Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.8

                                    AGREEMENT

                                     between

                               Gemini Holding PLC

                                       and

                           Shield Diagnostics Limited

                                 4th March 1999

                                  Page 1 of 11

                Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

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AGREEMENT

between

Gemini Holding PLC, 162 Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 4GH
("Gemini").

and

Shield Diagnostics Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act
(Registration No. SC77359) and having its registered office at The Dundee
Technology Park, Dundee, Angus, DD2 1XA ("Shield").

WHEREAS

A.    Gemini has intellectual property to diagnostic methods for detecting
      certain polymorphisms in the collagen gene CollA1 as detailed in certain
      patents and patent applications including the priority application
      GB96043054 filed on 29/02/96.

B.    Shield wishes to collaborate with Gemini in the development of commercial
      assays for these polymorphisms and to license the relevant intellectual
      property.

NOW THEREFORE the parties have agreed and do hereby agree as follows:-

                                  Page 2 of 11
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1.    DEFINITIONS

      In this agreement the following expressions shall have the following
      meanings, namely:-

1.1   "Polymorphisms" means polymorphisms of the Co11A1 gene for which there are
      claims in the patent;

1.2   "the Effective Data" means the last date of execution of this agreement;

1.3   "the Know-how" means all mechanical information, notes, reports and other
      relevant information relating to the Patent or the assay, belonging to or
      in the possession of Gemini or its academic partners to the extent made
      available to Gemini;

1.4   "Net invoice price" means the gross invoice price of the Product sold by
      Shield after deduction of value added tax, delivery charges, import duties
      and any discounts or credits granted in the normal course of trade,
      provided that all such sales shall be on an arms length basis;

1.5   "Patent" means all current and future patent related to GB9604305 owned by
      Gemini;

1.6   "Product" means *

1.7   "Territory" means the world;

1.8   "Royalty period" shall mean each period of three months during the
      continuance of this Agreement commencing on the Launch Date;

1.9   "Exclusive" means that the rights cannot be given to any other company for
      microtitre-plate based assays;

1.10  "Intellectual Property Rights" means patents, trademarks, registered
      designs, design rights (whether registrable or otherwise), applications
      for any of the foregoing, copy right, know-how, trade or business names
      and other similar rights or obligations whether registrable or not in any
      country;

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                Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

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1.11  In this agreement words importing the singular shall include the plural
      and vice versa;

1.12  Headings to Clauses are inserted for convenience and shall not affect
      their interpretation;

2.    DURATION

      This agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and shall subsist
      for the term of the patent thereafter unless sooner terminated in
      accordance with the provision herein contained.

3.    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

3.1   Shield shall not acquire title to the Intellectual Property Rights which
      shall remain solely vest in Gemini;

32    For the avoidance of doubt it is acknowledged that all and any
      Intellectual Property Rights which belong to either party as at the date
      of this Agreement and which may be used by either party in connection with
      the development, manufacturing, marketing or sale of the Product shall at
      all times remain the sole and exclusive property of the party introducing
      the same;

3.3   Gemini shall forthwith upon execution of this agreement furnish Shield
      with all relevant know-how in its possession, relating to the Product;

3.4   Gemini agrees to progress and maintain applications for full patent
      coverage in the geographical areas.

4.    GRANT OF RIGHTS TO THE COMPANY

      a.    Gemini hereby grants Shield an Exclusive license to the Patent and
            the Know-how with the purpose of developing, producing and marketing
            the Product in the Territory, and for no other purpose whatsoever.

                                  Page 4 of 11
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      b.    Shield shall be entitled to appoint sublicenses of all rights
            granted to it pursuant to this Agreement.

5.    LICENSE FEE

      In consideration of fulfillment by Gemini of its obligations pursuant to
      this Agreement, Shield agrees to the payment of ******* within 30 days
      of the Effective Date and ******* when the product is launched anywhere
      in the Territory

6.    PAYMENT OF ROYALTIES

6.1   a.    Shield shall make payment to Gemini a royalty of ******************
            charged by Shield for the Product sold by Shield.

      b.    In the event that a patent is not granted in any one geographical
            area the royalty rate will revert to *** for that particular
            geographical area.

      c.    For geographical areas where no patent is applied for the royalty
            rate will be *** for that particular geographical area.

6.2   Shield shall provide to Gemini with a written statement of the aggregate
      royalties due for each Royalty Period giving such detail of the
      calculation of royalties as Gemini may reasonably require.

6.3   For the purpose of verification of sums due to Gemini in terms of this
      agreement Shield shall maintain true and accurate records and books of
      accounts containing all information necessary for the determination of all
      amounts received by its through sale or otherwise of the Product which
      records and books of accounts shall be open to inspection by Gemini or its
      authorised representative or professional advisers at any time during
      normal business hours upon request by Gemini giving reasonable notice and
      in addition Shield shall exhibit or deliver to Gemini such reasonable
      information as it may require to verify all amounts payable.

