8  Mergers and Acquisitions.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit
          ------------------------
any of its subsidiaries to, enter into a transaction of merger or consolidation,
nor will it acquire all or substantially all of the capital stock (or other
equity interest) or assets of any other Person.

     6.9  Investments.  The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its
          -----------
subsidiaries to, make loans or advances or otherwise make an investment in or
capital contribution to (collectively, an "Investment") any Person, except:
                                           ----------

          (a)  cash and cash equivalents and other publicly traded equity and
     debt instruments reasonably acceptable to the Bank;

          (b)  loans and advances to officers, directors, employees and
     shareholders not to exceed $250,000;

          (c)  Investments in and to a Credit Party; and

          (d)  other Investments in an aggregate principal amount (on a cost
     basis) at any time of up to $1,000,000.

     SECTION 7 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     7.1  Event of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an "Event of
          ----------------                                             --------
Default" hereunder:  (i) the failure to make any payment of principal, interest,
-------
fees or other amounts owing hereunder when due, (ii) any representation or
warranty made herein or in connection herewith shall prove to be false or
incorrect in any material respect, (iii) failure to observe or comply with any
covenants or provisions contained herein, (iv), the occurrence and continuance
of an event of default under any other note or agreement relating to
indebtedness for borrowed money owing by the Borrower or any Guarantor which
results in, or would permit, acceleration of such indebtedness, or would
otherwise cause such indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity,
(v) the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the PPD Loan Agreement)
under the PPD Loan Agreement; (vi) the filing of an action in bankruptcy or
insolvency by the Borrower or any Guarantor, (vii) the filing of an action in
bankruptcy or insolvency against the Borrower or any Guarantor and (viii) the
Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail within 30 days of the due date to pay bond
or otherwise discharge any judgment, settlement or order.

     7.2  Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time
          --------
thereafter, the Bank may by notice to the Borrower (i) terminate the commitments
hereunder and declare the unpaid principal of, and any accrued interest owing
on, the Loans and all other indebtedness or obligations owing hereunder or under
any of the other Credit Documents or in connection herewith or therewith,
immediately due and payable, whereupon the same shall be immediately due and
payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby waived by the Borrower, and (ii) enforce any other rights and
interests available under the Credit Documents or at law, including rights of
set off.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default
described in clauses (v) or (vi) of Section 7.1 relating to bankruptcy and
insolvency, the commitments hereunder shall immediately terminate and the Loans
and all accrued interest and all other indebtedness and other amounts owing
hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents owing to the Bank shall
become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or the
giving of any notice or other action by the Bank, all of which are hereby waived
by the Borrower.

     SECTION 8 MISCELLANEOUS

                                       14
<PAGE>

     8.1  Notices.  Notices and other communications shall be effective, and
          -------
duly given, (i) when received, (ii) when transmitted by telecopy or other
facsimile device to the numbers set out below if transmitted before 5:00 p.m. on
a Business Day, or otherwise on the next following Business Day, (iii) the day
following the day on which delivered prepaid to a reputable national overnight
air courier service, or (iv) the third Business Day following the day sent by
certified or registered mail postage prepaid, in each case to the parties at the
address shown below, or at such other address as may be specified by written
notice to the other parties:

          Borrower:      Spotlight Health, Inc.
                         1940 Century Park East, 4/th/ Floor
                         Los Angeles, CA 90067
                         Attn:   Tyler J. Spring
                                 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                 Officer
                         Phone:  310-282-2410
                         Fax:    310-552-6212

                         with a copy to:

                         Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc.
                         3151 17th Street Extension
                         Wilmington, North Carolina 28412
                         Attn:   Fred Davenport
                                 General Counsel
                         Phone:  (910) 772-6956
                         Fax:    (910) 772-6951

          Bank:          First Union National Bank
                         Charlotte Plaza
                         201 South College Street, CP-6
                         Charlotte, NC 28288
                         Attn:   Doug Davis
                                 Vice President
                         Phone:  704-715-2370
                         Fax:    704-374-4793

     8.2  Right of Set-Off.  In addition to other rights now or hereafter
          ----------------
available to the Bank under the Credit Documents or under applicable law, the
Bank may, after the occurrence of an Event of Default, exercise rights of set-
off and may appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general and specific) or
other amounts held or owing by the Bank to the Loans and other amounts owing by
the Borrower or any Guarantor hereunder or under the other Credit Documents,
regardless of whether the Loans or such other amounts are contingent or
unmatured, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind (any such
rights of presentment, demand, protest or notice being hereby waived).

     8.3  Benefit of Agreement.  This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall
          --------------------
inure to the benefit of, successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided
                                                                       --------
that neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor may assign or transfer any its
obligations or interests without prior written consent of the Bank.

     8.4  No Waiver.  No failure or delay on the part of the Bank in exercising
          ---------
any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document and
no course of dealing between the Bank, on the one hand, and the Credit Parties,
on the other hand, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or

                                       15
<PAGE>

partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other
Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The rights and
remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or
remedies which the Bank would otherwise have.