                                  Page 5 of 11

                Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

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7     WARRANTIES

7.1   Shield shall promptly notify Gemini of any infringement of Licensed
      Patent(s) of which it shall become aware. The parties shall in
      consultation decide if and what way appropriate action to restrain such
      infringment has to be taken. The costs of any action against infringement
      shall be borne equally by Gemini and Shield. Proceeds arising from any
      infringement action will equally devided among parties. This is not valid
      for Patent infringements from Shield.

8     WARRANTIES

8.1   Gemini hereby warrants, represents and undertakes to Shield at the date
      hereof:-

      a.    no license of or any other rights in the Product had been granted by
            it to any third party in the Territory;

      b.    it is free to enter into and has full right and power to enter into
            this Agreement and the whole undertakings hereof;

      c.    it is the registered and beneficial owner of the Patents;

      d.    it has full power to and authority the use of the Know-how for the
            purpose of this Agreement;

      e.    if has not entered into any arrangement of agreement or granted any
            licenses or rights to use the Patent or the Know-how to any third
            party and would prevent the licensee from exercising or enjoying its
            rights pursuant to the Agreement; and

      f.    to the best of its knowledge, it has disclosed all the Know-how
            created and generated both negatively and positively by Gemini, its
            academic partners and collaborators.

8.2   Shield hereby warrants, represents and undertakes to Gemini to launch the
      Product into the market by December 2000.

                                  Page 6 of 11
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9.    IMPROVEMENTS

9.1   Title to the Intellectual Property Rights in any such amendment or
      modification shall vest where appropriate in whichever party develops,
      produces, suggests or designs the same.

9.2   Title to the Intellectual Property Rights in any aspect of the
      manufacturing process shall vest where appropriate in whichever party
      develops, produces, suggests or designs the same.

9.3   The exclusive license granted to Shield in Section 4 shall include the use
      of any improvements in the know-how made either before or subsequent to
      the signing of the agreement.

10    INDEMNITY

10.1  Shield shall indemnify and hold Gemini harmless against all and any costs,
      losses, damage or expenses which Shield or Gemini may incur or have
      awarded against it by reason of manufacture, supply or sale of the
      Product.

11.   TERMINATION

11.1  Either party shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement in the event of
      material breach of any of the provisions herein contained by the other
      provided always that such breach shall not have been remedied (if capable
      of being remedied) within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of
      written notice by either party requiring remedy of the breach and in the
      case that either party:-

      i.    becomes bankrupt, goes into liquidation or receivership or has an
            administrator appointed on its assets or upon institution of
            insolvency proceedings or in the event of any general composition
            formal or informal with or for the benefit of creditors of the
            Company (except voluntary liquidation by a solvent Company for the
            purposes of amalgamation of reconstruction where the resulting
            entity assumes all of the obligations of the Company under this
            Agreement);

                                  Page 7 of 11
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      ii.   in the event that payment of any royalties payable by Shield to
            Gemini in terms of Clause 8 hereof remain unpaid for a period of
            ninety (90) days after the same are due and payable;

11.2  Termination of the Agreement (howsoever occasioned) shall not effect the
      continuance in force of the coming into force of any provision of the
      Agreement which is expressly or by implication intended to continue in or
      come into force after such termination.

12.   CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION

      On termination of the Agreement howsoever the same may be determined the
      rights granted pursuant to Clause 4 hereof shall cease forthwith and
      Shield shall forthwith cease to manufacture and sell the Product except
      for the purposes of fulfilling any orders received prior to the date of
      termination or of disposing of any stocks of the product held by the
      company at the date of termination.

13.   NOTICE

      Any notice served under the provisions of this Agreement shall be
      sufficient served or delivered or sent by registered or recorded delivery
      or first class prepaid post in the case of Gemini addressed to the
      Managing Director at the address given in this Agreement and in the case
      of Shield addressed to the Managing Director at the address given in this
      Agreement or at any such other address as either party may notify in
      writing to the other for this purpose.

14.   DISPUTE RESOLUTION

      In the event of any dispute or difference between Gemini and Shield
      arising under or in connection with the Agreement either during or after
      the performance of the Agreement the parties shall use all reasonable
      endeavours to resolve the same between themselves failing which either
      party shall be entitled to exercise any remedy available to it in terms of
      this Agreement or at law or otherwise.

                                  Page 8 of 11
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15.   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

15.1  Pursuant to the Agreement Gemini shall disclose and deliver to Shield
      information which Gemini considers is of a confidential nature relating to
      the concept, idea and design of the Product and associated products and
      the clinical testing of the Co11A1 polymorphisms hereinafter collectively
      referred to as "the Confidential Information" which expression shall
      include but not be limited to any information, data, material and the like
      of a confidential or secret nature disclosed by Gemini to Shield in
      contemplation of furtherance of or arising from this Agreement or
      otherwise all of which are regarded by Gemini as commercial assets of
      considerable value. Shield undertakes to treat any and all of the
      Confidential Information as strictly confidential and not to divulge it to
      any third party for any purpose whatsoever and not to make use of the
      Confidential Information or any part thereof other than in fulfilling the
      obligations incumbent upon it in terms of the Agreement without the prior
      written consent of Gemini.

15.2  The provisions of this Clause 15 shall not apply to:

      a.    Information which is in the public domain as at the effective date;

      b.    Information which comes into the public domain other than as a
            result of breach by Shield of the obligations herein contained;

      c.    Information which was in the possession of Shield as at the
            effective date and received from a third party which was under no
            obligation of confidentiality in respect of disclosure;

      d.    Information which Shield is required to disclose by law or in
            connection with any application for a product license or approval
            for the product in any part of the territory.

15.4  Shield confirms that it shall treat as confidential and keep strictly
      confidential and not divulge to any third party whatsoever, or make use
      of, except in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement or
      in performance of its statutory duties.

                                  Page 9 of 11
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16.   FORCE MAJEURE

      Failure of either party to perform the terms of the Agreement in whole or
      in part shall be excused if such failure is the result of Force Majeure
      and Acts of God including but not limited to flood, wind and lighting,
      acts of the public enemy, epidemics and laws, regulations or restriction
      of any Governmental entity or agency. If performance of this Agreement is
      excused pursuant to the foregoing sentence the party thus excused shall
      use reasonable efforts to avoid, remove and correct the circumstances
      which caused the failure to perform and the party excused from such
      performance shall resume performance with the utmost dispatch when such
      circumstance(s) is (are) avoided, removed or corrected.

17.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT

      1.    The terms of this Agreement will constitute the entire understanding
            and agreement between the parties and no amendment will be made to
            the Agreement except in writing and agreed by both parties.

      2.    In the event that any of these terms, conditions or provisions shall
            be determined by the competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or
            unenforceable to any extent, such term, condition or provision
            shall to that extent be severed from the remaining terms, conditions
            or provisions which shall continue to be valid to the full extent
            permitted by law.

18.   ENGLISH LAW

      This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the English Law and
      the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English
      Courts: IN WITNESS WHEREOF these presents typewritten on this and the
      preceding nine (9) pages are executed as follows:

                                 Page 10 of 11
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At           on the           day of        Nineteen hundred and ninety nine

On behalf of Gemini:                     Witnessed by:

Signed by /s/ Neil [ILLEGIBLE]           Signed by /s/ RM [ILLEGIBLE]
          --------------------------                ----------------------------

Print Name NEIL [ILLEGIBLE]              Print Name RM [ILLEGIBLE]
          --------------------------                ----------------------------

Designation FINANCE DIRECTOR             Designation COMPANY SECRETARY
            ------------------------                 ---------------------------
              30th March 1999                             30th March 1999

On behalf of Shield:                     Witnessed by:

Signed by  /s/ D.P. Foster               Signed by /s/ James [ILLEGIBLE]
          --------------------------                ----------------------------

Print Name DR PETER FOSTER               Print Name JAMES [ILLEGIBLE]
          --------------------------                ----------------------------

Designation TECHNICAL DIRECTOR           Designation [ILLEGIBLE]
            ------------------------                 ---------------------------
                26th March 1999                            26th March 1999

                                 Page 11 of 11<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.10

                JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT REGARDING THE GENETICS OF
                                   * DISORDERS

THIS Research Agreement (the "Agreement"), effective as of 31 March 1998 (the
"Effective Date") is entered into

BETWEEN:

1     GEMINI RESEARCH LIMITED a corporation doing business at 162 Science Park,
      Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 4GH, England (hereinafter called "the
      Company"); and

2     THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEENSLAND INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH, having its
      registered office at The Bancroft Centre, 300 Herston Road, Brisbane in
      the State of Queensland, Commonwealth of Australia (hereinafter called
      "QIMR").

      (Collectively called the "Joint Venture Parties".)

THE CIRCUMSTANCES:

A.    Words and expressions defined in this Agreement shall have the same
      meanings when used in these recitals.

B.    Each of QIMR and the Company are interested in the genetics of * Disorders
      and have agreed to form a Joint Venture for the purpose of collecting and
      analyzing certain of their respective existing assets and further data and
      commercialising the results thereof.

C.    QIMR and the Company have agreed to enter into this Agreement for the
      purpose of regulating their relationship.

                Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

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                                     Page 2

                                   DEFINITIONS

In the following Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:.