     8.5    Payment of Expenses.  The Borrower agrees to: (i) pay all reasonable
            -------------------
out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Bank in connection with (A) negotiation,
preparation, execution and delivery of the Credit Documents (including
reasonable fees and expenses of Bank counsel, Moore & Van Allen, PLLC) and any
amendments, waivers or consents relating to the Credit Documents and (B)
enforcement of the Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred
to therein (including, without limitation, in connection with any such
enforcement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Bank);
(ii) pay and hold the Bank harmless from and against any and all present and
future stamp and other similar taxes with respect to the foregoing matters and
save the Bank harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to
or resulting from any delay or omission (other than to the extent attributable
to the Bank) to pay such taxes; and (iv) indemnify the Bank, its officers,
directors, employees and representatives from and hold each of them harmless
against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses incurred by
any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to, or by
reason of any investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the
Bank is a party thereto) related to the entering into and/or performance of any
Credit Document or the use of proceeds of the Loans (including other extensions
of credit) hereunder or the consummation of any other transactions contemplated
in any Credit Document, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel incurred in connection with any such investigation,
litigation or other proceeding (but excluding any such losses, liabilities,
claims, damages or expenses to the extent incurred by reason of gross negligence
or willful misconduct on the part of the Person to be indemnified).

     8.6    Amendments.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the other Credit
            ----------
Documents may be amended or modified, nor shall consents or waivers be effective
except with the written consent of the parties hereto.

     8.7    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
            ------------
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original,
but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.  It shall not be
necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than
one such counterpart.

     8.8    Headings.  The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are
            --------
provided for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Agreement.

     8.9    Survival.  The indemnities and payment obligations hereunder,
            --------
including those set out in Sections 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13 and 8.5,
and the representations and warranties made herein or in connection herewith
shall survive the making and repayment of the Loans and termination of
commitments hereunder.

     8.10   Governing Law.  This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the
            -------------
parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of North Carolina.

     8.11.  Arbitration; Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.
            -----------------------------------------------------------

     (a)    UPON DEMAND OF ANY PARTY HERETO, WHETHER MADE BEFORE OR AFTER
INSTITUTION OF ANY JUDICIAL ACTION, ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING
OUT OF OR CONNECTED HEREWITH OR WITH THE CREDIT DOCUMENTS

                                       16
<PAGE>

("DISPUTES") SHALL BE RESOLVED BY BINDING ARBITRATION AS PROVIDED HEREIN.
  --------
DISPUTES MAY INCLUDE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, TORT CLAIMS, COUNTERCLAIMS, CLAIMS
BROUGHT AS CLASS ACTIONS AND CLAIMS ARISING HEREFROM OR FROM CREDIT DOCUMENTS
EXECUTED IN THE FUTURE. ARBITRATION SHALL BE CONDUCTED UNDER THE COMMERCIAL
FINANCIAL DISPUTES ARBITRATION RULES (THE "ARBITRATION RULES") OF THE AMERICAN
                                           -----------------
ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION AND TITLE 9 OF THE U.S. CODE. ALL ARBITRATION HEARINGS
SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN CHARLOTTE, MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, OR SUCH
OTHER PLACE AS AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE PARTIES. A JUDGMENT UPON THE AWARD
MAY BE ENTERED IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION, AND ALL DECISIONS SHALL BE IN
WRITING. THE PANEL FROM WHICH ALL ARBITRATORS ARE SELECTED SHALL BE COMPRISED OF
LICENSED ATTORNEYS HAVING AT LEAST TEN YEARS' EXPERIENCE REPRESENTING PARTIES IN
SECURED LENDING TRANSACTIONS. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THIS ARBITRATION
PROVISION DOES NOT APPLY TO DISPUTES UNDER OR RELATED TO INTEREST PROTECTION
AGREEMENTS.

     (b)  Notwithstanding the preceding binding arbitration provision, the Bank
preserves certain remedies that may be exercised during a Dispute. The Bank
shall have the right to proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or by self
help to exercise or prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all
rights to foreclose against any real or personal property or other security by
exercising a power of sale granted in the Credit Documents or under applicable
law, (ii) all rights of self help including peaceful occupation of real property
and collection of rents, set-off and peaceful possession of personal property,
(iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary remedies including injunctive relief,
sequestration, garnishment, attachment and appointment of receiver, (iv) when
applicable, a judgment by confession of judgment and (v) other remedies.
Preservation of these remedies does not limit the power of an arbitrator to
grant similar remedies that may be requested by a party in a Dispute.

     (c)  BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE PARTIES
HERETO ACCEPTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION RELATING TO ANY ARBITRATION
PROCEEDINGS CONDUCTED UNDER THE ARBITRATION RULES IN CHARLOTTE, MECKLENBURG
COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY FINAL JUDGMENT
RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT FROM WHICH NO APPEAL HAS BEEN
TAKEN OR IS AVAILABLE. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that all
process in any such arbitration proceedings or otherwise may be effected by
mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially
similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to it at its address set forth in
Section 8.1 or at such other address of which such party shall have been
notified pursuant thereto, such service being hereby acknowledged by each party
hereto to be effective and binding service in every respect. Each party hereto
irrevocably waives any objection, including, without limitation, any objection
to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens which it
may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such arbitration proceeding in
any jurisdiction. Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any
other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of any party to bring
proceedings against the Borrower or any party hereto in any court or pursuant to
arbitration proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

                 [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

                                       17
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Loan Agreement has been executed this day by duly
authorized officers of the undersigned parties.

BORROWER:                             SPOTLIGHT HEALTH, INC.,
                                      a Delaware corporation

                                      By: /s/ Tyler J. Spring
                                          -------------------------------------
                                      Name:  Tyler J. Spring
                                      Title: Senior Vice President and Chief
                                             Financial Officer

GUARANTORS:                           PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, INC.,
                                      a North Carolina corporation

                                      By: /s/ Fred N. Eshelman
                                          -------------------------------------
                                      Name:  Fred N. Eshelman
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer

BANK:                                 FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                                      By: /s/ Douglas Davis
                                          -------------------------------------
                                      Name:  Douglas Davis
                                      Title: Vice President

                                       18

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