"Associated Disorders"- means *

" Ausagene Assets" - means the data on * acquired by the Company from
Ausagene Inc. pursuant to a sale agreement dated of even date herewith and
consented to in the Consent.

"Biological Materials" - blood, tissue or DNA samples generated pursuant to this
Agreement.

"Completion Date - the date being thirty months from the effective date or the
date upon which the parties have completed their work schedules as set out in
Schedule 1 hereto, whichever is the later.

"Confidential Information" means all information made available by a Party for
the purpose of this Agreement or developed by the Parties pursuant to this
Agreement including but not limited to know-how, databases, research data,
drawings, techniques, financial information, other commercially valuable
information of whatever description and in whatever form (whether written or
oral, visible or invisible) and all information, documents and materials marked
as confidential but excludes the interpretation, analysis and application of
general information in the public domain;

"Consent" - means the consent given by QIMR to Ausagene permitting
Ausagene to sell the Ausagene Assets to the Company and dated of even date
herewith.

"Deliverables" - has the meaning ascribed to such expression in Clause 3.

"Effective Date" - the date on which this Agreement is signed by both parties.

"Existing Biological Materials" - means the blood samples collected by QIMR *.

"Intellectual Property" includes all copyright and all rights in relation to
inventions, databases and all other rights resulting from intellectual activity
pursuant to this Agreement including Know-how whether capable of protection by
registration or otherwise under the laws of any country or not;

"Joint Venture" (abbreviated in thin Agreement to "JV") means the joint
undertaking of the parties hereto in finding and undertaking research for the
purpose of identifying genes underlying the conditions, of * and Associated
Disorders in accordance with this Agreement, including the collective rights
and obligations of all parties hereto.

"Know-how" - means unpublished non-patentable technical information, data,
knowledge, inventions, techniques, processes, systems, formulae and results of
experiments in each case resulting from the Research Program.

"Phenotypes" - refer to * assessments of related disorders as defined above.

                Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

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                                     Page 3

"Principal Investigator" - the person nominated in clause 1.4.

"Research Project" - has the meaning ascribed to such expression in Clause 1.1.

"Shares" - means C Class Preferred Ordinary Shares of (pound)1.00 each in the
capital of Gemini Holdings plc.

In this Agreement, the following shall apply:-

(a)   Singular shall include the plural and the masculine gender shall include
      the feminine gender and vice versa;
(b)   Headings are for reference only and the meaning of clauses shall be
      determined without reference so those headings;
(c)   Other grammatical forms of defined words or expressions have corresponding
      meanings.

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                                     Page 4

                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS

THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:-

1.    1.1 Research Project

      QIMR and the Company shall each use its respective best efforts to perform
      the services described in the research plan and in accordance with the
      protocols attached as Schedule A (the "Research Project").

      1.2   Contributions to the Joint Venture

      The Company shall contribute to the Joint Venture:

            1.2.1 access to the Ausagene Assets;

            1.2.2 the payments referred to in Clause 2; and

            1.2.3 the results of the genotyping undertaken on the Existing
                  Biological materials and the Biological Materials in
                  accordance with Clause 4.3.

      QIMR shall contribute to the joint Venture:

            1.2.4 Phenotype data on approximately 10,000 twin/sib pairs *

            1.2.5 access to the Existing Biological Materials;

            1.2.6 access to the Biological Materials; and

            1.2.7 the Deliverables.

      1.3   Grant of Rights

      For the purposes of Clause 1.2 and subject to the provisions of Clause 15;

            1.3.1 The Company grants to QIMR a non-exclusive licence to the
                  Ausagene Assets and to genotyping results referred to in
                  Clause 1.2.3 for the sole purposes of undertaking the
                  Research Project and conducting non-commercial research
                  and publishing the results thereof as permitted in this
                  Agreement;

            1.3.2 QIMR grants to the Company (a) an exclusive and perpetual
                  world-wide licence to use, publish, comment on, sub-licence,
                  sell or otherwise deal in the Deliverables, and (b) an
                  exclusive and a perpetual world-wide licence to use the
                  Existing Biological Materials and the Biological Materials for
                  the purpose of undertaking the genotyping as envisaged in the
                  Research Project and otherwise for its own purposes provided
                  that the Company may only use such materials for the purposes
                  for which consent for use of the same was granted.

                Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

<PAGE>
                                     Page 5

      1.4   Principal Investigator

      Research Project activities to be conducted by QIMR will be under the
      direction of Dr. Nick Martin (the "Principal Investigator") or, in the
      event that he becomes unavailable, a successor mutually agreed by the
      parties. In the event that the Principal Investigator becomes unavailable
      and the parties are unable to agree on a successor within sixty (60) days
      following the date the Principal Investigator becomes unavailable to
      participate in the Research Project, then QIMR shall appoint a replacement
      Principal Investigator unilaterally provided that the Company may, in such
      latter circumstances decide to terminate this agreement and the provisions
      of Clause 15 shall apply.

2.    Payments

      For full performance by the QIMR of its obligations under the Research
      Project, delivery of the Deliverables, and provisions of regular reports,
      the Company will pay to the QIMR the payments in accordance with Schedule
      B.

3.    Deliverables

      Within * of the date hereof or such later date as QIMR has completed the
      obligations under Schedule A, QIMR shall provide the Company with the
      information listed in Schedule C hereto ("the Deliverables").

4.    Biological Materials

      4.1   Biological materials shall be collected in accordance with all
            applicable statutes, regulations, ordinances and codes. Prior to
            collecting human samples, QIMR shall have obtained from each donor
            an informed consent form or a waiver, in a form agreed with the
            Company and acceptable to QIMR's Institutional Ethics Committee,
            that includes consent to use such Biological Materials, and
            derivatives thereof, without further compensation to the patient or
            his or her successors, heirs and assigns.

      4.2   Ownership of the Existing Biological Materials and of the Biological
            Materials shall at all times remain with QIMR.

      4.3   QIMR shall deliver to the Company at least * of DNA from each sample
            of the Existing Biological Materials and at least * of DNA from
            each sample of the Biological Materials for the sole purpose of
            enabling the Company to undertake genotyping on such materials as
            provided in Clause 1.3.2 and the Company shall otherwise hold such
            materials on behalf of QIMR and so their order. In the event of
            samples of Existing Biological Materials and Biological Materials
            being exhausted, the Company shall negotiate in good faith with QIMR
            the terms for replenishment of such stocks.

5.    Ownership of Intellectual Property

      5.1   Any Patents or other Intellectual Property rights capable of
            protection under any law of any country which arise as an outcome of
            the Research Project shall be owned by the Company. QIMR agrees to
            assign its rights to any of the Intellectual Property to the Company
            and do all things and execute all documents so secure the vesting in
            the Company of all rights granted under this Agreement

                Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

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                                     Page 6

      5.2   If the Principal Investigator or the QIMR believes that a new
            invention may have been connected with the Research Project they
            will liaise with the Company within ten working days of the date of
            such belief being forwarded to discuss the timing and progressing of
            any patent applications or other protective action which may be
            appropriate in relation hereto.

6.    Payment of Patent or Intellectual Property Protection Costs

The Company shall be responsible for all costs associated with the Patents
including any registration fees or cost of patent attorney fees, renewal fees
and translation costs and the Company shall have the exclusive right so decide
what form and in which countries Intellectual Property protection should be
pursued.

7.    Consideration to QIMR

      7.1   In consideration for QIMR undertaking work under the Research
            Project; QIMR will receive a one-time payment of *** received
            from the outright sale or disposal of the Intellectual Property
            generated from the Research Project where (a) such proceeds are
            attributable to or specifically identifiable to such Intellectual
            Property, and (b) such sale is made in one transaction (or a series
            of related transactions) for the specific and sole purpose of
            acquiring such Intellectual Property.

      7.2   QIMR shall be entitled to receive a royalty of *% of Net Receipts
            of Product Sales. Where Products comprise of intellectual property
            derived other than from the JVA, such percentage shall be adjusted
            by the proportion which such other intellectual property contributes
            to the Product, which, in the absence of agreement between the
            parties, shall be resolved by arbitration.

      7.3   For the purposes of Clause 7.2:

            "Net receipts of Product Sales" means *

            "Products" means any Intellectual Property derived from the JVA
             which are specifically related to and designed for the preventive,
             or diagnostic or treatment of * or *.

8.    Assignment of Interest

During the Research Project, the Company may assign its interest in the JV to
any party with the

                Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

<PAGE>
                                     Page 7

prior written consent of QIMR, which will not be unreasonably withheld, where
the assignee has the financial capacity and relevant experience to meet the
Company's obligations hereunder and provided that all monies payable hereunder
are paid to date, and provided that any assignee shall:

      8.1   enter into a Covenant to meet the obligations of the Company
            pursuant so the terms of this Agreement; and

      8.2   QIMR is notified in writing of such proposed assignment and of
            completion thereof and is provided with a copy of the Covenant
            whereby the Assignee agrees to be bound by the terms hereof; and

      8.3   QIMR will, upon written request, sign an acknowledgement and
            acceptance of the assignment in the form requested by the Company;
            and

      8.4   all costs and taxes associated with any such assignment shall be met
            by the Company; and

      8.5   subsequent to the assignment, the assignees rights and obligations
            shall be identical to the Company's under this Agreement and shall
            be bound as if it were an original party hereto; and

      8.6   an assignment shall effect a novation of this Contact and the
            Company shall be released from further obligations thereafter.

9.    Right to Use Intellectual Property and Biological Material

      QIMR shall retain the right to use all Intellectual Property and
      Biological Materials for any purposes other than investigations into the
      molecular genetics of * Disorders. For a period of seven years from the
      Effective Date, QIMR may make available much Confidential Information
      arising from the Joint Venture to any third party for the study of the
      molecular genetics of * Disorders provided that prior written consent is
      obtained from the Company.

10.   Confidentiality

      The Joint Venture Parties agree that they shall not use any Confidential
      Information received from each other or generated from the Research
      Project described in Schedule A except for the purposes of this Agreement.
      Each party agrees not to disclose any Confidential Information received
      from another party to any third parties, and to maintain and follow
      reasonable procedures to prevent unauthorised disclosure or use of the
      Confidential Information and to prevent it from falling into the public
      domain or the possession of unauthorised persons. The Joint Venture
      Parties agree that recipients of Confidential Information hereunder will
      not disclose such information other than to those of its officers,
      employees, or consultants who require access to Confidential Information
      to accomplish the purpose of this Agreement, and that all such disclosures
      shall be subject to contractual obligations of confidentiality as least as
      restrictive as those in this Agreement. Each party shall immediately
      advise the other party of any disclosure, loss or use of Confidential
      Information in violation of this Agreement. Each party agrees that for a
      period of seven years from the Effective Date it will hold the
      Confidential Information in strict confidence and not disclose to any
      third party any Confidential

                Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

<PAGE>
                                     Page 8

      Information except as expressly agreed by each of the Joint Venture
      Parties in writing.

      Notwithstanding the above, Confidential Information shall not include
      information that is:

      10.1  lawfully known or available to the receiving party from a source
            other than the disclosing party without breach of this Agreement;

      10.2  already known to the receiving party, as shown by written records,
            before its disclosure by the disclosing party

      10.3  developed independently by the receiving party without the use or
            consideration of or reference to the Confidential Information;

      10.4  within, or later falls within, the public domain without breach of
            this Agreement by the receiving party;

      10.5  disclosed pursuant to the requirement or demand of a lawful
            governmental or judicial authority, but only to the extent required
            by operation of law, regulation or court order.

11.   Research Project Reports

QIMR agrees that all information and data relating to the Research Project shall
be made available to the Company at reasonable times. In the course of the
performance of the Research Project, QIMR will promptly communicate to the
Company written six-monthly status reports regarding the progress of the
Research Project. Such reports shall summarise the results of the Research
Project to that time. QIMR shall provide written responses to all reasonable
requests and enquiries by the Company at any time.

12.   Publication

QIMR has the right to publish or present in any way results arising from the
Research Project. However, to ensure that no Confidential Information is
disclosed in such proposed publications and that patent filings will not be
jeopardised, QIMR will provide the Company with an advance copy of any proposed
publication or abstract relating so the Research Project at least thirty (30)
days prior to submission of such manuscript. Within a period of four (4) weeks
of receipt of such manuscript or abstract QIMR will be notified by the Company
in writing:

(a)   that the manuscript or abstract is approved for publication or
      presentation such approval not to be unreasonably withheld; or

(b)   that patent or commercial interests of the Company may be prejudiced by
      the publication or presentation in which case QIMR shall delay publication
      or presentation for a period not to exceed three (3) months following
      receipt of such written notice, and furthermore, within this time period,
      if requested by the Company, QIMR will modify such manuscript or abstract
      in order to protect the commercial and/or patent interests of the Company.

If no such notification is made by the Company within the four week period, then
QIMR shall be entitled to proceed with the publication or presentation as a
matter of right.

<PAGE>
                                     Page 9

13.   Representations and Warranties

QIMR represents and warrants to the Company that throughout the lifetime of this
Agreement:

      13.1  it will make available professionally qualified personnel and
            facilities to the Research Project;

      13.2  it will perform the Research Project in conformance with generally
            accepted professional standards, good clinical practices, and all
            applicable laws and regulations;

      13.3  each QIMR employee has entered into an employment contract which
            provides for assignment to QIMR of all inventions and discoveries
            made by the employee during the course of his or her employment with
            QIMR;

      13.4  it shall ensure that each of its employees, directly associated with
            the Joint Venture, enter into a confidentiality agreement in which
            such an employee agrees so retain all Confidential Information in
            confidence for a period of seven years from the Effective Date;

      13.5  it has not previously granted and during the term of this Agreement
            will not grant any option, license or interest in or to the
            Intellectual Property and Biological Materials subject to this
            Agreement or any portion thereof in conflict with the rights granted
            to the Company;

      13.6  QIMR shall not use funds obtained from any industrial or commercial
            source other than the Company in connection with the Research
            Project;

      13.7  it has the full power, right and authority to execute and deliver
            this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder; and

      13.8  it has not entered and will not enter into any agreement with any
            third party in conflict with this Agreement within the lifetime of
            this Agreement.

The Company represents and warrants to QIMR that throughout the lifetime of this
Agreement:

      13.9  it will make available professionally qualified personnel and
            facilities to the Research Project;

      13.10 it will perform the Research Project in conformance with generally
            accepted professional standards, good clinical practices, and all
            applicable laws and regulations;

      13.11 all inventions and discoveries made by the employee during the
            course of his or her employment with the Company belong to the
            Company;

      13.12 it shall ensure that each of its employees, directly associated with
            the Joint Venture, enter into a confidentiality agreement in which
            such an employee agrees to retain all Confidential Information in
            confidence for a period of seven years from the Effective Date;

<PAGE>
                                     Page 10

      13.13 it has the full power, right and authority to execute and deliver
            this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder; and

      13.14 it has not entered and will not enter into any agreement with any
            third party in conflict with this Agreement within the lifetime of
            this Agreement.

14.   Indemnification - Joint Venture not a Partnership

      14.1  The parties agree that this JV shall not constitute a partnership
            and that no party shall be able to pledge the credit of any other
            party and that any debts incurred by any party shall be the debts of
            that party alone, notwithstanding that such debts were incurred by
            it in pursuance of its obligations pursuant to this JV Agreement.

      14.2  Each party hereby agrees to indemnify the other party from and
            against all claims, actions, suits or demands which may arise out of
            its activities in pursuing its obligations pursuant to this JV
            Agreement so that each party is protected from any action or
            omission of the other party.

15.   Termination and Consequences of Termination

15.1  Either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement forthwith
      upon giving written notice of termination to the other ("Defaulting
      Party") upon the occurrence of any of the following events at any time
      during this Agreement:

      15.1.1 the Defaulting Party commits a material breach of this Agreement
             which, in the case of a breach capable of remedy, shall not have
             been remedied within 30 (thirty) days of the receipt by it of a
             written notice identifying the breach and requiring its remedy;

      15.1.2 the Defaulting Party for a period of longer than 60 (sixty) days
             suspends payment of its debts or otherwise ceases or threatens to
             cease to carry on its business or becomes bankrupt or adjudicated
             insolvent (including without limitation being deemed to be unable
             to pay its debts);

      15.1.3 a proposal is granted or a nominee or supervisor is appointed for a
             composition in satisfaction of the debts of the Defaulting Party or
             a scheme or arrangement of its affairs, or the Defaulting Party
             enters into any composition or arrangement for the benefit of its
             creditors, or an order of any court is made in relation to and
             adverse to the Defaulting Party under any law, regulation or
             procedure relating to the reconstruction or re-adjustment of debts;

      15.1.4 an application is granted by the court for an administration order
             with respect to the Defaulting Party; or

      15.1.5 the Defaulting Party takes any action to obtain, or any court makes
             an order for:

            (a)   the winding-up or dissolution of the Defaulting Party (other
                  than for the reconstruction of a solvent company); or

            (b)   the appointment of a liquidator, trustee, receiver,
                  administrative receiver, receiver and manager, interim
                  receiver custodian, sequestrator or similar officer of the
                  Defaulting Party against the Defaulting Party or substantial

<PAGE>
                                    Page 11

                  part of the assets of the Defaulting Party;

      15.1.6 or anything analogous to any of the foregoing occurs under the laws
             of any country.

15.2  Any termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to any of the
      rights or remedies either party may be entitled to hereunder or at law and
      shall not affect any accrued rights or liabilities of either party.

15.3  In the event of QIMR giving notice to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
      the provisions of Clause 15.1, then the Company shall have 30 (thirty)
      days in which to assign and novate its rights and obligations in
      accordance with Clause 8.

15.4  Where QIMR givers notice to terminate this Agreement under Clause 15.1 and
      the Company has not assigned and novated its rights and obligations as
      envisaged in Clause 15.3 then the licence granted by QIMR to the
      Company pursuant to Clause 1.3.2 shall, insofar as it relates to the
      Biological Materials and Deliverables collected prior to and after giving
      of such notice, terminate.

15.5  The provisions of Clause 15.4 shall not affect the licence granted by QIMR
      to the Company pursuant to Clause 1.3.2, insofar as is relates to the
      Existing Biological Materials.

15.6  Where the Company gives notice to terminate this Agreement under Clause
      15.1, then (a) the licence granted to QIMR over the Ausagene Assets
      pursuant to Clause 1.3.1 and the genotyping results referred to in Clause
      1.2.3 shall cease, (b) the Deliverables shall become the properly of the
      Company and (c) QIMR shall immediately deliver to the Company (or as
      the Company directs) for not cost and free and clear of all
      encumbrances or third party claims, 4,134 Shares and (d) QIMR shall
      have no right to commercialise or enter into any arrangements with
      third parties with respect to the subject master of the Research
      Project and (e) QIMR shall be under no obligation to repay any amounts
      paid under Schedule B.

15.7  In the evens of the Company or QIMR giving notice to the other to
      terminate this Agreement under Clause 15.1, then QIMR or the Company (as
      the case may be) shall immediately deliver up and return to the Company or
      QIMR (as the case may be) all information together with any and all data,
      results, documents and material generated during the performance of the
      Research Project together with the Deliverables and all copies of the
      Ausagene Assets, the genotyping results; or the Biological Materials
      (as the case may be).

15.8  The provisions of this Clause 15 shall survive termination of this
      Agreement.

16.   Arbitration

In the event of a dispute arising from the performance of the Agreement, each
party agrees to notify the other party of the specific complaints or points of
disagreement and the parties shall make a good faith effort to resolve any
conflicts. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement
or any breach thereof which is not resolved by the parties, shall be settled by
binding arbitration under the Rules of Commercial Arbitration of Queensland.
Such arbitration shall be held in Brisbane. The rules of discovery determined by
the arbitrator shall apply thereto. Judgment upon any award rendered by the
arbitrator may be entered into any court

<PAGE>
                                     Page 12

having jurisdiction thereof. The costs of the arbitration, including
administrative fees and fees of the arbitrator, shall be shared equally by the
parties. Each party shall bear the cost of its own attorneys' fees and expert
witness fees. Notwithstanding the above, the parties shall have all rights
available at law or in equity to enforce the provisions of clause 10 above,
without breach of this Agreement and without any abridgment of the powers of the
arbitrator.

17.   General Principles of Conduct

The general principles of conduct which the Parties agree to observe and respect
in their dealings with one another shall include the following:

(a)   In dealings with one another for the purposes of matters arising under
      this Agreement the Parties shall, at all times, act in a way as is
      consistent with the achievement of the basic objectives of the Joint
      Venture.

(b)   The Parties agree to be just and faithful to one another in all dealings
      and matters arising under this Agreement and agree to co-operate with one
      another and to meet and conduct in good faith such discussions and
      negotiations as may be necessary or desirable to resolve amicably any
      differences or disputes which may arise between or among them.

18. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Queensland, without reference to
conflicts of laws principles.

19.   Subcontracts

The Parties may not subcontract or delegate any of their responsibilities under
this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Party which shall
not be unreasonably withheld.

20.   No Use of Names

The Parties agree that no Party hereto will use the name of another in its
advertising or promotional materials without the prior written consent of such
other Party; provided, however, either Party may make such disclosures as are
required by law, regulation or court order.

21.   Independent Contractors

The relationship between the parties shall be that of independent contracting
parties and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create any other
relationship between the Parties. No party shall have any right, power or
authority to assume, crease or incur any expense, liability or obligation,
express or implied, on behalf of the other.

22.   Severability

If any provision(s) of this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, this Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect without said provision.

23.   Notices

Any notices made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed effective when sent by certified mail, registered post or facsimile
transmission to the addresses set forth

<PAGE>
                                     Page 13

above, or to such other address as each party may specify by written notice.
Notice shall be deemed given seven days after dispatch by certified mall or on
the business day (in the country of receipt) next following the transmission of
the notice.

24.   Integration

This Agreement and its Schedules constitute the entire Agreement between the
Parties and supersedes all prior communications, understandings and agreements
with respect to all subject matters covered by the Agreement.

25.   Modification Waiver

This Agreement may not be altered, amended or modified in any way except by a
writing signed by each party. The failure of a party to enforce any provision of
the Agreement shall not be construed so be a waiver of the right of such party
to thereafter enforce that provision or any other provision or right.

26.   Option to Extend

Upon completion of the Research Project the parties shall negotiate in good
faith with a view to continuing or extending the Research Project in such manner
as they may mutually deem acceptable.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this agreement on the day
and year first hereinbefore written.

THE COMMON SEAL of THE COMPANY has            )    /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
been affixed by a Director and a              )    -----------------------------
Director/Secretary who certify that they      )
are the proper officers to affix such seal.   )    /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
                                                   -----------------------------

THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEENSLAND INSTITUTE       )    /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
OF MEDICAL RESEARCH has affixed its seal      )    -----------------------------
in the presence of the Director and the       )
Secretary who certify they are the proper     )    /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
officers to affix the seal.                   )    -----------------------------

<PAGE>
                                     Page 14

                                   SCHEDULE A

                            WORK SCHEDULE AND BUDGET

                                   [Redacted]

               Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

<PAGE>
                                    Page 15

                                   SCHEDULE B

                              SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

                                   [Redacted]

               Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

<PAGE>
                                    Page 16

                                   SCHEDULE C

                                  DELIVERABLES

                                   [Redacted]

               Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted
             Material has been separately filed with the Commission

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